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Monday, 09/25/06

Futile debate on English


The fact that Metro Council members felt compelled to water down an "English-only" provision for city business shows how misguided the original proposal was.

Councilman Eric Crafton's original legislation would have required all Metro government communications to be only in English and called for English to be Metro's "official language." When the council considered the measure Tuesday night, it passed the ordinance, but only after changing the language from "English-only" to "English-first." It kept the declaration of English as the "official language" but removed a requirement that all Metro communications be only in English. It created an exemption for multilingual communications required by federal guidelines and for when it is "necessary to protect or promote public health, safety or welfare." The Metro Law Department had said the original proposal could be unconstitutional or a violation of the Voting Rights Act.

Altering the bill on first reading only underscores its pointlessness. Crafton offered no overwhelming evidence of why such a measure was needed, saying only that offering material in additional languages amounted to a "crutch."

Metro, like cities nationwide, is adapting to meet the needs of its diverse population. To declare there would be only one language used in city business would be insulting to the many people coping with language barriers.

The council is expected to engage in further debate on this contentious issue. It has more important things to worry about. If council members truly want everyone to learn English, they'll fund appropriate programs, including English Language Learner programs in public schools. While the watered-down bill isn't as harmful as the original version, it would serve no good purpose to this city.