Letter to the Editor - Spanish no stranger to Montana

Dear Editor,

Both a former Hi-Liner having grown up in Saco and a professor of Spanish, I am moved to respond to a New York Times article, “Border Agency Settles with Americans Detained for Speaking Spanish,” Nov. 27, 2020

This language is no newcomer to Montana, a state named in Spanish. Our flag cherishes a logo “oro y plata,” gold and silver in Cervantes’ language. Without a doubt, Spanish is the preferred foreign language taught in our high schools. Bozeman and Missoula both offer majors in this language while Montana State University Billings, Western and Northern also offer courses. Speakers of Castelleno in Montana are a miniscule of the 580 million who communicate with this language.

Let’s internationalize and accept that dominant English sometimes should give way to Spanish in public as well as in our homes. We”re all Americans.

Sincerely,

Richard D. Woods

Chicago