How do you feel about bilingual ads in the media? Should illegals & immigrants conform to our standards?

Question

Is it too much to ask since you now live in the U S A? Has the line between one's culture & national pride been crossed?

Answer 1

It's what we call political correctness ... which in fact, has gotten way out of whack and to the extreme.

If we look down on illegal immigration, then we ourselves get looked down on "racism."

Illegal immigrants should have no say in government because the last time I checked, the citizens' made this country run through decisions not some lazy bums who want to live off of our welfare.

Answer 2

I feel this way about bilingual ads....No one printed special ads for Russian immigrants, or Vietnamese immigrants, or Chinese immigrants, or Polish immigrants, or....get the picture? Bilingual ads make me angry because it is not for immigrants that they are made. Bilingual ads are directed toward illegal aliens. Go in any government office, Medicare/Medicaid office, Human Resources office and see the directions, flyers, and pamphlets written in English and Spanish. Where, I wonder, are the directions, flyers, and pamphlets written in Vietnamese, or Cambodian, so those immigrants can understand their rights, also? Because, you see, America is not just a BILINGUAL nation. There are many languages spoken here. Our language is English, or, more specifically, Americanized English. To cater to the English illiterate of the illegal aliens is a slap in the face to all legal immigrants who have struggled to learn the nuances of our language and our culture.

Answer 3

If there are a lot of Latinos in community...it's cool.
If there were a lot of Somalis in area I would not be bothered with advertisements or public service ads in their language.
But....every Somali or Ethiopian I have come across speaks English.
I have talked to a couple of guys from Darfur that SPOKE ENGLISH.
The guys from Darfur sat in miserable camp waiting to get into United States.
And while they were sitting in miserable camp ....doing everything correctly and legally....they learned English.
Got Koreans that speak English...at least enough to do business...
(they ain't much for small talk)
Vietnamese learn English.
Cambodians learn English.
Maybe not perfect English...far from it in some cases...but that is not the issue.
I have talked to Asians that want to get rid of their accent.
They feel that even an accent is detrimental.

Only the folk from South of the border refuse.
I have worked with people from Central America that have been here 10- 15 years and they can barely express themselves in English.
They are to arrogant and proud.
Not so arrogant and proud that they won't jump on Subsidized housing and food stamps and other benefits.
And then they claim racism and oppression because we won't conform to them.

So let them be proud.
Asians and Africans are WAY more beneficial for America.
And while Africans and Asians(recent arrivals...first generation) also avail themselves of benefits...which I do not begrudge them...
they don't scream oppression.

Answer 4

I think it's wrong as hell. If they're going to be "fair", then do like the DMV does....spend the money to run it in every single language spoken in that area. If it's good enough for the govt....

I have no problem with people being bilingual - in fact, I studied French for several years - but guess what? When I lived in Cali, I couldn't get a decent job because I didn't habla. THAT is BS. If I wanted to be a translator, or work specifically with Latinos, fine - but to be told that an employer CAN'T hire me because I don't speak Spanish is just WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. I don't live in a Spanish-speaking country...or didn't used to, at any rate....

Answer 5

I live in Maine. We have a large percentage of French people in our population - and a very small percentage of Latinos - yet I have never seen a sign or ad written in French.
I have, however, seen numerous signs in Spanish, mostly in the national, large box retail outlets. This is really disgusting to me and, if I were French, I would be wondering why English apparently is so difficult for the Latinos to learn.
The English language is a prerequisite to becoming a US citizen and the refusal to learn the language when residing in this country speaks volumes about ones true intentions of becoming an American.

Answer 6

I agree with those above who said that such a degree of political correctness is nauseating and that the line has been crossed.

To have to press 1 for English when I call my bank, my doctor, or just about anywhere else is out of hand. Does my bank or my doctor let you press 5 for French? Press 4 for Russian? Press 3 for Italian? Press 6 for Chinese? Nope, not at all. Just Spanish. Why do those immigrants get special privileges?

My great-grandparents came to America legally from Russia about 100 years ago. They were so proud to be AMERICANS. They learned English. They made sure their children knew English and learned how to fit into American society so they would be successful. That is why they came here - for opportunity! But to get opportunity, you need to be able to communicate with the rest of us who live here.

I went to Russia to see where my family came from in college. I was ashamed that I couldn't speak Russian, but all the people I met in Russia can speak English! If they can do it, why not people coming here by their own decision?

Political ads should be aimed at LEGAL citizens, they are the only ones who can legally vote. So they would have had to take a citizenship test, in English, so why does everything need to be in Spanish? I honestly don't get it. I work with many legal immigrants from over 22 different countries, and they all speak English.

Answer 7

I have no objection to bilingual ads. However, all official activity should be in English. Immigrants are required to learn the language to become citizens, and anyone born in the US certainly had every opportunity to learn it.

Answer 8

Yes Yes and more Yes...Great comment! Anyone who comes into your country should learn our language. There should be no bilingual ads at all, none!! I am tired of hearing them and seeing them because it makes me feel out of place. When I was in Florida at Disney World there was one point and time where I didnt even feel like I was in my own country because there were so many freaking foreigners around me speaking their own language. I mean come on people, if your going to make the big step to the US, you have to sacrifice something. We sacrifice our land and space and money and all you do is bask in the glory that is the USA, make some damn sacrifices or get out!

Answer 9

My belief is that bilingual ads are wrong and disrespectful. An overwhelming majority of Americans speak only English and ads in other languages are insulting.

Answer 10

Well, that's really up to the media and marketing firms that produce them. If they think it will draw in hispanic customers, it's their right to put them out there.
What I do have issue with is our Government having to produce paperwork in multiple languages. Its a waste of taxpayer money.