Language debate only serves to divide
Jim Revels
In the almost eight unforgettable months since the United States suffered its largest loss of life to terrorists in a single attack, patriotism and unity have emerged as dominating results.
While patriotism is expected to wane in coming months, efforts to end divisiveness and spawn unity must continue. One of the most divisive trends today is the endless language debate that seems to follow the political season just as night follows day.
My wife is a proud naturalized citizen. She obtained citizenship the old-fashioned way: she earned it by complying with all established requirements. She took the time to obtain the required English language skills that so many El Pasoans ignore today.
The citizenship test is now administered in Spanish for those unable or unwilling to learn our common language. In no other country can a person become a citizen without demonstrating basic official language skills.
In France, employment is not possible without French language skills. In the United States, there are millions of people living and working who possess no ability to communicate in English. This failure surely contributes to accidents and reduced productivity.
Driver's license tests administered in languages other than English also contribute to accidents. While traveling more than 60,000 miles across this country in the past 10 years, I have yet to find highway signs in any language other than English. I often wonder how the language-impaired manage to find their way.
Here in El Paso, there are thousands of residents who have lived for years without developing English language proficiency. One disturbing reason can be traced to politics. Politicians see an opportunity in sustaining divisiveness created by language impairment and rhetoric.
This is an election year. The electronic telecommunication industry is already watching their profits increase from political advertising. Channel 7, KVIA-TV, made laudable history recently by refusing to broadcast political advertising in Spanish. After lawyers got involved, the decision was reversed. Now, citizens who have earned the right to make informed decisions about candidates must rely on sub-titles. I see this as sanctioned disenfranchisement. I cannot understand how this advances unity and communication.
The time has come for this nation to either adopt an official language or face an uncertain future where language pollution will increase divisiveness. The determined homicide bombers who used commercial aircraft as guided missiles to attack the United States sought to fuel divisiveness. Instead, the nation united in a war against terrorism, that continues today.
What terrorists were unable to do, politicians are managing to achieve: divide this great nation to prevent coordinated anti-terrorist actions around the world. A common language in any nation is as important as a common currency. In Europe, a common currency is more important than a common language, even though English has been adopted as the language of business for nations in the European Union.
If Europe can envision the benefits spawned by a single language and currency, surely the United States can be as insightful. United we stand in victory, divided we surrender in defeat.
Jim Revels, a retired Army colonel who lives in East El Paso, writes often for the El Paso Times. http://www.borderlandnews.com/stories/opinion/columnists/20020430-193700.shtml