Introduction: The Domination of the English Language
There is no surprise that the role of the English language has increased considerably over the past few decades. Being an international means of communication, English has become the tool that bridges cultures. However, when it comes to English and the national minorities inhabiting the USA, the domination of the former creates the conflict between the English language and the one of the nations in question. Considering the article on the issue by Jameison, one can possibly find the solution to the problem.
Logos: Follow the Train of the Author’s Ideas
The first thing to speak of, Jameison’s reasoning is rather impressive. It is essential that the author not only suggests his theories concerning the language acquisition, driving parallels between language and other elements of culture: “For them, the expectation that immigrants will celebrate this country’s holidays, dress as Americans dress, embrace American values, and most importantly speak English is not unreasonable” (Jameison, 2011, 263).
Like a brilliant public speaker he is, Jameison offers sufficient evidence to support his ideas: “For example, when a judge in Texas ruled that a mother was abusing her five-year-old girl by speaking to her only in Spanish, an uproar ensued” (Jameison, 2011, 265). Hence, Jameison’s logos is perfect.
Pathos: Under the Spur of the Moment. The Emotional Core
Another important element which helps Jameison convey his ideas efficiently is the appeal to the emotions of the readers. However, it is also worth mentioning that Jameison does not abuse his ability to make the writing emotional; most elements of pathos come in the form of rhetoric questions: “What is this world coming to when people want to speak and make transactions in their native language? Why do they refuse to change and become more like us?” (Jameison, 2011, 265). Therefore, Jameison’s pathos is subtle enough to be efficient and obvious enough to make the article vivid.
Ethos: Questioning the Author’s Credibility
However, there is one more component that contributes to the efficiency of the argument most. No matter how reasonable one can be, there is no way to convince people without a decent reputation as a backup. Once the author lives up to the standards which (s)he sets, the audience is most likely to believe in everything that the author has to say, which is the clear-cut case of Jameison and his article.
Although the former does provide sufficient arguments, it is also the narrator’s image that shapes the readers’ attitude. Mentioning that he wrote this article as a student, Jameison makes it clear to the readers that he has been using analytical thinking and unique approach to problem-solving since his being a student. Hence, the trust between Jameison and readers is established.
Conclusion: More than Words Can Ever Say
Therefore, it is obvious that, with the help of well thought-out argument and sophisticated structure of his paper, Jameison has managed to convey the essence of the conflict and offer sufficient arguments in favor of promoting the languages of other nationalities. It is important that each of the three elements, i.e., pathos, logos and ethos, are exactly in their places and serve to enhance the argument. Despite some minor slips, the article gets its key message across in the most efficient way possible.