Language and Society
Pauline Esther Friedman, known as Abigail Van Buren, is most famous for writing the column “Dear Abby.” She wrote for close to fifty years on issues relating to sexuality, feminism, and personal relationships. In the article I will be summarizing, “Proud to be an American,” it brings about discussion of issues of language diversity in America.
There is no law saying that English is the national language of the United States of America. Yet, most Americans still have a problem if they see anyone else speaking in any language besides English. We as Americans expect to be catered to when we are in other countries. There are only two Spanish language TV networks in the U.S. CNN is televised in over two hundred countries world wide. It seems like Americans expect everyone to accompany them in different countries, but, if we see another ethnicity here in America, they are not allowed to be American because of the language they might speak. Racist remarks are thrown at different races every single day just because of their appearance. Different races also get asked a lot where they are from. A good example is in the reading when an Asian-American gets asked where she is from. She answers Pittsburgh, because she was born and raised there. Americans often without thinking reply to her by asking where she is really from. Americans believe that she can’t be American just because of her appearance. We have lots of white people living here, some with accents, some with no accent, but they don’t get treated even close to this because they are white. As soon as most Americans see any face or skin color that looks different than their own they are automatically either a Non-American or foreign. Everybody has a little accent here or there. Accommodating these differences in each other will help bring pride to being an American. Courtesy and respect of each others differences is necessary to keep peace in America.