We speak English here...

[Roark_John]

'This is Alabama; we speak English,' governor candidate says - Yahoo! News

This seems to be a controversial ad...to those catering to the special interest groups, that is.

I realize we do not have a "Federal" language.

We do however write our LAWS in English, our posted governmental signs are in English, and English has been the primary language spoken since our nation was established.

This is not France, nor Germany, nor Spain, nor Turkey, nor Bangladesh, nor any other country. This is America. It has been the established notion for the past 230-some odd years that we speak English.

Why is this considered a bad thing? Is it because if immigrants (be they legal or illegal) want to call this their new home, we who were born here want them to ADAPT and ADJUST...to integrate as it were?

Just wanted to see what anybody else had to say about this.

Although I am sure there will be some who will call me a racist over this. Not that it has any bearing on the issue, it is just a tactic to draw attention from the merit of my post. Anybody can learn a language...language, whether it is spoken, written or otherwise does not belong to a specific skin color. That is what bothers me about all of this. How can a LANGUAGE be a racist matter?

 

[Jack Houpe]

I don't think your a racist, just an American. I do think our education system should teach our children to speak Spanish, just because its a SECOND language and is used all over the world and very similar to other languages, funny how other countries teach more than the primary language if not several others. Now how would a black rapper speak Spanish combined with ebonics is my question?

 

[Jeff Young]

I don't (generally) disagree. But, let's play a bit of devil's advocate.

This is a democractic republic, where, generally speaking, the majority rules. You are basically saying above that "this is America, we speak English" because the majority does.

So, if Hispanics become the majority, with the ability to force the rest of us to learn Spanish, you'd obviously be ok with that?

 

[Dimi Terleckyj]

Running the risk of being called racist I firmly believe that if people migrate to different countries then they should be made to comply with that country's
language and customs.

If you travel to some of the eastern countries and your wife wears revealing clothing she can be arrested or attacked by the locals.

I personally work with a company that employs contract painters who are chinese and cannot speak a word of english.
When I need to know when they will be finished painting a house so I can organise the next stage I have to get an interpreter to ask .

A situation that should not exist in this day and age.

Dimi

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

I don't think there is an Englishman on earth who thinks Americans speak
English! :lipsrsealed::laugh:

Dimi, but those painters come so cheap.

 

[Roark_John]

I consider myself a close, personal friend of the much maligned Devil, so I'll play along

IF...and only IF...the majority of Americans are LEGAL citizens, would I consider your point valid.

If however, those same non-english speaking residents are here illegally, their opinion doesn't matter. End of story. No other country on Earth would tolerate an unrestrained tide of foreigners to change the policy of their nation, and implement their own. That is an invasion, whether it is backed by military force or not.

I don't (generally) disagree. But, let's play a bit of devil's advocate.

This is a democractic republic, where, generally speaking, the majority rules. You are basically saying above that "this is America, we speak English" because the majority does.

So, if Hispanics become the majority, with the ability to force the rest of us to learn Spanish, you'd obviously be ok with that?

 

[Chris P.]

It is very interesting how English has become a standard language globally due in large part to the USA, yet English seems to be spoken less and less here in the USA...:huh:

 

[Chris P.]

Oh, I forgot to mention - it's Bush2's fault. yuk - yuk - yuk...:drunk:

 

[Roark_John]

I agree with your point whole-heartedly. When I was stationed in Germany and Italy, it was expected that I would make an attempt at learning a passable amount of the local language and customs.

When we were stationed in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, our female soldiers were expected to wear burkhas and Playboy among other titles, cigarettes, alcohol, etc were pulled from the shelves of the PX.

Why does the phrase "When in Rome, do as the Romans..." come to mind? Or is that another one-way street, where it only applies to us "ugly" Americans?

Running the risk of being called racist I firmly believe that if people migrate to different countries then they should be made to comply with that country's
language and customs.

If you travel to some of the eastern countries and your wife wears revealing clothing she can be arrested or attacked by the locals.

I personally work with a company that employs contract painters who are chinese and cannot speak a word of english.
When I need to know when they will be finished painting a house so I can organise the next stage I have to get an interpreter to ask .

A situation that should not exist in this day and age.

Dimi

 

[Ron Earp]

So, if Hispanics become the majority, with the ability to force the rest of us to learn Spanish, you'd obviously be ok with that?

I would not be okay with it. I would also not be okay with it if it were Germans or French in the majority, although for the life of me I don't know how the modern French would ever come into a majority (yes, I'm aware of the extremely important role the French played in our formation).

The country needs a national language. We've used English as the primary language for over 200 years (yes, we've had pockets of French, German, Dutch, Italians, etc) but the number of English speakers were the majority and now are clearly so. Let's make it official and conduct all Federal and State business in one language.

Don't speak English? That is a problem, but, look at it as a modern jobs creation initiative. Overnight we'll have all sorts of translation businesses opening up, good for the economy. Hell, Mr. Obama ought to trot this one out as a jobs creation plan......

I agree with your point whole-heartedly. When I was stationed in Germany and Italy, it was expected that I would make an attempt at learning a passable amount of the local language and customs.

And alternative forms are not available in English. I've had to do some official paperwork in Germany and it came as no surprise to me that there aren't multiple language forms available. Not so here in the US where we spend tax payer money to help you get along without learning English.

 

[Mike Christian]

We are all decendants of immigrants - unless you are a Native American. We changed the American language when we invaded this land. So what makes that right?

 

[Jack Houpe]

My grandmother was Cherokee but I still think we should speak American English (not the kind spoken in Europe or that place down under) but still think we would be better people for speaking multi languages. Look at our brothers on the forum who are in France, Germany, Italy and England ( ), they have leaned to write and speak American English so why don't we have our children (my grand children) speak other dialects? But American English should be a standard.

 

[tom pritchett]

Let me see...the Mexicans, those from Central America and South America always spoke Spanish???? Seems to me that they learned that from people from Spain. Obviously they learned a different language once, they could do it again if they come here to the USSA.

 

[Jeff Young]

I agree with the efficiency of a national language. Where the lawyer in me starts to get antsy is when a majority imposes it on a minority without protections for the minority -- just part of one of the basic ideas in the Constitution I believe strongly in (that, in part, the Constitution is there to protect minorities from the majority).

It's definitely a tension though. The efficiency of a majority national language versus the potential for abuse.

But, for the most part, I think we have managed it well and the "You must speak English!" folks overstate the "problem." All court and government business is conducted in English. Same with schools. It's certainly not a government mandated multilingual culture like Canada or Belgium.

At the same time, we make reasonable accomodations to non-English speakers to ease their transition. We provide translators in court, and help non-English speakers in school.

I don't think that non-English speakers here want to do anything but learn English and integrate themselves into society. Sure, maybe a few don't, but most understand you have to in order to get ahead here.

I would not be okay with it. I would also not be okay with it if it were Germans or French in the majority, although for the life of me I don't know how the modern French would ever come into a majority (yes, I'm aware of the extremely important role the French played in our formation).

The country needs a national language. We've used English as the primary language for over 200 years (yes, we've had pockets of French, German, Dutch, Italians, etc) but the number of English speakers were the majority and now are clearly so. Let's make it official and conduct all Federal and State business in one language.

Don't speak English? That is a problem, but, look at it as a modern jobs creation initiative. Overnight we'll have all sorts of translation businesses opening up, good for the economy. Hell, Mr. Obama ought to trot this one out as a jobs creation plan......



And alternative forms are not available in English. I've had to do some official paperwork in Germany and it came as no surprise to me that there aren't multiple language forms available. Not so here in the US where we spend tax payer money to help you get along without learning English.

 

[Howard Jones]

Spydermike, What made it right? We had the guns......... That ought to get em goin.

By the way, I will not do business with anyone who can't speak passable (as defined by me) English. Mexican at the cash register. Bla bla bal. Can you get someone that can speak English senorita ? Bla bla bal. Anybody here speak English? No? See ya.

Go Arizona!!!!!!!!!!! We need a like law in California. It would pass a referendum slam dunk!!!

And before you start callin names. I like Mexicans, I like everybody. Except people who break into my home, drink my beer, force me to pay them and their whole family to stay, and want me to thank them in another language.

F em!, go home and fix your own shit hole.

 

[Mike Christian]

By the way, I will not do business with anyone who can't speak passable (as defined by me) English. Mexican at the cash register. Bla bla bal. Can you get someone that can speak English senorita ? Bla bla bal. Anybody here speak English? No? See ya.

That is a great way to exercise your rights as a citizen in this capitalistic society!

F em!, go home and fix your own shit hole.

Or stick around, play by the "rules" and help fix our socialist country that is heading towards being a shit hole...

I agree with you Howard!

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

I think English (or American, which is really what we speak over here, ask Andrew) ought to be the national language. But I think a lot more Americans ought to be fluent in another language. My English and European friends speak conversational French, Italian and German. They don't think that's unusual. I wish I had learned Spanish in college; it would help me a lot now in medicine. I learned French, which I can barely struggle in now. I know English is the language of international business and all that, but it would really strengthen our position in the world if more Americans were multilingual. It might also cure our habit of thinking that people who don't speak English are stupid just because they don't. I've seen way too much of that from people who ought to know better.

 

[Roark_John]

Good point SpyderMike!

A few small caveats with that line of thinking though...

1. Native (North) Americans were already divided into thousands of tribes, with hundreds of different dialects. There was something on the order of 80-something mother tongues.

2. Because of this tribal establishment, they were warlike with eachother. It's not like they were having a grand ol' ball and we crashed it. Our immigrant forefathers just gave them an extra and common enemy

3. To the victor go the spoils. Alas...that is why the fight is so important...there is always much at stake in any confrontation between clashing cultures.

We are all decendants of immigrants - unless you are a Native American. We changed the American language when we invaded this land. So what makes that right?

 

[Roark_John]

I agree with the efficiency of a national language. Where the lawyer in me starts to get antsy is when a majority imposes it on a minority without protections for the minority -- just part of one of the basic ideas in the Constitution I believe strongly in (that, in part, the Constitution is there to protect minorities from the majority).

Great point. Nothing prevents them (whatever minority you choose, even if the white man himself becomes one) from speaking their preferred language in their own homes, businesses and religious gatherings.

It's definitely a tension though. The efficiency of a majority national language versus the potential for abuse.

But, for the most part, I think we have managed it well and the "You must speak English!" folks overstate the "problem." All court and government business is conducted in English. Same with schools. It's certainly not a government mandated multilingual culture like Canada or Belgium.

Which begs the question...why go to ANY trouble to administer translators and translation? If they don't understand English in any form, they could theoretically have an excuse as to why they don't obey the laws. This is a slippery slope, and as a lawyer, you already know that ignorance of the law is no excuse...

At the same time, we make reasonable accomodations to non-English speakers to ease their transition. We provide translators in court, and help non-English speakers in school.

Again, we shouldn't. It's not like all those immigrants (legal or illegal) weren't aware that America is the land of cheeseburgers AND English speakers. Methinks the lady doth protest too much...

I don't think that non-English speakers here want to do anything but learn English and integrate themselves into society. Sure, maybe a few don't, but most understand you have to in order to get ahead here.

Do they? Really? So why is Mexifornia all in an uproar? I mean, if ALL immigrants of every shade, language, creed and religion REALLY wanted to integrate themselves and learn the language, I don't think anyone would have gotten to the point that they were frustrated. Are we simply doing all of this as a preparation for an endless chain of immigration from all points on Earth?

Do you really want to live in Babylon?

 

[Roark_John]

I have nothing against learning another language, I already have a decent handle on all of the Romance languages, and a few of the Northern European variety.

They come in quite handy when I travel abroad.

Therein lies the crux...when I am in my native country, why should I be forced to learn a foreign language for the benefit of those who are now in MY country?

I think English (or American, which is really what we speak over here, ask Andrew) ought to be the national language. But I think a lot more Americans ought to be fluent in another language. My English and European friends speak conversational French, Italian and German. They don't think that's unusual. I wish I had learned Spanish in college; it would help me a lot now in medicine. I learned French, which I can barely struggle in now. I know English is the language of international business and all that, but it would really strengthen our position in the world if more Americans were multilingual. It might also cure our habit of thinking that people who don't speak English are stupid just because they don't. I've seen way too much of that from people who ought to know better.