In the previous article, “Proper Englysche”, I discussed the need for the declaring of a “National Language” and the adherence to it in public and civil communications. Persons entering this country for the purpose of nationalization should be required to learn enough English language to carry on day-to-day conversations here.
Even as far back as the late 1800’s when Ellis Island was opened to immigrant entry, one of the requirements for entry into the USA was that the immigrant HAD to know simple English phrases, or they were deported from whence they came! And, English was not the “legally-declared” National language then (it still isn’t)!
You may not be aware but in some (most) states public documents and forms, such as ballots for voting or applications for welfare, are published in MANY languages, obviously for the convenience of those who are residing here but refuse to learn the English language. This additional printing expense amounts into the millions of dollars to the states (tax payers). Why should this extra expense be? Why not require the adoption of English as the National language and provide those documents only in English?
In most foreign countries, except for English that has “unofficially” become the common language for normal commercial ventures, like air traffic control at airports as well as the equivalent services for worldwide sea ports, multiple languages are simply not provided or supported. And rightly so.
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This country has many immigrants to come to our shores LEGALLY each year and many, if not most, are from nations with languages other than English. Granted, English is a difficult language to learn but so is Thai if you don’t live in or are happen to be from Thailand!
To overcome some of the culture or language “shock” that occurs with immigrants, they tend to gather together with folks who are from their native land. This has happened for centuries in the USA – it is nothing new. After the “potato famine” in the mid-1800’s Ireland, those immigrating to the US usually gathered in the greater New York or the Boston areas. That is why you see so many police or fire personnel with Irish surnames; that was the only work available to their ancestors in the previous century. But they DID seek and accept work!
Later, many of them migrated west to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee because the terrain “reminded them of home.” Many of my friends from that area can trace their lineage back to those migrants from Ireland and Scotland! Annually, the “Highland Games” (Scottish) are held at Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC (this year July 8-11).
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Most of us are familiar with “Little Havana” in the Miami area and the many cultural “communities” especially in our cities all over the USA. And, that’s okay.
I am all in favor of maintaining one’s cultural ties and passing them on to your children, including the native language of the country from which you came. That is something that cannot be taught by or learned in any school. It is peculiar to your own heritage; only you can pass that on!
However, none of these “cultural islands” should be used to avoid learning the language of the country to which you have moved, where you now make your home! I know TOO many people who live in these areas who tell me that many of them (especially their parents or older folks) will not go “outside” their neighborhood because of the language barrier. Well, that is a shame because they are unwilling to merge into and become a viable, useful citizen in their new society. We need them as much as they need us and they should put forth the effort to “break out” and join the rest of us.
I am reminded of the aged Austrian couple in the 1942 movie, “Casablanca”, who are waiting to emigrate to the USA to escape, after the Nazi takeover of their country. Their comment was that they would only speak English “from now on” so that they could become “good Americans.” This should be an adopted trait for all who want to come to this country.
If I would move to Germany, France or Ireland, I would take it upon myself to learn the language of the country to which I would become a resident. I expect their people to do the same when coming here!
That’s only fair and reasonable. They come here, hopefully for “change” – they need to change their language as well!
