Why should I have to push 1 for English?

Question

This is America. If you live here, know the language – ENGLISH. I realize that America has no official language, but naturalized citizens ARE required to take an ENGLISH test to become a citizen

When you get automated phone answering systems in other countries, do they prompt to you push 1 for (that country's language) I'd honestly like to know

If I moved/immigrated to another country, I would respect that country enough to learn its language.

Bottom line here is not about pushing a number on our telephone keypad, gimme a break. But there is a reason that If you want to live in a country (any country) and be accepted as a part of that country - START BY LEARNING THE LANGUAGE I cant accept a virus of ignorance and illegal aliens overtaking the country that I defended with my blood for over 21 years; and my forefathers and comdrades died for. A country must unite to stand strong, but how can it unite if some refuse to learn the language?
Celebrate unity not diversity

I would never ask an immigrant to give up their heritage. That is who they are, but again for a country to stand solid, it must have a common language. I have no problem with anyone LEGALLY immigrating to the USA. But those who come in illegally, have by the very nature of their label initiate ILLEGAL behavior.

Apathy is a killer. Those that disagree with this fact are blind and have already been brainwashed by the "tolerance" of society. Am I "Closed minded"? NO. Am I standing up for what I beleive, HELL YES! It is sickening how so many groups want to shove their agenda down the throats of Americans.

For those that are too ignorant to realize, this is not about being too lazy to press 1 on my telephone key pad, get a clue. This is a far bigger issue than that.

I HAVE lived in foreign countries and even though I could get by using English; I chose to learn their language, and I did it rather quickly. So, dont speak to me about being close minded, and dont be so petty to bring up a minor error in my gammar or spelling.

Answer 1

I have been learning Chinese for a while now, but I find it a huge relief when I'm visiting China and find phone systems that ask to press 1 for Chinese or 2 for English. I wish my Chinese was better, but learning languages is tough and it does take time -- I wish I could select 1 for Chinese (and, in time, I'm sure I will be able to do so), but right now they speak too fast for me and the phone recordings are hard to understand (bad sound quality, and you can't see facial expressions or the mouth) so that it is a huge struggle to keep up.

But, I think the more important point is that you shouldn't see this as some kind of attack on society. It is just simple business. If a company doesn't offer a multilingual system, then it may miss lose important customers.

Living in a country where you can't speak the official language is tough. There's not a day I've spent overseas -- working or travelling -- that I didn't feel guilty that I couldn't speak the local language fluently. But learning takes time, and those companies and people who can help me out in English are much appreciated.

(In fact, you'll find the multilingual phone-thing in most Asian countries).

Answer 2

What language would you learn if you moved to Switzerland? They have three dominant languages there and four official languages. There's a long list of countries operating with multiple languages b/c language isn't defined by national borders, it's defined by local population. Oh and unless you're 100% Native American, your forefathers were immigrants once too, who very likely didn't speak english. At what specific point in your family history did english become the dominant language?
The fact that you served in the military has nothing to do with the argument at hand. If it did, then you would have to account for the 24,400 non-U.S. citizens currently on active duty in the armed forces. Currently defending this country with their blood.
And where do you get this idea that immigrants coming to this country don't try to learn english? Everyone moving into an area with a foreign language adopts enough of the language to get by. You can't make someone an inferior citizen b/c they aren't masters of the predominant language. I've noticed some grammatical errors in your little rant, do you deserve fewer rights in this country b/c of it? I have roots in this country as deep, if not deeper than you, and I can't accept a virus of ignorant hypocrits overtaking this country.
Lastly, to answer your final question, one way to help foster national unity in a multilingual society would be to put different languages on it's automated phone answering systems. It's good for business too.
Stop hating and celebrate life.

Answer 3

This just isn't going to happen. America is a grandly diverse country, built on the backs of immigrants, immigrants who rightly held fast to their heritage.

With all the new people we now have here, most noticably the Hispanic population, we must respect their heritage. I do think all citizens should have at least a modicum of communication in English, but we are still a land of freedom.

Why do people flock here? Because we are still the best country in the world. We have more rights and freedom than anywhere. And until we enact a language law, we will see an increase in certain languages and a decrease in English.

Answer 4

Actually, in the majority of foreign countries, English IS spoken routinely. Other countries in Europe, the Middle East, and I'm sure African and Asian countries, you will find road signs, businesses, instructions, ingredients, etc, in both the home country's language, AND English. Is it really that much of a hassle to push one lonely button when other countries go through the trouble of translating almost everything for us?
Do you think that when your ancestors came to America they all bothered to learn the native languages? Have you yourself ever learned any foreign languages? If you do, you know how hard and confusing it can get, right? Did you know that the majority of foreign countries start teaching their children English as young as kindergarten? Do you not consider it ignorant to complain because others will not learn your language, at the same time considering it almost a crime against patriotism and humanity to learn more than English?
I don't mean to be offensive here, so if I do, please forgive me. My intentions are to open your own eyes to how your question sounded.

Answer 5

Your detail implies that you think all Spanish speakers are illegal immigrants. You definitely need to rethink that.

Surely a patriotic American like yourself doesn't have a problem with capitalism. If the company only offers services to its English-speaking customers, that narrows its customer base. Why would you restrict the company to only customers who speak one language?

By the way, I know very few immigrants who don't want to learn English. But learning a new language takes time and resources. Perhaps you don't realize that because you already use the language of power.

Unfortunately, I fear that many questions like this one (which are plentiful on Yahoo! Answers) are fueled by tacit racism. I'm not calling you a racist, but I think you could perhaps examine your motives. Listen to JAT on this one.

Answer 6

You have to push it because you're one of the dumbass, selfish americans. Companies do that not because they thing people can't speak english, but because it might be more convenient and easier for someone to hear dirrections or something in another language. I mean if you like moved to a country and were trying to learn the language there, wouldn't you like it if they had a push 3 or 4 for english, at least while you were still learning, and even after you were fluent in the language, it is more comfortable and natural to speak with people in your native language.

Answer 7

If you don't push one, it will automatically start speaking Spanish, huh? Why would Spanish be the preferred language, over English? While English isn't the official language in America, (it should be in my not so humble opinion) it is the preferred way to communicate in the USA. It must be that American guilt so many liberal people carry around. I'm so sick of political correctness.
Chris.

Answer 8

How exactly have you defended this country with your blood for over 21 years? Are you speaking of serving in the military? Or, the birthright you attained just by being born an American citizen?

I understand your point, but does it only apply to illegal immigrants or illegal immigrants who speak Spanish or immigrants of any origin who don't speak English? There are many people here whose parents and grandparents don't speak English and rely on their children/grandchildren for basic communication in society. Should everyone who does not speak English be deported? What about people who know English and butcher it horribly so nobody understands them? What about people with accents? What about people who are deaf? Technically, they don't speak English either? Where do we draw the line exactly?

Answer 9

I hate close-minded people like you.

Let's say you've live your whole life as a middle-class citizen in Korea. You have an excellent job, as god an education as you could have hoped for, and now, at thirty years old, you and your wife have decided to move to America, the land of opportunity, where everyone is free to take what they will.

Learning a language is a hard thing - even more difficult for adults, who are usually the ones who bring their children (duh). Especially for Hispanic immigrants, who are usually and sadly poorly educated. Imagine how scary it is to live in a country where you can't do anything for yourself because you need your child to translate for you. But that is what America is - frankly, I do think that in at least some European, and definitely in most African and Asian countries that they have to pick from an array of languages - and they probably know more than one of them.

However, the one who is ignorant is you, my friend. Grow up and realize how the world (including America) works. It's always been this way. Maybe you don't live in a place with many immigrants - I know several immigrants and first generation Americans. Do you think that in the 1860s and 70s NYC wasn't covered with signs in Irish and German? Do you think that you are better than people just because you can speak English and they can't?

Answer 10

I agree. While learning other languages is good, learning English should be required to come in this country. If I decided to pack up my things and move to Germany today, I'd have to learn German because they certainly aren't going to change everything for me.

I don't have a problem with people using their native language among their friends and family. That's fine. All I'm asking is to use the English language when dealing with the public.

I'm also frustrated that I can't find a good customer service job to help pay for graduate school when being bilingual is required.