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Language Acceptance and Social Acceptance
Living in New York, we see a vast array of languages everywhere on public announcements on a daily basis. On the subway alone, there are at times a dozen languages in view. I've always considered this both a necessity and a courtesy, a sign that New York City is fairly accepting of its multilingualism as well as its multiculturalism. This past summer, I spent a week in Ireland, where in the past few years, as a result of Eastern Europe's entry into the European Union, the newest immigrant culture has been predominantly Polish. I heard from many Irish - on the radio, in cabs, in pubs - that they're happy and welcoming of their new Polish neighbors. I didn't completely understand how predominant the new immigrant culture is, and how welcoming the Irish are of it until the other day when I finally decided to hang my Irish Writers 2009 calendar in my office, and noticed that the months and days are written in six languages: English, Irish, German, French, Chinese, and - imagine that - Polish. I may be naive in thinking that language acceptance can be equated with social acceptance, but I have to say I think it's a pretty fantastic start. (SUZANNE) Tags: Ireland, Irish, multilingualism, Polish
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