In this English-Only discussion I can’t believe we’re actually having to have again I’ve followed all sorts of arguments for and against. The only one “for” that makes any sense to me is that people wish to forestall a Quebec-style bill where companies are forced to accomodate multiple languages down the road. There are any number of horror stories coming out of Quebec where small businesses have had to shut down because they couldn’t afford an interpreter or couldn’t afford to pay to change the labels on their products to reflect the French-AND-English-MUST-be-on-everything laws.
If we are ever faced with such a law (French and Spanish MUST be on EVERYTHING), I will fight it with every ounce of energy I have in my body. Granted, that’s not much these days, but it’s something. I wholly dislike one group of citizens deciding what is proper conduct for everyone. Unless we’re talking about murder or rape or arson or other horrifying Malum en Se crimes against humanity I’d just as soon let everyone go about his or her business in the way that makes them the happiest and most productive citizens possible.
I’ve heard a lot of people on the “English-Only Is DUMB!!!” side ramble a bit about how we Americans are so dumb and stupid that we only know one language and that ignorance is WHY we have to have such bills. No argument makes me angrier, and I have to tell you that on more than one occasion I was tempted to support the English-Only bill just to say a loud “Up Yours” to that particular train of thought.
Here’s the thing. A large number of Americans speak only one language. Many Europeans speak multiple languages. I get that it can make you feel inferior, but it’s not about stupidity. It’s about Geography. In most of the United States you have to drive for several hours before reaching a place where another language is predominant. In most of Europe you have to drive like two hours before you cross into “what the hell are they saying?” territory.
Trust me. If everyone in Tennessee had to speak Latin in order to do business in Atlanta, I would guess that many of us would sound like Roman senators. If everyone in Indiana had to speak French to do business in Michigan, well, voulez-vous couche avec moi? (Yeah, I know I misspelled that. I haven’t had French since Jr. High and I hate the remake of that song.)
At one point I was very conversant in Spanish and someone conversant in German and French. I can still read Spanish and Latin. I still know that Krankenschwester means Nurse. But I’ve not hung out with anyone who speaks any of those languages in a very long time so I’ve lost them.
I’m excited for the kids who are learning Spanish now. They may not lose it the way I did. They’ve got people nearby to bust out some chatter occasionally.
We’re not stupid. We’re just suffering one of the larger drawbacks of the whole Sea-to-Shining-Sea thing. And if you want to win people over to the Vote No On English-Only side, I suggest you stay away from the “you’re stupid” argument. It didn’t work on my brother when he was five and it won’t work on grown folks any better.
If everyone in Indiana had to speak French to do business in Michigan, well, voulez-vous couche avec moi?
Enough to make one wonder what kind of business is being done in Michigan??
Well, considering that Quebec is trying to secede from the rest of Canada, let’s just jump off that bridge when we get to it.
Meanwhile, we have already made English the official language of the state of Tennessee. It’s required that all government documents “SHALL” be in English. That’s not optional. It’s required.
At the same time, there are several places where E.O. goes too far. One is the wackadoodle claim that no person shall have the right to services in another language. That’s not promoting English. To the contrary, it’s discriminating against people who happen to not speak English. And those people would include …. tourists, international students, foreign businesses, and perhaps most importantly, Dr. Ming Wang. (Just kidding, Dr. Wang!)
The “dumb” part is not the making English the official language part. The “dumb” part is how badly written the law is. It refutes itself. Moreover, it excuses bigotry and xenophobia among Metro employees while punishing legal immigrants who are trying their darnedest to learn English. (Read the 2003 study on immigration and you’ll see what I mean. The biggest concern was the lack of accessible English classes.)
couchez
You’re a bunch of idiots. If you won’t protect your culture, you will be dominated. It’s only a matter of time.
[...] anything more that dictator on the stage, eat burgers, get fat and die. But Katherine Coble has her own version: I’ve heard a lot of people on the “English-Only Is DUMB!!!” side ramble a bit about how we [...]
If you won’t protect your culture, you will be dominated.
And that attitude is precisely what motivates English-only advocates. Fear that “they are going to get us,” meanwhile the realize that they ARE us.