OCR Text |
Show Page AI2 THi; DAILY 111 KM I). I'unu, I Suiul.n Jul) X l'W7 Legislating language is hopeless Pet of the VJooh Sponsors of an official English law for Utah argue that because "language brings people and communities together," such a law would encourage "various ethnic groups to understand one another." Implicit in this argument is that lack of a command of English is in part responsible for "destructive, patterns" of behavior on the part of the minorities who now live among us. Again, the target groups appears to be the Hispanic community (recently publicized statistics have noted the high crime rate among this immigrant group; and indeed, this large immigrant group do present special challenges). Whether the cause is a language problem, or that an official English law could change anything, is questionable, I talked during he week to a number of local leaders of the Hispanic community and agreement among them on how to deal with a "language problem" is clear. There exists a challenge, but no problem, they all emphasized. WORD WISE anti-soci- I And no law will help. Another point came through loud and clear: the larger Hispanic community in Utah is composed of people who have come to the United States (whether legally or illegally! to better their own lives, and especially to give their children a better chance in life. Many work two or three jobs. They learn enough English to get by. They encourage their children to learn English (and the children do, Don Norton through the schools). The Hispanic community feel that an official English Inw would actually create more problems that it would solve. First of all, "requiring" English is a plain and simple to a proud and group of people. Have we forgotten the remarkable contribu-- J lions these people have made, and continue to make to our j slate? Who are we protecting1 whom from? The .Spanish an native Americans were first in the West anyway? Perhaps, ofie person remarked, we owe thole people a lot for what we essentially all but stole from them in the first place land, opnrli-nity- , and other resources! We may not accept these lines of reasoning as valid arguments, but they do relle; t the potential resentment an law may cause' English-onlput-dowj- n hard-workin- g j y among our Hispanic brothers Immigrant communities eventually integrate, without thej threat of a law; and you can! legislate hearts, anyway. We don't need any stereotyping or scapegoating. dents in their specific needs, Most of the cost s of bilingual programs fall ujxm the federal government, whose leaders do recognize our obligation to meet the needs of minorities, or of any children who, whatever their circumstances, need help to keep from falling behind in school, (A special challenge is that some immigrants are not yet literate in their native language.) An official English law may even have the oiled of discouraging or even preventing programs designed to achieve what such a law is trying to achieve: help immigrants learn English. Some promising programs are in the works: free classes in classes for "family literacy" voand kids together; parents lunteer programs through churches; mentoring programs in which school children tutor other children; use of the services iif the bilingual children of A. . 4. it :t i $, j , ,. , - sr. . .'"'1 - 5 'V speaking parents, or other bilinguals in the state. Our immigrant population are already highly motivated to learn English, An official English law will create a wrong impression, whereas a proactive effort to provide h f - f,4 needed services, at minimal cost, will in the long run he more effective and even less expensive, States with official English laws have created more problems for themselves than they have solved. We return to the basic principle that started this whole debate: It's hopeless to try to : , ! ' 1 legislate language. j What we do need is positive programs to help ALL our resi I Don Xorton is a Briglnim Young 'nivasily pmfiwor t English. Herald Extra THE DAILY HBffeL I q a http:www.heraldextra.com red merle Australian shepherd, is the Pet of the Week. He has been neutered a'nd is Jake, a available for adoption at the Utah County Animal Shelter, 2031 S. State Street in Provo. (f"pr pfn) J EZ3 ; ft 1 7 J M-Fas- is 8.99 ribbed 8.99 Knit tops Reg. $14 Ribbed crew-nec- k tops in 10 colors. Girls Reg. $20 Belted shorts in three plaids ...13.99 7-- Reg. $14-$1- 6 new Shop in regular 5.99-7.9- 9 White blouses tops In combinations. Girls Levi's! 550"" jeans 12.99-14.9- 9 fall color 7-- and White blouses Reg. in three styles. Girls Pleated-froskirts in black, Reg. $23 red and ...15.99 navy $18-$2- 0 4-- slim sizes ...$22 all stores Monday through Saturday 10 nt a.m.-- 9 p.m. (except Solid tops Reg. $12-$1- 6 Solid-colore- knit tops d in several colors. Girls Twill walking Reg. $22 in navy and khaki Salt Lake Downtown and ZCMI !! x shorts ...15.99 Foothill: Saturoay.1i Visit us on the Inter |