English only

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by dar512

There's more than a bit of German (from the Saxons):

"English is the result of Norman men-at-arms attempting to pick up Saxon barmaids and is no more legitimate than any of the other results."
- H. Beam Piper

I'm teaching English in Japan and I loved this quote. It's the most pithy explanation for the inconsistencies in English.

Seriously, though, being unable to speak the language of the country where I have moved is very limiting and I am sure I miss out on a lot. But I chose to come here and if I were planning to stay long-term I'd be studying Japanese much more than now. If you migrate to a country, learn the language. Even a few mangled basics can get you by.

But it's great business to have an English speaker on staff. Most Anglophones in this city are with the same phone, internet, travel agent and computer companies, for this reason.

So to apply this to US schools:
Everyone must learn the official language (English). Without it you're at a major disadvantage. But lots of people should learn common minority languages (Spanish, etc) too. And I recall (but can't cite, sorry) claims that English-only schools are less effective at teaching minority students than mixed language schools. Remember they're also learning math, history, science etc - and social skills.

now let me end with the universal language ...

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

...

Everyone must learn the official language (English). Without it you're at a major disadvantage. But lots of people should learn common minority languages (Spanish, etc) too.

But English is not the official language. The US doesn't have one.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

But English is not the official language. The US doesn't have one.

mmm. didn't know that. Never been there.

But the point still works if you replace "official" with "predominant" or "most common". Even if government services are multi-lingual, very much else isn't. Having lesser English skills is still a disadvantage.

You trip me up on semantics, and if that weren't exactly the sort of thing I get up to I'd get so ... so ... something.

PS I'm new... what do you mean, HungLikeJesus. He wasn't hung (hanged). He was nailed, with big 10-inch-long, iron-hard spikes ......... aaaahhhhhhh. Sir I am impressed!

[ZenGum]

PS I really want to see some cow towing in the IOTD. Oh please please. I am laughing already.

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

mmm. didn't know that. Never been there.

But the point still works if you replace "official" with "predominant" or "most common". Even if government services are multi-lingual, very much else isn't. Having lesser English skills is still a disadvantage.

You trip me up on semantics, and if that weren't exactly the sort of thing I get up to I'd get so ... so ... something.

PS I'm new... what do you mean, HungLikeJesus. He wasn't hung (hanged). He was nailed, with big 10-inch-long, iron-hard spikes ......... aaaahhhhhhh. Sir I am impressed!

ZenGum, I just read your profile. For some reason I thought you were an American living in Japan. My apologies.

[ZenGum]

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus

ZenGum, I just read your profile. For some reason I thought you were an American living in Japan. My apologies.

No problem at all. I was talking confidently about what the US ought to do, your assumption was reasonable.
And frankly, telling Australians from US citizens is getting harder all the time. Damn our foreign, economic, and social policies so closely follow yours, is there any chance of you guys giving us the vote soon? I mean if the US president (oops, vice-president ) basically decides when Australia goes to war, can't we have a say? Please?

[dar512]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

I'm teaching English in Japan and I loved this quote. It's the most pithy explanation for the inconsistencies in English.

If you liked that, Zen, you should really check out "The Mother Tongue" by Bill Bryson. It's an informative and funny look at the English language.