People need to learn how to speak English in America.

[Hotwire]

God forbid an american ever take a great opportunity to expand his mind.

God forbid someone speak the language of the country they live in.

 

[Holly Goodhead]

I love teaching foreign people swear words, theyre like martians.

 

[Equint77]

i rather the foreigners teach me their swear words so I can use them regularly to the idiotic public..

 

[Holly Goodhead]

Ferme la bouche = Shut the mouth in French

 

[Calvin]

God forbid someone speak the language of the country they live in.

They don't whine and b**ch and moan as much as you, so their stance is easier to take.

 

[Spider-Bite]

I feel that immigrants not learning english only serves to divide america further. People fear and hate that which they can't understand and they can't understand a word non english speaking immigrants are saying. If they can't communicate with you they can't get to know who you are as a person and why you want to live in America. They can't form friendships with you.

When people of different races get to know each other and become friends with each other that's when real progress is made against racism. When they refuse to learn the language they only promote racism.

 

[Calvin]

I feel that immigrants not learning english only serves to divide america further. People fear and hate that which they can't understand and they can't understand a word non english speaking immigrants are saying. If they can't communicate with you they can't get to know who you are as a person and why you want to live in America. They can't form friendships with you.

When people of different races get to know each other and become friends with each other that's when real progress is made against racism. When they refuse to learn the language they only promote racism.

Ditto for the Americans that utterly refuse to learn another language. It's become embarassing that so few americans can speak even a little of another language. The anti-intellectualism in the states is pathetic and frustrating.

 

[ord0g]

When they refuse to learn the language they only promote racism.

So how exactly did you make the correlation between the two cause I don't see how it exactly promotes racism.

 

[Manic]

What makes you think we refuse to learn other languages?

 

[Spider-Bite]

What makes you think we refuse to learn other languages?

When I said they I was referring to the ones that refuse to learn them. Most immigrants I've met can speak english. And the ones that don't? I've seen the way people talk about them right in front of them, which is why I believe that when a large number don't it promotes racism.

 

[Spider-Bite]

So how exactly did you make the correlation between the two cause I don't see how it exactly promotes racism.

see above post.

 

[spiderman boy]

Hey guys, great topic.

I am 20, live in FL, a state with a large # of minorities. I'm typing this with no hint of racism at all. The area in which I live is composed alot of minorities, and most of my friends are either black or latino. All of my co-workers are latino (i am a white guy btw). I've dated a girl from puerto rico, so I don't really like bias's or racists.

What I came onto here for is to jus add a lil to the convo. I can understand the arguments from both sides. However, i have thought alot about the subject. I work in retail, in a heavy tourist areas, so i get to meet ppl from all over. So, all this has helped me form my opinions.

Although our "english" language may not be official, people don't come over here catching up on their swedish ready to speak swedish. english is our accepted language. That doesnt mean no other language should be spoken, but the residents of the U.S. speak english. Asking us to conform for every race/ethnicity who move here is impossible and unfair.

I dont really encounter alot of language problems, but some of those occurances do happen. It seems that most of the debate is centered around the Spanish language. Now, i know although there is a large amount of latino ppl in America, catering to them, and not other races/languages is almost racist in itself.

What i mean is:

-Instructions./Menues, etc- Their are translation in English and spanish most of the time now. However, what about all other languages. Why is there not Asian, german, arabic, haitian, french, etc.

if another language other than english is going to be translated, why not all? Do the ppl listed above not live here? It seems like these races are being forced to learn english, while Spanish speakers aren't.

-Jobs, especially in customer service- Working in retail, etc., speaking a language in which allows u to communicate is essential. A woman at my job speaks little english, but she can communicate enough to get the job done, so their aren't really any problems. However, we had an applicant apply who spoke no english, and my boss(who's spanish) told him no, because he wouldnt be able to perform his job duties to the fullest.

This shouldnt be a matter of race, or "stupid ignorant americans", it all comes down to communication and co-existing with each other.

 

[spiderman boy]

Here's another situation- I'm working, and Spanish speakers will come up to me (both local and those on vacation), needing help, and ask if i speak spanish. I answer them no, so they start speaking to me in English. If a person knows the English language in America, why can't they just ask me in English?

People visit my store all the time, from Haiti, Africa, Asia. They dont expect to be catered to, they struggle with their english, but they will speak enough to me for me to help them. it's just not right that everybody isnt allowed the same thing. Why is the emphasis put more on making it easier for spanish speakers, and not speakers from all over if we want to be fair to all that come over here?

Now, this is just in social/public situations. Speaking a person's native language in the home and with eachother is fine, but at least know enough to communicate to each other. It really does seperate people when there's a language barrier. Like others say, it doesnt promote racism exactly, it just doesnt help bridge the gap in communication.

When I was dating my spanish girlfriend, alot of her family spoke no english. I went to her family functions, parties, etc., and I didnt demand everyone speak english to me, because I knew going in there that the language going to be spoken was spanish, because that was their language that everyone knew. I even tried to learn a little bit (u should hear my gringo spanish lol).

After all this writing, I guess what i'm trying to say is to be fair. The majority of American's speak english, so it is the accepted language, no matter how unofficial it seems to be. Ans thats not a racial thing, because african-americans, asian-americans, mexican-american, haitian-americans all speak it. Its not racial, its just that we're American. its not fair to make it easier for one race over another (and im sure u guys will post back rude comments about how easy it is for me being white) but once we can find the real issues here, the closer we can get to people being able to love and understand one another, and not as seperate individuals.

 

[Hotwire]

They don't whine and b**ch and moan as much as you, so their stance is easier to take.

No, the people who live in America who won't learn English, don't complain. The allow themselves to be repressed and taken advantage of. The simply do as little as possible to get by in a world where they don't understand what is going on around them. They isolate themselves. They give that little, "I don't understand what you're saying" smile and giggle. They don't complain to people who speak English, they just content themselves with living below their potential.

 

[Hotwire]

Hey guys, great topic.

I am 20, live in FL, a state with a large # of minorities. I'm typing this with no hint of racism at all. The area in which I live is composed alot of minorities, and most of my friends are either black or latino. All of my co-workers are latino (i am a white guy btw). I've dated a girl from puerto rico, so I don't really like bias's or racists.

What I came onto here for is to jus add a lil to the convo. I can understand the arguments from both sides. However, i have thought alot about the subject. I work in retail, in a heavy tourist areas, so i get to meet ppl from all over. So, all this has helped me form my opinions.

Although our "english" language may not be official, people don't come over here catching up on their swedish ready to speak swedish. english is our accepted language. That doesnt mean no other language should be spoken, but the residents of the U.S. speak english. Asking us to conform for every race/ethnicity who move here is impossible and unfair.

I dont really encounter alot of language problems, but some of those occurances do happen. It seems that most of the debate is centered around the Spanish language. Now, i know although there is a large amount of latino ppl in America, catering to them, and not other races/languages is almost racist in itself.

What i mean is:

-Instructions./Menues, etc- Their are translation in English and spanish most of the time now. However, what about all other languages. Why is there not Asian, german, arabic, haitian, french, etc.

if another language other than english is going to be translated, why not all? Do the ppl listed above not live here? It seems like these races are being forced to learn english, while Spanish speakers aren't.

-Jobs, especially in customer service- Working in retail, etc., speaking a language in which allows u to communicate is essential. A woman at my job speaks little english, but she can communicate enough to get the job done, so their aren't really any problems. However, we had an applicant apply who spoke no english, and my boss(who's spanish) told him no, because he wouldnt be able to perform his job duties to the fullest.

This shouldnt be a matter of race, or "stupid ignorant americans", it all comes down to communication and co-existing with each other.

You have a point, pal. In my line of work, I only encounter TWO groups of people who have come here from another country and have not leanred English. Spanish speaking people from Latin America (Mexico, Columbia, El Salvador, etc...) and to a lesser extent, Brazilians. Most people who move to this "melting pot" we call America, will melt a bit and conform to the established culture. These two groups though, seem to be an exception for some reason. Anyone care to explain why??

 

[SpideyInATree]

People need to learn to to speak English in America?

How about this...

American's need to stop being ignorant to the fact that things are going to be severely mixed in this country and need to start learning other people's languages instead of crying like babies, "Oh, this is America and you speak English, wah wah wah!"

I worked night shift with a bunch of Mexican guys who didn't speak ANY ENGLISH AT ALL! So, what did I do? I learned basic Spanish and made the barrier between us a little easier to get over. I taught a couple guys some basic English to help them get started.

If you don't want to help people learn or learn their language. Guess what? Don't f***ing complain about it like a baby. Put up or shut up.

 

[Calvin]

No, the people who live in America who won't learn English, don't complain. The allow themselves to be repressed and taken advantage of. The simply do as little as possible to get by in a world where they don't understand what is going on around them. They isolate themselves. They give that little, "I don't understand what you're saying" smile and giggle. They don't complain to people who speak English, they just content themselves with living below their potential.

Actually, I'd say they're content living above the previous situation they had in their home country. It's pretty natural to move on up and be content with the positive change.

Not to mention, it's pretty funny to hear about people "living below their potential" on an internet message board. Especially from people grasping for every justification possible to not learn another language and actually expand their minds. Just in case you weren't clear on this, when you pick up another language, it doesn't push the english out of your head. It actually opens up a lot of mental horizons for you. So instead of just complaining about how unfair it is, why not just take the opportunity that's been served up to you and learn a little? You'll end up bilingual and be all the better for it in a lot of different ways. Not just when you get lost at f**king Walmart.

 

[Calvin]

You have a point, pal. In my line of work, I only encounter TWO groups of people who have come here from another country and have not leanred English. Spanish speaking people from Latin America (Mexico, Columbia, El Salvador, etc...) and to a lesser extent, Brazilians. Most people who move to this "melting pot" we call America, will melt a bit and conform to the established culture. These two groups though, seem to be an exception for some reason. Anyone care to explain why??

The disparity in the school systems. European and asian school systems tend to be pretty sophisticated and competitive, due to having quite a bit more money and resources than schools in latin america. They learn extra languages much much much much better than even we do. In fact, embarassingly so, since our country is extremely wealthy. When american tourists can be bothered to learn at least five words in another language when they clog up other countries during vacation season, maybe then you'll have a slightly better case.

 

[jaguarr]

People need to learn to to speak English in America?

How about this...

American's need to stop being ignorant to the fact that things are going to be severely mixed in this country and need to start learning other people's languages instead of crying like babies, "Oh, this is America and you speak English, wah wah wah!"

I worked night shift with a bunch of Mexican guys who didn't speak ANY ENGLISH AT ALL! So, what did I do? I learned basic Spanish and made the barrier between us a little easier to get over. I taught a couple guys some basic English to help them get started.

If you don't want to help people learn or learn their language. Guess what? Don't f***ing complain about it like a baby. Put up or shut up.

I tend to agree with you to a certain extent. I also find it somewhat hypocritical for some people to take this stance because, even though they were born in this country and only taught English, they can barely speak, read and write their own damn native language. This country is full of functional illiterates who would probably be better served communicating by carrying a deck of laminated cards with every day objects on them on a string around their neck. That way when they wanted a cheeseburger, they could just show the cheeseburger card. And when they wanted a pack of cigarettes, they could flash that card and so on. Then those of us who learned moderately proficient use of the English language wouldn't have to listen to them anymore.

jag

 

[JLBats]

I tend to agree with you to a certain extent. I also find it somewhat hypocritical for some people to take this stance because, even though they were born in this country and only taught English, they can barely speak, read and write their own damn native language. This country is full of functional illiterates who would probably be better served communicating by carrying a deck of laminated cards with every day objects on them on a string around their neck. That way when they wanted a cheeseburger, they could just show the cheeseburger card. And when they wanted a pack of cigarettes, they could flash that card and so on. Then those of us who learned moderately proficient use of the English language wouldn't have to listen to them anymore.

jag

Yow.

First blood to jag

 

[Gotendbz-2]

Those dang peoples that come here and don't speak Engrish are Bakas!!!!

 

[Ben Urich]

I tend to agree with you to a certain extent. I also find it somewhat hypocritical for some people to take this stance because, even though they were born in this country and only taught English, they can barely speak, read and write their own damn native language. This country is full of functional illiterates who would probably be better served communicating by carrying a deck of laminated cards with every day objects on them on a string around their neck. That way when they wanted a cheeseburger, they could just show the cheeseburger card. And when they wanted a pack of cigarettes, they could flash that card and so on. Then those of us who learned moderately proficient use of the English language wouldn't have to listen to them anymore.

jag

I want to have your babies. :heart:

 

[Babs Gordon]

It probably wouldn't hurt for us Americans to learn a little Spanish. Perhaps the days of getting by with just one are over.

 

[Darthphere]

I tend to agree with you to a certain extent. I also find it somewhat hypocritical for some people to take this stance because, even though they were born in this country and only taught English, they can barely speak, read and write their own damn native language. This country is full of functional illiterates who would probably be better served communicating by carrying a deck of laminated cards with every day objects on them on a string around their neck. That way when they wanted a cheeseburger, they could just show the cheeseburger card. And when they wanted a pack of cigarettes, they could flash that card and so on. Then those of us who learned moderately proficient use of the English language wouldn't have to listen to them anymore.

jag

Youre the man now dog!

 

[Danalys]

we already learnt all the words in other languages that we needed. that is what english is. it's germanic and romance with some anglo-saxon. so why should we learn another romance language. learning english is the equivalent of learning 3 other languages. we just got rid of all the stuff you don't realy need. like words having feminine or masculine forms. english is the language that has resulted from those in europe trying to communicate. if there is anything else to learn from other languages it's not from any european origin. and english evolves further still to a language of increased cultural diversity and usefulness.