Linguistic imperialism

[Joe Laferriere]

> Date:    Sun, 18 Feb 1996 10:35:10 EST
> From:    "GB:'X0B$4fAB92GB5" <76711.1261 at COMPUSERVE.COM>
> Subject: Names of new species described in Chinese
>
> Dear Zhi-qiang Zhang
>
> I am afraid that is you who encouraging Culture (language) imperialism. I am not
> from english background, my language is different and I have learned english as
> a communication language. Do you thing that I have to learn chinese or are you
> prepared to learn my complicating language? Do you think still that China is
> world imperium or  do you thing that China has to build another the Big Wall,
> the Language Wall to divide China from the others? I am sorry, but the language
> has to do nothing with your politic. I am remember how Czech communistic
> government try to mix politic into science and how science suffer. I would like
> to express my deep sorrow about your attitude and thinking. The summary in
> english is the expressing of your politeness to another taxonomist who does not
> speak your magnificent language.
>
> Kepp care and be of good cheer.
> Regards
>
> Richard from Czech Rep.
>
> Zhi-qiang Zhang wrote:
> No one should impose the requirement that there should be an English
> summary.  If someone who can not read Chinese, that is his/her problem or
> inability and should not affect the validity of names simply because he/she
> can not read Chinese.  If Chinese (or Japanese etc) biologists work hard to
> learn English (French or German ect.), why can not others do the same.
> Culture (language) imperialism should not be encouraged.

Very eloquently said. Your English is very good, much better than my
Chinese. English-speakers (especially Americans) tend to think everybody
on the planet speaks English. This is not at all true (I have even dated
women who could not speak English). We forget that there are more people
who speak Chinese than English, yet very few Americans take the time to
learn it. I am grateful for the requirement for Latin descriptions for new
plant taxa. Having one language for everybody to learn, and a neutral
"dead" language at that) sets everyone at an equal footing without saying
that one country's language is better than another's.