German influence on English

[riddleita]

So, the deciding words for this year's spelling bee were both of German origin- Ursprache and Weltschmerz. I am blown away. This demonstrates Benjamin's theory on the inter-relationship of languages and influence on each other and the inadequacy of one single language that ultimately must borrow from another to convey and represent a concept that may otherwise not exist in that language. It's refreshing to be reminded that English is being influenced by other languages, and not just the other way around (that English is the dominant imperial language). Of course, this makes crazy right-wingers freak out about the future of the English language. What a bunch of crazy wingbats. How incredibly insecure does a people have to be to feel threatened by this? Especially a people that is based fundamentally on immigration and mixing of culture and language? I still don't understand how a group of people can pretend to claim autonomy over language, culture and identity, and then attempt to legislate it.

I am so glad to have the time to stay up with what's going on in the world and be part of what's going on. I'm back in the saddle again...