Comments on: One National Language

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:46:56 +0000

I decided to learn Spanish and Portuguese mainly because I am amazed by the culture of their speakers. Just within the past few years I am really starting to see the fruits of my labor — I can speak proficiently with so many more people in this world by knowing Spanish and Portuguese. It truly amazes me to see how many different people have learned one or more languages (beside their native tongue) in addition to their chosen profession. It makes me wonder how the U.S. and other countries rank in the number of people who speak more than two languages.

By: lynedesroberts

lynedesroberts — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:49:24 +0000

I live in Ottawa (Canada), although this city has not an official status of bilinguism (yet!), I would say most people are more or less fluent in both, French and English. Thanks to the policies of our Federal Governement on Official Languages, civil servants here must be bilingual to some extent (depending on their job positions).

And, Colin, not all Québécois voted (or will vote) for separation! The ones living across the Ottawa River have no interest in a Québec souverain! I am from Montreal and I moved here 8 years ago… I am a FSL Program Design and Training Consultant who works, for the most part, with Public Service employees… and, trust me, I never met a single one who was not enthusiastic about learning French and discovering the other solitude’s culture…

And yes! Québec is different… just the way New Foundland or B.C. are… and those differences across Canada go beyond languages…

By: Ryan

Ryan — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:23:28 +0000

Karen:

Your efforts are commendable. I can really only think of one thing you could do to help foster the Spanish language among English speakers: start a Spanish language lab in conjunction with intermediate or advanced Spanish students. One of the most deficient things about language teaching is that the students never really use the new language for anything other than taking tests. Perhaps you could set up something up with a high school teacher or college professor where you could meet with a few students several times a week at a certain place with the sole purpose of conversing in Spanish. Bringing attractive native Spanish speakers along with you from time to time wouldn’t hurt either . Don’t correct their spoken language too much at first, if at all. Just get them comfortable and using the Spanish they have already learned. This will do as much or more to promote Spanish than just about any Spanish class or story time.

Colin:

You hit the nail on the head my friend! Pride and bigotry often keep us from learning new languages. It sounds overdramatic but you have just given us all an example of bigotry getting in the way of learning English or French in Canada. Learning a language often breaks down the walls of prejudice since it requires learning about another culture. If you speak their language and understand their culture then it is harder to discriminate against them. However, if you have already decided that you don’t like them (whoever they happen to be) then it is unlikely that you will ever learn their language beyond a beginner’s level. Good for you for not taking part in this foolishness.

Mike:

This looks like a good cause. I hope you can get in touch with public schools and let them know about it since they would be more likely to benefit from it. It’s difficult to prosper in the USA without knowing English.

By: Mike T.

Mike T. — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:06:02 +0000

A great site for ESL students is AIDtoCHILDREN.com.

AIDtoCHILDREN.com is a dual-purpose site for building an English vocabulary and raising money for under privileged children in the most impoverished places around the world.

Check it out at http://www.aidtochildren.com

By: Colin Roberts

Colin Roberts — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:27:43 +0000

I am from western Canada, a bilingual Canada. I myself am flent in both French and English; however, it is by no means because Canada is a bilingual country as because I worked hard to study French. The language programs at my high school (which is one of the top ten best public schools in North America) were woeful. However it is important to take into consideration that bi/multilingualism is often more of an issue than simply “one should learn one’s national languages”. For example in Canada the Québec vs. The Rest issue is very contentious and very heated. If anyone has any familiarity with the issue and/or the country, it is very prevalent. Being in Québec is like being in a different world, and the Québecois have voted numerous times to separate from the rest of the country. When the issue becomes so politicised, it is often far more difficult to spread bilingualism when there are such prevalent blockades (the government in Québec actively tries to block English integration in some cases, and the rest of the country looks down on French as fairly useless and pertaining only to issues of The Crazy French for example)

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:43:11 +0000

You’re absolutely right. I think the locals should make more of an effort to learn the language of their neighbors. Now, how does one go about doing this? How to convince them that it’s in their best interest? I’m doing all I can by maintaining my Spanish language skills and “sharing” what I know with others through leading bilingual storytime at the local library and preschool classes, but I want to do more.