I’ve been following the “English Only” debate for a while now.

Coming from South Africa and then living in California, I have had a lot of experience with this matter.

One of the things I have noticed is that the move to make English the national or even a state language is based upon the arrogance or fear of those who propose it.

In most other countries, there is a great deal of acceptance of another person’s language, which can be seen in the fact that in many other countries there are at least two national languages.

In South Africa, I believe there are 12.

Road signs in other countries are also usually posted in the two dominant languages of the country.

In South Africa, signs were posted in Afrikaans and English.

This acceptance is further seen if you have Internet communication with people in another country.

What language do you use? Most likely English, which tells you that an Internet pen pal in Russia, Germany or Japan is able to speak your language: English.

Do you speak or write Russian, German or Japanese?

If you do, I’m sure your pal appreciates you a great deal for those times when she/he cannot find the word for something in English.

If you don’t, how do you think your pal feels about always having to accommodate you?

I have never seen a phobia of a second language as much as I have seen in America.

Even the French can communicate in English, though they are quite arrogant about the brand of French they speak.

Furthermore, two people being able to speak the same language does not ensure communication.

I’m sure there are many people who you don’t speak to despite the fact that they speak the same language.

Perhaps you don’t like the way someone looks or dresses; perhaps their skin is too dark or too pale or perhaps they do not share the same religious views as you do.

Effective communication has to do with the love we have for others and the compassion we have for another’s situation, which is why a kiss or a smile communicates the same thing in any language.

As far as Mr. Augustine’s argument on children going to school at a later age, I simply did not understand the point that he was attempting to make.

However, I do know that when you force people to do something, a lot of resentment is created.

Conversely, when you learn someone else’s language, they respect you, and when you show them you have taken the time to care for their needs, they will be more apt to respect you, love you, buy your product, frequent your business and so on.

People who come to this country speaking another language don’t expect all of America to switch to their native tongues, but they, as any human being does, expect to be treated with compassion and kindness.

Besides, Mr. Augustine, by the time you are 50, there will be more Spanish speakers in this country than there will be English speakers.

Perhaps on that historic day, they will demand that Spanish become the official language of America.

I was happy to read that you know a little Spanish. Keep learning, as you may be doing your taxes in Spanish one day.

Wouldn’t that be confusing!? The people you scar today may be the people you cater to tomorrow.

South Africans are not too good about learning other languages. Neither are Russians, nor Nigerians, nor Germans, nor Mexicans, but the question lingers: are Americans?

We should remember the prophetic words of my sister in Christ, Lauryn Hill, “Be careful of those who you scar ’cause karma, karma, karma, comes back to you hard.”

---

Randall Duval

Council Bluffs