Date:  Wed, 13 Sep 1995 10:14:50 MST

From:  Tom Uharriet <UTOM[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]ADMN.712.NEBO.EDU>

Subject: Re: FOR English Only



> >> In spite of our technological advances, such

> >> as this e-mail, communication is breaking down due to language

> >> diversification. With the rate of growth of non-English communities,

> >> it is increasingly difficult to maintain viable communication.

>

> >I assume you're talking about the number of different languages spoken

> >in the US. Right? Has anybody established a maximum number of different

> >languages appropriate for maintaining viable communication?

>

>  Could you both start by explaining what you mean by "viable

> communication?" at what level of interaction?

>



Back to basics, communication at all levels of interaction is easier

to establish and maintain when a language is shared. The greater the

diversification, the more complicated the problem of communication

becomes. This line of thought is nothing new. Who among us finds it

as easy to communicate with people whom they do not share a common

language? Why complicate the obvious? If I moved to Poland, I would

need to find someone to translate for me. (Notice, I would take

responsibility for that. I would not expect the Polish government to

pay for it--even if I do pay taxes there.) Until I learn their

language, I would be an outsider. My ability to communicate--and to

become one with those people--would only increase as I aquired

Polish. At what level of communication does my language skills not

matter?

Tom Uharriet

utom[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]admn.712.nebo.edu