Speaking English

Rather than city government “apologizing for the fact that English is the national language of Los Angeles” (Commentary, Dec. 1), I suggest that Diana Beard-Williams beg for forgiveness for her attack on multilingualism. Publishing city proposals, voting pamphlets and city notices in minority languages is an issue of access, not compromise. There are many immigrants who establish themselves in Los Angeles with a desire to participate in civic activities. These people, who may be proficient in English, may not have the grasp of the language required to understand the complex written materials in their second language that nonetheless have a direct effect on their community. As a college graduate, an English/Spanish/Korean-speaking L.A. native and the daughter of Korean immigrants, I often have difficulty understanding the nuances of city proposals and the like.

The waste is not city money spent to publish written materials in several languages but the voices of the immigrant communities that are consistently ignored in the name of efficiency.

SANDRA CHOE

Manhattan Beach

“We Speak English in L.A.; Don’t Apologize” was absolutely correct. English is the business language of the world and it is spoken by cab drivers in Paris, waiters in Rome and salesclerks in Tokyo.

We do a disservice to L.A. residents if we send the message that English is not a language they need to know. Encouraging people not to learn English will impede their ability to get better jobs and will make our country a weaker competitor in world trade.

DAVID V. HANDELMAN

Los Angeles