I would like to offer a vigorous amen to the letter written by Carlos T. Mock (“Expose children to languages,” Voice of the people, May 23). Regarding the use of Spanish-language translations in official documents and other notices, one reality is undeniable. The sheer number of Spanish-speaking residents in our country, from all over the hemisphere, is a fact.
Like it or not, they’re here, many of them only recent arrivals.
They participate greatly in our society.
We should welcome the diversity they offer.
Whoever said that because we translate for people into Spanish they have no intention of learning English?
Not too long ago there were many whose children had to translate for them so they could participate even minimally in public life.
As time went on, they learned enough English to hear and understand for themselves.
To rail against the use of Spanish is to target one’s condemnation specifically against people from Spanish-speaking countries.
Isn’t there a label for this?
It is with great pride that I can say both of my children, raised in an English-speaking home, are fluent in Spanish and reasonably knowledgeable in a few other languages.
To me, knowledge of at least one language other than one’s own is the mark of a truly educated person.
I am appalled that American institutions of higher learning do not require a working knowledge of a second language.
This is a shameful failure of our educational system.
