Does it really offend your ears and your sensibilities to hear a language other than English being spoken? That's the most flaccid argument I hear and some people think its SO incredibly profound.
2007-11-30 03:22:48 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Adrian I always get a kick out of your regurgitations. You've yet to show me a sound argument and make plenty of assumptions about what I do and don't believe in.
The Poster above you does have a sound point. If it's courtesy you are asking for then you are bound to be disappointed, but I do understand that point of view. I grew up in a culture where people would speak spanish in front of me because it was most comfortable for them and sometimes they didn't want me to know what they were saying so I learned. Forcing our language on any individual is wrong no matter what it is. That's like saying you have to be a Christian to live in the US bc were were founded on Christian principles. But we allow any religion in here. My principle concern is that some of you, Adrian et al, are ready to bust apart the US Constitution for your own ideologies.
2007-11-30 04:08:07 · update #1
To all the RACISTS here. Just because somebody is speaking another language doesn't mean that they can't speak ENGLISH! Overseas, speaking more than 1 language is the norm. And all the immigrants I've met have a very good command of English. In fact a lot better than many Brits who just seem to grunt & use foul language all the time!!!!
2007-11-30 04:06:10 · answer #1 · answered by thingy 4 · 3⤊ 5⤋
No, it does not offend me that some would rather speak in there native language, for whatever reason. It really doesn't bother me that I have to press 1 for English. It is more annoying to me that I can hardly ever talk to an actual person on the phone without pressing several #'s first. The fact of the matter is English is, by far, the most common language spoke here. It seems to me that it would be in a persons best interest to be able to speak it, or at least try to speak it.
Lets be honest, the language barrier is not the real problem. The real problem is the lack of wanting to be an American. I would not want anyone to forget were they have come from. However, if you are here, in the U.S., and you would like to make it your home. Then what is the problem with learning the language?
2007-11-30 12:27:25 · answer #2 · answered by TLB 5 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Immigrants come to America from all over the world. That's hundreds of languages being spoken here. There's no practical way to deal with that other than getting them all to speak a common language. In theory, it doesn't /have/ to be English (it could be Esperanto or Klingon, as long as everyone agrees on it), but, as the 300 million Americans already here happen to speak English, it'd be convenient if it were.
2007-11-30 14:42:11 · answer #3 · answered by B.Kevorkian 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Really It doesn't offend me I myself am bilingual I know a little French and I'm taking classes to learn sign language! I enjoy other languages I like watching Japanese movies with their language (English subtitles) spoken! How it was filmed! it gives the movie so much more! ANYWAYS THERE IS MANY FORMS OF ENGLISH!
I like our cultural differences that's what makes this a beautiful country to live in! I honestly think that it would be hilarious if they told us we couldn't speak another language that isn't English!! They tried to do it at my job, told us they didn't want us to talk in Spanish until we were out of the office, not even during brake! We just laughed it off!! It's wrong, and they understood!
In the other hand it is disrespectful to others! so yes I do think that if immigrants are going to come to this country they should learn the English language! It would be of much help to our teachers in the schools, and the court system! But not forced to speak it, and for that to become their primary and only language! PPLLLEASE! Why not expand our knowledge!
But those of us who can speak more than one language, and are going places because we chose to learn the language hurray for us!! We're just that much smarter! Don't try to make us mediocre! we have succeeded because we chose to not because you gave us the opportunity!!
The opportunity might be there, but if u don't take it...?
2007-11-30 12:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by da1_eliriv22 1 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Hearing another language does not offend my ears at all. I know it's really hard for school teachers who get children in their classes that don't know ANY English and they're supposed to help those children get to the same level as all the others. How is that supposed to be possible when they can't even understand the language the teacher and most other students are speaking? There's no way that teachers get paid close to enough to have to learn another language! Just one example of how a language barrier makes things very difficult!
2007-11-30 11:32:30 · answer #5 · answered by Amy B 3 · 9⤊ 2⤋
Nope, it doesn't offend me. It saddens me. Why come to a country with so much opportunity, only to isolate yourself from it? Not learning English limits one's opportunities greatly.
Another problem:
(Hypothetically) What do you think would happen to a country that had a sub-culture of millions of immigrants, many illegal, all from the same place, all refusing to learn the new language, all maintaining loyalty to their country of origin, and all holding their new host country in disdain?
Who said ANYTHING about force, Joe? If they want to keep themselves in the underclass, no skin off my nose. Still sad, though.
My ideology? You disagree that people would have more opportunity if they learned English? How can you disagree with that?
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I noticed you Question is about LEARNING English, but all your arguments are about SPEAKING English. Learning and Speaking are two very different things.
I have never cared what people speak, but I still believe people should learn (not "must' learn...should learn) English if they choose to live in an English speaking country.
2007-11-30 11:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
Your attitude is so incredibly prissy. Who gives you the right to judge others in this manner. Who cares if the learn English or not. I do and I have had the courtesy to learn Spanish, German, some French, some Chinese and attempted to learn Arabic when visiting nations who spoke those languages. Why should those who come to my country learn my language?
Simple courtesy for starters and if they are going to work here then they need to speak the language that 80+% of commerce occurs in..... Is that beyond your capibilities for comprehension???
2007-11-30 11:52:45 · answer #7 · answered by Coasty 7 · 7⤊ 2⤋
you can speak your own language in another country if you live there but you should still know English and if your on the job you should always speak English
2007-11-30 12:02:20 · answer #8 · answered by 10 out of 10 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I care about the tradition and solidity of this great Nation.
I agree with this poster:
"It absolutely offends me! A nation that does not have a common language is very vunerable! When I hear spanish in the stores I always say, English! This is my country we speak English....."
Here, Here.
2007-11-30 11:56:44 · answer #9 · answered by s 2 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I care. The reason I care, is that I only want Americans to be American citizens.
I'm not against immigration, immigration has made this country great.
But when you immigrate, you stop being what you were, and become American. Part of that is learning English.
2007-11-30 12:39:55 · answer #10 · answered by Ricky T 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋