ELL: Observation regarding two recent threads

[Matthew McDaniel]

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Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 20:12:49 +0700
From: Matthew McDaniel <akha at loxinfo.co.th>
Organization: The Akha Heritage Foundation
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Subject: Re: ELL: Observation regarding two recent threads
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Paul Lewis's email is currently circulating in the mountains among the Akha
and
a response is being drafted.

When the Akha have that ready it will be posted.

Matthew McDaniel




David Harris wrote:

> I just wanted to make a brief observation regarding two recent threads. One
> thread involved Transparent Language Systems, a
> computerized-language-tutorial producer who has evidently expressed interest
> in creating template programs which could be used for promoting the learning
> of endangered languages by making it easy for anyone to produce computerized
> materials for any language. The other involves accusations made by a list
> member (Matthew McDonald) against an American Baptist missionary.
>
> What surprised me was how quick many list members were to jump on TLS for
> making this offer, simply assuming that, as a business, they must be out to
> make money off the situation and, therefore, didn't really care about
> endangered languages. In contrast, only one other list member expressed
> sympathy for Matthew McDonald's position which, other than his specific
> allegations against a Mr. Lewis, involved general statements of how
> Christian missionaries trample on indigenous rights.
>
> Now I don't know much about this Lewis fellow per se, but it is a historical
> fact that Christian evangelist movements have sought to rot out indigenous
> languages and traditions wherever they have reached. (In some cases,
> ironically enough, one Christian movement may work toward rotting out
> another Christian tradition). Only rarely has a missionary stood up for what
> was right and criticized his/her church for its destructive policies. So it
> seems to me that people sympathetic to the cause of preserving indigenous
> languages, cultures, etc. would have a natural mistrust of evangelists.
>
> TLS, on the other hand, has developed some very nice products that are very
> effective tools for language learning. Yes, they make money as everyone of
> you list members do unless you're living on the street or on the dole or out
> in the wilderness somewhere and just happen to have a computer at your
> disposal in order to read this mail. Making money is a necessary evil in
> this society.
>
> Obviously, there is much to mistrust about business. Particularly large and
> powerful corporations whose undue influence I fear much more than that of
> "big government." But if it weren't for the endowments which fund much of
> the cost of running the universities where many list members are affiliated
> (which come, almost without exception, from business) or the taxes (which
> come also from business, ultimately), those people would not be able to be
> employed.
>
> Incidentally, I was a missionary in Europe for two years, so I know a lot
> about evangelism. I know that many of its goals are good, but historically,
> it cannot be denied that the Church, whether acting alone or as a lackey for
> political powers, has wreaked a lot of havoc on the world over the
> centuries. I don't think TLS is guilty of any of these offenses.
>
>     -David Harris
>      Washington, DC
>
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Matthew McDaniel
The Akha Heritage Foundation
386/3 Sailom Joi Rd
Maesai, Chiangrai, 57130
Thailand
Mobile Phone Number:  Sometimes hard to reach while in Mountains.
01-881-9288  when in Thailand
66-1-881-9288  when out  Thailand

Web Site:
http://www.akha.com
mailto:akha at loxinfo.co.th

US Address:

Donations by check or money order may be sent to:

The Akha Heritage Foundation
1586 Ewald Ave SE
Salem OR 97302
USA

Donations by direct banking:

In the US can be transfered to:

Wells Fargo Bank
Akha Heritage Foundation
Acc. # 0081-889693
Keizer Branch
Keizer, Oregon, USA

Outside the US:

Matthew Duncan McDaniel
Bangkok Bank Ltd
Acc.# 3980240778
Maesai Branch
Thailand




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