LANGUAGE DISCRIMINATION

LANGUAGE DISCRIMINATION

[Not to confuse with discriminatory language.]

Language discrimination occurs when a person is treated differently because of her native language or other characteristics of her language skills. For example, an employee may be experiencing language discrimination if the workplace has a “speak-English-only” policy but her primary language is one other than English. Why English ? English is now the dominant or official language in 75 territories: a direct legacy of the British Empire. In countries where large settler colonies were formed, such as Australia, Canada and the USA, native languages and cultures have been pushed to near-extinction by the presence of English.Mar 6, 2014.  Is this one of the reasons because most English-born citizens are incapable learning other languages ?

LANGUAGE skills – good for your brain

It has been known for centuries, “languages expand your brain”. [Or, as we say: “speaking more than one language expands one’s horizon”.] New studies (University York at Toronto, Canada) have shown and proven that those who are at least bilingual in old age will show their first symptoms of Alzheimer and Dementia (if at all ) later than those with one single language (like English).

[ https://bc.ctvnews.ca/video-shows-man-berating-women-for-not-speaking-english-at-b-c-skytrain-station-1.6028895 ]

Openly accusing public transport users of “NOT speaking English” (while they talk in another language) has now become unacceptable and may be reported to the Police. British Columbia, Canada, has since years introduced many laws dealing with any type of discrimination

Personally, – as I myself speak 5 languages and enjoy traveling, meeting other nationals, reading in other languages – thereby “expanding my horizon” -, I probably would have responded differently, knowing that the person accusing me of NOT speaking English most probably has some sort of limited brain capacity. One could have said: “I am sorry to hear that you only speak English.” In fact, it would be best, not to react at all, as those people most of the time are trying to instigate a fight or some physical confrontation, once others (accused of NOT speaking English) respond, no matter what. Unfortunately, a public transit system is always a dangerous place, as whoever is being aggressively confronted can often not simply leave.

I cannot imagine anybody who has not been aggressively affronted anywhere – in the street, in a grocery store, on a bus – as a result of some sort of discrimination.

Well I survived, most of my life traveling, living, working and studying in other countries, we will survive British imperialistic colonial systems and [SPEAK ONLY ENGLISH HERE] as well.

[ https://dialalaw.peopleslawschool.ca/human-rights-and-discrimination-protection/ ]