2006-09-22 08:57:14 · 39 answers · asked by californian 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Alright, I have to jump in because there is way too much incorrect information being stated, and I am sick of all of the thumbs down being clicked against people making pro English statements.
I don't think the asker of this question is against a person speaking another language in his/her personal life. I think he/she is annoyed with the fact that English is the de facto national language of the US, and having to explicitly request information during a business transaction be provided in English is extremely irksome.
To which I have to agree, this is not a slam to speakers of Espanol, or an endorsement of abridging their rights. In fact, I think it is just the opposite having instructions in Spanish gives Spanish speaker an unfair advantage over non-English speakers whose native language is in NOT Spanish.
By saying "press 2" for Spanish is a good thing, than it should also be press 3 for Chinese, press 4 for Korean, press 5 for Vietnamese, press 6 for French, press 7 for Tagalog, press 8 for German, press 9 for Italian, press 10 for Russian ….. Press 354 for Swahili. The impracticality of this is, of course, the point of my statement, many people in the US come from many cultures and countries and speak a multitude of languages. And since we have no common ethnic or racial origin, it is English that binds us together as a people. Just because in recent years there has been a large influx of Spanish speakers does not mean we should start putting all instructions and directions in Spanish.
For those people who believe that the huge amount of non-English speakers in the US is unprecedented, I am sorry to tell you that that is an incorrect assessment. The percentage of foreign born people living in the US has just recently tied the highest level in history, which first occurred during the first couple of decades of the 20th Century. Back than it was immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, e.g., Poland, Hungary, Italy, and Russia. During that time period my maternal grandparents came here from Italy, and they learned English within five years of arriving, since no one was going to put any signs or provide telephone instruction in Italian for them!
And now for some corrections. The statement that there is no law making English the official language of the US is incorrect. A number of states including California and Florida have state laws or constitutional amendments making English the official language of the state. And the current immigration reform bill passed by the Senate has a provision making English the official language of the United States. FINALLY!!!!
As if it should even be a question, the very document that guarantees you your rights and establishes the US as a country is written in English!!!!!!!!
2006-09-22 11:15:28 · answer #1 · answered by Amp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For " English" you should press " 2"
You are right about being concerned with this question.
2006-09-22 09:03:56 · answer #2 · answered by Omar 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because this is America is the reason you have to press one for English. We have no Official language, which is the way a free society should be.
2006-09-22 08:59:31 · answer #3 · answered by courage 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Because, my dear fellow, English is the language of the world. It is the language of Shakespeare spoken by the most civilised (and civilising) nation on the face of the planet.
So embrace English - love it, revel in its rich complexities, allow it to educate and illuminate your mind!
2006-09-22 09:02:30 · answer #4 · answered by warden14 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Where does it say English is the national language?
How about "Press 1 if youre a hateful xenophobe"?
2006-09-22 08:59:53 · answer #5 · answered by Phil S 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You don't have to. You can also press 2 for Spanish, or just hold for the next available operator.
2006-09-22 09:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Pray that in 20 years you wouldn't have to press 2 for English.
2006-09-22 08:58:51 · answer #7 · answered by Michael R 4 · 8⤊ 3⤋
I know, it's gotten ridiculous. A lot of immigrants don't even speak English! The way it's going we will soon be a bi-language country... actually I guess we already are. I've always felt that if you come to America you should LEARN TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE!
2006-09-22 09:00:23 · answer #8 · answered by Elle 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Because nearly every Democrat legislator, as well as a few Republicans have voted to allow America to become what Teddy Roosevelt called a "polyglot flophouse..."
2006-09-22 09:00:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Comprendo
2006-09-22 09:08:19 · answer #10 · answered by faruqiss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋