Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-12-13
SCANDINAVIAN AllGuAeES
IN OUR COUNTRY 4
DISTRICT SCHOOLS
(By J. n. .Lenker, D. d.


AVlll.
Present conditions indicate that
more pupils will study German and
Scandinavian in our country schools
the coming year than in any previous
year. Never has there been ivelier
discussion of the question in both the
English and the foreign press than
has been carried on of late, while
such signs are encouraging, yet q
more general and intelligent interest
among parents is demanded by the
cause. The great need Of the hour
is FH
MORE SENTIMENT, BASED ON
FACTS.
Statistics, both old and recent, on
the growth Of modern languages are
accessible, and by comparison Of
these we need not remain in doubt as
to whether ours is decaying or a
fourishing language. The advocates
Of I; single-language standard may
rejoice over the weakening Of GER.
tain tongue in certain limited local
ity, but such local conditions do not
prove that language a failing one in
the world generally. It is with re-
gard to its broadcast, world wide in
huence that we should form our es-
innate of language. German, Eng
fish, Scandinavian and French are
the leading civilized tongues, but no
one of them leads in every respect.
The world is richer for the existence
of all rather than one. Each has it's
individuality and fills its own place
in the accomplishment Of the worlds
work. The need is for more senti-
ment regarding the conservation Of
these existing languages, sentiment
based on statistics and historic facts,
however dry the facts. The subject
is vital one for the human race.
The complete statistics of the CAL
manac de Gotha," covering about one
hundred years, and Of the Estates
mans Year Book" relative to this
subject, might be studied with pro-
fit. It is to be regretted that space
here does not permit of more figures,
but the few given may, it is hoped,
inspire investigation.
A SINGLE-LANGUAGE STAND
ARD .INlPRACTICABLE IN
MISUNDERSTANDING
COUNTRIES.
Despite it's magnetic assimilating
power, the English language has not
become universal even in the British
Isles. Aside from the German and
Scandinavian tongues Of the more
recent immigrants, three ancient Gel
tic languages, other than English,
are still spoken in the Isles, and by
a large percentage of the popula-
ton. This Notwithstanding the great
Celtic emigration to America, the
aggressiveness Of the English langu-
age and the fact Of an English gov
eminent.
The "Statesman's Year Book" fol
1895 gives valuable data on this sub
ject, taking into account all persons
over three years of age. In 1891, in
Wales and Monmouthshire, 508,036
people, or 28.6 per cent, were listed
as able to speak Welsh only, and
4O2,253, or 22.6 per cent, as speak
ing Welsh and English. Thus 910,-
l289, 51.2 per cent or a majority OF
the population Of these districts
could speak Welsh. In 1881 the mum.
Der was 100000, or about 70 pei
cent. In 1891, 43,738, or LOG pei
cent of the population Of Scotland
spoke Gaelic only, while 210,677, o.
5:23 per cent, could speak both Gael
ic and English, making a total Of
254,415, or 6.23 per cent, of Gaelic
speaking people, while ten years
previously they numbered 23l, 1914, O.
$3.50 per cent Of the whole. In 1891
in Ireland, 1921 people, or 81 pc
cent Of her population, spoke Irisl
, only, and 642,053, or 1855 per cent
used, both Irish and English, makin|
a total Of 680,174, or 14.46 per cen
2 of the whole, disappearing inhabi
/ tants. A decade before, the numbe
: who spoke Irish was 949,932, or
l percentage Of 1920.
/ These figures show that in 1891
= within the small area of the BIRTHS
e Isles, the very home Of the Englis
). language, the conquered and in
e sense oppressed Celts, who had bee
forced to emigrate in large number!
still maintained their individualit,
EOn OOE T~1l..