Language is not only cultural. Many times it’s political.
Most Americans know this, especially Latino Americans, whose culture is currently being targeted by a party for subjugation. That’s what English-first and English-only statutes look to do: suppress Latino culture.
And now the same form of cultural assassination is occurring on the island of Puerto Rico.
Last month, Gov. Luis Fortuño expressed his wish to see the islanders fluent in both English and Spanish by 2022. To accomplish his goal, he’s pushing public schools to teach all courses in English.
At the moment, only 12 schools out of more than 1400 on the island teach their courses in English. Education Secretary Edwin Moreno is heading a $15 million initiative to institute an all-English curriculum in 31 more schools beginning in August.
Admittedly, the governor’s plan doesn’t seek to eliminate Spanish from Puerto Rico’s schools entirely. Public schools would continue teaching Spanish grammar and literature classes.
Yet attacks on the Spanish language – or at least the attempts to make English just as predominant on the island – are nothing new for Puerto Ricans. As soon as American boots landed on Puerto Rican soil in 1898 and conquered the island, a campaign was undertaken to make English its first language. Public schools taught all courses in English from 1900 until 1948, when the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marin, did away with the requirement.
Puerto Ricans continued to resent any infringement on their culture by the colonial government, and in 1991, Gov. Rafael Hernandez Colon made the bold move of declaring Spanish the island’s sole official language. (The law was short-lived, and English became the second official language only two years later.)
Now Gov. Fortuño wants to accomplish what has yet to succeed in over 100 years of American dominion.
The governor, un estadista, claims that his goal serves economic purposes, and I don’t doubt that it does. But, for most Puerto Ricans, the English language carries with it too much political baggage. As a Spanglish-speaking people, Puerto Ricans have no objections to learning English or speaking it, but being forced to learn it – especially in an all-English curriculum – seems too blatant an assault on their puertorriquenidad.
There is no legitimate political status between independence and statehood, so to talk about Puerto Rico is to talk about an island under colonial rule. The most damning evidence is the political rights denied the people. Puerto Ricans living on the island (over 3.7 million souls) are prohibited from electing the members of Congress who decide the island’s laws and the president who executes those laws. And the same restriction also extends to any other U.S. citizen on the island, Puerto Rican or not.
I do believe in the benefits of a bilingual education – in terms of educational attainment and career prospects – but to institute all-English curricula on the island would be putting the Puerto Rican culture in more danger than it already is (even Spanish fluency is low on the island).
If Gov. Fortuño and the colonial government want Puerto Ricans to speak English fluently, the island should first be granted statehood. Until then, que se vayan pa’l carajo con su idioma.
About Hector Luis Alamo, Jr.
I think it’s about right. A United States territory should be fluent in English. I’m PR descent and think its terrible when I encounter Ricans who speak no English.
That last line made me chuckle. I don’t always agree with your articles but I enjoy them. But two notes the article should have been mentioned.
1. PR is not a colony but a democratically elected Commonwealth. People in PR have chosen this form of government time and time again. Even in the last election they chose “None of the Above” to keep what they have. They know what it entails and are willing to not vote in federal elections in exchange for not paying federal income tax. Further, and most importantly, they all know that if they want to vote they could easily move less than one hour to Flordia (where most Puerto Ricans are now headed). Supporters of Statehood and Independence may not like it but it is what the majority wants. PS. I find it funny that now pro-statehood people are using the term colony, it used to be a word only used by the socialist independistas.
2. I don’t see the issue in learning English in some courses. That is what is done throughout the world. Plus I find it hilarious that the same site which constantly discusses the benefits of bilingual education says it shouldn’t happen in PR (it seems you also had trouble with that one).
Its not that PR Spanish is bad (except the jibaros but then again just nod your head or they will cut you
). It is that PR has its version own version of Spanish. This desire to have a uniform “Spanish” (castilian) in various nations is unnatural and rooted in racial supremacy. Ask yourself why is it that Americans and Australians each have their own universally accepted version of English (known as American-English and Australian-English) and yet Jamaica’s version of English is dismissively referred to as merely a Pigeon language or Creole? Even Spain itself has numerous dialects of Spanish. Further all the dialects of Spanish, even the revered Castilian, is derived from “vulgar” Latin which is just the snobby way of saying the Ebonics/Jibaro version of Latin. Time to start allowing the language spoken in each Latin American to undergo natural linguistic evolution instead of forcing conformity.
Thanks for reading, Daniel.
I don’t want to go too into this issue at the moment, since I’ll be writing extensively on the political status of the island during the upcoming months, but just to briefly address your two points:
1. a) Massachusetts is a democratically-elected commonweath; Puerto Rico is not, for the simple fact that the colonists don’t elect the people who govern the island (namely, Congress and the president — PR, as a territory, is governed by the plenary powers of Congress).
b) The “status quo” option should be eliminated. As a colony (or, if you prefer, a territory) of the United States, the federal government shouldn’t allow any people under its jurisdiction to give up their rights the way PR does. No one could vote themselves into slavery; no country can vote itself into colonization. No one has the right to give up their rights — the right in question being the right of every human being to representative government.
2. The governor doesn’t want PR schools to teach SOME courses in English (which I would have no problem with). He wants to institute all-English curricula throughout the island. That seems excessive.
As I said, I’ll be talking about this issue and more later this year. I hope you’ll join the discussion then.
PR has to accept the fact that they are owned by the U.S. they have the biggest opportunity than any other Hispanic/Latino in the country seeing that they are American citizens. I agree with the island being bilingual how are they going to achieve their full potential having the benefit of being U.S citizens if they can’t even understand english.
I truly believe that regardless of Puerto Rico’s affiliation with the U.S. (status quo v independence) , a regions culture should be protected and left to remain intact. Should the people of that region (i.e. Puerto Ricans) desire to adopt , as perhaps a competitive advantage to its people (recommended, given it is an island with limited resources) , then that is their perogative. The U.S. can no more assert English as the dominant language on the island–than can P.R assert Spanish onto the U.S. Furthermore, I find it thoughtless to suggest to a people that changing their tradition and culture just because they are a “colony” of another country with different standards. Puerto Rico is not and should not be held to the same standard as say–immigrants who seek opportunities in the U.S. Why? Because Puerto Ricans remain in their homeland–they are asking for nothing, and as such their wishes should be respected (I mean come on, who will fund this endeavor? Not the Feds that’s for sure). But once you come stateside (outiside of FL) it’s game on for English. Which is why I encourage Puerto Ricans to learn English–if they should choose to leave Puerto Rico–otherwise it really should be left to Puerto Rico.
Ay Bendito !!!
Ay Bendito is right! Spanish is part of PR’s charm and should not be changed to ugly English!
Point is if you’re gonna be a US territory then English needs to be mandatory. I’m PRican and I’m all for it.
Spanish is the island main language and.should.remain that way. It its extremely.educational.to.learn a, second language and English should be the one to.learn since the island conduct businesses with American territories. It its extremely.important to.keep our.native language which in.our.case.happens to be.Spanish.
I say leave PR alone! English should not be forced onto them. I’m PRican and I think it’s ridiculous. I agree with the last sentence of the article: “Until then, que se vayan pa’l carajo con su idioma.” !!
I definitely agree with both sides!
Como boricua podria aceptar que el idioma sea más intenso y/o extenso en nuestra enseñanza pero NO que se obligue a nuestro pueblo a utilizarlo como lenguaje.
Joo waan me gi joo a cocotazo with my chooz?! Leave La Isla del Encanto alone!
Joo waan me gi joo a cocotazo with my chooz?! Leave La Isla del Encanto alone!
… principal (sorry)
… principal (sorry)
I’m Puerto Rican and I speak both English and Spanish, and I think that this is a good and maybe necessary step.
I don’t understand why it is that most Puerto Ricans (Myself mot included) resent speaking English so much. I mean, really… It is thay terrible to be fluent in more than one language?
It isn’t like they are trying to eliminate Spanish for good.
I’m Puerto Rican and I speak both English and Spanish, and I think that this is a good and maybe necessary step.
I don’t understand why it is that most Puerto Ricans (Myself mot included) resent speaking English so much. I mean, really… It is thay terrible to be fluent in more than one language?
It isn’t like they are trying to eliminate Spanish for good.
So then PR should be independent to be on its own. If they don’t want to learn English then be on its own. I hate to say that cuz I’m of PR heritage. But really, if u choose to stay a commonwealth and territory LEARN ENGLISH. No one is trying to make English primary but dammit get with it already.
Spanish is the island main language it’s a part of our culture our history forcing them to switch in to an all English curriculum is ridiculous n it’s looking to wipe out the boricua culture that’s what they did to the natives in the US force them to learn English and eventually foret their own language n ultimately culture we don’t want that for our people it’s America give them the choice to choose wether they want to learn English or not!
Spanish is the island main language it’s a part of our culture our history forcing them to switch in to an all English curriculum is ridiculous n it’s looking to wipe out the boricua culture that’s what they did to the natives in the US force them to learn English and eventually foret their own language n ultimately culture we don’t want that for our people it’s America give them the choice to choose wether they want to learn English or not!
Come on people, nothing wrong educating one’s self…. It can only be an asset to that resume! I am 100% Puerto Rican, my children are half Italian and they speak; english, spanish and Italian… Seriously, lets think outside the box!!! Your not giving up your culture as my children they are well rounded and proud of their blood lines
I’m with Kevin all the way.
I’m with Kevin all the way.
For once I agree with Hector. Even under statehood you should not be able to take away something that has been there for 500 years!
Interesting article. Hopefully if enough citizens disagree with this monolingual approach to education they’ll vote the Governor out of office and challenge the Education Secretary as well. There is still strength in numbers if people walk their talk.
PR will be Free one day or the other VIVA PR LIBRE F*** State 51 !!!
Except that the difference here, is the fact that the whole island speaks Spanish. So how would they forget how to speak it? Having an schools teaching in English would only teach them how to speak English. Seriously, I am Puerto Rican, but sometimes Rican pride gets so god damned annoying. Learn to accept new things for a change. No one is trying to make English the primary language.
The Island is being ruined as is, so why not accept English and maybe open up new possibilities? Maybe make more business with the U.S. And possibly get help on how to gain control over the island before the gangs and drug lords do.
Except that the difference here, is the fact that the whole island speaks Spanish. So how would they forget how to speak it? Having an schools teaching in English would only teach them how to speak English. Seriously, I am Puerto Rican, but sometimes Rican pride gets so god damned annoying. Learn to accept new things for a change. No one is trying to make English the primary language.
The Island is being ruined as is, so why not accept English and maybe open up new possibilities? Maybe make more business with the U.S. And possibly get help on how to gain control over the island before the gangs and drug lords do.
I think it’s great if PRicans choose to learn English but, do not force them to learn it is my opinion. Why change something that’s not broken?
But the article isn’t saying anything about it being forced. And if people are so pro independence then go ahead and wish it. PR will go down like all 3rd world countries if they choose independence.
But the article isn’t saying anything about it being forced. And if people are so pro independence then go ahead and wish it. PR will go down like all 3rd world countries if they choose independence.
Wondering why nobody is supporting speaking Taino instead of the conquerers language of Spanish and English?
Because like Latin, Taino is a dead language.
And yup, we will end up like any 3rd world country. Even now, as a common-wealth, we are going to the dumps.
^ i dunno. I understand both sides yet strongly believe that the main language should be spanish. Have English as an elective
^ i dunno. I understand both sides yet strongly believe that the main language should be spanish. Have English as an elective
Because there are no Tainos left. For the longest I thought my dark skin meant I had Taino blood coursing through me. Turns out I’m a negrito.
Im Puerto Rican , I speak both languages , We should keep our native language, and
Im Puerto Rican , I speak both languages , We should keep our native language, and
Spanish is not the language of the Boriken, it is only the language of the Spaniards who conquered Puerto Rico. It is not a shame to the culture to learn a language of their own choice. Many Puerto Ricans speak both Spanish and English, who cares what the primary language is?
Spanish is not the language of the Boriken, it is only the language of the Spaniards who conquered Puerto Rico. It is not a shame to the culture to learn a language of their own choice. Many Puerto Ricans speak both Spanish and English, who cares what the primary language is?
This whole discussion brings back a lot of memories. I was born in Puerto Rico; my father, a US Army sergeant (for 26 years) was posted to, of all places, Baumholder, Germany and our family left Puerto Rico where we only knew Spanish. When we got to our posting, our teachers insisted that our parents speak only English at home so that we could learn the language. Our parents refused. At home we spoke only Spanish; outside, only English. Talk about sink or swim! My brother and I were totally immersed in the language and the culture of America and the US Army ( a culture all its own!). At the time, there was a rule that all Army dependant children must learn the host language in school so by the time my brother and I were in 4th and 5th grades respectively, we were also fluent in German! The fact is that knowledge of more than one or two languages is extremely important. Unfortunately, language education has turned into a question of culture, culture suppression, and political stances. Ever since 1898, language suppression has been part and parcel of the Puerto Rican experience. Whatever stance one takes regarding the political status of Puerto Rico, the demeaning of the Puerto Rican culture–including language, customs, ethics and morality, and other aspencts–cannot be denied. Puerto Ricans celebrate Christmas with Santa, not the Three Kings; our spiritual life has been erased and Puerto Ricans worship the God of Consumerism at the Altar of Plaza Las Americas (the biggest shopping mall in the Caribbean). I could go on with many examples.
I believe that many Puerto Ricans have begun to look into the way the culture of the island has been slowly squeezed out from our psyches, not only by dint of the Americans, but by ourselves.
For many Puerto Ricans, what the governor is seeking to impose, will be unacceptable. The reaction when GOP presidential hopeful, Santorum, demanded that Puerto Ricans must use English as the official language–including in the courts, bureacracies, license bureaus, etc–was extremely hostile. Even my brother, a dyed-in-the-wool state-hooder, was aghast. This will come back to haunt the governor.
What is needed is a committment by the Puerto Rican government to improve schools–including the teaching of English–and focus on education. Not politics….
As Puerto Rican in the military and trying to master ( english) the language in order to be more competitive with my peers is hard to do. Yes the public school system in PR give me some tool to understand some but very limited, to what i have learned on my own in order to survive the past 14 year in the service. My Brother a Engineer in the island with all his lincenses and diplomas still can’t get a good job outside the island just because the Language. Him and I are struggling with the writing portion of it beacuse lazy individual and teachers didn’t put the effort to teach properly, yet constaly we were tought the same stuff every year with no results. If we were thought proper English in PR then the story could be much diferent. Many more Perto Rican inside and outside the island can be more succesfull when we decide to come to the state just because we can be more competitive with out fellow citizen from the other states. We are citizen (a plus) but knowing the language will give us the boost we need to spread our relationship with other state, buisness and other countries.
I agree with Making the whole curriculum in English but always make room to teach who we are, our Culture, History, and Language. Because the spanish as a Popular language is never going to go away.
The whole thing with Statehood, Colony or Independence is all garbage. Our Island is undersiege from the drug cartels and the curruption with in. Until we fix that problem more and more Puertoricans will continue suffering and it doesn’t matter what language we speak then.
As a native born Puerto Rican Raised in New York City, it saddens me to see my people divided over the issues of government imposing English only curriculum in the schools. As a Bilingual Teacher of 23+ years i have come to the conclusion that being Bilingual or multilingual is one of the greatest abilities that any individual can posses, however i have also come to learn that in American history the goal has and still continues to be the elimination of an individuals’ native language in favor of the host languish of English. Anyone looking at current academic statistic can clearly see that individuals coming into any of the main land states are fully imersed in the English languish and with time the native languish is suppresed and many times as in the case of many Puerto Ricans living in the main land states, the native languish is totally eliminated and with it a very beautiful culture, and a host of very important traditions that makes us who we are “True Borikenos. As Puerto Ricans we have been through this before, One need only look at the historical records from when the Spaniards first occupied the island of Boriken. The Taino population was practically wiped out and as a result, so was the native languish of the Taino indians. we speak Spanish because we were almost forced into extinction, Ask your selves, why such a push for English only? when we know too well that this almost always leads to the elimination of the native languish, Am I more marketable in the employment arena as a Bilingual individual or a Monolingual Individual? take a good look at the academic statistics of all English languish learners and see where they stand as compared to their native English speaking counterparts. Sure we can learn the english languish when we are fully imersed in English, but at what cost when we can clearly see through academic statistic that while we do learn the English languish and loose our native languish our students wind up graduating with very poor grades unable to compete with others who are native English languish speakers who graduate from school with high academic acheivements. and yes by that time we have forgotten who we really are ” Borikenos”
I think this line “even Spanish fluency is low on the island” is wrong. I encourage you to search and get that fact straight. In fact most of the spanish words including spanglish words that are added in the spanish dictionary revisions come from the little island of Puerto Rico. Small in size, big in talent…Also, Puertorriqueños are taught English from first grade as long as I can remember (38 years of my precious existence). The document lacks identity too. What is the point you are trying to make and what is your opinion???
I was born in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Came to the USA at age 4. My parents spoke only spanish to us. English we learned in school. I think its very sad that a spanish speaking person, living in the USA for so many years, does not speak english. This also goes for the Dominicans. I blame Spanish TV, (novelas, etc) for this. It is a wonderful thing to speak more than one, two, three languages. As for Puerto Rico, Spanish should be the official language with English taught in every school as a major subject. I do know that the majority of the puertoricans in PR speak fluent english.
@ Eric Anthony:
Are you serious? Did you even read the article? Puerto Rico was conquered by the US in 1898. Do you think the island actually has any SAY whatsoever if they want to stay a commonwealth and territory? Actually, nobody chooses to become a colony/territory in the first place. When the US took Hawaii, they just barged into the island and overthrew their queen. Nobody chooses to be conquered by another nation and have the conqueror’s culture dominate them. Do you know how the US showcased and made a facade out of Puerto Rico in order so that the US may have a good image of themselves to the world at the expense of Puerto Ricans? Do you know of the sterilization practices that went on in the island as forced by the mainland US government?
Latinos who are from the continent (Central and South America) often joke about how PR is the US’s b**** and unfortunately, you’re living up to that negative image. It’s easy for you to say Puerto Rico should be independent on its own but guess what? It’s only easy as it sounds.
A very good column and discussion here. I want to add one element. The following is a link to a short story by the great Abelardo Diaz Alfaro and it deals with one of the first times Santa Claus was introduced to a school en el campo. The story is called “Santa Clo Va a la Cuchilla” and it’s funny and tragic: http://www.ciudadseva.com/textos/cuentos/esp/pr/alfaro/santa.htm.
For what it’s worth I think it’s a good idea to encourage more people to learn English on the island but not at the expense of displacing so much of our culture that is contained in Boricua Spanish. Many Hawaiians are upset that their ancestors were talked into and maybe forced into the same arrangement.
I say let the United States adopt Spanish as its official second language. If not than thats no fair. Puerto Rico is a nation. Just like the United States is a nation. Why should Puerto Rico be obliged to change and not the United States? If its so damn important to be bilingual let the good ole US face the same criteria. If not then YES independence is the best option.
Why not just learn Korean. Pick any language. Or conduct the courts in Swedish. Have the schools teach Hebrew and let the newspapers be in Swahili. OUR LANGUAGE IS SPANISH. EL IDIOMA DE LOS PUERTORRIQUEÑOS ES EL ESPAÑOL!
Tony wrote:
“I say let the United States adopt Spanish as its official second language. If not than thats no fair.”
______________________________________________________________________
Will never happen. There are too many people in the US steeped in their old ways. You could offer them a million bucks to take a Spanish class and they wouldn’t. Myself, I’m a native born Amercian, but have been struggling like crazy to learn Spanish, as most of our clients are native Spanish speakers. I feel by NOT being able to effectively communicate to them I am not serving them effectively. However, once I am able to speak in my limited Spanish vocabulary, the barriers come down. The day I am able to speak Spanish fluently, I will be happy.
Why are the people of Puerto Rico.waiving around a flag that pledges allegiance to Spain. That is absolutely ridiculous. The United States went in there and took care of the natives of the island, built schools, hospitals and roads. Everything Puerto Rico has is because of the United States…. Not Spain. All of you should burn the flag and stop embracing the Spain rapists murderers and those that destroyed the land, stop embracing the language also. You are all crazy and ridiculous. Also ungrateful. My father was born in 1935 and anyone born before 1941 had to pledge allegiance to either Spain or the US. my father pledged allegiance to the US when he was of age and served in the US army. Yes, that same military that has protected the island for over 70 years. Speak English and learn English. Speak the language on your money. Either that or learn the Taino language not Spanish..you are all fools.
Puerto Rico is its own country. It was a country centuries before there was ever a United States. It has its OWN heritage, history, traditions, folklore, music, food etc. Language is the NUMBER ONE thing that binds a people. That binds a culture. Its links us to our past, our ancestors…to who we are. If Puerto Ricans want to learn English then its very simple. Private schools offer courses, just like any other school that offer language classes in the States. Offer language courses…. not the entire curricula in English. However if we make our children learn in English we will suffer. We will be in danger of losing who we are. We will no longer know what it is to be Puerto Rican. We will no longer be able to connect to our ancestors, our history, our culture. Then we will suffer the fate of countries who were absorbed into bigger countries like that of Sicily, Hawaii, Wales, Okinawa, Ireland, Scotland and others. Countries who no longer speak the language of their ancestors and can hardly identify themselves as a separate country anymore or those that do are on the edge. The cost of “Fitting In” would be our our history and culture…who we are. Just to be accepted by people…who have historically…have never seen as equals and have tried to impose their ways on us for over 100 years. If any one wants to be bilingual or trilingual that’s great, but that should be left up to individuals, families and individual schools to come solutions as what to offer students. It should be encouraged but not enforced. You dont see Americans being forced to learn other languages in school as this proposal suggests. We are Puerto Rican… our schools and ways of life should be taught and passed on in our mother tongue. Spanish.