by Daniel Pipes*

New York City’s Arabic-language public school, the Khalil Gibran International Academy, opens its doors this week, with special security, for 11- and 12-year-old students. One hopes that the prolonged public debate over the school’s Islamist proclivities will prompt it not to promote any political or religious agendas.

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A personal, historical vignette

By Cainnech Ó Sullibhain

In December 1963, the ship that I served on was carrying some general cargo destined for Tanganyika, East Africa. The freight was part of an aid package for Tanganyika from the Commonwealth Colombo Plan in Britain.

When we headed downriver and anchored beside an old German fort, I knew we were in the wilds. My first thought was to get ashore somehow and reach a place where I might get some decent food, or so I thought. I got ashore by a small dinghy and made my way through the jungle. This area was well known for lions, so I was a bit wary of where I was going. Coming out of a clearing I reached what seemed like a road and was walking to who knows where, when a big lorry came by carrying some goods for the main town. As it happened the African driver of the lorry stopped and wished me: “Jambo Bwana!” (Greetings Sir!), to which I replied “Jambo” in return. I got a lift with him.

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By Kenneth T. Tellis

The English language began its journey from Celtic Britain, which after the Roman conquest, became influenced by Latin. After the Roman withdrawal from Britain, the country was invaded by Angles, Saxons and Jutes. English then adopted words from their languages. The Danes then invaded Britain and in time left their stamp on the English language. By the time of the Norman conquest of 1066, the language known as Aenglisch was still pretty close to other Nordic languages. After the Norman conquest, more than 10,000 Norman-French words were incorporated into the English language.

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