This great country of ours was founded by people who came from Europe in search for more, in search of a better life. In coming here, they encountered the Indian tribes, people who lived off the land in a harmonious way that was not harmful. There were many tribes with diverse backgrounds, their own languages and distinct cultures. Instead of living peacefully and learning from these intelligent folks, the Europeans sought to change them. You see, they wanted the "savages" to adopt their way of life. They set out to convert the Indians to Christian religion. This of course would require that the Indians speak English, wear clothing and behave as the Europeans did. Eventually, those that would not conform were desecrated. Those who did conform were assimilated, provided they leave behind their own culture.
If we in the world go to English as the only language, I can only see this same thing happening again. Some of it has already begun. To be competitive in the world's business community, countries and their business elite must learn to speak the language of commerce, English. They do so in order to survive within the world's business community. People of these cultures are now coming to business conferences and important meetings dressed just like the American/English business man. What is next? Will they be pressured to start behaving as the Americans/English do? Will the English speaking business communities start regulating how they act and make suggestions as to how they should be living their daily lives? It scares me.
Some of this is already happening with regards to government. The United States is a powerful country. When we speak, other countries listen. I understand this. However, should we be allowed to push democracy onto any country we try to help?
Don't get me wrong. I love my country. I love living here with the freedoms every American enjoys. However, I disagree with our trying to homogenize every other country and culture out there. I enjoy the richness of diversity. I don't want everyone else to be like me. I want some variety in life. Perhaps I as an American should get off my duff and learn other languages.
Let’s not do to the world what our ancestors did to the Indians. Too late, we realized it was wrong. It is unnecessary to make the same mistake again, only this time it would be global.
2 comments on English Only - I think not!
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I as a Japanese agree with you. I came to the United States to learn English to be able to communicate many kinds of people. In the United States, not only I have learned English as a language, but also I have learned hot to communicate with people. Now, I understood that English or other languages are one of the tool like "the language of commerce" to communicate with someone. I believe that we can communicate without languages.