Hi, I'm a sort of "observer" member of this list - I used to live in cal for a while though not at present - and I was planning not to bring my oar in, but I would like to say a few things regarding this issue (of using a particular language in this increasingly multi cultural and multi lingual world) since this is an issue we will all have to deal with
NOTE: I wasn't at the meeting - my comments will be general : What the original poster faced is not new or unique and his/her objection was correct but his/her manner had shades of racial/cutural intolerance in it, which are disturbing. Language is a vehicle of identity as much as it is a vehicle of thought - we are not vulcans, we have emotions. If a group of people feel comfortable discussing in a particular langugae that is going to be the most efficient way of creating a group and of making something work. The issue arises when there is someone in this group who doesn't undertand this language and is thus a little "out". Let me ask the original poster a question. If you were an Englishman, and you were living in Bonn and you joined a lug group in Bonn. Would you demand that they speak in English to accomodate you, or would you decide, that being in Bonn, you would like to work out a frieldy arrangement with the locals ? I have found that there are much much much more sensitive ways of dealing with these issues that you have shown. The first requirement is not to walk in demanding something as if you owned the place. The second is to display an interest and involvement in the culture of where you live - this does not disturb your own identity - instead it develops respect for it in the eyes of others. The third is to point out that as much as you would like to dive in, you do not understand the local language and could the people try and take that into account - otherwise you will be left out. Its absolutely amazing what these three steps will do diplomatically anywhere in the world. Calcutta is a friendly city like Bonn, but like Bonn it also has its identity - the identity of the families who have lived in that region for over 1000 years. You are in Calcutta now. Like they say on this side of the Atlantic deal with it... -kg -- To unsubscribe, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the body "unsubscribe ilug-cal" and an empty subject line. FAQ: http://www.ilug-cal.org/node.php?id=3
