If I am going to take the time to write a blog, I want it to be something someone will read. If I write a blog and nobody reads it, was it really written? Also, I want it to be thought provoking or entertaining. What's the point in reading something if you don't take something away when you are done? So here I am, typing away and I still don't have a clue what the subject of this blog will be. Basically, I have two choices. I could continue to ramble until a thought enters my mind or I could take a few minutes, look around the room or think of the things that have happened to me in the last day or two that strikes a chord. Rather than taking the chance on loosing you altogether I choose the later.
I'll be back in a few minutes with a thought...
I don't want to push people from other countries away so feel free no matter where you call home to chime in with your thoughts. Today I want to talk about the English language in the United States. Before you read any further, I probably won't introduce any new insight into this argument but maybe if this turns into a discussion we can better understand the sensitivity Americans have to other languages being spoken in our country.
I will admit that it strikes a nerve when I call a business phone and the first thing I encounter is "select 1 for english or 2 for spanish." If you think this choice became a part of our lives because there are so many spanish speaking people amongst us, you are sadly mistaken. If you think it's because the latinos demanded it you are sadly mistaken. It happened in America because that is what America is all about. Not because we are friendly and helpful like the people who have a liberal slant to their politics would have you believe. No that has nothing to do with it. It is because of the big "C" word. MONEY! Oh wait, I mean capitalism. If business can increase its revenue by making it easier for you to spend your money, by speaking in the language you are most comfortable using, they will go out of their way to do it. Trust me, if business wasn't leading this effort, there wouldn't be a language choice on your digital telephone operator. If business wasn't profiting from the language choice option, we wouldn't be having language discussions in every corner of this country.
Let's consider the languages spoken in other countries. I am thinking that in German schools they speak german, Portuguese schools, portuguese, French, french. Of course it is necessary for you to understand that the children in these countries are required to learn a second language. In America teachers aren't even doing a good job of teaching english to American kids. Maybe that was unfair. I imagine that there are high school graduates in other countries that can't properly assemble a sentence. Let's put that soapbox away and save it for a different blog!
What about singing the national anthem in other languages? Do they do this in any other country? The Russian anthem in english? The Japanese anthem in English? I don't know, I am asking.
What about disrespecting the American flag in association with the display of the Mexican flag? Can anyone give a reason why I shouldn't take offense to that? Isn't someone who demands to use a language foreign to America disrespecting a sovereign nations culture? I believe that if you go to most countries you will find that the only widely accepted language is the language of that country. In European countries you can find someone to translate but business is conducted in their accepted language. If this isn't the case I bet money is driving the change. If I go to Mexico do business phones give me the option to "select 1 for spanish or 2 for english"? Shouldn't we expect that they reciprocate?
I better stop now. This is getting kind of long and I really want people to read, rate, and discuss the suject.
Do me a favor... if you read this and you want to rate it, rate it honestly. Don't give it a ten unless you feel it deserves one. Oh and if you have gotten this far thanks for taking the time to read my musings.
Regards
Mark
