U. Maryland Student Thinks English-Only Alert System Could Make Some Feel Inferior
“English has become the language of power”
If you’re attending an American university, shouldn’t you have a command of the English language?
The College Fix reports:
Student op-ed: U. Maryland’s English-only alert system might make some feel ‘inferior’
The University of Maryland needs to implement a Spanish-language version of its campus alert system, a student argues, in part because of the “dangerous” belief that English is a superior language.
Writing in The Diamondback, Liyanga de Silva blasts then-candidate Donald Trump’s 2015 remarks about speaking English in the United States, implying the now-president believes only English should be spoken no matter the circumstance.
“[Trump’s] is the opinion of someone in a position of privilege who doesn’t understand how destructive it is that English has become the language of power,” de Silva writes. “Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon opinion.”
According to the link she provides, here’s what Trump actually said:
“We’re a nation that speaks English. I think that, while we’re in this nation, we should be speaking English,” and “Whether people like it or not, that’s how we assimilate.”
Believe it or not, not so long ago such statements weren’t at all controversial.
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Comments
Perhaps this UMaryland student should check requirements for admission. In order to be admitted to a college/university in the USA you must pass an exam that demonstrates competency in the English language.
Although all students and faculty should speak English, perhaps there are others on campus who are not fluent. (Is it racist that I think of kitchen staff, groundspeople and maintenance workers?)
A Campus Emergency Alert System probably should reach non-English speakers as well.
Of course, I would feel more inferior if I had to have a separate Alert System because I do not speak English. I don’t think “feeling inferior” is really the issue I am concerned about.
you make a good point – BUT in an emergency ALL people on campus MUST know English even if it is ESL.
to argue that it makes some people feel bad as opposed to it being a safety issue is just wrong.