Is English Spoken Here? editorial
Posted by Thomas Halwax
on Oct 09, 2012
The opinions expressed here are those of the editor, Dr. Tom and are not necessarily those of OF Rotary Club or RI.
WE CAN BE PROUD OF OUR NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.
In my recent extended vacation, Sheri and I have spent time in over 12 National Parks or Monuments. I have observed, overwhelmingly so, that English is not the major language spoken. I extend a warm, welcome to our foreign guests; please bring lots of money. Doing the math, let us say American English is the primary language of 40% of those in the park. Of the 60% remaining guests, I would estimate that French was spoken by most of those, followed by a tie between Japanese/asian and German with a few British and Scandinavian. Most notably absent were guests from the middle east. Interacting with our guests on the trails and facilities, I noted the French chatted continuously within their group, the Germans were the most gregarious, the British were simply 'lovely' and the Japanese were the best dressed with the finest cameras and somehow, always ended up in front. These are just my observations.
The primary point I would like to emphasize here is that these foreign travelers find our National Parks attractive enough to spend 1-4 weeks here, in our best Park accommodations, bringing either their entire family or multiple friends. I also found our Parks / Monuments attractive with updated facilities to make our Parks appealing and capable of handling the crowds. Our internal Park Lodges are rustic, but elegant. Our Park Rangers are knowledgeable and friendly. Yes there are some Parks I don't need to return to (Yellowstone), but I found new Parks (Bryce, Utah) that I look forward to returning to. If there is a recession, it was not obvious in our National Park system. Again, we can be proud of our National Parks.
WE CAN BE PROUD OF OUR NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM.
In my recent extended vacation, Sheri and I have spent time in over 12 National Parks or Monuments. I have observed, overwhelmingly so, that English is not the major language spoken. I extend a warm, welcome to our foreign guests; please bring lots of money. Doing the math, let us say American English is the primary language of 40% of those in the park. Of the 60% remaining guests, I would estimate that French was spoken by most of those, followed by a tie between Japanese/asian and German with a few British and Scandinavian. Most notably absent were guests from the middle east. Interacting with our guests on the trails and facilities, I noted the French chatted continuously within their group, the Germans were the most gregarious, the British were simply 'lovely' and the Japanese were the best dressed with the finest cameras and somehow, always ended up in front. These are just my observations.
The primary point I would like to emphasize here is that these foreign travelers find our National Parks attractive enough to spend 1-4 weeks here, in our best Park accommodations, bringing either their entire family or multiple friends. I also found our Parks / Monuments attractive with updated facilities to make our Parks appealing and capable of handling the crowds. Our internal Park Lodges are rustic, but elegant. Our Park Rangers are knowledgeable and friendly. Yes there are some Parks I don't need to return to (Yellowstone), but I found new Parks (Bryce, Utah) that I look forward to returning to. If there is a recession, it was not obvious in our National Park system. Again, we can be proud of our National Parks.
Great Basin National Park Zion National Park, click Redwoods National Park
Teton National Park Devils Tower National Monument Mt.Rushmore National Monument
Arches National Park, click Bryce Canyon National Park, click Canyonlands National Park, click
Capitol Reef National Park, click Rocky Mountain National Park, click Crater Lake National Park
Yours truly, at Rocky Mountain, 12,200 ft. elevation.