Re: Could 'Europa Linguas' function in another language than English?

Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 04:28:28 -0700
Newsgroups: europa.linguas
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"mb" <email-address-deleted> wrote in message ...
> The measure of that would be a sensible increase in the number of
> Anglos and and other non-Spanish-speaking people who learn, speak and
> read Spanish, for use as a common tongue. Of course, restaurant and
> nursery owners know enough to bark orders to the help, but that's
> something else.
Well, yes, but also they use it to communicate with Spanish-speaking
clientele. As for Non-Spanish-speaking people learning Spanish, there are
waiting lists where I live in community college classes. A 60-something
friend of mine is still reasonably fluent in Spanish from her high-school
days and often uses it to talk with Spanish-speaking people.
No, two Anglos would not use it to communicate with each other
notwithstanding the use of a few well known words and phrases that are in
the common lexicon. It *might* be a bridge language between a non-Anglo and
an Anglo in some areas.
True, there is still a cultural barrier and sense of community with the
language. Spanish-speakers in the U.S. are reluctant to speak it with
Anglos or non-Hispanics. Many times a Spanish-speaker will be surprised if
an Anglo is reasonably fluent in the language. It makes for overhearing
some interesting conversations. ;-)
But, then again, my English is probably a lot more internationalized than
how I would speak with or about my Grandma, originally from Texas, to my
family. I certainly wouldn't post in a Southern English drawl, hehe.
Except for maybe a "y'all" here and there. ;-)
>
> > Despite government xenophobic English-only efforts, Spanish continues to
> > grow and gain prestige. You have two situations: the immigrant
populations
> > of the Southwest and the cultural prestige of its use in South Florida.
>
> There is an increase in the number of (mother tongue) speakers. I'd be
> interested to know the signs of increase in cultural prestige.
The increased use of television. 20 years ago, L.A. had two Spanish
stations, only one affiliated to any network. Now there are four (more or
less as at least one shares time): KMEX, KVEA, KAZA, and KJLA (bilingual).
KAZA is interesting because it is affiliated with a Mexico-based network,
Azteca. The Iraq coverage was far more interesting than from the U.S. nets.
New magazines and newspapers, and music. Music is probably the one area
where prestige has gained a lot. Though fadish, a rising number of
non-Anglos are listening to music in Spanish. The number of radio in
Spanish is increasing. The only thing facing a problem is bilingual
education due to budget cuts and the xenophobes. But, when I went to
school, no one saw a problem with providing bilingual education. My cousin
was taught Spanish beginning in the 3rd grade. I wish I had been so lucky.
It just depends where you are the the cirumstances. In parts of east Los
Angeles County, it's Chinese that's gaining in prestige. There are a few
Anglos in Mandarin classes there for Chinese young people.
> Well, all I know about it is the recent, serious budget cuts in
> translation and interpreting in California and NY.
The budget cuts all around are horrible. The madness has got to stop. I
wish the government would place education first. It is the future of the
country. Locally, half of all teachers are being laid off.
> No surprise there, the advertisers want their money. People magazine
> indeed; that will give it some cultural prestige. I wonder how many
> Spanish publications are read by the Anglos.
Not sure. I know that the Christina talk show was fairly popular among
Anglos, because for a time, she had a talk show in English as well. Popular
meaning that among Anglos, that was watched a lot for a Spanish program.
Not that it beat any English programming in terms of Nielsen ratings.
> No doubt. The main element as of now is that the language is seen as
> something reserved to weak client-states in the rest of the continent
> and an economically subject population. I'd be happy to see a change
> in that idiotic perception. Who knows.
True. One thing I am not is a conservative Republican. And, I disagree
with President Bush's foreign policy. But, the one thing has has done is
improved at least the web presence of other languages, including Spanish, on
the web, and he has made at least one speech in Spanish. Yes for political
purposes, but it's a start. Of course, he cancelled the most recent Cinco
de Mayo celebrations because of Mexico's policy on Iraq, sigh, but that's
another thread, lol.
Larry