Dear Editor,
Some pretty colourful responses to my letter (Algarve Resident, August 28)… It would appear I have opened a real can of worms here, however, being a great believer in freedom of speech (whether orally or written), I thank those who took time out to reply.
Let’s assume I invite you round to my house to openly discuss this topic.
I have rules in that house: you take your shoes off, don’t smoke, be polite… the rules list is endless and when you arrive, you leave your own house rules at home.
Same at the club: it’s got rules and you must conform or don’t join.
My point being, Portugal joined the EU in 86, it became a ‘club member’ and the rules were set.
Portugal was welcomed in. One of those rules was we would agree on a common language – that language is English and Portugal agreed!
I am far more concerned about the native future generation entering into a business world on an equal footing of all those around the business table. It’s a poor do when a teenager whom I ask for directions can’t answer me
in English.
Since the UK immigration seems to allow all and sundry through its borders, it’s a place I won’t ever be going back to – not enough English spoken there!
Graham Cockroft
By email
Dear Editor,
Your correspondents on language (Algarve Resident, August 28), especially Ms. I. Linderoos, miss the point. It is about Portugal, its future, education and customer care; about business, survival in a world that owes us nothing. Look at Danes, Finns, Baltic countries etc.
They mainly speak almost perfect English and they are far more committed to the EC. Other countries, as far apart as Butan and S. Arabia, are moving towards English in schools.
Every new nation that comes into the EC requires translation into its own language at the EC/parliament. Do any of your readers consider the cost borne by this?
I use a local hotel which trains hotel students, students who will work in 3-5 star establishments here and elsewhere. They cannot speak English because the education system fails them and Portugal.
Ms. Linderoos is also wrong about Portuguese in the UK. Translating services, use of own language, social security information is in a variety of languages and, I am sure, Polish, Chinese etc.
To survive in the EC (let alone the rest of the world), we must be bi-lingual and, today, that
is English.
D. Taylor-Smith
By email
