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Oh, I don't know... I grew up in the Bay Area of California (thank God I'm not there any more!) and I remember lots of Spanish everywhere as a kid (this was in the late 60s and early 70s). Moved to Utah in the 70s and... same thing, lots of Spanish because we were in an area with significant orchards and farmland (migrant Spanish-speaking workers). So there was lots of Spanish advertising there as well. That's because there was a significant Spanish-speaking base. That's just the way it is. Language is communication. It's no different than advertisers using certain colors or visual effects or sounds or slang or whatever else in order to reach a certain segment of their potential customer base.
As for most Spanish speakers here knowing English, yeah, that's true. I know Spanish, too, but I don't generally use it in my day-to-day activities. I'm just more comfortable with English. The same applies to the typical Spanish speaker in reverse. Advertisers know this. It's another tactic they use to become more endearing to the Spanish speaking potential customer. If Company A speaks Spanish in an add and Company B (selling the same thing) does not, who do you think the potential customer (who speaks Spanish) would be more inclined to listen to and do business with?
If you're a Republican, you are way too rational for that party.
BTW, why do you say "Thank god I'm not in the Bay Area anymore"?
Time for you nativists to sink or swim. Change with the times, or go the way of the dodo birds.
Nativists? I knew it wouldn't take long for the liberals/ethnocentrics to demand that we change for foreigners. It should be foreigners that should either sink or swim here not citizens.
What is really ridiculous is demanding we change because of illegal immigration which is neither natural nor lawful.
Spanish commercials are slowly making their way from the Spanish speaking channels into mainstream channels.
Hispanics are growing in numbers. They are the next big consumer base.
What better way to work your way into their hearts to earn brand loyalty then to speak in their language ?
Some are even doing half English/half Spanish (Tide commercial).
Hispanics are slated to become the majority in the US and you are surprised that Spanish is working its way into mainstream TV ?
Why should anyone work their way into the hearts of those who refuse to assimilate to our language and/or illegal aliens?
Yes, Hispanics are growing in numbers but this can be directly attributed to illegal immigration and you're ok with that?
I grew up in So. Calif. and I don't remember anything like that. Just cause someone feels more "comfortable" in their native language or is here illegally is no reason to pander to them and it certainly is no reason to discriminate against native English speakers in hiring practices. Like it or not, English is our national de facto language.
How is having television stations and commercials in other languages somehow discriminating to you and your English speaking ways? 99% of tv is in English, pick one of those pandering channels that only speak in English if it bothers you so much and stop watching Telemundo.
There's a big double standard here. I hate that. Many of you feel that you shouldn't have to be forced to do things against your will. You should be free to handle your life as you see fit... unless we are talking about language. Then things are different.
As for the growing numbers of Hispanics, yes there is illegal immigration, but I'd say it has more to do with average family size of the two demographics--it's two not all that different cultures with two quite different typical family sizes.
Some of you complain about clashing cultures--you don't understand that the Latin American culture and North American culture, while different, is not all that dissimilar as are two cultures when comparing North American and Indian, Asian, or Middle Eastern. In the Americas, we're all European based in culture, both north and south of the border (excluding the native influences). Personally, I think the bond between Latin America and North America should be strengthened, not weakened.
Also, it never hurt anyone to learn another language. It's quite interesting, fun, and rewarding. And, yes, that goes both ways. But I think over time, the US will become more and more a bilingual nation as many, many other countries are. Too bad there isn't a larger French component as well. Lovely language.
As you can tell, I'm NOT an English Only soldier. I believe in liberty for all, not liberty-on-my-terms.
There's a big double standard here. I hate that. Many of you feel that you shouldn't have to be forced to do things against your will. You should be free to handle your life as you see fit... unless we are talking about language. Then things are different.
As for the growing numbers of Hispanics, yes there is illegal immigration, but I'd say it has more to do with average family size of the two demographics--it's two not all that different cultures with two quite different typical family sizes.
Some of you complain about clashing cultures--you don't understand that the Latin American culture and North American culture, while different, is not all that dissimilar as they are when comparing cultures like North American and Indian, Asian, or Middle Eastern. We're all European based in culture, both north and south of the border (excluding the native influences). Personally, I think the bond between Latin America and North America should be strengthened, not weakened.
Also, it never hurt anyone to learn another language. It's quite interesting, fun, and rewarding. And, yes, that goes both ways. But I think over time, the US will become more and more a bilingual nation as many, many other countries are. Too bad there isn't a larger French component as well. Lovely language.
As you can tell, I'm NOT an English Only soldier. I believe in liberty, not liberty-my-way.
And I have every right to complain about it, not buy their products and protest to our government.
Yes, you certainly do. That's the way it is supposed to work here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oldglory
You've actually missed my entire point. Oh well.
No, I didn't miss it. But I just don't see it as being discrimination against English speakers to hear someone speaking another language. Or seeing an advertisement in another language. That's silly. You're starting to sound like some of these folks who are offended by just about everything.
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Lovely language.