LL-L "Language politics" 2008.02.01 (05) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  -  31 January 2008 - Volume 05
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From: Luc Hellinckx <luc.hellinckx at gmail.com>
Subject: LL-L "Language politics"

Beste Ron,

Regarding Northumbria, you wrote:

Now let me indulge in a bit more "naive" speculation on this basis. Let's
assume all the Northumbrian speakers on both sides of the border did come to
an understanding, how would the government of England react? I assume there
would be little or no opposition on the part of the government of Scotland
(since it would be no fat off *their *backs).

The issue of national loyalty should not arise in this day and age, and
there would probably no well-founded fear of secession. But you never know.
(What ever is happening with the Cornish independence movement?)

I am not suggesting that I think such unification should happen. After all,
who am to suggest this? I am only curious to know how such a proposal would
be received by the relevant parties.

The issue of national loyalty should not arise in this day and age...mmm.

Given the long common history of Mexico and the states of California,
Arizona, New Mexico and Texas; given the language that many of their
citizens (still) share: how would the US government react to a new
border-crossing entity called "Nueva España"?

Don't worry, it's just a mindgame, there should be no fear of secession ;-)
.

Kind greetings,

Luc Hellinckx

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Language politics

Thanks, Luc, but you're not scarin' me none with that sort of game, let
alone messing with my head. We've had plenty of scary around here for
several years now.

Besides, it's a poor excuse of an analogy. It's not as though the Spanish of
Mexico and the Spanish of the other United States are regarded as belonging
to different languages.

"Nueva España"?! Are you kiddin' me?! With that you'd be booed out of *both
*countries.

And another besides: Mexican-US relations are getting better and better.
Soon you won't even now which of the two countries you're in. Not only do we
have millions of Mexicans living here (not counting US-born "Chicanos"), but
the number of permanent US citizens in Mexico is growing rapidly too, as is
the number of dual-citizens. The last official estimate is one million US
citizens in Mexico, and I bet you it's many more than that in reality (and
I'm not even counting people being sought by the US police).

You guys keep your grubby little European fingers off our love-fest! Mexico
and the US need each other, and we let Canada play too. ;-)

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
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