Yes the South Koreans are being targeted. It's an american league and in our country our dominate language is english. I'm in South Korea right now, when I come to Korea I speak Korean. When the South Koreans come to my country they need to put forth the effort to learn my language to do thier interviews and promote the products of the sponsors. If the south Koreans are complaining they are really just being lazy.

This rule stinks! Ethnocentism is alive and well in the US!

The article describes only vaguely the league's reasons for the rule. I am sure that if a league spokesman described the rule, it would be much more understandable.

Kirilenko had to understand English well enough to understand his coach, Jerry Sloan. If he didn't when he first arrived in Utah to play with the team, he learned very quickly. He had to. He has to understand what his coach tells him and what his team mates are saying.

Communication is necessary for any sport. A sports league should not have to hire interpreters so its players can converse with each other, its sponsors, or sport officials.

"Remember Andrei Kirilenko's early years with the Utah Jazz?"

No. I just know in enlighten nations like Germany, instruction are printed in many languages. There is a English driving test. Every city had a population educated in speaking a multitude of languages.

"Intellectual elitism" isn't a pejorative, stupid is.

Right, Anonymous, I can imagine an NBA coach, during a 20 second time out, having to call the play in 5 different languages. Makes sense to me.

These players don't have to play in the LPGA to survive. This is not a right. It's a priviledge to play in the league.

One more difference - The LPGA isn't a Government organization. They are private, and can set the rules however they would like in order to serve their own personal interests.

Silly editorial, DMN. While it's important for all of us to diversify our education and learn a second, or third language, our language in this country is still English. I have a number of friends who have moved to different parts of Asia for work. Surprise - they were required to learn the language, some prior to even making the move.

Being a rules official, I can tell you first hand how difficult it is to communicate to a player that does not speak the language. Frequently there is a delay getting someone to interpret what options are available to the player. In a game where pace of play is already a problem, the language barrier only adds to the issue. This is a good rule, not targeting any particular group and the rule gives those involed plenty of time to comply. By the way, many countries require students to learn english as a second language.

afford a Translator? Isn't that Free Enterprise?...LOL!!

Why does the DesNews never miss a chance to oppose any efforts to maintain english as the language of our nation? If an employee does not speak english well enough to easily converse with others the employer has every right to let him go. Period.

This is the United States and english is spoken here. Learn it. And quit complaining.