I take great pride in my command of the English language — or at least the American English language. I am better-than-average at spelling and pronunciation. Over forty years have passed since I graduated high school and I am still studying English.
It really irritates me when someone, especially an uneducated and ignorant someone, corrects my pronunciation. I know that grimace rhymes with face and the accent is on the second syllable. I know that dissect is not pronounced die-sect, but dissect.
I also have a familiarity with several languages, in none of which I can claim any proficiency. I know how to pronounce German, Spanish, and Latin. I am not so good in French (and a native-born Frenchman would tell me I never will be).
I know some words, particularly names, are pronounced differently depending where you are in the country. Bergen, NY and Bergen, NJ are not pronounced the same. Charlotte, NY and Charlotte, NC are pronounced differently as is Ephrata, PA and Ephrata, WA and the cities of Moscow, Russia and Moscow, ID. If I pronounce the name of a place wrong and am corrected by someone from that area or familiar with the proper pronunciation I take no umbrage.
I went to the deli at a local supermarket and asked if they had Lebanon balogna. I enunciated clearly: Leb-a-non, with the accent on the first syllable. The waif behind the counter said, "Leb-e-NON," to which I replied, "I pronounced it correctly." After ascertaining that they did not sell the product I asked for a pound of Münster cheese, using the correct German pronunciation of Myunster (the the y and umlauted u being pronounced as one letter). You meant "Munster," didn't you?" she asked. Somewhat indignantly I told her that I had said it as it should be.
OK, most people use the pronunciations that the young lady working at the counter did. That makes it neither right nor acceptable. Where do these aberrant pronunciations come from? They come from ignorant TV reporters and radio announcers who seem bent on changing the way we speak. Grenada, that tiny island nation in the West Indies, was until the recent military engagement there (under the presidency of Ronald Reagan, for those to young to remember) pronounced with an "ah" sound. Now it is Gren-nay-da. Too bad Frankie Lane didn't know that. He would never have been able to rhyme it with Nevada — or will we be calling that Ne-vay-da ten years from now? Oh, just in case you are a public speaker, its English pronunciation is with the middle a as the a in at, not Nev-ah-da. Yes, I know, because I lived there.
If you are one of those people who feel it is your duty to correct everyone's pronunciation and use of the English language I have but one word for you: STOP! Sooner or later you will find yourself with egg on your face. If you are proficient in these areas and you want to save someone from future embarrassment, do it quietly and privately. And as for you, young lady behind the counter, remember this: the customer is always right — even when he's wrong.
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2008
Monday, October 15, 2007
This is America, so Speak English
“This is America, so speak English!” I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that statement. It has most often been spoken in conversation between Americans discussing the many immigrants that cannot or will not speak English. I think it is an unkind, knee-jerk, redneck reaction to a non-problem.
Why do immigrants and foreigners not speak English?
1. They are visitors from another country here on business or vacation. Why should they learn English just to spend their money in our country? Those redneck rubes that think they should have no trouble accepting their dollars. Not only that, they (the rubes) do not learn Spanish to go to Mexico or French to visit Paris. No, they think everybody should bow to their backwoods philosophy — except themselves.
2. They are recent arrivals and have not yet had time to learn our language. Give them a break, for Pete’s sake! English is not an easy language to master. Ten-to-one, those that have no mercy on others have no mastery of their own language.
I worked in an industrial bakery and was one of eight native English-speaking employees on my shift. Of the three hundred plus others most were Mexican, with a scattered representation from the other Central and South American countries. Many of them were bilingual, most were not. “This is America, so speak English!” was often thrown in their faces.
Although it was not required, I made an attempt to learn Spanish so I could better communicate with them. One night, a young Mexican male was pulling a large motor across the plant floor by the cord. In order to get it to change direction, he sped up and yanked on the cord. I was livid because I was the one who would have to repair it. I lashed into him, speaking English, only to see a face that obviously was not comprehending. “¿Habla inglés?” He shook his head from side to side. After getting his supervisor and instructing the man on how to move electrical equipment I told him that if he was going to live and work in the United States he would always have menial jobs unless he learned English. He started immediately.
In exchange for help learning Spanish I agreed to tutor several in English. I soon learned that we often take for granted common words and idioms. One day a young man from Nicaragua asked me what “left” meant. I explained to him that it is a direction. “You can go left or you can go right,” I said while pointing in the direction indicated. “That doesn’t make sense,” he responded. “Well, use it in a sentence.” He said, “I was at the green grocers today and asked for a dozen eggs and the man said he only had three left.”
3. When foreigners are among their own people, they will speak their native language because it is more convenient and quicker for them. I know it is irritating to be among people whom you do not understand. However, we like English because it is what we know. And, when overseas and in a country that speaks another tongue, we find conversation with someone else who can speak English refreshing. Speaking one’s own language is comforting.
4. Foreigners often will not speak English for fear of making mistakes. I can understand this. I used to have a fair understanding of German and can still carry on a conversation. I sat on an airplane behind a group from Germany and translated to my wife what they were saying. It was really funny because they were drunk and did not know I could understand. My wife suggested I talk to them, but I declined because I knew my command of the language was so inferior to theirs.
4. By speaking their mother tongue they can keep you paranoid, wondering what about you they are talking about. I'd almost bet this is the primary reason. Now, that’s tongue-in-cheek but to hear some people talk that’s really the way it is.
I do believe we should have one national language and that language should be English. I believe that those who come here to live and to work and that speak another language should make due haste to learn English. I do not believe that our governments should have to print instructions in twenty languages to mollify those who cannot speak English. But if we want to enjoy an influx of tourists and their dollars businesses and public conveniences should attempt to communicate with them in their language, if those concerns so desire.
I once visited Montreal and asked a policeman for directions. Even though I was wearing the uniform of an American serviceman he spoke to me in French. I was infuriated. English is one of the two national languages of Canada. The entire time I was in Montreal I heard no English apart from the World’s Fair or aboard ship. I did not expect the man in the street to know English and perhaps the policeman was not bilingual. I learned what it was like to be a foreigner unable to communicate.
Too many Americans expect foreigners to do what they will not. How many Americans are bilingual? The percentage is less than that of other lands. In many countries Americans are sought after by the natives so they can practice their English language skills.
I have learned that immigrants who have a non-English heritage love to hear their heart language. It takes little effort to learn a few polite phrases like “Good morning, hello, how are you?” Speaking to them in their own tongue paves the way for friendship and understanding. It may also open the door to assimilation. A little effort and a little understanding goes a long way. Now, if only I could master “Good morning” in Korean....
Why do immigrants and foreigners not speak English?
1. They are visitors from another country here on business or vacation. Why should they learn English just to spend their money in our country? Those redneck rubes that think they should have no trouble accepting their dollars. Not only that, they (the rubes) do not learn Spanish to go to Mexico or French to visit Paris. No, they think everybody should bow to their backwoods philosophy — except themselves.
2. They are recent arrivals and have not yet had time to learn our language. Give them a break, for Pete’s sake! English is not an easy language to master. Ten-to-one, those that have no mercy on others have no mastery of their own language.
I worked in an industrial bakery and was one of eight native English-speaking employees on my shift. Of the three hundred plus others most were Mexican, with a scattered representation from the other Central and South American countries. Many of them were bilingual, most were not. “This is America, so speak English!” was often thrown in their faces.
Although it was not required, I made an attempt to learn Spanish so I could better communicate with them. One night, a young Mexican male was pulling a large motor across the plant floor by the cord. In order to get it to change direction, he sped up and yanked on the cord. I was livid because I was the one who would have to repair it. I lashed into him, speaking English, only to see a face that obviously was not comprehending. “¿Habla inglés?” He shook his head from side to side. After getting his supervisor and instructing the man on how to move electrical equipment I told him that if he was going to live and work in the United States he would always have menial jobs unless he learned English. He started immediately.
In exchange for help learning Spanish I agreed to tutor several in English. I soon learned that we often take for granted common words and idioms. One day a young man from Nicaragua asked me what “left” meant. I explained to him that it is a direction. “You can go left or you can go right,” I said while pointing in the direction indicated. “That doesn’t make sense,” he responded. “Well, use it in a sentence.” He said, “I was at the green grocers today and asked for a dozen eggs and the man said he only had three left.”
3. When foreigners are among their own people, they will speak their native language because it is more convenient and quicker for them. I know it is irritating to be among people whom you do not understand. However, we like English because it is what we know. And, when overseas and in a country that speaks another tongue, we find conversation with someone else who can speak English refreshing. Speaking one’s own language is comforting.
4. Foreigners often will not speak English for fear of making mistakes. I can understand this. I used to have a fair understanding of German and can still carry on a conversation. I sat on an airplane behind a group from Germany and translated to my wife what they were saying. It was really funny because they were drunk and did not know I could understand. My wife suggested I talk to them, but I declined because I knew my command of the language was so inferior to theirs.
4. By speaking their mother tongue they can keep you paranoid, wondering what about you they are talking about. I'd almost bet this is the primary reason. Now, that’s tongue-in-cheek but to hear some people talk that’s really the way it is.
I do believe we should have one national language and that language should be English. I believe that those who come here to live and to work and that speak another language should make due haste to learn English. I do not believe that our governments should have to print instructions in twenty languages to mollify those who cannot speak English. But if we want to enjoy an influx of tourists and their dollars businesses and public conveniences should attempt to communicate with them in their language, if those concerns so desire.
I once visited Montreal and asked a policeman for directions. Even though I was wearing the uniform of an American serviceman he spoke to me in French. I was infuriated. English is one of the two national languages of Canada. The entire time I was in Montreal I heard no English apart from the World’s Fair or aboard ship. I did not expect the man in the street to know English and perhaps the policeman was not bilingual. I learned what it was like to be a foreigner unable to communicate.
Too many Americans expect foreigners to do what they will not. How many Americans are bilingual? The percentage is less than that of other lands. In many countries Americans are sought after by the natives so they can practice their English language skills.
I have learned that immigrants who have a non-English heritage love to hear their heart language. It takes little effort to learn a few polite phrases like “Good morning, hello, how are you?” Speaking to them in their own tongue paves the way for friendship and understanding. It may also open the door to assimilation. A little effort and a little understanding goes a long way. Now, if only I could master “Good morning” in Korean....
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