English only?

Question

Don't you think all store signs in the U.S. should be in English only? I was driving around town and couldn't read half the signs because they were in Korean.

Answer 1

Are you saying that Korean grocery stores should not be allowed to advertise Korean foods to Korean customers (who are most likely the only ones who will be buying them) in Korean? So you're suggesting that they be forced to spell out the words phonetically in English and hope that Koreans will know what the made-up English spelling means? What kind of sense does that make?

Have people completely lost their minds? Why is all of this hatred suddently being directed at anyone and everyone who dares to display knowledge of any language besides English in the United States? What are immigrants supposed to do, have a labotomy in order to delete their native tongue and any memory of their native land or culture so that Americans will not be submitted to hearing other languages besides English under any circumstances whatsoever?

I can't believe how freaking ignorant and xenophobic people are becoming. If you're pissed off about illegal immigration, fine, do something about it: start fining companies that hire illegals huge fines, and the illegal job market will dry up. If you're worried that people don't understand English and won't be able to find a job, then offer free or low-cost English classes at various times and on various days in neighbordhoods where there are lots of immigrants. But stop throwing fits about the fact that some people are able to communicate in TWO languages and choose the language in which they communicate at any point in time based on the context.

Geez...Is it ridiculous to ask for a LITTLE tolerance and common sense?

TO Bluffmike: Dude, your argument makes no sense. So you're saying that in order to avoid becoming like the Chinese, who were able to employ xenophobic, intolerant troops to squelch liberty by killing the protesting Hans, whom they disliked, we should become more intolerant and xenophobic. Does that not seem a little contradictory to you? No, no, no, if we want to avoid the path of the Chinese, we need to encourage TOLERANCE not intolerance.

To Concerned: Actually, plenty of Americans do move to China and expect to be spoken to in English. My ex-husband travels there all the time and may be transferred there next year. He speaks very little Chinese. Luckily, all the business people in China speak English, so when he's around, they speak English. They would make him an immigrant who doesn't speak the language, dear.

Are you aware that something like 50% of the business in non-English speaking countries in Europe is conducted in English? That's because they're intelligent enough to realize that it's in their best interest to be multilingual. The more languages you speak, the more business you can do with monolinguals, and the more money you make. It's the way of the whole freakin' world. Only citizens of the U.S. seem to think that they should never be forced to speak, or even listen to, another language. Talk about being rude!

Just out of curiosity: when you travel to Europe or Asia on business and are talking to American co-workers, what language do you speak in? English? Then by your own rules, you're being rude. Looks a little stupid when you put the shoe on the other foot, doesn't it?

TO Concerned, again: Incidentally, you misspelled "illiterate" and "their" in a sentence accusing people of being illiterate in their own language. Nice job.

Answer 2

In N Z you no doubt have a couple of expressions which aren't heard in different places, now not even in Australia. I am southern English, however was once in Oz for 3 years within the early Seventies. Visited N Z round Auckland for a couple of hours at the approach house from Oz via sea. But then, what's "English" English or British English? As a ways as I am worried the North (of England) is yet another nation for language!

Answer 3

If it's a Korean business that pays for their own signs, they should have it in Korean if they want to. If it's a street sign, it should be in English.

Why would a Korean store want to advertise to English readers if the majority of their customers read Korean? That's just bad business.

Answer 4

what the hell..nothin' but korean signs. Ok, where were you. Also, i don't think all signs in america should be in english, they should have the same word(s) underneith in a popular foreign language of people that come to us. i.e. mexicans. If I went to europe and didn't know what anything meant, I'd be kinda mad.

We allow a certain amount of immagrants into the country a year, so how are we supposed to have only signs with english?

Answer 5

No, I think that if a business is catering to a particular language, like a Korean church, that the sign should be in that language. If they want to also post a sign in English, that is fine by me as well! Signs cost money!

Answer 6

All signs should have a common denominator, like the local language. While the US does not have an "offical" language, English is predominant in this country. This does not mean that the only language on the sign should be english, but it could be bilingual.

I find it rude of immigrants to come to a country and impose their language on the locals.

Answer 7

Yes, I think it's okay for businesses to post signs in other languages especially if its a mexican restaurant, portuguese church etc. Besides they usually have them in english too. I wonder how come many people have problems with just posting signs in another language besides english when other countries go out of there way to learn english, post signs in english, and even as far as to except american dollars just to be kind to us and/or make money.

Answer 8

Yes, we are an english speaking country. People from other countrys also done seem to understand how rude it is to speak other languages in stores around you..... Anyone thats off topic.

I dont nessarly agree with the signs... HOWEVER you should speak english is you are going to live in this country.. thats just retarted to think you shouldnt have to speak a countrys National language but still want to live, work and make a better life for your self there.

If I moved to l.... lets get off this Mexico kick and say China if I planned on moving to China shouldnt I speak Chinese... Hell yes that would condesending and plain stupid to beleive that everyone should speak english because thats what I speak.

The other issue is in order to be a LEGAL us citzen you have to take a National Test WHICH IS IN ENGLISH... How are you living here legally if you dont speak English..

When ever this is explain people start to jump off topic and says "Well thats like saying whites only this discrimination" or "Thats discriminating against people trying to make a living" ... What the hell are you stupid??

it doesnt say anything like that... I truely belive that people know this and for some reason it angers them and they try to twist the issue around so that it seems wrong but in the end its not.

If you went to Mexico and complained that all the businesses only spoke spanish and didnt speak english only because you did they would laugh in your face.
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magistra_linguae:

This isnt a Debate about illegal immigrants.... why should we offer classes when you have to speak english to immigrate here... They should learn that on there own before they come over tax payers should have to fork out millions of dollars to pay for something that should already be known.

This is like applying to be a Doctor and know nothing about medicine and then complaining you didnt get the job...--- thats a bad anology but same principal.

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FACT:

A large portion of illegal Mexican and Chinese immigrants to the united states every year. Not only cant speak english they are illitarate in there own language

Answer 9

No. If someone had something to say to an English speaking person they would say it in English. Obviously the sign is not for you, so dont worry about it

Answer 10

All the signs should have English in them then another language.

Answer 11

I know, I wonder how many languages they will be able to fit on a sign in 10 years. Is a stop sign going to have to have 20 different languages on it? I don't know. Best wishes