Ministry of literacy?

[JustinFelux]

Several weeks ago I heard a report on Flashpoints by a journalist (I think his name was David Welch) saying that the new government had eliminated a government ministry devoted to increasing literacy that was started by President Aristide. I can't find the original show on which I heard it. Has anyone else heard of this? Can anyone give me a source confirming it?

[JustinFelux]

Naturally, it isn't until after I start a thread about it that I get the bright idea to google the words "ministry of literacy."

Here it is for anyone who is interested:

http://www.flashpoints.net/archive/arch ... 03-16.html

John MacDonald describes the two distinct reactions to Aristide's arrival in Jamaica, and the installation of a clearly anti-Lavalas government, and sadly the abolishment of the Ministry of Literacy

[guysanto*]

<b>
See also related thread: http://haitiforever.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=823

[Marilyn*]

Given the resuscitation of this thread -- and after a couple of months of observing "Haiti's Salvation, thanks to the Bush Administration and France and Group 184" -- I MUST record my ever-growing concerns about the respecting of Creole as a National Language of Haiti as being anything of significance within the LaTortue Government.

There might be an acknowledgement of Creole as the language of Haiti's Ancestors, but I seriously doubt that this LaTortue Government will do any more than pay "lip service" to Creole.


I sense that the Haitians now in charge of Haiti -- along with their Masters:

- Would like to deny Haiti's African past.

AND

- Would love to espouse a view of Creole Languages as leading the way of all languages or lingo or jingo or "patois" which are evolving themselves toward extinction.


Unlike linguists, who consider Creole Languages amongst the most vital, living and ever-evolving
languages in the world!

As if "wishing something to go away" can make it happen!

[To my way of thinking, wishing Creole away will be about as successful as skin creams for permanently wishing away skin color!]


Haiti is officially known to be a bilingual country.

According to the Haitian Constitution of 1987, those 2 Official Languages are: French and Creole.

Within the "New World" configuration, however, which 2 languages do you think will be declared to be Haiti's 2 Official Living Languages?

Are any of us naive enough to believe that Haiti's 1987 Constitution will be allowed by "the powers that be" to stay "as is"???


My cynical view of this cynical "New World" ongoing linguistic development in Haiti, overseen by the LaTortue Government?

- French and English will be declared the 2 Official Languages of Haiti;

AND

- Creole will be relegated to EITHER:

1) an Official "Historic Past" Tribal-Origin, Dying Language -- like Old
Greek or Old Hebrew

[Much like Americans visit Plymouth Village in Massachusetts to "view" what "used to be" in primitive America. It's ok to visit it once a year or once a decade, but "the past is the past".]

OR

2) a Third Official Language of Haiti.

Ann Pale'ers, #2 is the best case scenario for Creole, under the LaTortue Regime!


- How can English NOT be an ongoing Haitian Official Language???

WITH A HAITIAN ELITE-INVITED-IN OCCUPATION BY THE U.S. FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 20 YEARS???

AND

- How can French NOT be an ongoing Haitian Official Language???

WITH A HAITIAN ELITE-INVITED-IN OCCUPATION BY FRANCE FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT 20 YEARS???


AND BOTH THE U.S. AND FRANCE OVERSEEING THE FUNDING OF THE TRAINING OF THOSE WHO WILL OVERSEE THE REFORMATION OF THE HAITIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM???


Friends, I understand the current state of shock and consternation and even clinical depression of Haiti's activists.

BUT, how long wi
ll we let this LaTortue Regime charade proceed?

Without so much as a wimper???


Creole is NOT my mother tongue!

But it needs to be respected as a living and vital language well into the 21st Century!

Even in 21st Century Haiti!


Where are today's Charlemagne Peraltes???


Marilyn Mason
http://hometown.aol.com/marilinc/Index3.html