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I don’t know why you’re arguing with me about this. I already have mentioned that I personally would learn a language if I moved to another country. I have. I learned Italian in 3 weeks just so I could enjoy two summers there. I learned Spanish so I could go to Spain, and Russian so I could go to Russia. I learned a little Arabic for a 2-week vacation to Morocco. I’m not arguing about whether someone should learn a language to go to a new country—I already agree that it’s a good idea, and it is already what I would do and have done.
But do I tell other people how to live their lives? No. That’s where I draw the line. I don’t think anyone has that right, whether it’s telling people who they’re allowed to marry, or what language they have to speak, or what religious garb they are or are not allowed to wear, etc. I just won’t stand for any law that tells people how to live.
The reason I responded to you is because you said this:
Quote:
Do you see why such a law is maybe insensitive to people who don't have a natural language-learning ability?
No, I do not see it as insensitive, I see them coming here and not even trying as insensitive.
Almost a year ago I left Miami but I still remember a whole heck of a lot and I was disgusted by the, "oh let's just do everything in Spanish to make them feel at home" b.s. that it got to the point of them HAVING AN ATTITUDE if you spoke fricken ENGLISH in your own damn country!
You come here, learn some English. You have to know English to pass the test for citizenship so to me, what is insensitive is making excuses for people NOT to try.
Should one have to speak English, or do so fluently, to become an American citizen?
Duh!
If it had been, most of us would not be Americans. If it becomes a requirement, it should apply to ALL Americans. Judging from what I see on a daily basis, many would have to lose their citizenship.
Just because I don't have the same opinion as you doesn't mean I don't understand what you're saying.
I think we can all live just fine pressing 1 for English on the phone and overhearing Spanish occasionally.
Not when this press 1 for English and press 2 for Spanish is directly due to the influx of millions of illegal aliens. As I already pointed out, most Hispanic and Cuban-Americans know how to speak English so no need for press 2 for Spanish.
If you disagree with the melting pot perhaps you are in the wrong country then because that is what this country is about.
Nope, let in EVERY 3rd-9th world refugee that wants in, zero requirements for citizenship..........cannibals and zombies are welcome............then we will become the paradise the liberals envision.
Not when this press 1 for English and press 2 for Spanish is directly due to the influx of millions of illegal aliens. As I already pointed out, most Hispanic and Cuban-Americans know how to speak English so no need for press 2 for Spanish.
If you disagree with the melting pot perhaps you are in the wrong country then because that is what this country is about.
Even by your definition I've "assimilated" because I speak English. I didn't realize that you got to define what makes someone American, though. Lol.
I wanted to understand what people were saying when they spoke in Spanish, so I learned Spanish. If you feel left out, learn Spanish. Problem solved. There are plenty of countries with diglossic situations and they do just fine. If America becomes a bilingual nation, I don't see how that will harm any of us. If non-English speakers want to learn English, they can. If they don't want to, that's up to them--just like it's up to you not to learn Spanish (or any other language).
I don't support having an attitude about not knowing Spanish either, but I don't support having an attitude about not knowing English. Why can't we just all lose the attitude? Just respect the fact that people live differently from you and let them be, regardless of what language you happen to speak or not speak.
Should one have to speak English, or do so fluently, to become an American citizen?
I'd like to see US citizens who post on CD be reasonably fluent in English.
Proper use of grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. would be quite refreshing.
Why don't people start with their own command of the English language before looking at others?
Or is that too difficult?
Bingo. And who judges "fluency" anyway? What does it mean to be fluent?
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Not when this press 1 for English and press 2 for Spanish is directly due to the influx of millions of illegal aliens. As I already pointed out, most Hispanic and Cuban-Americans know how to speak English so no need for press 2 for Spanish.
I recently traveled to Amsterdam and I simply couldn't believe the number of things that were in English. Even on public transport, announcements were in Dutch, then English. Nobody seems to have a problem with it there. Likewise, in many countries around the world, there are tonnes of English loan-words. Mexico is full of them. As much as some complain about the hispanization of the US, there is also an equal Americanization occurring in many nations in Latin America. Embrace it or be left behind. And besides, I know this country is the fattest it's even been, but is pressing 1 for English really such an exhausting task? Canada has been doing it since 1-800 numbers existed, and as far as I can tell, it's a non-issue.
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