imit big languages (Fishman 7). In the same way, big areas are reluctant to make accommodations to those who may speak unfamiliar languages.Language barriers existing in the U.S. and worldwide are becoming a very serious matter. Schools, law enforcement, the courts, hospitals, and other public institutions cost more and run more slowly due to language barriers. Many tragedies occur because of barriers like these. For instance, an old man was taken in by the policemen on the street, but couldn't communicate to them where he lived or what he needed. After trying to help the man, the policemen gave up and dropped him off in a remote part of town far from his home. The man was beaten, robbed, and killed by gang members on the streets, all because no one could understand him (Ferrell and Hotz 3).Barriers have also shown to increase racial tensions and lead to gangs and organized crime. People seek out others who speak their own language, and sometimes become bitter towards those who don't. Thus, gangs form( Ferrell and Hotz 3).Specific examples of barriers include schools not being able to take certain students, hospitals providing poor care for patients, or police officers not being able to perform their duties. All these scenarios occur due to a simple lack of communication (Ferrell and Hotz 3).Some groups resist multilingualism because they fear it. Smaller countries with smaller, weaker languages see the taking over of stronger languages as threatening, imperialistic linguicide, genocide, and mind control (Fishman 7).Immigrant families fear that their children will forget much of their language and culture. Customs are being forgotten and transformed by American culture (Ferrell and Hotz 2). Radford 4The French government forbids English in advertisements and is strict about English language films in France. It i...
