I was listening to Rock FM this morning and a news item said that due to the amount of Polish immigrants in the North West, they are considering that our firemen have to learn their language in the event of a fire. Now I am not racist but should it not be a case of them learning to speak English. Where do we draw the line? The medical profession would then also have to learn all kinds of languages. My opinion is that if you come freely to a country that accepts you, you learn our language. I am wrong?
2007-09-19 10:37:36 · 35 answers · asked by pixie 1 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
If that were the case, the firefighters here in California would be speaking about 30 different languages. Are you _sure_ it was a news item and not an opinion piece?
2007-09-19 10:42:11 · answer #1 · answered by nurse_spratchet 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let me ask a question in return. When the British go to a country - let's say Dubai - to work. Do they learn the local language? Do they build Irish Pubs and create their own little england in the midst of the middle east. I suspect that the majority of the polish immigrants will want to learn english. Can you imagine living in a country where you do not understand the language? But face facts this is the european union in action. Freedom of movement is not currently restricted by the ability to speak the local language. Of course they should speak english but we should not get cross about the fact that they can't. Why do they come to england? To do the jobs that we cannot fill as our own unemployed are too well paid by the state and cannot afford to loose their benefits and get a low paid job.
2007-09-19 20:52:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, it was a genuine report. I think it's because there seems to be a high number of Polish immigrants coming in at the moment, certainly in Scotland anyway.
It never does any harm to learn another language, even just the basics.
But where would it stop. If you look at all the different nationalities in each city, your local brigade would have to learn a minimum of 20 languages. It really would be crazy.
I think anyone coming to UK should have to learn the basics before they arrive. It would make life so much easier for everyone concerned.
I couldn't possibly imagine living in a country whose language I couldn't understand.
2007-09-19 13:19:38 · answer #3 · answered by threepenny53 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rock FM, eh? That well-known bastion of news reporting and in-depth analysis?
But in a way, you are right. Immigrants to UK need to learn English quickly - you can't hope to prosper in the UK without it. But you also have to be pragmatic - and if having a fireman with a smattering of Polish would allow the local community to be better served, why is that a bad thing?
Please don't ever use the phrase "I'm not racist but...". Too many other people start the most obnoxious racist rants with these words and you don't want to be mixed up with them.
2007-09-19 10:44:20 · answer #4 · answered by Mr Sceptic 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think that's a great ?. well, this is just like the problem with illegal immigrants coming over and not learning english. You're right, they should learn our language. It's either a couple people in the north west learn english or firfeighters, police, doctors, and other people like them learn polish! actually english is the toughest language to learn so...it might be hard for them but i really do think they should just suck it up and learn english. i mean, they immigrated here so they should be able to speak english right?
2007-09-19 10:44:10 · answer #5 · answered by Holli B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do they think they will get employment in a foreign country without learning the language ? I personally think they don't care, they know it's a free ride in Brainless Britain, they know they will be given priority to housing benefits etc before British Nationals.
I think now that the Chief Constable is asking for more money for policing, a few more constabularies will as well, this will turn the heat up on the Prime Minister and perhaps make him and his cronies join us in the "Real world"
I
2007-09-19 23:10:38 · answer #6 · answered by st.abbs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a 'joke' on the radio to me. Especially if it was on a 'rock' station. Only if you were near the border of the people that spoke another language-ex MEXICO. I am from the NW- Seattle, Wa. doesn't seem run down by Polish to me. Try going to Alaska where in parts there are LARGE groups of Russian immigrants but they have just after MANY years asked the community thier opinion of teaching in the 2 languages. T.V. stations are not broadcast in Russian locally just for them. etc. Everybody gets along great. They speak English too.
2007-09-19 10:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by susiwak 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's ridiculous...so the firemen all go off and have Polish lessons and then, oh no, there's a fire at a Spanish/ French/ German/ Italian (you get my drift) house, then what? Much better if the immigrants learn english, then they'll be able to understand firemen and doctors and newsagents and bank staff and police men etc etc etc.
2007-09-19 10:55:37 · answer #8 · answered by flopsy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw a similar item on the news about East Anglia. The police have to print a potted version of UK laws like not to drive after drinking alcohol... in a couple of dozen different languages. Emergency operators have to learn languages like Polish
2007-09-19 12:28:29 · answer #9 · answered by proud walker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry but anybody shifting to another country should have to learn the new language not the people in that country, we have taxi drivers here in aussie land, that come from other countries, we cannot understand them, they do not know where they are going, cannot speak our language, until the money is to change hands, I am not racist either, but send them all back where they come from till they learn our language
2007-09-19 10:42:34 · answer #10 · answered by please ask m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋