The Language Of Money

SAY WHAT? A test of several city agencies by covert city workers found many customer service centers couldn’t adequately aid those who don’t speak English. Few government offices with walk-in facilities provided accessible translation and/or interpretation services. It’s amazing though how New York’s newest immigrants (including illegal aliens) manage to communicate effectively enough when it comes to collecting financial, medical and educational support services. I’d like for someone to explain in plain English how that can be.

An English Language Lesson With NYC Slang

In New York City, students who need help with English are called “English Language Learners.” An estimated 75% of these students don’t receive adequate schooling in their special classes. Not surprisingly, this large percentage of kids doesn’t graduate on time. Only $13.7 million of $380 million in state funding is targeted for these ELL pupils. So now, I’m raising my hand hoping to be seen. I’m waving my arm wildly now and yelling, “Ooooh, ooooh, ooooh” just like Arnold Horshack on the TV show Welcome Back Kotter once did. Finally, someone from the Board of Education points at me. I ask my question on behalf of students who may be unable to ask the question in English, themselves. Why?

See London … While In New York

An English sculptor/artist by the name of Paul St. George has tunnel vision and because of it, New Yorkers (Londoners too) can see across the Atlantic Ocean. His “telectroscope” arises from the Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn. An identical one was setup across the pond on London’s South Bank. When one steps up to the lens, they can see a real-time, life-size view of whoever may be peering through the lens on the other side. Paul St. George claims to have been inspired by his great-grandfather, Alexander Stanhope St. George whose dream was to tunnel under the Atlantic, put a telectroscope on either side and let people on both sides see each other. Technically speaking, it works with fiber optic communication but let’s keep that quiet. After all, why ruin the imagination of the young or the fascination of the old? This art exhibit is definitely worth a look. A display like this should find a permanent home so the public may continue to see and be amazed, long into the future.