Soul of a nation
I must take issue with Missy Berry’s commentary, “The benefits to becoming bilingual,” (Sept. 29). I happen to believe that a country’s language is its soul. History, literature, music, theater, politics, journalism reflect one’s country. These treasures can be translated. I resent having to press one to speak English in this country. We speak English as did our original forefathers.
When I married a Brazilian and moved to Rio de Janeiro, I took Portuguese classes along with a French nurse at a beautiful monastery. It was a very practical course for missionaries (which we weren’t), but was an intensive introduction to the language. I read the newspapers, magazines, watched Brazil’s world class “novelas” (soap operas) and talked, talked, talked, especially with taxi drivers. I did have a few private lessons but my efforts were mostly on my own, and with the help of Brazilian friends.
When I was fluent enough to teach photography at the state Art School in Rio, my wonderful, talented, gracious students helped me master technical phrases.
It was all a wonderful experience and I met so many interesting people, instead of joining the “American wives of Brazilians” club or living in an American enclave.
English is the lingua franca of the world. If you really want to integrate into a country, learn its language. Then you will discover the soul of that country.
Constance Vieira da Cunha
Chicago
Learn English
I must respectfully and firmly disagree with just about every premise of Missy Berry’s letter. I do not feel threatened by anyone who speaks, looks, acts differently than myself — at least not in my country, the United States of America.
I am very thankful for the great diversity of people who are found in this place — the freest nation in the history of humanity.
But this is America, not Mexico, or Poland, or Zimbabwe, just to name a few foreign countries. I am particularly not threatened by those Spanish-speakers who come here. I am more frustrated than threatened. And what is particularly frustrating to me, and to millions of my fellow citizens across this land, is the unwillingness of many Hispanics to adapt this new country. I keep hearing some Hispanics say, “But in my country…” If this isn’t their country, what on Earth are they doing here? No one goes somewhere for a 20-year visit.
Americans have every right to celebrate Independence Day because that is our national holiday. The Liberation of Poland, Mexico, or any other nation (outside of the U.S.) is not our national holiday, nor should it be. As a military veteran, I am deeply disturbed by the fact that we Americans have become so “culturally diverse” that we forget we are Americans. I have no hyphenated patriotism. I am an American. It doesn’t matter what the lineage is. What matters is that I am an American.
The benefits of people learning to speak the English language, should they decide to live here permanently, are manifold: Better chances for productive employment. Better chances for educational opportunities, and far better chances to climb the economic ladder. The benefits of people learning to speak English here in the United States are also long-lasting upon all who pay taxes to the local, state, and federal governments. Translating all those forms is expensive — and someone, somewhere has to pay.
Phil Hoover
Chicago
Memo to Ben
Doesn’t the First Law of Holes simply say that when you find yourself in one (a hole), you should stop digging? Well, maybe someone can help me out a bit here. The proximate cause of the sub-prime mess and the resultant credit crunch was cheap money.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates to 1 percent in 2003. And then the games began. Cheap money and cheap credit fueled an unwarranted level of growth and set in motion an imbalance that could only lead to a fall. It is one thing to fall into a hole.
It is another thing altogether to fall into the abyss.
When people perceive and/or believe that the cause (cheap money) is also the cure there will in the end be Hell to pay. Pay attention, Ben Bernanke.
George Kelly
Clearwater, Fla.
