Analysis Of Our Native Tongue By Erdrich

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Recommended: Importance of English

“Our Native Tongue” is a short article written by Nelson W. Aldrich. Jr, in February 2000. To begin the article Aldrich describes how privileged and grateful he is to know the English language. Aldrich says “I’d been born with a silver tongue in my mouth.” From this statement, readers can assume how amazing the English language is. Silver is an item most people value, Aldrich values English the way some would value silver. Aldrich also says because he knows the English language he has access to many opportunities, that others would have to pay for because they do not know the English language. The article also discusses the first global lingua franca. Lingua franca is “the language of science, business, political, and finical power, and English”. Lingua franca is also a diammoniate language that is accepted between speakers whose languages are different. …show more content…

According to Aldrich the cost of learning English is “twofold”. First, someone must teach the language and that is paid by the learner or the school system. However, only few minority’s in the world can afford to be tough the English language. The seconded cost of learning English are the people who never learn English, these are individuals who “stay behind” according to Aldrich. The people who “stay behind” consist of individuals who live in subverted cultures. Last, are people who become “brain drain”. “Brain drain” is the consequence of New technology. Younger generations become “brain drain” because of the many short cuts used in technology. At such a young age these individuals may not see the importance of the English language, they also may not understand how unique English is. Brain drain has caused younger generations to communicate and learn English improperly because they were not taught the right way to use English because of the new

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