Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 20, 2020 11:02:17 GMT 12
A WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT BILINGUALISM
We are a country of immigrants who bring a variety of languages and cultures. Our standard of living, as we are learning with Covid-19, depends on an influx of well-heeled immigrants making their life here and also on an army of work visa migrants to do jobs we can’t or won’t do. It’s a bit much to expect them to not only master English but to appreciate the beauties of te reo as well.
One of New Zealand’s great and lucky strengths is that it is a largely English-speaking country. English may not be the most spoken language in the world but it is the international language of business and technology. The fact most New Zealanders were brought up with English as their first language is a great advantage.
We already struggle to churn out students competent in basic reading and mathematics. Recent surveys show 35 per cent of children in New Zealand reach the age of 15 without basic reading and mathematics skills.
Bilingualism will produce a small elite fluent in English and te reo. Most New Zealanders will get to know a few token phrases and even with great effort will never be able to converse in te reo. A language is not saved by the adoption of a few tourist-type exchanges. The danger exists that we will produce students who are not very good at either language.
English, with all its nuances and complexities, is also the language of the common law on which our legal system is based. That common law tradition gives our institutions an authority, adaptability and protection that is the envy of the world. Our courts are leading the charge in incorporating te reo and Māori culture into their formalities. Will this water down the secularism and efficiency of the legal system?
Even if every Kiwi speaks te reo fluently, that’s only five million Māori language speakers. I know it’s an old argument but if we are to put a huge amount of resources into ensuring New Zealanders are fluent in another language, shouldn’t we be looking at utility and pay-off?
It also seems quite possible that instead of creating unity, a bilingual system will engender more division.
Already it’s easy to leap to judgment when a “kia ora” is met with a “hello” or New Zealand is used instead of Aotearoa. Language has become a political statement. The question we need to ask is whether bilingualism will create a society where a wall exists between converts and a majority who can’t be bothered.
A more bilingual system will also mean a huge amount of extra resources going into translation. Every government report, website, announcement will have to be in two languages. I doubt anyone has assessed the cost and whether the benefits are worth it.
It will be said that we can have it all – a glorious bilingual future. The question is what we leave behind......
www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/122811208/a-word-of-caution-about-bilingualism
We are a country of immigrants who bring a variety of languages and cultures. Our standard of living, as we are learning with Covid-19, depends on an influx of well-heeled immigrants making their life here and also on an army of work visa migrants to do jobs we can’t or won’t do. It’s a bit much to expect them to not only master English but to appreciate the beauties of te reo as well.
One of New Zealand’s great and lucky strengths is that it is a largely English-speaking country. English may not be the most spoken language in the world but it is the international language of business and technology. The fact most New Zealanders were brought up with English as their first language is a great advantage.
We already struggle to churn out students competent in basic reading and mathematics. Recent surveys show 35 per cent of children in New Zealand reach the age of 15 without basic reading and mathematics skills.
Bilingualism will produce a small elite fluent in English and te reo. Most New Zealanders will get to know a few token phrases and even with great effort will never be able to converse in te reo. A language is not saved by the adoption of a few tourist-type exchanges. The danger exists that we will produce students who are not very good at either language.
English, with all its nuances and complexities, is also the language of the common law on which our legal system is based. That common law tradition gives our institutions an authority, adaptability and protection that is the envy of the world. Our courts are leading the charge in incorporating te reo and Māori culture into their formalities. Will this water down the secularism and efficiency of the legal system?
Even if every Kiwi speaks te reo fluently, that’s only five million Māori language speakers. I know it’s an old argument but if we are to put a huge amount of resources into ensuring New Zealanders are fluent in another language, shouldn’t we be looking at utility and pay-off?
It also seems quite possible that instead of creating unity, a bilingual system will engender more division.
Already it’s easy to leap to judgment when a “kia ora” is met with a “hello” or New Zealand is used instead of Aotearoa. Language has become a political statement. The question we need to ask is whether bilingualism will create a society where a wall exists between converts and a majority who can’t be bothered.
A more bilingual system will also mean a huge amount of extra resources going into translation. Every government report, website, announcement will have to be in two languages. I doubt anyone has assessed the cost and whether the benefits are worth it.
It will be said that we can have it all – a glorious bilingual future. The question is what we leave behind......
www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/122811208/a-word-of-caution-about-bilingualism