Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost.nifl.gov [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.8.7/8.8.5) with SMTP id IAA06770; Tue, 11 Nov 1997 08:54:22 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 08:54:22 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <19971111.064931.5031.0.paul168@juno.com> Errors-To: lmann@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: paul168@juno.com (Grupo Primavera) To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:1489] reply to C. Januzzi X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Juno 1.38 Status: RO Content-Length: 3480 Lines: 96 1. Please explain what JALTCALL is. 2. I am going to use your point concerning Spanish as a "rival" to English as an international language. "Complement" doesn't work either. Well, we'll find the right word, I'm sure. 3. Because the issue is a political one, the idea of making or legislating Spanish as the second offical language is very sound. In other words, what is lacking on our side is the basis for our own referendum like the Unz Initiative. So, with your permission, I think I will develop this as a plan of attack in my area - Santa Barbara, California. Thanks for your input. Perhaps you could tell me or us a little about what you do. Paul Rogers On Mon, 10 Nov 1997 21:16:02 -0500 (EST) Charles Jannuzi <jannuzi@edu00.f-edu.fukui-u.ac.jp> writes: >This is a fascinating thread, but so utterly dispiriting that it even >has to >be discussed. One similar came up on JALTCALL earlier this year. > >It might be the case that Hispanic/Latino Americans face a lack of >empathy >for their cause because so many of American families have over >several >generations lost their immigrant ancestors' languages. So many >Americans >just have no idea of the advantages of being bilingual. My >grandparents on >my father's side spoke dialects of Italian. Their children (raised in >the >1920s and 30s speak no Italian. My German and Scots-Irish ancestors on >my >mother's side have been speaking English longer than the Queen of >England's. > >There is also the danger of confusion of terms: bilingual programs >(even >the subtractive type) and/or immersion programs don't necessarily go >with >English Only. I could see subtractive programs being used to enforce >English Only, however. > >I think the best way to get the right-wing and xenophobic elements off >of >Spanish-speakers' backs is for language teachers to articulate this >message: > >Spanish is an international language that already rivals English. >Well, >rival sounds adversarial. How about 'complements' English >internationally. > Since both the Republicans and Democrats now agree about one >thing--the >business of America is business--it's just plain stupid for the US to >ignore >Spanish (and Chinese) as an important international language that >needs to >be (1) taught in FL programs in the US and (2) encouraged and >supported in >the present bilingual population of Spanish-English speakers. > > Given it's location, there really is no very good practical reason >why >Spanish should not be the "second" language of the US. But it is more >than >just semantics that it is taught as a FL in the US. >Isn't that ridiculous, absurd, utterly unbelievable, given the >country's >long history of contact with Spanish-speakers and all of the >Spanish-speakers who have been Americans ( whether they wanted to be >or >not)? If English is to become the official first language of the US, >then >Spanish should be the official second language of the US. > >If countries all over the world logically enough choose English to >teach to >their children as the foreign language of choice, so too Americans >should be >able to choose Spanish. > >Appeals to reason directed toward the racists, the xenophobes, the >populists, the know-nothings--do they ever work? But such appeals can > >persuade the majority sitting on the fence. > >Toward a true multi-lingual USA. > >Charles Jannuzi >Fukui University >Japan >jannuzi@ThePentagon.com > >---------- > > >
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