[MD] Language and The Tower of Babel

[Arlo J. Bensinger]

[Case]
I believe that having a single common language is a good thing.

[Arlo]
See, here's where I start to get lost. If "communication" is the goal of a
"single common language", then there are better ways to achieve communication
than simply placing the burden on "others" to "learn English". Why, for
example, is a single common language better than a mostly bilingual population
that speaks both English and Spanish? Wouldn't the needs of communication be
met better?

[Case]
But my point above is that because English is our common language. Because it is
so widely used it is the de facto common language of the world. Most students
or even educators do not think it is an important part of their curricula. I
know the high schools were I live struggle to fill foreign language classes.
The same is truth at the local community college.

[Arlo]
But you see, foreign language classes are not "valued" in this case because the
dialogue has not been centered on improving communication among the population,
but on making "them" speak "my language". This dialogue is so prevalent, that
most Americans who travel simply demand that anywhere they go, everyone
accomadates them in English. I could fill up scores of posts with horror
stories I've been told from all over where I've travelled. I've been met with
shock more often than not, when people learned that I could (gasp!) speak there
language and am American.

Part of this, to make a brief tangent, is on our view of language. It is not
simply "the same thing said in different words". Language is a very particular
metaphor for seeing the world, and learning a new language is very much
learning a new way to see the world. Language classes have opted for such
pedantic beginning lessons that this is often missed. 

[Case]
I know in trips I have made to Miami I am appalled that there are many public
places that English is the second language. The situation is reversed and I am
the one at a disadvantage in my own country. This is the kind of erosion I am
talking about.

[Arlo]
If you feel disadvantaged, then why not learn Spanish? Wouldn't that help your
situation when in these places? But, I am curious. In what ways are you
disadvantaged?

[Case]
But this may just be the same kind ethnic diversity you describe in Philly. I am
not calling for state laws or anything of the kind. I do not like it but I do
not live in Miami and when I visit there I eat with bilingual friends.

[Arlo]
I don't speak Chinese. Whenever I visit a city, I always make a point to spend
an afternoon in the local Chinatown (recently San Fran). Many of the people
there don't speak English. But I've never felt threatened, disadvantaged or any
negativity in this environment. Sane in Philly when I am in enclaves where all
I hear is Italian.