Re: Barriers to asylum.

[David Dalton]

On Oct 5, 2023, Corey White wrote on alt.magick
(in article<dca8caa9-1a1e-4e6f...@googlegroups.com>):

> The proposition of erecting a barrier between the
> United States and Mexico carries a spectrum of adverse
> implications and consequences. Firstly, it bears the
> potential to strain the diplomatic rapport between these
> two neighboring nations. The physical act of constructing
> such a divide can be interpreted as a hostile gesture,
> fostering an atmosphere of distrust and possibly
> precipitating disputes, particularly in realms such as
> trade and security cooperation.
>
> From a humanitarian vantage point, the presence of a wall
> may dissuade individuals seeking refuge or attempting to
> traverse the border to escape violence, persecution, or
> dire economic circumstances. This raises apprehensions
> regarding the curtailment of access to safety and sanctuary
> for the most vulnerable members of society.
>
> In a symbolic context, a border wall may be construed as
> a manifestation of division and isolationism, potentially
> conflicting with the historical ethos of the United States,
> characterized by principles of openness, inclusivity, and
> diversity. It runs the risk of projecting a message of
> exclusion to the global community, with potential
> implications for the nation's standing on the international
> stage.
>
> A border wall may project an unfavorable representation of
> the United States onto the global canvas. This portrayal
> could be seen as incongruous with American ideals of
> liberty and opportunity, potentially influencing the
> nation's international reputation and relations.
>
> In the complex debate surrounding immigration and border
> security between Mexico and the United States, a compelling
> alternative emerges-a focus on breaking down the linguistic
> barrier rather than constructing a physical wall. This approach
> offers numerous advantages, rooted in diplomacy, cooperation,
> and a recognition of shared interests.
>
> One of the most immediate benefits is improved
> communication. A language barrier inherently restricts
> dialogue between individuals on both sides of the
> border. Removing this barrier creates an environment
> where open and productive conversations can flourish.
> This newfound communication channels can foster
> cooperation on critical issues such as trade, security,
> and environmental concerns. When two nations can
> effectively communicate, they are better equipped to find
> mutually beneficial solutions to common challenges.
>
> Eliminating the language barrier fosters a deeper cultural
> understanding between Mexicans and Americans. Language is
> a gateway to a culture's values, history, and traditions.
> Breaking down linguistic walls can lead to increased
> tolerance, empathy, and a more harmonious coexistence
> between the two nations.
>
> From an economic perspective, removing language barriers
> offers substantial benefits. It opens up new markets,
> encourages cross-border investments, and facilitates trade.
> Bilingualism can become a competitive advantage for businesses
> on both sides of the border, leading to economic growth and
> job opportunities.
>
> Humanitarian considerations also play a crucial role.
> Language barriers can exacerbate issues for individuals seeking
> asylum or refuge. Ensuring access to legal counsel, interpreters,
> and information in a language they understand is essential to
> protecting their rights and improving their chances of fair
> treatment.
>
> This approach represents a long-term solution. Unlike a
> physical wall, which can be circumvented or rendered
> ineffective, addressing the language barrier gets to the
> heart of immigration and border security challenges.
> It provides a flexible and adaptable framework for evolving
> circumstances.
>
> Mexicans who desire to move to the United States are
> significantly influenced by various social factors
> that underscore the complexity of their motivations.
> One prominent aspect is the aspiration for improved
> social well-being and stability. Many Mexicans view
> the United States as a place where they can escape
> the challenges posed by economic volatility, violence,
> or political unrest in their home country. The prospect
> of a safer and more secure life, free from the social
> disruptions they may have experienced, serves as a
> powerful incentive.
>
> Family reunification is another compelling social driver.
> Separation from loved ones due to migration patterns can
> be emotionally taxing. For many Mexicans, the desire to
> reconnect with family members who have already established
> themselves in the U.S. is a compelling reason to make the
> journey. The bonds of family and the yearning for
> togetherness play a profound role in shaping their decision.
>
> Social mobility and a higher quality of life is a driving
> force. Mexicans see the United States as a place where they
> can enhance their social status, access better education and
> healthcare, and secure opportunities for their children to
> lead more prosperous lives. The pursuit of upward social
> mobility is a common theme that fuels the aspirations of many
> Mexican immigrants.
>
> Proficiency in the English language is of paramount
> importance for individuals pursuing U.S. citizenship,
> transcending mere legal obligation to encompass a broader
> context of effective communication and full participation
> within American society. When embarking on the path to
> citizenship in the United States, a fundamental prerequisite
> is the demonstration of English language proficiency,
> encompassing speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension
> skills. This linguistic competence undergoes scrutiny during
> the naturalization interview, which also includes assessments
> of civic knowledge. Successful performance in English language
> and civics tests constitutes an integral component of the
> citizenship process.
>
> However, the significance of mastering English transcends
> compliance with legal mandates. English proficiency equips
> prospective citizens with the tools to actively engage in civic
> activities, grasp their rights and responsibilities, and engage
> in meaningful interactions with fellow citizens and government
> officials. It is instrumental in facilitating informed and
> conscientious civic participation, encompassing activities such
> as voting and comprehending the functioning of governmental
> institutions.
>
> Beyond its legal and civic dimensions, a proficient command of
> English holds pragmatic value in daily life. It facilitates clear
> and effective communication across diverse contexts, encompassing
> employment opportunities, access to essential services, and
> resolution of routine matters. Proficiency in English streamlines
> life in the United States, enhancing both practicality and quality
> of living.
>
> Moreover, the English language serves as a conduit to cultural
> integration, enabling immigrants to connect with American culture,
> partake in local traditions and events, and cultivate a deeper sense
> of belonging. It transcends mere linguistic utility, encompassing
> immersion in the broader community, comprehension of societal values,
> and assimilation into the cultural fabric of American society.
>
> In essence, learning English is not confined to a mere legal
> prerequisite for attaining citizenship; it constitutes a multifaceted
> pathway towards becoming an engaged, informed, and participative
> member of American society. It is the linchpin of effective
> communication, cultural assimilation, and a fulfilling life in the
> United States.
>
> The practice of translating common words while learning a new
> language serves as a valuable tool for both language novices and
> experts. Consider it a fundamental mechanism in the language
> acquisition toolkit. These common words represent the foundational
> building blocks of language proficiency, expediting conversational
> competence from the very outset of language learning endeavors.
> Mastering these rudimentary words not only serves as a motivational
> catalyst for learners but also underpins their linguistic prowess.
>
> From a cognitive perspective, the act of translating and memorizing
> common words engages cognitive faculties, enhancing memory retention,
> cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving skills. As learners
> internalize these basic elements, they subsequently find it more
> accessible to navigate the intricacies of the language and delve into
> its more intricate facets.
>
> Whether one is mastering English for citizenship purposes or embarking
> on a journey to conquer a new language, it is paramount to recognize
> that these common words constitute the foundation upon which more
> sophisticated linguistic competencies are built. They are the gateway
> to improved communication and a deeper understanding of the linguistic
> and cultural nuances of the target language.
>
> Here is a list I created of the most common words translated into spanish:
>
> a - a
> able - capaz
> about - acerca de
> above - arriba
> actually - de hecho
> after - después
> again - de nuevo
> against - contra
> agree - aceptar
> agreed - acordado
> all - todo
> allow - permitir
> almost - casi
> already - ya
> also - también
> although - a pesar de
> always - siempre
> am - soy
> an - un
> and - y
> another - otro
> answer - respuesta
> any - cualquier
> anymore - ya no
> anyone - alguien
> anything - cualquier cosa
> anyway - de todos modos
> anywhere - en cualquier lugar
> apparently - aparentemente
> are - son
> around - alrededor
> as - como
> aside - aparte
> ask - preguntar
> asked - preguntó
> at - en
> away - lejos
> awhile - Un rato
> back - atrás
> bad - malo
> badly - gravemente
> be - ser
> became - convertirse
> because - porque
> become - convertirse
> been - estado
> before - antes
> began - comenzó
> begin - comenzar
> beginning - comienzo
> begun - comenzado
> behind - detrás
> being - ser
> believe - creer
> beside - al lado de
> best - mejor
> better - mejor
> between - entre
> beyond - más allá de
> big - grande
> block - bloquear
> both - ambos
> break - romper
> bring - traer
> brought - trajo
> but - pero
> by - por
> called - llamado
> came - vino
> can - poder
> cannot - no puedo
> cant - no poder
> care - cuidado
> careful - cuidadoso
> carefully - con cuidado
> caught - atrapó
> certain - cierto
> chance - oportunidad
> change - cambiar
> changed - cambió
> checked - comprobado
> choose - elegir
> chose - eligió
> chosen - elegido
> clear - claro
> close - cerca
> closed - cerrado
> closely - cercanamente
> closer - cerca
> come - venir
> comes - llega
> coming - próximo
> compare - comparar
> continue - continuar
> continued - continuado
> control - control
> could - podría
> couldn't - no pude
> course - curso
> create - crear
> current - actual
> decided - decidido
> deny - denegar
> depend - depender
> despite - a pesar de
> did - hizo
> didn't - no
> different - diferente
> difficult - difícil
> do - hacer
> does - hace
> doesn't - no
> doing - haciendo
> don't - no
> done - hecho
> doubt - duda
> doubted - dudó
> down - abajo
> during - durante
> each - cada
> earlier - más temprano
> early - temprano
> easier - más fácil
> easily - fácilmente
> easy - fácil
> effort - esfuerzo
> either - cualquiera
> else - demás
> end - fin
> enough - suficiente
> enter - ingresar
> entire - completo
> equal - igual
> even - incluso
> ever - alguna vez
> every - cada
> everyone - todos
> everything - todo
> exactly - exactamente
> except - excepto
> expect - esperar
> expected - esperado
> explain - explicar
> extra - extra
> fact - hecho
> far - lejos
> fast - rápido
> feel - sentir
> feeling - sentimiento
> felt - sintió
> few - pocos
> finally - finalmente
> find - encontrar
> fine - bien
> finished - finalizado
> first - primero
> followed - seguido
> for - para
> found - encontró
> from - de
> full - lleno
> gather - recolectar
> gave - dio
> general - general
> get - conseguir
> gets - obtiene
> getting - conseguir
> girl - chica
> give - dar
> given - dado
> go - ir
> goes - va
> going - yendo
> gone - desaparecido
> good - bien
> got - consiguió
> gotten - conseguido
> great - excelente
> had - tenía
> hadn't - no lo había hecho
> happened - sucedió
> hard - duro
> hardly - difícilmente
> has - tiene
> have - tener
> having - teniendo
> he - él
> he'd - él
> he's - él es
> head - cabeza
> heard - escuchó
> held - sostuvo
> help - ayuda
> her - su
> here - aquí
> him - a él
> himself - él mismo
> his - su
> hold - sostener
> how - cómo
> however - sin embargo
> hurt - herir
> I - I
> idea - idea
> if - si
> immediately - inmediatamente
> important - importante
> impossible - imposible
> in - en
> instead - en cambio
> interesting - interesante
> into - en
> is - es
> isn't - no es
> it - él
> its - es
> itself - sí mismo
> join - unirse
> just - justo
> keep - mantener
> keeps - mantiene
> kept - conservó
> kind - amable
> knew - sabía
> know - saber
> knowing - conocimiento
> known - conocido
> knows - sabe
> lady - dama
> last - último
> late - tarde
> later - más tarde
> leaned - inclinado
> learned - aprendió
> least - el menos
> leave - dejar
> left - izquierda
> less - menos
> let - dejar
> lie - mentir
> like - como
> liked - apreciado
> likely - probable
> likes - gustos
> listen - escuchar
> little - pequeño
> long - largo
> longer - más extenso
> look - mirar
> looked - miró
> looking - mirando
> looks - aspecto
> lost - perdido
> lot - lote
> love - amar
> made - hecho
> make - hacer
> makes - marcas
> making - haciendo
> managed - administrado
> many - muchos
> matter - asunto
> may - puede
> maybe - tal vez
> me - a mí
> mean - significar
> means - medio
> meant - quiso decir
> meet - encontrarse
> mere - mero
> merely - meramente
> met - reunió
> might - podría
> mind - mente
> mine - mío
> minuets - minuetos
> mistaken - equivocado
> moment - momento
> moments - momentos
> more - más
> most - mayoría
> mostly - principalmente
> move - mover
> moved - movido
> moving - Moviente
> much - mucho
> must - debe
> my - mi
> myself - mí mismo
> near - cerca
> nearby - cercano
> nearly - cerca de
> need - necesidad
> needed - necesario
> neither - ni
> never - nunca
> new - nuevo
> next - próximo
> nice - lindo
> no - No
> nobody - nadie
> none - ninguno
> normally - normalmente
> not - no
> nothing - nada
> notice - aviso
> noticed - observó
> now - ahora
> nowhere - en ningún lugar
> number - número
> obvious - obvio
> occurred - ocurrió
> odd - extraño
> of - de
> off - apagado
> often - a menudo
> old - viejo
> on - en
> once - una vez
> one - uno
> only - solo
> onto - sobre
> open - abierto
> opened - abrió
> or - o
> ordinarily - ordinariamente
> other - otro
> others - otros
> otherwise - de lo contrario
> our - nuestro
> out - afuera
> over - encima
> own - propio
> part - parte
> passed - aprobado
> past - pasado
> people - gente
> perhaps - tal vez
> person - persona
> place - lugar
> plain - plano
> pleased - complacido
> point - punto
> possible - posible
> possibly - posiblemente
> probably - probablemente
> problem - problema
> pulled - tirado
> put - poner
> quick - rápido
> quickly - rápidamente
> quiet - tranquilo
> quit - abandonar
> quite - bastante
> ran - corrió
> rather - bastante
> reach - alcanzar
> reached - alcanzó
> ready - listo
> real - real
> realized - comprendió
> really - en realidad
> reason - razón
> recognized - Reconocido
> remain - permanecer
> remember - recordar
> remembered - recordado
> reminded - recordado
> repeat - repetir
> require - requerir
> required - requerido
> rest - descansar
> return - devolver
> returned - regresó
> right - bien
> said - dicho
> same - mismo
> saw - sierra
> say - decir
> says - dice
> search - buscar
> second - segundo
> see - ver
> seeing - vidente
> seem - parecer
> seemed - pareció
> seems - parece
> seen - visto
> send - enviar
> sense - sentido
> sent - enviado
> serious - grave
> set - colocar
> several - varios
> share - compartir
> shared - compartido
> she - ella
> should - debería
> shouldn't - no debería
> show - espectáculo
> showed - presentado
> shown - mostrado
> side - lado
> sight - vista
> sign - firmar
> silence - silencio
> simple - simple
> since - desde
> slow - lento
> so - entonces
> some - alguno
> somehow - de alguna manera
> someone - alguien
> something - algo
> sometimes - a veces
> somewhat - un poco
> somewhere - en algún lugar
> soon - pronto
> sooner - cuanto antes
> sort - clasificar
> start - comenzar
> started - comenzó
> starting - a partir de
> stay - permanecer
> stepped - pisó
> still - aún
> stood - permaneció
> stop - detener
> stopped - interrumpido
> such - semejante
> sudden - repentino
> suddenly - de repente
> supposed - supuesto
> sure - seguro
> surprise - sorpresa
> surprised - sorprendido
> take - llevar
> taken - tomado
> taking - tomando
> talked - habló
> talking - hablando
> tell - decir
> than - que
> that - eso
> that's - eso es
> the - el
> their - su
> them - a ellos
> then - entonces
> there - allá
> these - estos
> they - ellos
> they're - ellos son
> thing - cosa
> things - cosas
> think - pensar
> thinking - pensamiento
> this - este
> those - aquellos
> though - aunque
> thought - pensamiento
> through - a través de
> thus - de este modo
> time - tiempo
> times - veces
> to - a
> together - juntos
> told - dijo
> too - también
> took - tomó
> toward - hacia
> tried - intentó
> trouble - problema
> true - verdadero
> try - intentar
> trying - intentando
> turned - transformado
> turning - torneado
> type - tipo
> unable - incapaz
> under - bajo
> understand - entender
> understood - comprendido
> unless - a menos que
> until - hasta
> up - arriba
> upon - al
> us - a nosotros
> use - usar
> used - usado
> useful - útil
> uses - usos
> using - usando
> usual - habitual
> usually - generalmente
> vary - variar
> very - muy
> wait - esperar
> waited - esperó
> waiting - espera
> want - desear
> wanted - buscado
> was - era
> wasn't - no fue
> watch - mirar
> watched - observó
> watching - mirando
> way - forma
> ways - maneras
> we - nosotros
> well - Bueno
> went - fue
> were - eran
> weren't - no lo eran
> what - qué
> what's - qué
> whatever - lo que
> whatsoever - lo que
> when - cuando
> where - dónde
> wherever - lo que sea
> whether - si
> which - cual
> while - mientras
> who - OMS
> whoever - quien
> whole - entero
> whom - a quien
> whose - cuyo
> why - por qué
> will - voluntad
> with - con
> within - dentro
> without - sin
> won't - no
> wonder - preguntarse
> word - palabra
> words - palabras
> work - trabajar
> worked - trabajó
> working - laboral
> worse - peor
> worst - el peor
> worth - valer
> would - haría
> wouldn't - no lo haría
> wrong - equivocado
> year - año
> years - años
> yes - Sí
> yet - todavía
> you - tú
>
> More of my language tools can be found at:
> https://github.com/alt-magick/Writing-Prompts

Good article, Corey, and I have added some groups
where it might be of interest.

--
https://www.nfld.com/~dalton/dtales.html Salmon on the Thorns (mystic page)
"And the cart is on a wheel; And the wheel is on a hill
And the hill is shifting sand; And inside these laws we stand” (Ferron)