I WANNA HAVE DINNER WITH TOM TANCREDO
02.10.09
Disclaimer: Appreciation for language will be needed over the coming months for my joyengine blog entries.
My mention of Martin Heidegger this week provides a nice transition into explaining the intended pattern behind the content I post.
Simply put, cross-cultural understanding is enhanced when people speak more than one language. Its always the folks who fear multi-lingual traits that embrace xenophobia, driven by ignorance more than anything else.
Given globalization trends doesn’t it make sense for more of us in the United States to be familiar with other languages? Do you know anyone who’s ever been at a disadvantage for speaking more than one language? Ever hear the story of how Charles de Gaulle was impressed with Jackie Kennedy’s French skills?
I am fortunate to know Spanish, essentially it was my first language. Me Anglish es limited…My mother encouraged me to learn Deutsch beginning in the 5th grade, and in college I added Portuguese to the mix. Still, I really can’t understand French very well and feel, given the chance, Italian is close at hand. Oh, and I totally think if you listen to Japanese carefully, one starts to hear familiar Spanish sounding tones.
No wonder why Alberto Fujimoro was effective in becoming president of Peru…
Must admit, the coolest experience for me at the DNC last summer was recognizing and speaking with Alejandro Toledo, ex-President of Peru. The guy was in the nosebleed seats of Mile High in front of our crew. He couldn’t believe I was able to identify him.
This was possible for two reasons. First, I spoke Spanish and initiated conversation with his group, and secondly remembered reading NYTimes coverage of his campaign in 2001. Plus I had conversations with a Peruvian friend about his candidacy. So yes it pays to speak, read and write in English…
Subject matters covered won’t be original, but promises to be unique. I’ll try to include stuff that has subtitles, but if the content merits omissions, so be it. Not going to translate. This blog has global readers, who I think will respond well to this project coming from Colorado, the state with a Spanish name.
Seeing how diverse the youth generation has become gives hope that linguas will be a part of our country’s future. Hopefully you’ll enjoy, cause I’ve got a lot of ideas for this experiment…
Wonder what kind of food Tom Tancredo likes to eat?
Tags: Alberto Fujimoro, Alejandro Toledo, DNC, Globalization, Language, Martin Heidegger, Portuguese, Spanish
Category: Art, Inspiration, People, Politics
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