Our global success depends on language

Dallas Morning News | Macarena Hernandez:

"Last month, a bipartisan federal commission reported language and cultural skill shortages in 70 agencies, from the FBI to the State and Commerce departments -- crucial not only to our country's economic prosperity and international relations, but also to our national security."

It's wise to pause and remember the first rule of holes: when you find yourself in one, quit digging. Before we can begin to promote foreign language skills in America, we first have to stop the ongoing war on foreign languages, aka the 'English Only' movement.

Yes, English was, is, and will be the national language. Yes, the ability to speak English is an essential skill for all citizens and residents of America. But the way to achieve that is to offer and promote English language classes, just as the way to achieve fluency in Spanish, Chinese, Farsi, etc., is to offer and promote classes in those languages. The fact that we already have so many people in America who speak so many of these languages is a national strength that we should draw on, not try to stamp out. More and more, our economic well being, even our national security, depend on it.