[Linguistic Anthropology] Languages and Religions

[Chad Douglas Nilep]

>   As can be expected, the New York Times is the venue
>   for much of this discussion.

Why is this "as can be expected"? Is this a social/geographic impression about New York, or a cultural/political impression of the NYT, or something else?

Chad D. Nilep
Linguistics
University of Colorado at Boulder
http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~nilep


---- Original message ----
>Date: Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:23:11 -0700 (PDT)
>From: Alexandre <enkerli at gmail.com>  
>Subject: [Linganth] [Linguistic Anthropology] Languages and Religions  
>To: linganth at cc.rochester.edu
>
>   [http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/10/under-fire-arabic-themed-school-principal-resigns/]
>   Apparently, controversies over Arabic and Hebrew
>   instruction in schools in the United States are
>   sparking some discussion about the relationships
>   between language instruction and religious identity.
>   As can be expected, the New York Times is the venue
>   for much of this discussion.
>   Under Fire, Arabic-Themed Schools Principal Resigns
>   - City Room - Metro - New York Times Blog
>   Hebrew Charter School Spurs Dispute in Florida - New
>   York Times
>
>   The main issue is whether or not teaching a language
>   is directly related to affiliation with a religious
>   group.
>
>   Though there is a clear political angle in both
>   cases, the "language and culture" angle is worth
>   mentioning. For instance, responses to both articles
>   mention the usefulness of training in Latin, French,
>   German, and Spanish. In all of these cases, there is
>   a notion of "learning culture through language." Yet
>   every case is quite specific, in terms of language
>   ideology. To paraphrase what seem to be common ideas
>   about these languages: "Latin the dead language
>   which gives you access to Classical Culture";
>   "French, the language of Cuisine and Romantic Love";
>   "German, the Post-Greek language of Philosophy"; and
>   "Spanish, the Major Minority Language." The
>   connection between Latin and Roman Catholicism is
>   quite clear for many commentators. After all, the
>   Second Vatican Council happened during the lifetime
>   of many of the people involved.
>
>   There are passing mentions of other languages,
>   including Sanskrit (which would probably provide an
>   interesting case study). There seems to be little
>   discussion of linguistic diversity, diglossia,
>   vehicular languages, etc.
>
>   --
>   Posted By Alexandre to Linguistic Anthropology at
>   8/30/2007 10:23:00 PM