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On the English Language
Oct. 13th, 2010 02:06 pmThere has been a movement in Arizona, as well as other states, to make English the "official" language. Reminds a bit of the French purity movement some time ago.
A couple things come to mind. Arizona wants English to be THE language even though there is still a strong set of First Nation languages, and Spanish was the main Eurolanguage for centuries.
The other thing is that those who are the alleged champions of the English language really do not know the language well at all. Leaving aside their errors in signage and speech, they do not seem to understand the nature of English.
English, as it happens, is a thief. It does not borrow words, it follows people down dark alleys and robs them. It has been doing that at least since Middle English and I see no evidence that it has the least interest in reforming its ways. Will American English have a strong Spanish influence in the future? Perhaps, although there are actually several forms of Spanish involved. And the structure of the language, that basis that keeps it what it is, has not changed.
It could be that some day English will reform. Buy sensible shoes and wax nostalgic over the old days with the other languages down at Veteran's Hall. Nahh. I suggest the other languages check for their wallets when English leaves.
A couple things come to mind. Arizona wants English to be THE language even though there is still a strong set of First Nation languages, and Spanish was the main Eurolanguage for centuries.
The other thing is that those who are the alleged champions of the English language really do not know the language well at all. Leaving aside their errors in signage and speech, they do not seem to understand the nature of English.
English, as it happens, is a thief. It does not borrow words, it follows people down dark alleys and robs them. It has been doing that at least since Middle English and I see no evidence that it has the least interest in reforming its ways. Will American English have a strong Spanish influence in the future? Perhaps, although there are actually several forms of Spanish involved. And the structure of the language, that basis that keeps it what it is, has not changed.
It could be that some day English will reform. Buy sensible shoes and wax nostalgic over the old days with the other languages down at Veteran's Hall. Nahh. I suggest the other languages check for their wallets when English leaves.
