Schwarzenegger recently commented on English language immersion for Latino immigrants in the Bay Area. I understand that immigration is a very big national issue, however, the fact that Schwarzenegger thinks he has the answers because he himself is an immigrant is arrogant. This debate has been waged in this state since before he was ever born, and it surprises me that someone from Europe wouldn't endorse bilingual education. We are one of the few nations that don't encourage people to speak more than one language. Many countries take pride in their bilingual education efforts. For example, Ireland has adopted several steps to save their cultural language Gaelic, which would have become extinct without legislative efforts.
A couple of years ago Harper's ran an article outlining the dominating effect of English on the rest of the world. It's wiped out several global indigenous languages and even knocked Latin off its perch by becoming the language of most scientific nomenclature. English is not endanger of being forgotten, far from it. So let's stop hiding behind language as a shield for the climate of xenophobia this nation has endured since manifest destiny was achieved. I loved language, all languages, and I'm tired of politicians using them as cultural weapons.
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