Rep. Green: We're Only Speaking English on The Moon

Wow, what a foot in mouth moment. I suggest we all only allow Hawaiian to be spoken on the moon. Mai Tai's for everyone.

And there's all those Latin names too: I can see an Oceanus Procellarum in the making...

More like both feet and ankles in mouth. He just kept on going....

Qué vergüenza.

Will having to learn English, now, set the Chinese moon program back, and if so, how much?

Remember how they spoke English in the Firefly sci-fi television series, but resorted to Chinese for cursing? I kind of liked that approach...

First of all, his comment about "English only" on the Moon is just plain silly. Who is he to say who can go to the Moon and what they say when they get there? Secondly, Green is apparently not well versed in how space is explored these days. NASA has prided itself on its international cooperation.

Keith, when I read your comment, my first thought was that the "English only" comment was indeed so silly that he must have meant it as a joke, probably as an offhanded way of saying that he doesn't want to see the US abandon it's lunar goals.

I checked the video, and of course it was just that. He was clearly joking, and everyone with him clearly understood that - and his meaning. He smiled when he said it, and looked back at them with a smile as they all laughed with him.

I can't believe that you, Keith, and some of those posting in response here, actually think that he was seriously recommending that only English be spoken on the Moon. I mean, please!

Awkward political moment aside:
Its a matter of expediency that the crew of the ship and outpost your going to all speak the same languages. The more partners in this effort, the more languages involved (and the more this becomes a problem...).

Now say the astronaut was hopping a ride on a Chinese rocket to a Chinese facility on the moon. Would you demand they speak English?
Obviously not. The real question is if they would ask their astronauts to learn Russian and English as well to accommodate us.
If its entirely their program, they probably wouldn't.
Likewise for the Russians, so why is it not so for the US?

the hill has a thought pattern, truely amazing.
hi!

Laura says: I checked the video, and of course it was just that. He was clearly joking...
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LOL, well I guess I should have checked the video, I guess I've got the foot mouth disease now. Still I think the best comment so far is RSeibel's: "Will having to learn English, now, set the Chinese moon program back, and if so, how much?", you owe me a new keyboard.

Actually the official language of the ISS is english according to the program documents. However the Russians refused to agree to that provision and so all ISS Crew are forced to learn both. If you notice during the Daily Planning Conferences all the control centers, including COL-CC and Tskuba, speak english except for MCC-M which speaks Russian.

Dear, Oh dear! WHY is it that paranoia and the fear of being beaten are what truly motivates the politicians of this country?
I remember Lyndon B.Johnson back in the post-Sputnik era spewing the same drivel: this was the man that brought us the Vietnam war by subterfuge, remember.
What on earth makes them think that the 5-7 year delay imposed by staying with ARES won't have the same effect?
Both the Russian and Chinese are already busy on their new HLV's; both being in the DIRECT class BTW, with the Russian (new) Angara model in particular being almost a duplicate of the abandoned NLS, with 3 sizes of LV to play with: based on similar modules.
As for the speaking English only in space!? WELL it wouldn't surprise me if soon, the Constitution of the U.S is displayed in at least 3 languages. So, if it's to be English only in Space, lets have a little more of that on Terra Firma - and save a few million trees in duplication of English text in different languages in the same country-for a change! Deal with that FIRST say I. Or stand alongside Belgium and Canada - or slightly behind: they've had more experience!

There is precedent for the primary use of English in similar circumstances.

The default language for aviation and air traffic control is English.

Also, English is the official language aboard the ISS. Other languages are used of course, but everyone on board is always fluent in English.

There is a certain logic to the requirement to use English as a default or official language.

Just when you think you've heard the most assinine thing possible from politicians, something like this comes along to remind you why you shouldn't be so short sighted!