2007-01-19 16:21:39 · 23 answers · asked by russ t 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
What I'd like to hear is, press 1 for english, if not hang up until you know english.
2007-01-19 16:25:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Having to "Press 1 for English" is neither right nor wrong. It's simply the way it is. Spanish is the most prevalent second language in the US. Get used to it.
That said, it will never get to first status. There simply aren't enough native Spanish speakers to justify it. According to the 2000 census, there are 278 million Americans. 191 million marked "Caucasian", while only 35 million marked "Hispanic". I imagine that a good number of the 35 million Hispanics know English, and that at least half of them are American citizens born here. Plus, there are more than enough different language groups in the US that English will continue to be the dominant language.
Check out the link below. You will see that while Spanish is definitely the second most used language in the US, there are large concentrations of other languages in some areas.
In Louisiana, the state is officially bilingual English and French. Hawaii is officially bilingual English and Hawaiian (duh!). Until the 1920's, New York published all its government documents in English and Dutch. In Amish country they still speak a German dialect called Pennsylvania Dutch. Minnesota has a large population of native Swedish and Finnish speakers. And California not only has a lot of Spanish, but large concentrations of almost every Asian language.
Because there are some 337 different languages spoken in the US, 176 of which are Native American tribal languages, it's very highly unlikely Spanish will ever overtake English as the most spoken language.
2007-01-20 01:37:37 · answer #2 · answered by caysdaddy04 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No I don't think it is right that we have to chose between English and Spanish. This is America and the language here is English. If someone from another country wishes to live in America, they should be responsible for learning our customs and respecting them.
What make me feel even worse is that corporate America is bowing down to the illegals by making their employees learn Spanish so they can take the illegals money. The idiot politicians who to give this country away so that they can look "sympathetic" in front of the camera also want our children to speak Spanish in schools. How about making the illegals learn to speak English? Isn't that what all the other immigrants that came here had to do? My great grandparents were German and the first thing they did when they decided to come to America is learn to speak English. It all comes down to respect.
2007-01-20 00:29:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
No joke! I'm half Mexican and still dont think its right. My dad learned English and any American that travels to a foreign country has to learn that foreign language so why should it be different for anyone else traveling to America. Its ridiculous! Learn to speak the language of the country you live in!!!!
2007-01-20 00:47:46 · answer #4 · answered by layala74 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Absolutley not! We speak English in the United States. Period. If one cannot speak English, then they need to leave. To even hear Spanish spoken in buisness transactions makes me sick.
2007-01-20 06:27:40 · answer #5 · answered by KC Desert 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most companies have done away with the pressing of a number if you speak English and now they just say to press a number if you speak Spanish or wait on the line if you speak English. Besides, is it really that big of a deal to press a number?
2007-01-20 00:29:33 · answer #6 · answered by Phat Kidd 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋
If you're going to criticize this, don't you think you should be able to spell and punctuate in your own language?
Since I was raised a military dependent and often lived overseas, I saw that most cultures accommodate not only the languages within their country, but the languages of tourists.
If you are worried about pressing 1 for English, you are a very lucky person with no real problems, or you are allowing yourself to be distracted from your real problems by manipulative race baiters.
2007-01-20 00:40:27 · answer #7 · answered by t jefferson 3 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I'm Californamexica, English is the second language already. Glad I live in Arleium.
2007-01-20 00:50:11 · answer #8 · answered by Peanutbutter Goddess2 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, it is rediculous. It should default to english and not give an option for any other language. If you dont no english you shouldnt be calling.
2007-01-20 00:28:42 · answer #9 · answered by Jack Bauer 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I don't think we should have to do either. I think it should be straight English. I bet in Spanish countries it's Spanish, perhaps you should call there.
2007-01-20 00:41:19 · answer #10 · answered by Heather 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋