Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 2, 1983)
Page 2/The Battalion/Monday, May 2, 1983 opinion Language barrier computerized by Dick West United Press International WASHINGTON — Many of the thousands of vacationing Americans who will visit Europe this summer speak a pseudo-language called “Phrase Book French.” The real pseudo-linguists among them also will be proficient in “Phrase Book German” and “Phrase Book Span ish” and perhaps “Phrase Book Italian.” What these tongues have in common is that none bears any resemblance to an actual language, living or dead. Probably the ultimate put-down for a vacationer in Germany is to approach a pretty young Fraulein and start to ask her, “What is your surface wind veloc ity?” (Was ist Ihre Bodenwindgeschwin- digkeit?) “Vahss ist ee-ra,” the phrase book cryptographer begins. Whereupon the Fraulein interrupts. “Sorry, I don’t speak English,” she snarls, spinning on her French heels and stalking away in the general direction of the “fernsprechamt” (FAYRNshpresh- ahmt), or telephone exchange. Such humilitations are now compara tively easy to avoid. According to some literature I have received from Control Data Corp., “Sim ple language courses in French, Spanish and German” are becoming available on home computers. The courses “are designed to provide American tourists with sufficient mastery of the three languages to be able to travel reasonably well from one place to another, find lodging and order food in restaurants,” the company says. Suppose you are dining in a fancy French cafe and wish to order an omelet (omelette) well done. No longer will it be necessary to whip out the old phrase book and, while the waiter hovers impatiently at your elbow, look up “bein cuit” (b’yehngKWEE). Now all you have to do is plug in the old computer. What Control Data has in mind, I gather, is for vacation-bound Americans to learn a smattering of French, Spanish and German before they go aboard. That seems to me a bit unimaginative. Think of the points you could score with your waiter if you plug in your com puter right at the table, the better to com municate how you like your eggs (oeufs). May I suggest the “oeufs durs” (hard- boiled)? Sure you could learn the words the hard way, in advance. But this way, all your have to do is point to the appropri ate place on the computer screen. You don’t even have to make a stab at pro nouncing it. One of the computer courses contains about 500 “common words and phrases” an American tourist is likely to need while shopping. I don’t know what the words are but I can attest from personal experience that 500 won’t cover it. Here are just a few of the lines likely to come in handy for an American tourist shopping in Germany: “Zu welcher Ortschft fuhrt diese Stras- se?” (What town does this road lead to?) “Wo konnen wir den Fluss kreuzen?” (Where can we cross the river?) “Ich habe mich vergiftet.” (I have been poisoned.) “Machen Sie eine Zeichnung davon.” (Draw a picture of it.) “Ese wird Ihnen nichts geschehen.” (You will not be hurt.) “Hilfe!” (Help!) CONGRATULATIONS.., ^teamsters HAVE ELECTED YOU TO SERVE OUT THE REST OF OUR PRESIDENTS TERM.. Letters: Tuition rate hike supported Editor: It is time for some Aggies to begin to look at the whole picture concerning tui tion. Texas has the lowest tuition of any state in the country. The cost of running a university has dramatically increased over the last decade while the tuition rate has remained the same $4 per semester hour. I do not believe it is unreasonable for the taxpayers of this great state to ask the students to shoulder a little higher percentage of the cost of their education. After all, the students benefit from their The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member ot Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference\ Editor HopeE. Paasch Managing Editor Elaine Engstrom City Editor Beverly Hamilton Assistant City Editor Kelley Smith Sports Editor John Wagner Assistant Sports Editor John Lopez Entertainment Editor .... Rebeca Zimmermann Assistant Entertainment Editor Shelley Hoekstra News Editors Brian Boyer, Kathy Breard, Tracey Taylor, Kelly Miller Photo Editor Eric Evan Lee Staff Writers Brigid Brockman, Ronnie Crocker, Scott Griffin, Christine Mallon, Robert McGlohon, Michelle Powe, Ann Ramsbottom, Stephanie Ross, Karen Schrimsher, Carol Smith, Angel Stokes, Joe Tindel, Kathy Wiesepape, Wanda Winkler Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Sergio Galvez Thompson, Photographers Michael Davis, Guy Hood, Irene Mees, Barry Papke, William Schulz Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting news- educadon with a higher paying job upon graduation. I have never before put much stock in the ability of student government to do productive work. However, I was very pleased to learn the Legislative Study Group conducted thorough research and arrived at a position based on real- world economics instead of emotion. The work of the LSG was excellent and every Aggie should be proud of the job they did as the image of our student body was raised considerably in the state capital. Douglas Jones ’85 paper operated as a community service to Texas A8cM University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions ex pressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or the thor, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of i exas A&M University administrators or faculty mem bers, or of the Board of Regents. The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper for students in reporting, editing and photography clas ses within the Department of Communications. Questions or comments concerning any editorial matter should be directed to the editor. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 words in length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit letters for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s intent. Each letter must also be signed and show the address and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome, and are not subject to the same length constraints as letters. Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor, The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M Uni versity, College Station, TX 77843, or phone (713) 845- 2611. The Battalion is published daily during Texas A&M’s fall and spring semesters, except for holiday and exami- nadon periods. Mail subscripdons are $16.75 per semes ter, $33.25 per school year and $35 per full year. Adver- Using rates furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduedon of all other matter herein reserved. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. Church says thanks Editor: On behalf of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church of Bryan, we would like to express to Alpha Phi Omega our most sincere thanks for the excellent job they did of painting our church and par sonage this Saturday. The tremendous effort that was put forth by this group in scraping and painting these buildings was deeply appreciated. We want to thank the group for selecting our church as one of their community service pro jects and commend their team leaders: Andy Hernandez Jr., pledge class pres ident; Robert Carvazos, pledge class vice president; John Weaver, sub-committee for equipment chairman; Libby Whitter, pledge master; and Allan Rubin, assis tant pledge master, for a job well done and well organized. Alpha Phi Omega can be proud of the fine job they did at Oak Grove United Methodist Church. The work APO did at Oak Grove creates a positive image of Texas A&M students — not only do they receive from the community, but they also give much in return. We cannot re pay such kindness, but we pray that God’s blessings will be on APO and their efforts. We appreciate the time given to this project because we realize how li mited a student’s time is. Such demon stration of love and concern shown by the fraternity cannot be forgotten. Whenev er we look at our parsonage and church building, we will be reminded of APO’s gift of love to us. Rev. Manuel Grajales V. Pastor, Oak Grove United Methodist Church SaFe FoReveR FROM THe CLUB? SaFe FoReveR from THe &WORD? r by There i is conn esand 1 bat prot razos Ci epartme ecinct 4 has beo SaFe FoReveR FROM TMG Bow aNP aRRoW? SaFe FoReveR FROM GONVeiTljONaL VieaPoH&f Sr §>aFe FoReveR FROM THS BOMB? Vance act chie uad for lat neith irtraini: ilunteer hom ar M. M< mer 'he Jived in iley foui re depa iley tall Ivin Phe ere inte le depai El Salvador; Why is the U.S. there? ps appy to I ily 10 si ;oup - tl ter. The st 1 not aining,: igand d tcounte as, son The fi: t lack o itectivi Phef by Art Buchwald Q: Why are we in El Salvador? A: We are in El Salvador to protect it from Nicaragua. The Sandinista Marxist government of Nicaragua is . raining Sal vadoran rebels to take over the elected government of FI Salvador with Cuban and Soviet military equipment. Q: Why are we in Honduras? A: To train rebels to take over the gov ernment of Nicaragua with American equipment. Q: Then U.S. policy is to defend the government of El Salvador, while work ing for the overthrow of the government in Nicaragua. A: That is correct. Q: How are we doing? A: Not very good in FI Salvador. But much better in Nicaragua. Q: Would you say it’s easier to over throw a government in Central America than it is to preserve one? A: I think I could say that. Q: Why? A: As soon as a government takes over in Central America it turns against its own people, becomes corrupt, and com mits atrocities against its domestic oppo nents in order to stay in power. Q: This is true in both El Salvador and Nicaragua? A: It is with this difference. Since we are supporting the present El Salvador government we have to overlook their shortcomings and abuses to protect our own national interests. At the same time we cannot tolerate the shortcomings and abuses of Nicaragua since they are being supported by the Communists. Q: Did the Nicaraguans start getting aid from the Communist countries be cause we were giving aid to the El Salva dorans? Or did we start supporting the FI Salvadorans because the Nicaraguans were getting help from the Communists? A: That’s a chicken and egg question. The fact is the United States opted to support El Salvador and the Soviets de cided to support Nicaragua. Once the sides were chosen it became a whole new ball game. Q: Central American governments have been overthrowing each other for tl hundreds of years. The people there to benefit no matter who takes over ! : J . should the superpowers get involve! ] /X l A: Because in the past, therevoluii usually were between one faction military and the other. Whoever i:fA over always pledged good relations! the United States. As long as we couli business with the new government saw no reason to intervene. ButCeii American coup d’etats took a nasty once the Cubans got involved. 1 started training people to support| ernments who refused to have good! dons with us. That’s when we had to in the CIA. Q: How do you keep the Cen American government in power dumping its own people? A: 'By supplying the leaders enough military equipment to makes they can maintain control. Q: Do you make any effort to impt the lot of the majority of people who being dumped on? A: You try to persuade the govt ment you’re supporting that it’s in interests to do this. But that’s a long-ti process and you can’t change a count habits overnight. They’ve had a I dition of dumping down there until recently the peasants accepted their own lot. Now that the Conn have gotten into the act, the people reacting negatively to being dumped Q: What’s wrong with that? A: Because, as in the case of theSai nistas in Nicaragua, they came intop er promising the people who dumped on that things would bedi rent under their regime. As soonasi got control they started dumping on people themselves. Q: So our choice in Central Amerit not to stop the dumping, but support governments dumping on the peo who are friendly to us, and destabilize ones dumping on the people who art cahoots \vith the Soviet Union A: Now you’ve got it. We can’tabit Marxist government in Central Amei that dumps on its people, but we can with one who depends on us to sta) power. by B; ward- indo : toi erican lent." he le d at 7 ling ( ide a s late tesses inojo: emost dist. nes y n An is liter ish-A iio C; 1976. h award : the Qt 885)1 8011 *••• Military aid not answer to Salvadoran conflict Editor: President Reagan has asked Congress for support for his policies in Central America, proposing military aid totaling $110 million for El Salvador. Reagan claims that the U.S.-backed government in El Salvador is “making every effort to guarantee democracy, free labor unions, freedom of religion, and a free press...” (Houston Post, April 28). However, evidence collected by Amnesty International and other obser vers suggests that the present regime has been guilty of human rights violations on a large scale, including rape, mutilation, the murder and disappearance of clergy men, teachers, union leaders, peasants and refugees. Although atrocities com mitted by rebel forces in El Salvador have been widely documented in the U.S. news media, little mention has been made of the abuses of the present re gime, and U.S. military aid continues to this nation, where the arms supplied are used to commit these atrocities. The rebellion in El Salvador (and the general unrest throughout much of tral America) is the result of yea oppression by military dictators which have been supported by the ited States government. The present flict is not a struggle of democracy ve communism, it is a battle of oppo forces seeking to hold power by what means available, including atrocious ings and waves of terror. There are no military solutions to problems of El Salvador — the and coups have only worsened the si tion. Americans need to ask, “Is th Salvador regime the kind of governifl that we want to support? Should the ited States be taking a side in theconf I urge everyone to write his congf man, asking them to oppose furl military aid to the El Salvador gove ment and the military dictatorships Central America, and to offer sup! for allowing the people of Central Afl ican to freely choose their own form government. Mot sen Wr ( eas TR/ If y ( $25/ c Frank McDonald V