English doesn?t always come first

Nashville leaders chickened out Tuesday night when it came time to vote on a measure that would make English the official language of Nashville government.

As more and more immigrants flock to the United States for employment, it makes me wonder exactly what language we?ll be speaking in another 20 years.

That?s what Nashville Councilman Eric Crafton hoped to address with his bill that started as an English-only proposal and was later watered down to English first after concerns about its constitutionality. By delaying a vote on the measure Tuesday, under heavy opposition, it?s doubtful the bill has a chance of passing next year.

From a personal standpoint, I?m a firm supporter of the belief that if you live in this country, at the very least learn to speak our language. Few things are more aggravating than trying to talk with someone only to discover they don?t speak English.

However, as is usually the case, this English-only push has its challenges. Few issues are cut and dried, black and white.

For starters, there are many people ? and many businessmen ? who might find this English-first legislation offensive. We are quick to associate this bill with Hispanics, but we can?t forget the growing number of Japanese in this country.

More importantly, we can?t forget the growing number of major Japanese businesses that are providing regular paychecks to American families.

In Nashville, leaders are still glowing about luring Nissan North America headquarters from California to Franklin. This is an economic cornucopia for the greater Nashville area. What kind of message does an English-only bill send to wealthy Japanese executives? It doesn?t send a positive one if you ask me.

Let?s not forget Nissan employs many Warren County residents at its plants in Smyrna and Decherd. In all, Nissan employs more than 8,000 Tennesseans and counting.

In Warren County, our two largest manufacturing employers are Japanese companies ? Bridgestone and Yorozu. Those two employers put food on the table for hundreds and hundreds of local families. So here?s a twist to an old proverb: Don?t insult the hand that feeds you.

Another primary consideration is English-only restrictions are not enforceable. Are Metro police officers going to arrest folks who speak Italian inside city hall?

The language issue is becoming much more of a problem because of the booming foreign population. In Nashville, for example, the foreign-born population increased by 351 percent between 1990 and 2005, according to Stephanie Bohon, a demographer and assistant professor of sociology at UT-Knoxville.

The increased foreign population has created a backlash of anti-immigrant talk radio shows, and state and local legislation aimed at immigrants. While this legislation may be fine conversation, it?s apparently not legally sound.

?English-only and English-first language proposals have a history of going down in flames,? said Bohon. ?They don?t hold up well in court.?

So what can we do to ensure English is the only language spoken in America? Absolutely nothing.

It?s probably best to refer to another old proverb when thinking about this predicament: Take the good with the bad.

Yes, the language barrier does hamper communication. But I?m sure there are many local nurserymen who are more than happy to have cheap farm labor. And there are many local families who are more than happy to receive a steady paycheck from a company that doesn?t put English first.

James Clark is editor of the Standard. He can be reached at 473-2191 or by e-mail at [email protected].