President Trump's new executive order making English the official language of the United States has its roots in the anti-immigrant movement and 20th Century nationalism. This time it's personal.
(I worked with deaf junior college students many years ago and learned a little ASL. ASL is indeed a "language" and boy, oh, boy could those kids crank up their speakers to feel the bass line!)
I'm disheartened by all the racist claptrap that is trying to masquerade itself as an "executive odor" (as they are certainly smelly).
My experience tutoring Bosnian immigrants gives evidence as to why not everyone who becomes a US citizen will ever be English fluent (or should). I remember an older Bosnian refugee who was coming to our tutoring sessions for help learning English. She came into the country with her adult children and grandkids, and she wasn't working outside the home, but she was providing much needed childcare and housekeeper care to the younger generations who were speaking English at work and the youngest who were all attending public school in English.
But to take the citizenship test, this very nice lady had to be able to show "English proficiency" because she wasn't quite old enough to skip that part. Let's say we all gave it our best shot, but the poor woman couldn't learn English well... We figured that she had never had much schooling in her own language (and I wondered if she was actually learning disabled) so the whole learning process was very difficult for her. The more I learned of her story, the more I felt that she also suffered the PTSD almost all the Bosnians had from witnessing the Serbs shoot their husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, neighbors, etc., in front of their eyes and throw the bodies into ditches. So mental and psychological barriers would keep this very nice lady from ever learning more than "Hello!" and "Thank you!" in English.
Will Trump's racist E.O. eventually make it impossible for persons who had suffered so much to become US citizens because of language acquisition difficulties? This is truly a human rights violation, IMO.
Thanks for this essay, Austin., however unfortunate it may be that you had to write it at all. It is definitely not about speaking English per se, but about another foray by the Trump administration into the "Gleichschaltung" (totalitarianization) of America after January 20. (As a former German professor, I would like to counter Trump and insert German almost becoming the official language of America back in Revolutionary times, but for one vote - except that this is an urban legend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhlenberg_legend). An example of a neighboring country honoring the reality of its settlement by peoples of different languages is of course Canada. I wonder, thus, if the basis for the threat that, as you correctly say, Spanish in particular apparently poses to Trumpists is its demographic relevance or rather its sociology and association with impoverished peoples to the south. People all over the world learn English because it purportedly may afford them access to a more prosperous and influential life.
On a side note, I was not only appalled by Trump and Vance's treatment of Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday but also by their bullying on camera in colloquial English of someone whose native language was not English. No matter how proficient one might be in a second language, to try to defend one's position in that language under high stakes is no easy and indeed a frightening task. All the more reason to applaud Zelensky for his coolness in that moment. For refugees already in an unimaginably difficult and dangerous situation, having to deal with authorities communicating in English, the official language of the USA, as they seek asylum will be an added and totally unnecessary intimidation.
That’s a great point about Zelensky. It’s funny, Patrick, I felt uncomfortable at the time due to the language difference, but I didn’t remember that guttural feeling when I wrote this post. But so true, the way that they used language to overpower him was really awful.
I love this so much. I like the way my Haitian clients crack up when I bust out the three Creole phrases I still remember from Duolingo (not because I sound bad -- I hope! -- but because they don't expect it and it makes them happy!). I also did a deep dive into deaf ed and ASL when I first started out as a teacher long ago, thank you for that reminder. And I always tell the bilingual kids who come with their parents that they are super intelligent. Thanks Austin!
Thanks so much, it’s great to be able to talk about these shared experiences that have shaped us and shaped our values. I love the story of you communicating with your Haitian clients. Language is beautiful!
Considering all of the Freedom of Speech and Press violations occurring, just cut to the chase, you Orange plague, and make Silence the official language of The United ( once upon a time) States.
Je pense que j'ai parler Francais tout la temps. Vive la France! That may not be perfect but I promise to work on it. And torture as many magats as I can with it, in the mean time.
Non-immigrant Americans who are hostile to other languages are the same people who make no effort to speak the local language when they travel abroad.
Exactly. ^^this^^
The non-immigrant Americans I know speak Lakota (and English)
But we all know the official language of the United States is money.
(I worked with deaf junior college students many years ago and learned a little ASL. ASL is indeed a "language" and boy, oh, boy could those kids crank up their speakers to feel the bass line!)
I'm disheartened by all the racist claptrap that is trying to masquerade itself as an "executive odor" (as they are certainly smelly).
My experience tutoring Bosnian immigrants gives evidence as to why not everyone who becomes a US citizen will ever be English fluent (or should). I remember an older Bosnian refugee who was coming to our tutoring sessions for help learning English. She came into the country with her adult children and grandkids, and she wasn't working outside the home, but she was providing much needed childcare and housekeeper care to the younger generations who were speaking English at work and the youngest who were all attending public school in English.
But to take the citizenship test, this very nice lady had to be able to show "English proficiency" because she wasn't quite old enough to skip that part. Let's say we all gave it our best shot, but the poor woman couldn't learn English well... We figured that she had never had much schooling in her own language (and I wondered if she was actually learning disabled) so the whole learning process was very difficult for her. The more I learned of her story, the more I felt that she also suffered the PTSD almost all the Bosnians had from witnessing the Serbs shoot their husbands, sons, fathers, brothers, neighbors, etc., in front of their eyes and throw the bodies into ditches. So mental and psychological barriers would keep this very nice lady from ever learning more than "Hello!" and "Thank you!" in English.
Will Trump's racist E.O. eventually make it impossible for persons who had suffered so much to become US citizens because of language acquisition difficulties? This is truly a human rights violation, IMO.
Yes, it doesn't take long to bust that myth that Deaf kids don't get music, they sure do! At very high decibels haha.
Thanks for this essay, Austin., however unfortunate it may be that you had to write it at all. It is definitely not about speaking English per se, but about another foray by the Trump administration into the "Gleichschaltung" (totalitarianization) of America after January 20. (As a former German professor, I would like to counter Trump and insert German almost becoming the official language of America back in Revolutionary times, but for one vote - except that this is an urban legend: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhlenberg_legend). An example of a neighboring country honoring the reality of its settlement by peoples of different languages is of course Canada. I wonder, thus, if the basis for the threat that, as you correctly say, Spanish in particular apparently poses to Trumpists is its demographic relevance or rather its sociology and association with impoverished peoples to the south. People all over the world learn English because it purportedly may afford them access to a more prosperous and influential life.
On a side note, I was not only appalled by Trump and Vance's treatment of Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday but also by their bullying on camera in colloquial English of someone whose native language was not English. No matter how proficient one might be in a second language, to try to defend one's position in that language under high stakes is no easy and indeed a frightening task. All the more reason to applaud Zelensky for his coolness in that moment. For refugees already in an unimaginably difficult and dangerous situation, having to deal with authorities communicating in English, the official language of the USA, as they seek asylum will be an added and totally unnecessary intimidation.
That’s a great point about Zelensky. It’s funny, Patrick, I felt uncomfortable at the time due to the language difference, but I didn’t remember that guttural feeling when I wrote this post. But so true, the way that they used language to overpower him was really awful.
All the more reason to teach my grandchildren Spanish.
I love this so much. I like the way my Haitian clients crack up when I bust out the three Creole phrases I still remember from Duolingo (not because I sound bad -- I hope! -- but because they don't expect it and it makes them happy!). I also did a deep dive into deaf ed and ASL when I first started out as a teacher long ago, thank you for that reminder. And I always tell the bilingual kids who come with their parents that they are super intelligent. Thanks Austin!
Thanks so much, it’s great to be able to talk about these shared experiences that have shaped us and shaped our values. I love the story of you communicating with your Haitian clients. Language is beautiful!
Felon 45+ needs tutoring; I know a few ESOL teachers who could help.
Considering all of the Freedom of Speech and Press violations occurring, just cut to the chase, you Orange plague, and make Silence the official language of The United ( once upon a time) States.
Je pense que j'ai parler Francais tout la temps. Vive la France! That may not be perfect but I promise to work on it. And torture as many magats as I can with it, in the mean time.
¡vete a la mierda!
Hablo Español!