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THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CONTROVERSY IN IOWA.GOVERNOR HARDING’S recent proclamation regarding the public use of foreign languages in Iowa has-stirred up a regular hornet’s nest of discussion, the warmth of those defending it being, equaled only by the vigor of those criticising, it.There is no doubt but that the question was a difficult and a delicate one for Governor Harding to decide, and I think that the careful and temperate wording of the proclamation shows that he gave it deep study before satisfying himself as to his position. • —His recommendations are embodied in the four following suggestions:First—English-should and must be the only medium of instruction in public,, private, denominational or other similar schools.Second—Conversation in public places, on trains and over the telephone should be in the English language.Third—All . public addresses should be in the English language. .Fourth—Let those who cannot speak or understand the English language conduct their religious worship in their homes.I cannot read the extremes into the above recommendations which some of Governor Harding’s critics do. For example, they sayHhat the first proposition which he makes forbids the teaching of Latin, Greek, French and all other foreign-Ian*, guages in our schools and colleges. I do not so read it. The statement is that English shall he the _ medium of instruction, which I understand to mean that classes in foreign languages shall be conducted by the teacher in our native tongue, Excepting, of course, as it is fiecessary .to use the foreign words, incidentally.It is also said that a .strict interpretation would prevent the French military instructors at Camp Dodge from conversing in their native tongue. I do not think that the proclamation was intended to be or should be interpreted so literally. It simply means that persons who are - talking where they might attract public attention should, by using our English tongue, avoid making themselves conspicuous. I am sure that our French allies will he perfectly willing to make whatever sacrifice may be required in this'Connectiop, for the sake of the larger good, without complaining. That is the spirit in which I think everyoiy should and in. which mpst people will accept it. ] iPersonally I c that I have not regarded thewhole subject -is one of sufficiently^ great importance to merit so much attention. But a new view was presented to me in an interesting letter from one of my young readers, who heartily endorses Governor Harding’s stand and gives some very good apd sound reasons for this view. The letter is as follows:Graettinger, Iowa, Mrv 28, 1918, Mr. J. M. Pierce, Des Moines, lows, - Dear Sir:—I wish to asl? you to publish an item congratulating- Governor Harding on his wise step in the settlement of the language question for \the state of Iowa once and for all time.I am of Scandinavian descent, and I wish to illustrate to you what some of us young people have had to put up with. We have been taught the foreign language when babes, and then sent , to school hardly able to understand the teacher, while our parents were unable to help us the least bit with our first lessons. After attending school for about eight years, then we have religious instruction in a foreign language, without being able to write it or even having had any of the grammar, memorizing everything whether we understand it or not. During the later years the instructions have been in English, if desired, but no changes1 in the services. What has been the-’result? Young people have lost interest in their churches. Many of them joined other American churches and were afterwards severely criticised. \In our neighboring town we have Danish Lutherans,. Norwegian Lutherans, German Lu-/ therans, Swedish Lutherans aiid Lutherans of other descents who understand no other language but English. The Danes have services every three weeks, Norwegians every three weeks, Germans every three weeks and English every six weeks. Isn’t this a ridiculous situation for people who profess to be Americans and who speak English fluently in their daily and business life? It is a fact that out of this vast number there are not over half a dozen but that can understand English and even they have had all the chances in the world to learn the national language.Is it any wonder that we young people of these conrrtfiunities hail Governor Harding’s orders with a great sigh of relief? Three cheers for Governor Harding!Hoping you will give this matter a good writeup in The Homestead, I remain. Yours truly,FRANK ANDERSON.
Newspaper Details
Des Moines Iowa Homestead
Des Moines, Iowa, US
Thu, Jun 13, 1918
Page 18
Full Page
Clipped by
University O.
IA, USA 23 Oct 2024
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