Spring Break
The Daily OrangeSU in need of a Spanish broadcast program
Abstract:
As a freshman, I had an inkling desire to become a broadcast journalist. Not just any run-of-the-mill anchor, though. I wanted to do great things on Spanish-language stations like Telemundo or Univision, and possibly move to a large international market....
- Displaying 1 - 4 of 4
Jay
posted 10/23/07 @ 12:08 AM EST
I understand your concern Chip. . .but at the same time there are several easy answers to your questions.
First, why Spanish Broadcasting Courses? The writer makes this point clearly, Spanish speakers will make up 25% of the population by 2050. This represents the largest non-English speaking population in the country. Already beginning in 1999, Spanish Language newscasts were overtaking the English stations in the ratings in New York City (Telemudno overtook UPN for reference). Further, it is undeniable that the fastest growing area of American news media today is the Spanish Langauge news broadcast. You don't necessarily need to provide courses in every language of the world because these languages do not represent a large portion of the American media. Students wishing to go into French, Arabic, or Chinese journalism courses might benefit more from doing an internship or study abroad in Paris, the Middle East, or China where the news media is better established in those languages (and many students take this approach!). Telemundo and Univision are very large enterprises for Spanish speakers right here in the United States.
SU may be in the United States and English may be our national language but you would not only be ignorant but you would be neglecting the history of the United States if you launched into a narrative which appears to discriminate against those who have immigrated to this country. The history of the U.S. is based in immigration (think of those on the Mayflower, they certainly weren't natives). It is a country made up of many different people from all around the world which I believe makes it such a rich place to live. From a personal background, retaining the language of your parents and ancestors does not mean that they don't care to learn English. . .most do learn English. But, that other part of you is always there and is a part of your self-identity. Spanish language broadcasts do not make it so Spanish speakers do not learn English. It simply allows a group of people who are underrepresented in the United States media to see their language, culture, and pertinent news reflected on television. Many, many of the people who watch Telemundo and Univision are bilingual speakers. . .meaning they speak in both Spanish and English.
And to your third point. . .this University already shells out enough money for the majority of the students on campus. It just put up lord knows how much money to build Newhouse III and that would be something ALL Syracuse students can benefit from. Why not allow the school to grow and to have its student journalists work towards being on the cutting edge of journalism today. I think this would make a statement showing a bit more national awareness and it would help students and the people of this city break out of the Syracuse city bubble that is not necessarily reflective of the national composition of ethnicity.
I hope that these points and hopefully some of your personal research in the future will help you to see that the thinking behind this goes to a much deeper level and that students are justified in their desire to want a Spanish Journalism program especially at the current time.
Thank you.
First, why Spanish Broadcasting Courses? The writer makes this point clearly, Spanish speakers will make up 25% of the population by 2050. This represents the largest non-English speaking population in the country. Already beginning in 1999, Spanish Language newscasts were overtaking the English stations in the ratings in New York City (Telemudno overtook UPN for reference). Further, it is undeniable that the fastest growing area of American news media today is the Spanish Langauge news broadcast. You don't necessarily need to provide courses in every language of the world because these languages do not represent a large portion of the American media. Students wishing to go into French, Arabic, or Chinese journalism courses might benefit more from doing an internship or study abroad in Paris, the Middle East, or China where the news media is better established in those languages (and many students take this approach!). Telemundo and Univision are very large enterprises for Spanish speakers right here in the United States.
SU may be in the United States and English may be our national language but you would not only be ignorant but you would be neglecting the history of the United States if you launched into a narrative which appears to discriminate against those who have immigrated to this country. The history of the U.S. is based in immigration (think of those on the Mayflower, they certainly weren't natives). It is a country made up of many different people from all around the world which I believe makes it such a rich place to live. From a personal background, retaining the language of your parents and ancestors does not mean that they don't care to learn English. . .most do learn English. But, that other part of you is always there and is a part of your self-identity. Spanish language broadcasts do not make it so Spanish speakers do not learn English. It simply allows a group of people who are underrepresented in the United States media to see their language, culture, and pertinent news reflected on television. Many, many of the people who watch Telemundo and Univision are bilingual speakers. . .meaning they speak in both Spanish and English.
And to your third point. . .this University already shells out enough money for the majority of the students on campus. It just put up lord knows how much money to build Newhouse III and that would be something ALL Syracuse students can benefit from. Why not allow the school to grow and to have its student journalists work towards being on the cutting edge of journalism today. I think this would make a statement showing a bit more national awareness and it would help students and the people of this city break out of the Syracuse city bubble that is not necessarily reflective of the national composition of ethnicity.
I hope that these points and hopefully some of your personal research in the future will help you to see that the thinking behind this goes to a much deeper level and that students are justified in their desire to want a Spanish Journalism program especially at the current time.
Thank you.
Chip
posted 10/23/07 @ 7:16 PM EST
Originally posted byJay
I understand your concern Chip. . .but at the same time there are several easy answers to your questions.
First, why Spanish Broadcasting Courses? The writer makes this point clearly, Spanish speakers will make up 25% of the population by 2050. This represents the largest non-English speaking population in the country. Already beginning in 1999, Spanish Language newscasts were overtaking the English stations in the ratings in New York City (Telemudno overtook UPN for reference). Further, it is undeniable that the fastest growing area of American news media today is the Spanish Langauge news broadcast. You don't necessarily need to provide courses in every language of the world because these languages do not represent a large portion of the American media. Students wishing to go into French, Arabic, or Chinese journalism courses might benefit more from doing an internship or study abroad in Paris, the Middle East, or China where the news media is better established in those languages (and many students take this approach!). Telemundo and Univision are very large enterprises for Spanish speakers right here in the United States.
SU may be in the United States and English may be our national language but you would not only be ignorant but you would be neglecting the history of the United States if you launched into a narrative which appears to discriminate against those who have immigrated to this country. The history of the U.S. is based in immigration (think of those on the Mayflower, they certainly weren't natives). It is a country made up of many different people from all around the world which I believe makes it such a rich place to live. From a personal background, retaining the language of your parents and ancestors does not mean that they don't care to learn English. . .most do learn English. But, that other part of you is always there and is a part of your self-identity. Spanish language broadcasts do not make it so Spanish speakers do not learn English. It simply allows a group of people who are underrepresented in the United States media to see their language, culture, and pertinent news reflected on television. Many, many of the people who watch Telemundo and Univision are bilingual speakers. . .meaning they speak in both Spanish and English.
And to your third point. . .this University already shells out enough money for the majority of the students on campus. It just put up lord knows how much money to build Newhouse III and that would be something ALL Syracuse students can benefit from. Why not allow the school to grow and to have its student journalists work towards being on the cutting edge of journalism today. I think this would make a statement showing a bit more national awareness and it would help students and the people of this city break out of the Syracuse city bubble that is not necessarily reflective of the national composition of ethnicity.
I hope that these points and hopefully some of your personal research in the future will help you to see that the thinking behind this goes to a much deeper level and that students are justified in their desire to want a Spanish Journalism program especially at the current time.
Thank you.
Good points Jay, but overall I don't buy it. Bottom line...broadcasting in Spanish or any other language but our national language polarizes groups and cultures, and propogates less communication by not using a common language. Most every other ethic group coming to America knew they had to learn and use English to survive...period. And it worked!
Jay
posted 10/24/07 @ 1:13 AM EST
Sadly Chip, I think you have not read critically what I wrote. Let me reiterate that this has a global nature to it. Pan-Latino, Latino Diaspora. . .meaning anywhere there are Latinos making news is what we would be covering and that is what Univision and Telemundo cover. It extends far beyond the United States with its "national language" of English. That means interacting with all kinds of cultures and languages. These journalists are extremely dynamic people that know, many times, more than three languages!
You also really missed the part about bilingualism. People who watch these broadcasts are much more dynamic than you are giving them credit for. Latinos are an underrepresented group in the United States and this is an opportunity for them to see their culture, language, and news in the media. They may very well speak English quite well but the Spanish Language is always going to be part of them.
Also Chip. . .your use of the word America is unproper and narrow. America is a term that refers to and I am quoting from Webster's Dictionary "Either continent, (North America or South America) of the Western Hemisphere." "America" does not equal United States except for those who fail to see themselves as what they are. . .citizens of the world.
Also, I would contend with you that "it worked." First of all, I am not quite sure what "it" is because you never qualify it. But with the racism, sexism, and narrow thinking that continues today in the United States, especially towards Latino immigrants and the African Americans in this country, I would say it has not "worked," at least not very well. I think a deeper more critical analysis of the points I have made and maybe speaking with a representative of a Spanish language station will help to solidify these points for you.
Thank you.
You also really missed the part about bilingualism. People who watch these broadcasts are much more dynamic than you are giving them credit for. Latinos are an underrepresented group in the United States and this is an opportunity for them to see their culture, language, and news in the media. They may very well speak English quite well but the Spanish Language is always going to be part of them.
Also Chip. . .your use of the word America is unproper and narrow. America is a term that refers to and I am quoting from Webster's Dictionary "Either continent, (North America or South America) of the Western Hemisphere." "America" does not equal United States except for those who fail to see themselves as what they are. . .citizens of the world.
Also, I would contend with you that "it worked." First of all, I am not quite sure what "it" is because you never qualify it. But with the racism, sexism, and narrow thinking that continues today in the United States, especially towards Latino immigrants and the African Americans in this country, I would say it has not "worked," at least not very well. I think a deeper more critical analysis of the points I have made and maybe speaking with a representative of a Spanish language station will help to solidify these points for you.
Thank you.
- Displaying 1 - 4 of 4
Chip
posted 10/22/07 @ 6:28 PM EST