I generally don't engage in political arguments on Facebook because I know I'm not likely to change anyone's opinion. But this morning, someone in a group of my high school friends posted an American flag photo that said "Why the hell should I have to press 1 for English? Did America move?"
Okay. There is delicious irony in that question. There were the obligatory responses about Native American languages and how we tried to obliterate those and how in other countries people speak more than one language.
Her response (sic):
Have nothing against better education. I fear this post is lost on you for it;s true meaning. Has nothing to do with education, just what we;ve lost as a country. I'll bet those other countries do not have such a recording nor do they have billboards in english!!!!!
My response to her past the squiggle.
Her response about "what we've lost as a country" seemed to embody the Republican "I've got mine" philosophy and the yearning for an America that existed only in the right wing's collective warped imagination and willful ignorance about the rest of the world.
I said:
Actually, I was just in Japan and most official signs were in Japanese and English; many also were in Chinese and Korean. Many ads were in Japanese and English. All the announcements on the subways and trains were in both Japanese and English. The ATMs had a button for English instructions. I appreciated all that and wondered what would happen if, at this age, I emigrated to another country and had to learn a new language. I'm pretty sure I would struggle and would appreciate any attempts to help me navigate through life.
It's possible to learn English and still be more comfortable in your native language, especially when it comes to complex or emotional situations like medical or financial issues. I've hosted many exchange students who were all somewhat fluent in English and every single one said it was hard to talk about abstract or complex things in anything other than their native language. I can order dinner in French and ask where the nearest train station is, but I could never have a discussion about anything important.
I'm not sure what you feel we've lost. Unless you're Native American, we're a nation of immigrants. I remember the Chicago neighborhood I grew up in, which was primarily Italian, Polish and Irish immigrants. There were many places where English was not the only language spoken. American-born kids often translated for their parents who knew enough English for the basics. Many of the grandparents never learned English and no one expected them to.
Having to "press 1" costs me one second of time out of my life and makes life so much easier for others. I see it as a kindness and I think we need more kindness in life.
So far no response, but I kind of expected that.