Language in Business & Science: Politics

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Political Stories

Linguistics Expert Says Language Usage Important, Calculated For Presidential Candidacy Acceptance and Inaugural Addresses

==== FULL VERSION OF A PRESS RELEASE FROM NEWSWISE====

http://www.newswise.com/

Source: Texas Tech University

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/communications/media/index.php

Released: Thu 28-Aug-2008, 20:00 ET

Newswise — When it comes to presidential candidates' acceptance and inaugural addresses, a good story teller can capture the audience's attention.

Part of George W. Bush's speech success in 2001 might be linked to his ability to cast a message by telling a good narrative story, said Mary Jane Hurst, a professor of linguistics at Texas Tech University. The Obama campaign is using the same strategy.

"George Bush did something interesting every time he spoke," she said. "He framed his messages and ideas as stories. That's a very appealing approach to language if the speaker can pull it off. People relate to storytelling and learn through stories, such as the biblical parable. The Obama campaign is making an effort to do the same thing."

That's just one facet of how the language used in speeches can tell a lot about the candidate even if it's not intentional.

Hurst said that much thought goes into what is said and how it's said. She's written three articles that have studied candidate speeches and language usage including invoking religion, using clever metaphors and even pronoun usage.

"The convention speeches usually are aimed at unifying the party, whereas inaugural speeches are trying to unify the country," Hurst said. "The different functions of the occasion result in language differences. In Clinton's 1992 convention acceptance speech, for example, the word hope was repeated several times. But at the inauguration in 1993, challenge became the dominant word."

Comment:

This is a good example of how language can be important in politics. As Hurst points out story telling is a well established method in religion. Ironically, this is the very opposite of the "sound bite" so beloved by TV. stations. Could it be that our natural instincts can understand certain human relationships much better than our conscious brain?

Tags: obama, president, presidential, speeches, language, linguistics, texas tech, politics, story telling

Should we speak more than one language?

Caught in the grips of linguistic paranoia

Nataly Kelly

The Boston Globe, August 11, 2008

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/08/11/caught_in_the_grips_of_linguistic_paranoia/

Background

In this article Kelly discusses the issue of whether Americans, and maybe their President, ought to learn to speak other languages. She also writes about the opinions expressed by Senators McCain and Obhama, who both seem to be positive about language diversity.

Kelly also writes: "The Quality of Life Index, published by The Economist in 2005, showed that the five countries with the highest standard of living were Ireland, Switzerland, Norway, Luxembourg, and Sweden." She put this down to having a European address and, "they promote multilingualism."

Comment

National language is an old issue and it seems to me that the American preoccupation with languages is the more politically correct option than religious diversity. Europe, it seems, is more concerned with religious diversity. Apart from a few fringe interests, Europe does not have a language problem, only a huge translation bill.

However, I have my doubts whether Kelly was right in putting a lot of emphasis of the Quality of Life Index. To being with, a lot has happened in Europe since 2005. But I would say that the reasons why the Scandinavian countries have the highest quality of life is because they are countries with a small population, but more importantly, they have strong social policies. For example, I doubt if there is anyone in these countries who does not have health cover.

I agree that knowing different languages can go along way to help us communicate with each other, but as I have indicated many times in this blog, it is not the ideal state of affairs. Business people might be in a better position to benefit from knowing different languages, not only because business is a neutral activity, when compared to politics or culture, but also because the objectives are clear. Politicians and cultural leaders have a constituency to persuade and it is the reaction of the constituency that matters.

Yes, Kelly has a point when she says, "Know they enemy." But I think she would be better off not making enemies in the first place.

Bottom Line

Language unites us, languages keep us divided.

Tags: language, politics, multi linguists, second language, business, president, America,

Where is the beef?

Where is the beef?

Country:
USA

Source:
Geno's Steaks
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geno's_Steaks)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(First saw the story in Reuters)
LINK

Philadelphia "English-only" eatery faces probe
By Jon Hurdle Mon Jun 12, 6:29 PM ET
Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
LINK1 LINK2

Story:
Geno’s Steaks put up a sign saying, “This is America – When ordering, speak English.” The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations is considering whether this discriminates on nationality or ethnicity. The restaurant says that if people don’t speak English nothing will happen, they’ll still serve the customer.

Facts:
- prospective fine $300.
- the owners of the restaurant are of Italian descent.

Language Issues:
- Is language linked to race or ethnicity?
- How is language linked to race or ethnicity?

Comments:
- Is a business owner or their staff expected to communicate in all the languages and dialects of the world?
- Bandwagon politics can be dangerous to real human relations. I have already included stories on this blog on how people can be exploited because they do not speak English.

Bottom-Line:
Where is the beef?

French President leaves meeting when a fellow Frenchman speaks English.

French President leaves meeting when a fellow Frenchman speaks English.

Country:
Belgium;

France

Source:
Chirac leaves summit as Frenchman speaks English
I first saw the story on Reuters website, but now it can be read on the Guardian website
Guardian LINK

© Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.
Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:53 PM GMT
Old Reuters Link

Story:
The French president briefly left a EU summit meeting when the head of the French UNICE business lobby started speaking in English. The head of the lobby said that English was now the language of business.

Facts:
- English, French and German are the working languages of the 25-members of the EU.
- All the 20 languages of the EU members are used during summits, meetings and EU parliament.

Language Issues:
- There is no question about it, the business world does need a single language to communicate in.
- Language and culture are always emotional issues in the context of nationalism, but economics speaks the language of money.

Comments:
- What is the point of walking out?
- How important are these summits anyway?
- With more countries, regions and fiefdoms getting on the language bandwagon, are we back on the slippery slop of nationalism?
- With more non-native speakers of English speaking English than native speakers, one can assume that English is not a political issue any more.

Bottom-Line:
What are the costs accrued to businesses from not having a common language for politics?

Exploitation of Immigrants for not speaking English

Exploitation of Immigrants for not speaking English

Country:
Ireland

Story:
A report by the Irish Vocational Education Association claims that immigrants who do not speak English face exploitation.

Unions and IVEA support English language classes for immigrants.

Language Issues:
- Offering free English classes would help immigrants to integrate into society.
- Free classes paid by the authorities might even prove positive. The immigrants might feel that the authorities actually care.
- Language skills will certainly help immigrates take up more main stream jobs.

Comments:
- language is probably not the main reason why immigrants get exploited, but lack of knowledge about local customs and general awareness of western employment culture.
- Does the government have a moral duty to help immigrants?

Bottom-Line:
How much does a western economy save by exploiting unsuspecting immigrants?