US should be more like Luxembourg

[Chekhov]

We've learned lots of stuff from history. For example, that mass murder is usually wrong.

[johntm]

We've learned lots of stuff from history. For example, that mass murder is usually wrong.

History class also taught me how to sleep even with lights on.

Also, Muisje, I like your new avatar.

[TeneReef]

Forcing the whole population to learn a language will only engender bitterness.

So, true:

1. When Sri Lanka got independent; the Sinhalese majoriti (66%) banned the use of English, and imposed Sinhalese on everyone, even on Tamil speaking minority (33% of population, Hinduists, Muslims and most Christians)...this was the beginning of the civil war, that ended after decades of confrontation...Now Tamil is the 2nd official language, along with Sinhala


2. India tried the same with Hindi-only policy, but Southern and Western states were against it, so English was kept as the linking language; otherwise there will be a civil war, like in Sri Lanka

[Ghoti]

Forcing the whole population to learn a language will only engender bitterness.

So, true:

1. When Sri Lanka got independent; the Sinhalese majoriti (66%) banned the use of English, and imposed Sinhalese on everyone, even on Tamil speaking minority (33% of population, Hinduists, Muslims and most Christians)...this was the beginning of the civil war, that ended after decades of confrontation...Now Tamil is the 2nd official language, along with Sinhala


2. India tried the same with Hindi-only policy, but Southern and Western states were against it, so English was kept as the linking language; otherwise there will be a civil war, like in Sri Lanka

That's not really fair. Saying people must learn another language is not the same as forcing people to give up their language. I don't think anyone is suggesting that since it basically amounts to cultural genocide, if that's a thing.
You can make a whole country have to learn a single language through schooling, and sure this can lead to bitterness, but saying that only one specific language can be used almost definitely will lead to some kind of uproar - but this is almost the opposite of what the thread starter was saying.

[TeneReef]

a Maori-dedicated TV channel like the Irish-language one (GTV or something?) would help interested independent learners

There already is a Maori channel, in fact two of them:

http://www.maoritelevision.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_Television

http://www.youtube.com/user/tekareremaorinews

http://www.tereo.tv/default.aspx

[N J]

a Maori-dedicated TV channel like the Irish-language one (GTV or something?) would help interested independent learners

There already is a Maori channel, in fact two of them:

http://www.maoritelevision.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_Television

http://www.youtube.com/user/tekareremaorinews

http://www.tereo.tv/default.aspx

Maori Television is not a dedicated Maori-language channel. Te Reo is but no one knows about it and it is only on for 3 hours a day anyway.