Get to know the English Language!

Think knowing English is an important facet of life in the United States? Are you sure you know it? Does correct spelling make any difference in regard to one's ability to read and fully comprehend what one has read? What about pronunciation of words?

Here's a new word that comes from the US Government SPP Office (these initials stand for Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, by the by.)

http://www.spp.gov/myths_vs_facts.asp

Heads Up Kiddies! North America's Union was established in 2005 and is made up of three countries: The United States, Mexico and Canada.

2007 Montebello
“Our borders must be both efficient and secure if we are to continue to enhance prosperity, security and quality of life in North America. Effective border strategies minimize security risks, while facilitating the efficient and safe movement of goods, services and people, as trade and cross-border travel increase in North America. These strategies will draw on risk-based border management, innovative use of new technologies, coordinated border infrastructure development, and by moving, where possible, inspection and screening away from the land border. It is sometimes best to screen goods and travellers prior to entry into North America. We ask our ministers to develop mutually acceptable inspection protocols to detect threats to our security, such as from incoming travellers during a pandemic and from radiological devices on general aviation. We also ask our ministers to further cooperate in law enforcement, screening and facilitation of legitimate trade and travellers across our borders.”
Source: http://www.spp.gov/
Specific Quote: http://www.spp.gov/pdf/leaders_statement_2007_english.pdf

...I initially thought this relatively new government office had an issue with their spell-checker - Well Surprise, Surprise!

"Traveller" - Not a typo! (Go ahead, run it past your google spell-checker - it passes!) It may not be readily found in American English dictionaries, but the word is real and may be really important for American English speakers and readers to learn - and train their ears to hear.

"Irish Travellers distinguish themselves from the settled communities of the countries in which they live by their own language and customs. The language is known as Shelta, and there are two dialects of this language, Gammon (or Gamin) and Cant." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Traveller

Also in Wikipedia.org, you'll find some amazing (coincidental, I'm sure) issues these "Travellers" and our illegal immigrant population in the US have in common. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Traveller#Cultural_suspicion_and_conflict

"Cultural suspicion and conflict
Irish Travellers are recognised in English law as an ethnic group [6]. The Republic of Ireland, however, does not recognise them as an ethnic group; rather, their legal status is that of a "social group" [7].
In Ireland and in Britain, Travellers are often referred to (offensively) as tinker or knacker. These terms refer to services that were traditionally provided by the Travellers: tinkering (or tinsmithing) being the mending of tin ware such as pots and pans, and knackering being the acquisition of dead or old horses for slaughter. Irish Travellers are sometimes referred to as Gypsies in Ireland and in Britain (the term, arguably offensive, more accurately refers to the Roma people, represented in Britain by the Romanichal and Kale). The derogatory terms pikey and gyppo (derived from Gypsy) are also heard in Great Britain whilst the term creamer is occasionally used in Ireland.
The Traveller lifestyle has often produced friction with local communities, especially in urban areas. Friction between Traveller and local community are typically attributed to allegations of increased crime following Traveller arrival in an area.
A recent report published in Ireland states that over half of travellers do not live past the age of 39 years."

Is it alright with you that the US Government slipped this word into their vocabulary without comment? Does it change the way you hear government officials present information about border issues with Mexico? Me thinks it should!

Want to see just how important this new word is to the government? Go to the White House website and type in this word "Travellers" in their search box. Reading the contents of the links on the page that comes up will certainly give you food for thought on the goals and future of America.


***Update...



It is now 2009, November 17 and here is a link you might find informative:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/The-North-American-Leaders-Summit

It's not too late to start learning the English (North American) language.

Update 10-18-2011 The links in article refer to this finally located info.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Joint+Statement+Prime+Minister+Harper,+President+Bush+and+President...-a0167859613