You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'English' tag.
There’s this moment- if you’re lucky, a day or so, between worrying about last term and thinking about the new one- when you remember why you gave up that job in the public school, even though you might have had to take a pay cut. You recall how nice is is to be able to answer “Graduate Degree” on those customer satisfaction surveys, how nice it is to have letters that follow your name, even if it doesn’t correlate to more zeros on your check.
It’s walking down the glass-panelled, glossy-floored hall that smells like old books, and discreetly listening to the people in their offices as you stroll by. It’s hearing the names of places you rarely think about, mathematical equations you left behind irrevocably before the GRE, ancient obscure arguments about Descartes’ position on the soul.
Students brush past in their hoodies emblazoned with the University’s name, their hair messily tied back, Uggs or Birkenstocks or flip flops tapping, though it’s 40 degrees outside. Their backpacks seem to want to encumber them eternally, but you know it’s just ’till May.
It’s the empty break room, the coffee that was made a few hours ago, not even theoretically freshly roasted, and the powdered creamer someone’s spilled on the cabinet in a rush to get to their 10am lecture. You grab the second-to-last muffin and a flimsy cup of coffee and retreat to your office, where your colleagues are discussing relative clause usage and the inconsistencies of cultural time.
A student is waiting, and wants to know her score on the final. She’s one of the ones who really got it this semester, one of those for whom the lightbulb was perpetually shining.
Her eyes when you tell her her grade, her breathless “Thank You”.
Sipping your coffee. Starting it all again.
HELP, O wise and portentous internet! I have a dilemma. A conundrum. A paradox. I am in a pickle. Help a girl out, will ya?
I currently teach at two universities- part time. For the fall semester, I was hoping for something more permanent. Lo and behold! The heavens opened and tiny cherubim descended bearing an offer unexpectedly arrived from one of the two– the state school.
It must be signed by Friday.
It is temporary- only guaranteed until December. And they’ve gypped me before, moving me from full time to part time. And now back again.
The second place I’m teaching (a private university) has opened a search for a full-timer. Long-term. As in, if I were to interview and get it, I could be there for more than a few months.
But they haven’t even started interviewing yet.
And I have something due on Friday, remember?
I’ve been at the first place for three years. I’ve been at the second for six months. I enjoy both equally, though the working environment is better in the first. The first, though, is part of a potential merger state-wide which could vanish my position if passed by the governor. So, perhaps poof. At the second I hear happy noises, but I’m still repressing the urge to go all Cuba Gooding Jr. on them.
Any thoughts?
(And yes, I know I shouldn’t take advice- or candy- from strangers on the internet. But hey, I’m hoping my readers are up for it. I mean, you read my blog. You must be smart. Or like headaches.)
Student From Afar: Teacher, I forget my homework.
Teacher: You forgot your homework.
SFA: Yes. Yes. I can give to you tomorrow?
Teacher: Well, the syllabus says- you remember the syllabus? The paper I gave you the first day? It has the directions and rules for the class?- it says that I don’t take late work.
SFA: …
Teacher: Understand?
SFA: …
Teacher: So that means that it is too late to turn in your homework. Too late to give me your paper.
SFA: …
Teacher: TOO. LATE. NO. PAPER.
SFA: But I can give homework tomorrow? Next class.
Teacher: No. Today was the day for your paper.
SFA: Tomorrow.
Teacher: No, today.
SFA: But I can bring paper tomorrow. Yes?
Teacher: No. I mean, yes. Bring paper to class. You need paper for my class. But it is too late for your homework.
SFA: I can bring tomorrow. Yes.
Teacher: Yes. No.
SFA: Yes.
Teacher: Have a nice day.
SFA: Yes. Tomorrow I bring homework.
Teacher: …
SFA: You takes care.
Teacher: Take care.
Here’s the for. What follows is the against, that is, against this measure by the Nashville city government:
“English is the official language of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County,Tennessee. Official actions which bind or commit the government shall be taken only in the English language, and all official government communications and publications shall be in English. No person shall have a right to government services in any other language. All meetings of the Metro Council, Boards and Commissions of the Metropolitan Government shall be conducted in English. The Metro Council may make specific exceptions to protect public health and safety. Nothing in this measure shall be interpreted to conflict with federal or state law.”
It should, perhaps, be noted that English is already the official language of Tennessee. Just sayin’.
So the basic argument against English-only measures relates to hospitality and respect for the foreign-born. An English-only proposition would send a message to the world that we’re not really interested in making people feel at home in our country. That we don’t respect difference or sensitivity to other cultures. It tells people that we’re concerned with people assimilating, and not interested in broadening our horizons. In terms of many different faiths (Christian, Muslim, Jewish) who have injunctions to treat the foreigner in a respectful way, it doesn’t exactly send a message of welcome.
English Only also tells the world that we’re not interested in their business. Tourism and enterprise will just have to talk American, y’all. Recruiting foreign investors? Only in Americanese, thank you very much.
Another side is financial. While you might argue that it would actually save taxpayer dollars by not requiring multiple tedious foreign-language versions of government documents, there would still be a considerable expense dealing with the many court battles that would inevitably ensue. Court battles in English, mind you.
Are we really wanting to send such a prejudiced, racist message to the rest of the world? How can we say “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”? Give us them, just make sure they don’t breathe too free…
The special election is on the 22nd.
Thoughts?
(NB: I’m still on the fence about this one. What about you?)
I’ve been following the coverage by Bilingual in the Boonies on Nashville’s proposed English-only law. As One Who Is Interested In Such Things, it’s something that, like immigration, I’m still on the fence about. While our country doesn’t have an official language, it’s part of our multichromatic tradition that people just… learn English. “But we’re a nation of immigrants!” “We have to respect the cultural identity of our neighbors!”. “They’ll learn English anyway…”
This post is the FOR. That is, arguments FOR English-only legislation. Stay tuned for the AGAINST. Perhaps blogging the two sides will help me sort all this out!
I met a woman at a Colombian restaurant the other day who has been here 15 years. She doesn’t speak English.I have students who have been in the US since they were in elementary school and still don’t know how to identify a verb. The lady who cleans the house where I used to be a nanny came from Nicaragua 22 years ago. She can’t do anything outside of her routine for fear of not being able to speak English.
Bilingual seems to think that everyone melts in eventually. Perhaps historically that’s happened, but the US has never assimilated the millions of immigrants at the accelerated rate we are presently. In fact, no country has, and remained a united country. We’ve also not had the emphasis on cultural studies so en vogue at the present. “Respecting their native culture” has come to mean that millions of people never adapt.
And it’s not from a lack of opportunity. Free English classes are available in no less than fifteen places within a 5-mile radius of my home. The technical college down the road from me has state-funded adult education classes, with teachers that have MAs in ESL. Schedules that can work with people in full-time jobs (do I sound like an infomercial yet? Call today for your informational DVD!!!).
Language serves to unite. Barriers are breached, and people can share more than air. English-only legislation can aid in the eventual immersion of new immigrants to our shores. It can save local governments money by obviating the need for translations of official documents. And it can be a way for those who come here for a new life to show respect and honor for our many, varied American traditions.
(The against to follow! Meanwhile, tell me what you think…)
P.S. Bonus points if you can identify which American President said the following:
“[the immigrant must become] an American and nothing but an American…There can be no divided allegiance here…We have room for but one flag, the American flag…We have room for but one language here; and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people”.
(Playing “God Bless the USA” in the background optional).
Recent Comments