 BobbyRutan says: Myth: If everyone agreed to speak only one language, we wouldn't have so much war and interethnic conflict. Reality: Of course people need a common language to understand one another. But that doesn't require eliminating minority languages; it only requires bilingualism. Switzerland has four official languages and has never had a war. Finland has three (Finnish, Swedish, and Lapp). Hawai'i has had two co-official state languages since 1978 -- English and Hawaiian -- and no civil strife has resulted. On the other hand, much of the conflict in the world has erupted in places where there is only one language. For example, in the U.S.'s own Civil War, both sides spoke English. Khmer-speaking Cambodians under Pol Pot killed millions of other Khmer-speaking Cambodians. Thus language is not the "glue" that binds us together. What really binds us as a nation is a common belief in freedom, including the freedom to speak any language we please. What really binds us as a nation is a common belief in freedom, including the freedom to speak any language we please.I totally concur, however, I have mixed feelings about the bi-lingual free-for-all in out nation right now. It is problematic, at least where I live. We are very divided in MY community (more so in the last two years). A lot of transient migrant workers - none of whom speak English, have vehicles, real places to live...a lot of deportaztion "busts"...my local Walmart has turned into Little Tiajuana. I told someone in line at the store "nice boots" - no comprende. While I agree with the freedom to speak and believe what you like - the influx... Being open minded isn't the solution to immigration however it is the key to most of the concepts of the Constitution. |
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