Re: What language? - Architecture Forum

Posted by Will Hayes on May 01, 2002 at 07:37:00:
In Reply to: What language? posted by mp on April 30, 2002 at 16:04:06:
Well, I will correct you if no one else weill, as that is commonly known as an utter myth. This never happened, and there was never the remotest incentive for it to happen.
Here's a reference for your perusal:
from the _Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language_, by David Crystal, published by the Cambridge University Press, (c)1987, via the internet
"Probably the best-known myth in the history of language planning is the story that German nearly became the national language of the US in the 18th century, losing to English by only one vote in the legislature (the "Muhlenberg" legend). In fact, all that was involved was a request, made by a group of Virginia Germans, to have certain laws issued in German _as well as_ in Englih. The proposal was rejected by one vote, apparently cast by a German-speaking Lutheran clergyman, Frederick Muhlenberg (1750-1801). But the general status of English as the majority language was never in doubt. (After S.B. Heath and F. Mandabach, 1983.)"

ArchitectureWeek Search Buildings Architects Types Places Pix Free 3D Models Store Library

Please follow up at our Fireside Forum

Design Community Architecture Discussion
Message - Re: What language?
Responses \| Architecture Forum \| Architecture Students \| Architecture Scrapbook \| ArchitectureWeek