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Dear Phil and others, Thank you very much for bringing the article by Xabier Docampo to our attention. I believe that the manner in which Xabier Docampo has been treated by shop assistants, receptionists, and others is absolutely awful and shows a lack of respect for him as an individual. As for the supposed 'imposicion do galego' here in Galicia, I do not think that the government here 'imposes' it on the citizens in any way. I have found that it is more common for 'funcionarios' to speak in Castilian rather in Galician in government buildings, post offices, state-sponsored language schools, universities, and various other places. If anything, as you point out, it is the other way around! On some occasions, these state employees switch to Galician, but only after the Galician speaker continues speaking in Galician to them. On other occasions, they do not switch either because they feel that they cannot speak Galician (I often hear this excuse) or they do not want to do so. Despite the fact that the in the science department of a Galician uni where I work, most employees should, by decree, speak Galician or offer exams in Galician, they do not. Unfortunately, I believe that this has much to do with the fact that as scientists, they deem Galician less important than Castilian or English. It is a sad fact, but it is the reality here. In order for it to change, the government actually needs to do much more to promote the use of the Galician language and to show respect for those who speak it rather than marginalise them. In some ways I believe that you are right about winning the argument. But, there is a long way to go. Kerry ************************************************************ The GALICIAN-STUDIES discussion list is administered by the Gonzalez-Millan Group for Galician Studies (GMGGS), the English-language section of the Asociacion Internacional de Estudios Galegos (AIEG). For more information about these groups, please contact the list owners. ************************************************************