Friday, May 19, 2006

English as a first language

On Thursday the Senate voted to make English the A-number Primo language of America. Actually, they are deeming it "the national language" as opposed to the "official" language:
..the Senate yesterday voted to make English the "national language" of the United States, declaring that no one has a right to federal communications or services in a language other than English except for those already guaranteed by law.
It's more a practical application than anything else. I can't help but wonder how it might affect my local ATM, which prevents access to my own money unless I indicate my preference of English or Spanish. Is it not "racist" to discrinimate against those who wish to converse in German or Japanese, or Farsi? Harry?

The open borders crowd keeps repeating it-- "America is a land of immigrants". True enough, but America is also supposed to be a MELTING POT. English was chosen way back for practical not xenophobic reasons. The majority already spoke it, and a common language facilitated commerce, politics and progress. It's worked pretty well so far.

Wonder if the sanctimoneous set realizes that English is already the official language of worldwide aviation? Yep, if you want to fly IFR (talking to air traffic) into Berlin or Hong Kong or Nairobi, ya gotta know English. Maybe Harry also believes the ICAO (UN organization that governs international aviation) are a pack of racists.

Which brings to mind an old joke. A German pilot once called the Berlin tower and requested take off clearance in German. The controller answered, "if you want clearance, speak in English". The pilot angrily protested that he was a German pilot, in a German airplane, operating at a German airport, and demanded a reason why he should not be able to converse in his native tongue. At that point a very dry voice came on the frequency, clearly of English descent, and said, "because you lost the bloody war".

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