Bilingual Discovery

I discovered something - a similarity between religious leaders and politicians here in deep South Texas.  As with anyplace else in America, both groups are prone to talk a long time, but here along the Rio Grande, they really talk a long time.

Its because they have to say everything in two languages - say something in English and it has to be said again in Spanish.

 Last weekend, I covered the annual Citrus Fiesta in Mission, Texas.  While most of that day long assignment was a lot of fun, the day's first venue was the Mayor's Breakfast.  Like most grip 'n grin gatherings, this was boring.

I mean boring.

(As always, be sure to click on each photo to see a larger version)

I don't want to be too harsh - the breakfast had a very good purpose.  Being on the river, a huge part of   our economy is derived from cross-border business with Mexico.  Many of the attendees were mayors and business people from Mexico.  Most of them speak no English, but the majority of people in south Texas are bilingual (except for a few of us old white men), so all the speeches had to be given in both languages.  Fortunately for me, after the crowd burst into laughter when a joke was made in Spanish, I only needed to wait a few minutes to hear the same joke in English. Keys   to the city were exchanged, gifts were given, pledges of undying respect were made, and (I am sure) some business deals were made.  There was even a signing ceremony as the city of Mission, Texas, became sister-cities with two Mexican cities.  A "breakfast" that began at 9 in the morning wasn't over until after 1 in the afternoon.

A few days later, I covered the installation of the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville at   the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle.  Liturgical churches, such as the Roman Catholic church, know how to do ceremony right.  With much singing, chanting - - and of course, speech making, The Most Reverend Daniel Flores became the sixth Bishop of Brownsville.

Of course, they aren't called "speeches" in a church  - - - they are called Sermons,   but like the politicians' speeches, everything has to be said twice.  Actually, the new bishop was a very good speaker, but the stories of his childhood and expressions of his hope for the future were duplicated in English and Spanish.  To further complicate matters, a Cardinal from the Vatican graced the ceremonies with his presence.

I'm just happy we didn't have to hear his talk in three languages.

Comments

[Ellen Neumann]

We don't run into that too much here in the Catskill Mnt area of NY were I live. I am sure it is very boring but what can one do?? Grin & bear it I guess