LETTERS FROM THE 'WILKES JOURNAL-PATRIOT'
My favorite Hispanic pointed out the following letter and was quite heated in her reaction to it. I'll reprint the letter here:

Don't depend on children for interpretation:
Why is it that adults come to our country and don't have any desire to learn our language? It drives me crazy to see a small child translating for a parent! That is a definite role reversal in our society. It shouldn't be a child's responsibility to translate for an adult. Children don't understand the concepts of the law, insurance, financing, or anything else adults need to take care of. These adults let on they can't speak or understand any English. Then the child tries their best to interpret things they can't comprehend. These adults don't need to depend on their children to translate forever. They need to learn our language.
Shanna R Bell
Roaring River

Ah, where to begin? Let's start with the first sentence. Why would Ms Bell assume that people who can't speak English have no desire to learn it? Acquiring a new language is not like bopping over to W-Mart to pick up an English vocabulary. It takes considerable work, attention and TIME to do so.

It is a skill that we Americans are not noted for in any case. As the joke has it: What do you call someone who speaks two languages - Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks three languages - trilingual. And what do you call someone who speaks only one language? - An American. I myself have tried for years to learn French, and can read it fairly well. But my conversational French is hopelessly bad. It simply is a physiological fact that children's brains are better able to learn a new language than adult brains.

I am sorry the situation is driving Ms Bell crazy, and she certainly has a point for the guts of her letter. It IS a terrible thing for children to be placed in such a position. Sometimes when talking to lawyers or counselors the youngsters get involved in all sorts of conversations they shouldn't be having at their age. Perhaps she would be willing to provide the tax resources to hire more bilingual people as translators ? Or encourage those of us who are bilingual - like my favorite Hispanic - to volunteer their time to help out?

"These adults let on they can's speak any English." Really? How does Ms Bell know that they are only 'letting on' that they don't? Does she mean they are just pretending? Does she think the adults want to rely on their children for this vital service? I have never met anyone who would. It bothers the parents more than the children, and the children generally hate it.

"They need to learn our language." Yes indeedy. And they know it. Hispanics that I know want their children to learn English and to get a good education. They want to learn it themselves. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to get instruction. English as a second language classes are popular, but they require time on the part of the students, most of whom work full time and then some. They also require trained teachers. Again, any interest in paying the taxes to pay for them?

Well, so much for that. I'll leave you with this. I am an educator and have the opportunity to work with a number of the children of Wilkes. They are bright and engaging, but their knowledge of standard English is a bit whimsical, shall we say. If they go to the big city, or up North, their use of the local dialect will tell against them, and people will say with a sneer, 'Why don't they learn proper English!'

And you will be right to resent it.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: PHIPPS
Finally made it over to the new Phipps. From the outside it looks nice - I've always liked the building which apparently was designed for the original McAllister. Once we got inside, however, the food was a disappointment. Plastic rice covered with mushroom glop, perhaps from a can. On the other hand, my steak was fine for the price and the baked potato was alright. Service was a highlight, with the young waitress doing everything she could think of to keep us happy after we complained about the rice. And the management did not charge us for the meal, so they are determined to do their best. That alone would rate a return trip. Overall my impression was of a local restaurant that is best suited for stuff off the grill and trying very hard to please. I'll go back, probably to try out their breakfast.

A NEW RESTAURANT:
There is apparently a new restaurant in town: Phipps. It used to be a 'MacAllister's'. I'll put up a review once we eat there, but for the moment I only know it from the outside.