2007-06-04 02:45:05 · 19 answers · asked by Kathi 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
English is the defacto national language, much like French was once long ago the language of trade, My question relates more to why do the children of immigrants who learned the language in part to be full Americans with a shared language, are now required to request that shared language.
Is it really a courtesy to those who are more comfortable with their first language? or is it a concession to those who choose not to learn and only reap whatever 'benefits' they find in the US!??
2007-06-04 04:11:20 · update #1
If you use the melting pot analogy, shouldn't we be more homologous after all the time in the soup?
2007-06-04 04:14:08 · update #2
Your question reflects the typical Amrrrrcan arrogant and presumtous attitudes of "greatness" and "superiority" that is soooooo imbeded in your culture!!! It reflects the thinking of millions of you folks who think that the 'friggin' English language (...and for that matter, anything that is Amrrrrcan) should be dominant, and second to none. That's one of the many, many reasons why Amrrrrcans are so much hated throughout the world. Please be nice, and get off your high horse. Thank you.
2007-06-04 02:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by Cisco 3 · 3⤊ 5⤋
the answers above ignore the fact that a nation can not survive if it's people do not speak a common language. English should be the national language.
That said, a business needs to be able to serve all it's customers, and even with English as a national language, some people would prefer to speak another during private conversations, and catering to that is just good business.
2007-06-04 02:55:09 · answer #2 · answered by BobbyR 4 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Because this is the United States, the most amazingly diverse and awesome place in the world. Everyone here does not speak English as a first language. Pushing 1 isn't going to hurt you.
In response to some of the negative answers here, if you don't like the fact that some people don't speak English, why don't you volunteer to tutor them? Thousands of English literacy programs exist all over the country, and all of them are severely undermanned. Everyone complains that immigrants don't speak English, but no one wants to teach them. That's called hypocrisy.
2007-06-04 02:52:47 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It could be that many immigrant families take a look at the moral standards of life in the USA, compare them to the moral standards in the old country and would prefer to have the family live by the higher standard.
Speaking the language from the old country in the house is one of the easiest ways of maintaining the standards from the old country.
RE: Vlad's post... My doctor's answering system has options for: Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish and Hindi!
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2007-06-04 05:11:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I hear yah. I love the ones that say por esp anal, picky licky bookie backi, for English stay on the line. Then after twenty minutes of waiting. You still get someone you can't understand. I only say picky licky bookie backi, because i don't speak Spanish. I hope i didn't offend any sensitive people. If i did, then oops go tell someone in the mental health section all about it. I'm in a bad mood
For the goof above me. Yes we are soooooooo hated that everyone wants to live and work here. Do you also understand we as "typical Americans" are Mexico's second largest income? If i were to go to another country to live or work you better BELIEVE i would learn the language.
2007-06-04 02:56:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
You answered your own question in your question because this is the United States. People forget what this country is. It is a place for immigrants a place of freedom for everybody. Would it be freedom if you made everybody learn the language that you want them to. No. We are a melting pot everyone has the same rights and that is what makes America great.
2007-06-04 02:52:26 · answer #6 · answered by joe d 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I've heard this question before and my response has always been "Really start worrying when you have to push two to hear English." Well, it actually happened to me just yesterday, or at least something very similar to that. I called up a pharmaceutical company to get info on a medical condition and they had an automated response system to get all of the information. When it came to race it went like this: Press one for Latino, Press two for Asian, Press three for Caucasian. I don't even know where African ended up, I didn't hand around long enough to find out. So, we actually just skipped two and went right to three. Damn.
2007-06-04 03:06:56 · answer #7 · answered by Knowitall 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
english is not the national language in the united states. we have no national language
2007-06-04 02:49:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well, because America is a melting pot of culture and that includes people who speak other languages.
By the way, in any large city, you will find people who speak other languages besides English. It's just more acceptable now.
2007-06-04 02:49:09 · answer #9 · answered by Searcher 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
I don't like it either, but I like the irony of having to press "number 2" (you know, bathroom analogy) for Spanish to be quite fitting.
If we're a "nation of immigrants", then why aren't there options to "press 3 for Hmong", "press 4 for Russian", "press 5 for Chinese", etc.?
Are Latin American cultures over-valued in the USA? I'd say yes.
2007-06-04 04:31:45 · answer #10 · answered by vladblutsauger 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The USA is filled with immigrants... that is the make-up of your country.. (a baby at that)... It is just good common sense, common courtesy and good business sense to help the speed in which you are attended too.. You are complaining about something that is actually in your favor...
does it hurt your finger to press 1... how fricken ridiculous is that??
2007-06-04 11:35:17 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋