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Old 06-23-2011, 12:03 AM
 
8 posts, read 6,358 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OhBeeHave View Post
Would you say for someone entering another culture, it is disrespectful not to learn the language of the culture they are entering?
If a nation has no official language, as is the case with the USA, then how does one know which language to learn?

And for what it's worth, as much as English is the de facto official language, Spanish is the de facto other official language.

After all, if a country like Canada has English and French as its official language, why can't the USA have English and Spanish? There are a hell of a lot more Hispanic people living in the US than there are French in Canada!

That seems only fair, you know for a country that believes in freedom and equality for everyone.

 
Old 06-23-2011, 02:46 AM
 
2,245 posts, read 4,231,801 times
Reputation: 2155
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinovirus View Post
If a nation has no official language, as is the case with the USA, then how does one know which language to learn?
How about the language the nation's constitution is written in?
 
Old 06-23-2011, 07:00 AM
 
Location: Gatineau, Québec
26,876 posts, read 38,019,680 times
Reputation: 11645
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinovirus View Post
.

After all, if a country like Canada has English and French as its official language, why can't the USA have English and Spanish? There are a hell of a lot more Hispanic people living in the US than there are French in Canada!
In percentage terms the ratio of French speakers in Canada is a lot higher than the ratio of Spanish speakers in the U.S.
 
Old 06-23-2011, 07:37 AM
 
1,569 posts, read 1,210,850 times
Reputation: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhBeeHave View Post
Would you say for someone entering another culture, it is disrespectful not to learn the language of the culture they are entering?
No.
 
Old 06-23-2011, 08:27 AM
 
14,306 posts, read 13,316,367 times
Reputation: 2136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmadinejad View Post
No.
Then if they don't want to assimilate to our language and culture then why even come here?
 
Old 06-23-2011, 08:29 AM
 
1,569 posts, read 1,210,850 times
Reputation: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicagonut View Post
Then if they don't want to assimilate to our language and culture then why even come here?
Economic opportunity? To see some distant relatives? I don't concern myself with things like this. I live in Philly most of the year, but I don't think people who arrive should be forced to eat cheesesteaks and root for the Phillies. These are personal choices that every person is free to make.
 
Old 06-23-2011, 08:30 AM
 
9,240 posts, read 8,666,331 times
Reputation: 2225
Quote:
Originally Posted by dinovirus View Post
If a nation has no official language, as is the case with the USA, then how does one know which language to learn?

And for what it's worth, as much as English is the de facto official language, Spanish is the de facto other official language.

After all, if a country like Canada has English and French as its official language, why can't the USA have English and Spanish? There are a hell of a lot more Hispanic people living in the US than there are French in Canada!

That seems only fair, you know for a country that believes in freedom and equality for everyone.
English is the official language.
 
Old 06-23-2011, 08:31 AM
 
9,240 posts, read 8,666,331 times
Reputation: 2225
Quote:
Originally Posted by chicagonut View Post
Then if they don't want to assimilate to our language and culture then why even come here?
Agreed.

Why come here to pick a fight?
 
Old 06-23-2011, 08:31 AM
 
1,569 posts, read 1,210,850 times
Reputation: 111
Quote:
Originally Posted by All American NYC View Post
English is the official language.
My bad, we didn't realize you thought that.

No, it's not. You stand corrected.
 
Old 06-23-2011, 08:33 AM
 
14,306 posts, read 13,316,367 times
Reputation: 2136
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockmadinejad View Post
Except that it's not, so you actually moved to "de facto" language, aka "the language that almost everyone speaks." But obviously if people want to learn others, or if schools feel it'd be helpful, then there shouldn't be any barriers to them doing so within reason.
I didn't move to anything. Both statements are correct. English is our de facto national language and most Americans do speak it.

As I said, if someone wants to learn another langauge that is their choice but no way should any American be "required" to learn a particular one like Spanish. Which is the only one being pushed in this country.
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