[Linguistic Anthropology] Languages and Religions

[Alexandre Enkerli]

More of a cultural impression of the NYT. As it's perceived as the
"newspaper of record" for much of the United States, it seems logical to me
that it should be the "forum" some people choose to have a conversation
about languages and religions in U.S. schools. Other fora could have worked
but I found it "remarkably unsurprising" that both articles came from the
NYT. Was trying to allude to this impression without making too much out of
it.
On the other hand, I do have a very biased perception of the NYT. My bias is
obviously a personal thing, based on my experience in Indiana and
Massachusetts.
I do realise that this form of "playful editorialising" may seem
inappropriate in an academic context. I do feel, however, that some blogging
genres allow for this type of "briefly stepping on the soapbox."

So, sorry about this. I could have been clearer in my intent. Or just not
say anything about the source of those two articles. Although, I did want to
emphasise the point that comments to these two articles seem to come from a
rather consistent worldview. Couldn't find a way to phrase it differently,
at the time.
Where can we find an "editor-in-chief" when we need one?
Leila? ;-)

On 9/2/07, Chad Douglas Nilep <Chad.Nilep at colorado.edu> wrote:
>
> >   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
>



-- 
Alexandre
http://enkerli.wordpress.com/
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/linganth/attachments/20070902/cccd78ca/attachment.htm>