Language Law

So now they're going to make English the national language. It's for assimilation, they say. It's to better unify our country, they say.

They say.

What does that mean, actually? "National language." Does this mean that one must speak English in our country?

But we don't speak the Queen's English. We speak a bastardization of pure English. So, is it American-English, that we are talking about? Will I have to "go to the loo"? Do I need to be wary of people who "get pissed"?

What of other languages?

Surely, we will not force tourists to speak English when they are talking with each other. That would be silly. But what about neighborhoods? What about Chinatown? Or Brighton Beach? Do we arrest citizens for speaking another language, except when specifically instructed to do so, like in school?

And do we even allow foreign language in schools?

Should we consider it a high crime that a government official says "nucular" and creates words like "decider"?

Really, is this necessary?