[Grovenet] ear mark this!

[Steven]

You're going in circles. An offical single language can not be compared to
"official" bilingualism and its trying to satisfy everybody, and thereby
satisfying
nobody. Unilingualism is not intended to satisfy everybody as obvious that
you would not be satisfied by it.
When was the last time you were donw to some county offices? I've found it
hard to find someone who speaks English at all at the WCHA.
Then there is the issue of Portland having a Klingonese translator. Where
does it end?

-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com]On
Behalf Of Walt Wentz
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 8:10 PM
To: Forest Grove local interests list
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] ear mark this!


I was just following the lead of your last note. Any government
dictation of languages is likely to backfire, while a pragmatic
approach, left up to the self-interest of individuals and
availability of education, will result in a natural accommodation to
the prevailing culture. Look at Quebec as an example of the
government trying to satisfy everybody, and thereby satisfying
nobody, by declaring "official" bilingualism.  This only creates more
insularity and resentment between French and English-speaking
segments of the population. In Southwestern agricultural districts
where the population is one-third or more native Spanish speakers,
what sense would it make to decree that all "official" documents
could only be printed in English?  Wouldn't it make considerably more
sense for the local government to have some bilingual employees,
provide some translated documents when necessary, and meantime make
sure the local schools were teaching ESL? People are not stupid. They
know they can't hope to prosper in the dominant culture without
speaking the language.

>Walt,
>
>I don't understand why you pose this as an "either-or"  situation. Why
does
>adopting an official language preclude the instruction of second
languages?
>
>Steve
>
>
>
>>America is woefully behind
>>  the rest of the world in multiple language instruction. Instead of
>>  huddling behind a pitiful "official" English-only wall, we'd better
>>  start teaching our grade-schoolers a second language of Spanish,
>>  Russian, Chinese or Japanese
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Steven" <NoSpam03 at comcast.net>
>To: "Forest Grove local interests list" <grovenet at rdrop.com>
>Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 7:03 PM
>Subject: Re: [Grovenet] ear mark this!
>
>
>>  the babble we currently have is a roadblock to bringing our population
>>  together. Heck, pick Chinese. But lets have one.
>>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>>  From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com]On
>>  Behalf Of Walt Wentz
>>  Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 6:32 PM
>>  To: Forest Grove local interests list
>>  Subject: Re: [Grovenet] ear mark this!
>>
>>
>>>
>
>
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