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Having other languages at your disposal doesn't encourage you to learn English.
I agree. However, what about tourists? What about people who are in the process of learning?
I lived in Mexico. When having medical or financial issues, there was ALWAYS someone there for the Americans to speak English. Even though I was proficient in Spanish after studying it for 8 years, it was much more efficient for everyone involved to speak in the language I was most comfortable with.
I met dozens of Americans living in Mexico who could barely order anything in a restaurant in Spanish. Many lived there full time. Just look at the Mexico subforum at all the retirees who do not speak Spanish. Some make efforts to learn it, many don't. Similarly, when I was in France, there were hundreds of Americans who didn't even make an effort to learn "merci".
Countries have always made efforts to increase revenue by offering services to tourists and transients who do not speak the local language or are in the process of learning. We have thousands of tourists each year from Latin America, Spain, France, Japan, China, etc etc who speak little to no English. Does your momentary discomfort negate their need to have access to services and help in a language that they can understand? My host mother was not here illegally- she was here for 2 weeks to go to Disney World and see NYC.
I agree that people should learn to speak the local language, but that's a process that takes YEARS. Offering some services in other languages does not change that.
Who cares, they have always conducted in English so why is it an issue now?
Why am I not surprised that Republicans are again wasting taxpayer's time and money on these "cultural" bills instead of trying to focus on jobs. I don't know why the American public is so gullible and always manage to re-elect these idiots.
And nevermind the millions of more dollars it costs every year to publish in more than one language ..
If Congress passes an official language statute, then I hope they pass an official spelling statute as well. Come on, cough should be spelled "coff" and rough spelled "ruff".
All I can say is that the miserable closet-white supremacists putting forward this sort of nonsense had better get breeding
Racist.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MTSilvertip
I speak five languages besides English. I have learned them as I was stationed around the world and it made it much easier to be able to communicate in the native tounge.
I wasn't forced to learn them as I wasn't emigrating to those countries, but to facilitate ordering food, travel, buying at the local markets, being able to communicate in the official language of the country made things much easier.
Is it so difficult for folks coming here to learn our language?
I have never noticed overseas that other countries print their ballots in multiple languages, or their drivers exams.
It would simply be a courtesy for many to know enough of our language to get by, and if they plan on living here, being able to communicate opens whole new worlds of job opportunities, communicating with neighbors, avoiding confusion and confrontations.
I for one support having an official language the same as nearly every other country in the world.
Funny thing, I never have learned spanish, never had the need, never wanted to learn it just so I could travel to california or Arizona. As long as I am in the US, I should be able to order a Big Mac in English.
To reply to post #27, when North America was part of the "Empire" we spoke the official language, English. Nothing "white supremecist" about it. Part of becomeing part of any culture is assimilation and a common language is a big part of that.
I am sure the Indians and Pakistanis and multiple African nations wished that the Victorian English had learned the language instead of making them speak a foreign language. Ruddy Wogs what ho??
A lot of good points here. South Florida without speaking Spanish is almost impossible.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigskydude
And nevermind the millions of more dollars it costs every year to publish in more than one language ..
Simple math.
If someone wants to live here, assimilate the language and laws, or leave.
Not to mention how they've buggered it up. It's right rubbish nowadays.
I hope you're being sarcastic. Cause we speak English closer to what was spoken in 1600s England don't you know? English was rhotic in the 1600s, then the upper crusts changed to non-rhotic and we stayed the same, same as the English in Gloucestershire, Devon, Cornwall, etc. If you want a buggered up accent, you should complain about the Yorkies in Barnsley, or the Geordies.
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Originally Posted by txgolfer130
I hope it fails. Most people in America can't even speak correct English.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ferron
as does america. our national/official language is english. yet we saw we need to have an "english only" law.
though they have a national tongue, they know that there are many in their land that prefer another language (note that i say prefer, and not "unable to speak the national tongue"). does this mean that the other countries should trounce upon the varied heritage of it's people? no.
as does america. our national/official language is english. yet we saw we need to have an "english only" law.
though they have a national tongue, they know that there are many in their land that prefer another language (note that i say prefer, and not "unable to speak the national tongue"). does this mean that the other countries should trounce upon the varied heritage of it's people? no.
What? Are you serious? We DO NOT have an official language. Never have. Also, the bill isn't to make English the ONLY language. What rocks do you people crawl out from under?
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