Andrew Friedman

Learning English

Last week, President Bush spoke out against a Spanish-language version of the national anthem. Beyond throwing a bone to his anti-immigrant base, Bush was also showing his small-mindedness. When books or authors are translated, it is trumpeted as a sign of their strength and success. Using very contorted logic, Bush and his allies tried to paint the translation of the national anthem into Spanish as un-American. In fact, the song was a demonstration of patriotism. The fact is that millions of people in the US are still in the process of learning English, and now they can sing a version of the national anthem in Spanish. It doesn't mean that they won't continue to learn English. Also, other Latino immigrants who speak both Spanish and English can now sing the song in either language.

Behind the dust-up over the national anthem, though, lies a more serious issue. Bush's comments represent a deeply xenophobic attitude, a failure to except that by speaking Spanish people are not saying they are against speaking English. Our country is enriched, culturally and economically, by multi-linguism.

Beyond the national anthem, though, the immigration debate has included a lot of lip service about the importance of learning English. Certainly, learning English expands opportunities for immigrants, and that's why immigrants crowd ESL classes across the nation. Nonetheless, learning English takes time, and support.

Our city, state and national governments, though, have failed to put our money where their mouths are. If we want immigrants to learn English, it is crucial for politicians to increase our public investment in English language acquisition programs and ESL classes. Everything else is just hot air.

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Posted at 9:19 AM, May 01, 2006 in Immigration
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