[etni] fw: re: the use of English in Israel
- From: ask@xxxxxxxx
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 02 Jun 2006 08:16:53 -0700
From: "Esther Lucas" <lucas@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: the use of English in Israel
A word or two (in English) about the use of English in Israel.
Some say comparisons are odious, but if one is not in the
English language community, may be one is not aware of how
much English is actually spoken in this country.
1. There are more Russian speakers in Israel than English
speakers, but English is used more widely in intercommunication
and in contact with non-Israelis, eg. the small International
Women's Club, the Israel British Commonwealth Association,
the various English speaking country organizations, not to
mention the vocal community of English teachers. There are
few Russian teachers in comparison. Everyone knows that
English is used for air communication, for diplomatic
communication etc.
3. There are two world read English language newspapers;
the Russians have theirs too. So in that respect there is
no great difference. However many non English speakers
read the English press.
4. There are many Israelis who like to speak English, which
does not mean there are none who like to speak Russian.
I have often met taxi drivers and service people of all kinds
who like to speak English, especially when they find themsleves
communicating with English speakers.
5. The English speaking community is not as obvious as the
Russian one. It is much older more assimilated, but very much alive.
It has English poetry organizations and now even one for writing
short stories. I am probably an exception, but I definitely speak
more English than any other language, and I have friends in a
similar position. So I don't agree with Sergeiy that the English
speaking community is insignificant in relation to the Russian
community even if it is smaller and fragmented according to
country of origin.
As time passes all language communities tend gradually to
assimilate anyway.
Esther
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