As others see it: English-only idea lacks wisdom
September 8, 2010 at 7:00 pm in Worthington Daily Globe
Last month as Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was roaming around the country as an official unofficial presidential contender, he made the statement that Minnesota should adopt an English-only position.
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English should be the only language used in Minnesota for the purpose of ensuring that rights are protected for everyone. Freedom is not free. We do not want a tower of babble where meanings are lost in translation.
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Good post Camalla.
There is no incentive for them to learn English. Go to any store in Worthington and the signs are in spanish and english. Translators will soon outnumber our teachers at the schools. This will be the downfall of our country. No border control and we’ll implode from within.
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I would question the wisdom of the author of this article! It is a requirement of citizenship to know English! In order to be a great nation you need to communicate and understand each other perfectly! That’s almost impossible without speaking the same language! Remember that divided we fall, and there is little greater division then a language barrier. The lack of one language is one of the biggest reasons our schools are failing now; we certainly don’t need more confusion there! Not to mention the millions it would save the state. I believe that was more what Pawlenty was addressing. This did not come from Pawlenty “and have our color of skin†it came from the lips of this author! In so saying this author and like people are calling English only supporters racist again. This kind of name calling from the leftist fools is only pushing the largest majority farther to the right! We shall see in November who is on the right side of this issue!
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There is a big difference between “English only” policies or dictates and “primary English” policies. The author of the editorial doesn’t engage in name calling, or implying that anyone is racist. That’s an unnecessary extrapolation. He’s urging the governor to take a different approach, which makes sense to me. As a former foreign language teacher, and a tri-lingual “primary English” speaker, I can attest that knowing more than one language opens doors to new experiences and cultures. And deano, calling people — or anyone who expresses a view contrary to your own — “leftist fools” would qualify as name calling… something you purport to abhor.
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That’s right, two can play at that came.
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I can agree with some of your points and you are blessed to be multi-lingual. The reality is that the fast majority of people are not and never will be! Nor do they need to be, and if they want to be, need to pay for it themselves. In all seriousness’ in order to communicate effectively you need to speak the same language, the alternative is for all people to know all languages. That’s probably not going to happen so we need one official language of communication, in this country that language is English! I can see no other reason to say something like “have our color of skin†then to imply racism, and that’s the way I took it!
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This is not a “they” or “them” issue. This is an “us” issue. Those who use words like “they” or “them” to describe people who have immigrated to America within their lifetime (because, if a person is born here, they are a US citizen, no matter the language spoken, or the color of skin) have completely missed the American Spirit which was founded on immigration! In early US history, America was absolutely multicultural, and spoke several languages.
The English language came from England, who early Americans fought against for the freedom to be a diverse nation.
While I agree that American English (because there is more than one English language) should be the “official” language of the United States, I see absolutely no call to dictate that each person living in America speak English.
We live in an international culture based on an international economy and SHOULD invite diversity into our country, NOT shun it.
It used to be, the more successful person spoke one or more languages other than their primary language; a language which the person learned to speak as a high school or college student.
Are we really saying now that all other languages are inferior to the English language.
I’m sure British Parliament spoke similar words as that government fought to remain in control of colonial America.
If we are going to speak about our freedoms and the cost that has been paid, then shouldn’t we include all that have fought for our country, including those who fought against the monarchy, against slavery, and forward?
We are America, every color, every language spoken, every culture. WE are America!
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Not necessarily so, our ancestors were required to learn English and did. It was only after a common language was achieved that we truly became great! A country made up of a lot of smaller nations and people all speaking different languages has little chance of true Greatness…. To much PELOSI in that comment!
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I think you mean YOUR ancestors. My ancestors were killed and imprisoned for living here before the European.
Just an historical reminder, along with the American Indian, the French (who were also killed and deported for living on British soil long ago) and the Mexicans inhabited this great land before the European. Oh, and let us not forget the Vikings.
Columbus was Spanish…do you think he spoke English.
And the Pilgrims, what sort of English do you think they spoke?
Which also begs the question, have you read the English used in The Declaration of Independance? Nothing like the English was use today!
You have quite the talent for labeling people…but I wonder, if you are so unhappy with the way our America is turning out, then wouldn’t you rather seek out your ancestral home over seas? Maybe knowing who your ancestors were would make you a bit more understanding of the cultural dynamics of this country.
Pelosi? You might as well have said Palin…for I believe their agenda is similar to yours. Make everyone like you.
But I don’t want to be like you. I relish the menagerie that makes up my ethnic background and enjoy the diversity of the American culture. My America!
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it is not about any one individual or any certain group. It is about how we as a group (all of the people living in minnesota) are organized and how we (the government) provide for the needs of the people. I do not believe that respect of and knowledge about my neighbors (new immigrants)culture is part of the term “NEED”. we (the taxpayer) spend millions and millions on multi lingual things like forms and multi lingual red tape. We (the taxpayer) should be able to navigate the system so we get the services we (the taxpayer) are paying for. This can be done more efficiently and sensibly when it is conducted in one base language. We (the people living in minnesota) can fulfill our needs only by working together. there is not much room for individualism in a democratic form of government. to succeed we (the people living in minnesota) need a common identity to rally behind and direct our energies. that rallying point is the fact that we all live in minnesota and have some basic needs like schools, roads, support for the aged and sick, law and order. These are needs and to get them met we need to rally and share our common identity. communication is how we (the people) get that done. Common identity is essential. Imagine if we all get to do our own thing with the cultural beliefs of our ancestors. it would be chaos. It is getting to be chaos right now. Government under one system of “by the people, of the people, for the people” doesn’t work if special interest groups (not the majority) with a narrow and limited focus (multi language) are in charge. this is the few inflicting their culture on us all (something that is against our system). this is a free country and I choose English only and I believe I am part of the common sense majority!!!!
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Beans, you have hit the nail on the head, awesome response to all of these whiny “it’s my culture” and “my people were wronged 200 years ago” posts. This is America and it’s 2010, get over it. Be part of this great country or don’t.
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History is NOT irrelevant! The history of this country, the past of our government, economy, immigration, and culture are as relevant as ever! To dismiss the American culture in a dimple statement of “This is America and it is 2010″ negates the hundreds of years of history this country has evolved through.
But you are right, this is 2010, and we know the world is bigger than our little Minnesota or the America we live in. The recent economic depression has clearly indicated that America is no longer a self sustaining super power as was believed even 30 years ago.
Knowing who we are is as important a need as knowing where we came from. That is not whiny. That is historical fact.
Disregarding the history of this country is just irresponsible and nearsighted egoism!
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