bilingual issues: crawford article: heritage languages in america:tapping a hidden resource.

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Your assignment is to prepare and submit a paper on bilingual issues: crawford article: heritage languages in america:tapping a hidden resource. Critical Analysis of “Heritage Languages in America: Tapping a ‘Hidden’ Resource” Critical Analysis of “Heritage Languages in America:

Tapping a ‘Hidden’ Resource”

James Crawford approaches the idea of multi-lingualism in America as something that need not only be done to preserve the cultural heritage of immigrants, but to expand the capabilities of the entire nation in a globalizing world. His article pinpoints those characteristics of multi-lingualism that are functional both in terms of the individual and of the United States, and explores ideas for expanding literacy programs within the existing education system. Crawford’s fear is that too many Americans are complacent in their knowledge of English only, and that so-called heritage languages, including those of the Native Americans, are being lost when they might benefit the entire nation.

In terms of the individual, Crawford points out research data that clearly suggests the heightened cognitive abilities of people who are fully bilingual. He suggests that these improved abilities are the product of two different language – and therefore two different symbolic – systems: this means that an individual possesses the ability to approach a problem in two different ways and therefore has a greater chance to succeed. These strengthened cognitive skills are only apparent in people who have attained a balanced bilingualism, however, and to instill such strong language skills in American citizens the education system must make significant changes.

At the time the article was written, a mere 7% of American secondary schools had courses on offer for fully multilingual students. this contrasts sharply with the fact that bilingual graduates could earn up to 50% more than their monolingual counterparts. In fact, many businesses who require multilingual staff have had to recruit from South American countries instead of their own despite the growing immigrant population. If heritage languages were properly preserved, Crawford argues, recruitment could occur internally and America’s place as a global dynamic force would be secured.

Crawford believes that in a time when the world is getting smaller, it is not the best course of action to simply attempt to teach everyone English because this means we have lost touch with the cultural aspects of a foreign language. In addition, the preservation of heritage languages within the United States means the preservation of cultural values of both immigrants and Native Americans where links to their traditional lifestyles might be so easily lost. To promote multilingualism in schools would equip students with the skills and abilities they will need to succeed at the top of the chain in businesses throughout the country and the world.

The modern classroom is monolingual, and given the apparent stigma of speaking or using any language other than English, it is no surprise that English-as-second-language students drop their traditional language quickly. Crawford points out that if American schools want this trend to change, they must address the two basic factors that influence whether a heritage language is maintained by its young speakers: the social ranking of the language. and whether it is used primarily in the home from a young age. By working within established minority language social groups it becomes possible to preserve language skills that are of so much use now and later on in employment.

Reference List

Crawford, J. (October 1999). “Heritage Languages in America: tapping a ‘hidden’ resource”. Retrieved December 10, 2007 from http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/JWCRAWFORD/HL.htm.

Discuss american labor unions.

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Your assignment is to prepare and submit a paper on american labor unions. Even a cursory analysis reveals the fact that union membership within the United s is at its lowest point in nearly a full century. Although there are of course many reasons for why this is the case, the following analysis will be concentric upon discussing this author’s opinion regarding the overall effectiveness of the American labor unions, their strengths and weaknesses, what issues have contributed to this steep decline in union membership, and whether or not an individual within a nonunion business should have the opportunity to vote for union inclusion.

Firstly, with respect to the overall effectiveness of American labor unions, it must be stated that historically this effectiveness has been rather high. Ultimately, working conditions, pay, fairness, and issues concerning equality have all been able to be maximized as a direct result of union organization over the past decades. However, one of the major issues that is facing unions, and subsequently contributing to a massive loss in union membership is the fact that individuals no longer feel that the benefits of union membership outweigh the costs. For instance, even a brief overview of existing news stories reveals the fact that many companies are moving from union friendly states to non-union friendly states. Moreover, the recent flood of jobs that have migrated overseas has caused many individuals to believe that the “greediness” of the unions have contributed to the industrial decay that the United States has experienced since the 1960s (Zhu, 2006). Moreover, the ability of foreign manufacturers, such as foreign automobile makers, to benefit from nonunion factories within the United States and dominantly compete with domestic automobile manufacturers has underscored the fact that the unionization of cities such as Detroit can no longer be seen as a mutual benefit to domestic industry and/or the success of American business over foreign production (Fiorito & Jarley, 2012).

Finally, with respect to the issue of whether or not a nonunion group of individuals within a particular company should be allowed to engage in collective bargaining and choose to become part of a union, it is the belief of this particular author that this action is a fundamental right that should not be infringed. Whereas it is true that there are many drawbacks and weaknesses to an alliance or agreement with a particular union, the self determinism of an individual group of workers is something that should not be infringed upon and ultimately represents a level of Democratic choice that is so fundamental to the society of the United States (Warner, 2013). More specifically, is the further understanding of this researcher that the decision of a workplace to become unionized or to remain non-union aligned is ultimately an issue and choice that must take place at the workplace itself. As such, the ability of an individual to fill out a secret ballot and request a level of union engagement within a particular workplace is not ethical or reasonable with respect to the way in which the future of a particular firm or business entity should be determined.

References

Fiorito, J., & Jarley, P. (2012). Union Organizing and Membership Growth: Why Dont They Organize?.&nbsp.Journal Of Labor Research,33(4), 461-486. doi:10.1007/s12122-012-9144-y

Warner, K. (2013). The Decline of Unionization in the United States: Some Lessons from Canada.&nbsp.Labor Studies Journal,&nbsp.38(2), 110-138. doi:10.1177/0160449X13490801

Zhu, W. (2006). Union Wages and Union Decline: Evidence from the Construction Industry.&nbsp.Industrial & Labor Relations Review,&nbsp.60(1), 67-87.

Identify the different forms of religious group

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Identify the different forms of religious groups that are comprised in the typology outlined by the classic sociologists of religion. Explain the basic characteristics of each and provide examples. 

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