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A dual language United States

American said:
Why can't these people learn English? What is the big problem? Can someone explain it to me?
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Well, because the politically correct, multi-culti classes have determined that insisting that newcomers speak English, let alone assimilate at all, is racist, nativist, and completely unwarranted in this post-national world we live in.

We're on the upswing of this curve...to see its leading edges just look at britain which just banned a EU parliamentarian from coming into the country because he has the audacity to criticize Muslims preaching violence (Wilders) while having no problem allowing Islamic clerics into the country that actually do preach and incite violence. Pretty amazing how quickly and easily Britain is giving up its culture. Canada is right behind. Here's to hoping they wise up... :2wave:
 
As you say, nations now aren't as important as they were 50 or 100 years ago. I'm going a bit out of the subject but the United States still doesn't use the International System of Units and that is very important for being the global center of economy, Obama's government should do whatever he can to teach US Kids the IS. At least to have the two systems in mind. The same with spanish, or with other languages, maybe chinese.
 
Jomiarias said:
As you say, nations now aren't as important as they were 50 or 100 years ago.
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I certainly didn't say that. I was mocking the politically correct multi-culti chattering classes for thinking as much.

I'm going a bit out of the subject but the United States still doesn't use the International System of Units and that is very important for being the global center of economy, Obama's government should do whatever he can to teach US Kids the IS. At least to have the two systems in mind. The same with spanish, or with other languages, maybe chinese.
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You make no sense. It seems to me that despite not adopting the IS the US has remained the globe's single economic superpower. Not adopting the IS has nothing to do with a nation's economic ability. US children are already learning the IS even if it's not been formally adopted for weights and measures in the US.

I'm not sure what benefit there is to teaching US children Spanish and Chinese. Certainly not in elementary school. Maybe as elective courses in high school as it is now. But why require such education?
 
JMak said:
We're on the upswing of this curve...to see its leading edges just look at britain which just banned a EU parliamentarian from coming into the country because he has the audacity to criticize Muslims preaching violence (Wilders) while having no problem allowing Islamic clerics into the country that actually do preach and incite violence. Pretty amazing how quickly and easily Britain is giving up its culture. Canada is right behind. Here's to hoping they wise up... :2wave:
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To be fair I'd like to ban most members of the EU parliament from Britain:mrgreen:.
 
The Spanish element here doesn't bother me at all. Dual language legislation would bother me however. We don't need legislation on this issue. If we do I think it will dilute the effort to assimilate new immigrants into the American way of life. They can continue to speak their first language all they want, and in fact I would like to learn Spanish...on my own. I don't want to learn it because I have to based on legislation that puts the burden on me to communicate via two or more languages with my own countrymen. I don't know if that makes sense, but that's pretty much it in a nutshell.

It's not that I'm anti-Spanish, I just don't want to see us legislating something that is unnecessary and potentially detrimental to those new immigrants who are choosing to come here to make a new life. They need to learn English in order to be more successful. I want our new immigrants to be productive members of society, be able to communicate effectively and be good employees and citizens. Speaking the national language can only help.
 
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A dual language America? Sure, why not:

1) Proper English for formal situations.

2) Colloquial English for all other situations.

Yea, I can live with that.
 
danarhea said:
A dual language America? Sure, why not:

1) Proper English for formal situations.

2) Colloquial English for all other situations.

Yea, I can live with that.
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Outside of govt. related affairs, what business is it of anbody what language I speak with friends, family or whatnot?

Learn English: yes. Assimilate: yes.

Language being the only "allowed" spoken language and alienating them from their culture (no hanging their native flags, etc), as some would seem to want: no. That is called fascism.
 
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Travelsonic said:
Outside of govt. related affairs, what business is it of anbody what language I speak with friends, family or whatnot?

Learn English: yes. Assimilate: yes.

Language being the only "allowed" spoken language and alienating them from their culture (no hanging their native flags, etc), as some would seem to want: no. That is called fascism.
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They can talk all the Spanish, Chinese, whatever, they want in their own homes. However, if they go out to a restaurant and get lost ordering, it's not the restaurant's fault. It's THEIR fault, and they shouldn't whine about it not being fair that they don't know English.
 
danarhea said:
They can talk all the Spanish, Chinese, whatever, they want in their own homes. However, if they go out to a restaurant and get lost ordering, it's not the restaurant's fault. It's THEIR fault, and they shouldn't whine about it not being fair that they don't know English.
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Indeed, I am however addressing the (hopefully minority) of those who make what language somebody speaks outside of circumstances like this their business.
 
Keep your culture, speak your language, do whatever you want. But I expect you to learn english and not expect the rest of the the country to change the way it works to your convenience. We are a multicultural country and the only way a multicultural country can work is if all parties know what the hell the other is saying.
 
Ambracia said:
Keep your culture, speak your language, do whatever you want. But I expect you to learn english and not expect the rest of the the country to change the way it works to your convenience. We are a multicultural country and the only way a multicultural country can work is if all parties know what the hell the other is saying.
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Many U.S. residents are recent immigrants to the United States, and have been forced out of their countries due to political struggles and fear that their families will not survive conflict and upset in their native countries. With no money and no family in the new country, how can you expect them to learn english right away? It costs money and time to learn a new language, money and time that new immigrants do not always have when they need to build a home for themselves in their new country. Before simplifying the process of learning english, consider the lack of responsibility the government is taking to help the U.S.'s new immigrants become assimilated into our culture (including our english language). If you are saying that everyone should be required to learn our language, you should also be pressing for government-funded programs helping new immigrants to learn the language. If it is going to be a law, we need to make sure that complying with the law is actually possible.
 
The U.S. has no official language, not even English. It's true, look it up.

To say that people should learn English because that's what the USA speaks is false. In the U.S. there are dozens of different languages spoken. Maybe you should learn a few, otherwise you should leave.

:D
 
Orius said:
The U.S. has no official language, not even English. It's true, look it up.

To say that people should learn English because that's what the USA speaks is false. In the U.S. there are dozens of different languages spoken. Maybe you should learn a few, otherwise you should leave.

:D
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why? why false? why should we leave?
english is the language spoken here by 99% of the population. I will do no business with anyone who cannot speak english. It isn't because I am racist, tho some will think that, it is because I want to be able to communicate with them to make sure I get the services I pay for. You want MY money, you speak MY language...
If I ever move to some other country, I will learn their language. But that ain't likely as long as my witness protection cover remains intact....:2razz:
 
UtahBill said:
why? why false? why should we leave?
english is the language spoken here by 99% of the population. I will do no business with anyone who cannot speak english. It isn't because I am racist, tho some will think that, it is because I want to be able to communicate with them to make sure I get the services I pay for. You want MY money, you speak MY language...
If I ever move to some other country, I will learn their language. But that ain't likely as long as my witness protection cover remains intact....:2razz:
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I was partially just being facetious actually. I know that the U.S. is an English speaking country by majority. But it's unfair to say "speak my language or get out", or claim that English is the official language. There is no Federal legislation anywhere that states English is the official language or that there is a mandate for immigrants to learn it. I do agree though that it would be in their own best interest to do so.

That said, if an immigrant comes to the U.S. and can find a community of their national origin that speaks their language, then maybe there is no need for them to learn English.
 
Orius said:
I was partially just being facetious actually. I know that the U.S. is an English speaking country by majority. But it's unfair to say "speak my language or get out", or claim that English is the official language. There is no Federal legislation anywhere that states English is the official language or that there is a mandate for immigrants to learn it. I do agree though that it would be in their own best interest to do so.

That said, if an immigrant comes to the U.S. and can find a community of their national origin that speaks their language, then maybe there is no need for them to learn English.
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True, many do just that. Got a chinese friend, his parents learned enough english to get by, his wife's parents did not. I see Mexican kids translating for their parents at swap meets and yard sales often enough. So it is usually just the first generation that has the problem. This is an issue that will continue forever...
 
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