what does this statement means to you, "one of the advantages of a diverse state is that it gives people a chance to speak their native tongue". can you help me with some of the examples?
2007-03-19 06:55:52 · 3 answers · asked by jv637 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Like California, a lot of people know 2 or more languages, English being one of them. Most ethnic groups speak their native language and English since English is the primary language here. There are also little villages in certain areas, that have a lot of a certain ethnic group living in a certain area. Area's called "China town", "Little Saigon", etc. Also you will be able to find that ethnic restaurant and possibly store in that town, and signs with that language. I hope this helps!
2007-03-19 07:08:58 · answer #1 · answered by Jenny007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're just referring to a culturally diverse community, where people encourage or at least tolerate many languages. The Minneapolis community for example prides itself on the number of languages spoken (100-200) and provides language translation in police, emergency, social services and hospital care.
The Mosaic celebration features cultural diversity every year.
2007-03-19 14:06:17 · answer #2 · answered by Wave 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't find this a very logical statement, but let me try. The European Union actively promotes the learning of minority languages, so a number of langues which looked as though they had reached the end of the road as far as survival is concerned have instead enjoyed an unexpected revival. The buzz word is diversity. Hence: 'The European Community has pledged respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity of its Member States and has recognised minority languages as an inherent constituent in this regard. In turn, minority language groups turn to "Europe" in response to grapple with minority language issues when perhaps domestic response to their concerns is either not forthcoming or simply not enough.'
http://conventions.coe.int/treaty/en/Treaties/Html/148.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages/langmin/regmin_en.html
A hundred years ago some of these very languages were being suppressed -- examples being Gaelic in Ireland and Welsh in Wales. Children found speaking Welsh in the classroom would be punished by being forced to wear a board around their necks with the words "Welsh not."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/language/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/language/pages/education.shtml
2007-03-19 14:06:04 · answer #3 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋