Press One For English

[caseydog]

I have a son in law that has been in the U.S. for at least 9 years and he still speak very little english. I keep harping on him to learn english. I told daughter that they need to quit speaking spanish so be easier for him to learn english. Same with me, my first language is english but my hearing is getting worst so I learned ASL (america sign language). At first it was hard because we kept reverting to speaking in english, when finally told ourselves to stop speaking and to only use ASL then it became easier. You was force to learn!

Yeah, nine years is too long. Even I could learn another language in a year if I had to, and I'm kinda thick.

CD

[Classic Finn]

Just my opinion - If you speak one language besides your own its much easier to learn the next one. Also it does take a little of your own want and determination as well.

Classic Finn

[Ira]

Putting all of the "logical" arguments aside for immigrants to learn English, let's call a spade a spade:

It's only the Spanish language and Latinos that piss everyone off, because they're...uhhh...well..latinos. And they're simply RUINING this economy by taking away high-paying landscaping and roofing jobs that pay almost 8 bucks an hour.

Two issues are being mixed here.

And it is now as it has always been:

The first generation doesn't always learn the language because it's HARD to learn the language. The cheap shot of "they don't want to learn" is just that--a cheap shot. It is NOT easy.

But their kids always speak English...the parents eventually die...and all is right with the world again--since those HORRIBLE immigrants who didn't learn English are now dead.

Forget the fact that they worked 60 hours a week, bought homes, put the kids through school, and paid their taxes.

This kind of attitude disgusts me--and THIS is what will tear this country down.The xenophobic attitude that "the sky is falling" because that guy over there who's washing my car can't speak English seems to me a little over-dramatic. A little harsh. And not based on anything concrete.

(Plus, see if you'll be willing pay twice as much to have it washed by someone who DOES speak English)

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

But my question is, HOW DOES SOMEONE SPEAKING THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE HURT AMERICA!? WHERE'S THE ACTUAL HARM, EXCEPT TO SOME PATRIOTIC PRIDE!?

Again--where's the actual damage?

And as a very important sidenote:

If we don't DRASTICALLY increase immigration to this country, and pardon the illegals already there, Social Security and other entitlement programs are going to simply COLLAPSE in afew short years.

[caseydog]

Ira, you may want to visit www.flamesuits.com after that one.

Check out the Scorchmaster 200. It's endorsed by Al Gore.

Of course, for maximum protection, there is the FlamePro Michael Moore Edition. Protects you from nukular flaming.

Both of these can be ordered with the Big Balls expansion pouch -- might be worth considering.


CD --

[Ira]

Ira, you may want to visit www.flamesuits.com after that one.

Check out the Scorchmaster 200. It's endorsed by Al Gore.

Of course, for maximum protection, there is the FlamePro Michael Moore Edition. Protects you from nukular flaming.

Both of these can be ordered with the Big Balls expansion pouch -- might be worth considering.


CD --

Link doesn't work.

[apratt]

But my question is, HOW DOES SOMEONE SPEAKING THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE HURT AMERICA!?

Ira, my point is my son in law is hurting him self by not learning english. He complains that he has a hard time finding work!! Well learn english then his prospectives employers will be able to understand him and maybe it will open more doors for him. How will he be able to follow any written instructions if he can not read english! A few times I could have hired him to work with me, but I can not. Because if I have him up on a ladder to measure something, I need him to be able to give me the measurement in english or any other things that I may be doing on a house. Yea could just hire him to just mow my grass, but I don't need that.

[wolfix]

Putting all of the "logical" arguments aside for immigrants to learn English, let's call a spade a spade:

It's only the Spanish language and Latinos that piss everyone off, because they're...uhhh...well..latinos. And they're simply RUINING this economy by taking away high-paying landscaping and roofing jobs that pay almost 8 bucks an hour.

Two issues are being mixed here.

And it is now as it has always been:

The first generation doesn't always learn the language because it's HARD to learn the language. The cheap shot of "they don't want to learn" is just that--a cheap shot. It is NOT easy.

But their kids always speak English...the parents eventually die...and all is right with the world again--since those HORRIBLE immigrants who didn't learn English are now dead.

Forget the fact that they worked 60 hours a week, bought homes, put the kids through school, and paid their taxes.

This kind of attitude disgusts me--and THIS is what will tear this country down.The xenophobic attitude that "the sky is falling" because that guy over there who's washing my car can't speak English seems to me a little over-dramatic. A little harsh. And not based on anything concrete.

(Plus, see if you'll be willing pay twice as much to have it washed by someone who DOES speak English)

You can't have your cake and eat it too.

But my question is, HOW DOES SOMEONE SPEAKING THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE HURT AMERICA!? WHERE'S THE ACTUAL HARM, EXCEPT TO SOME PATRIOTIC PRIDE!?

Again--where's the actual damage?

And as a very important sidenote:

If we don't DRASTICALLY increase immigration to this country, and pardon the illegals already there, Social Security and other entitlement programs are going to simply COLLAPSE in afew short years.

Exactly......

[Bobgorilla]

Ira, you may want to visit www.flamesuits.com after that one.

Check out the Scorchmaster 200. It's endorsed by Al Gore.

Of course, for maximum protection, there is the FlamePro Michael Moore Edition. Protects you from nukular flaming.

Both of these can be ordered with the Big Balls expansion pouch -- might be worth considering.


CD --

Link doesn't work.

Ira, I quote you only in the hope that you read this, I don't care if anyone speaks their native language. What bothers me is having to pick my native language when I call someone in my country or for example, I was in Loew's yesterday and had to ask where to find sandpaper because there isn't enough room on the aisle signs because everything is repeated in spanish. Based on my last (hopefully never again) trip to Miami spanish is the first language. All street signs and billboards were in spanish in a large section of town. Should I need another language to get around here? By the way I'm first generation ( the very 1st in my entire family) American and very proud of it. I even spent 6 years in US Navy back when signs still said "Sailors and Dogs Stay Off the Grass", unlike now when the military is generally treated with respect and appreciation (which is EXACTLY how they should be treated) this is a close to flaming someone as I should get
P. S. both my parents were naturalized 2 years after I was born by going through the proper procedures (about 7 years back then)

[Bobgorilla]

You wanted English ... here ya go.. .....
After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi to understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru! And zen world!

Classic Finn

Hekki this is the line I thought looked like pidgeon french, It seems like people who want to fake a bad french accent use lots of zzzzzzzzzs
P.S. I find it admirable that you know more than 1 language and wish I had developed that ability particularlly at a younger age.

[Bobgorilla]

Danny ...From my travels there in the States...The accents were abundant..sooooooo many..that is was confusing...

I,ll always remember my time down in Branson Missouri...Dont ask how I ended up there..

I did meet a nice gal .... and...she had a very nice.. accent,,, She again thought my accent was strange..

But all in all I was surprised of some accents I couldnt for the life of me understand...when spoken ...

Classic Finn

I stopped for directions near Stratford Upon Avon in England once, and the store clerk gave me a lengthy set of driving instructions in English, and I thanked her, walked out, and had NO idea what she had said. Her accent was so thick, I literally did not understand her. LOL

CD

I spent some time in Scotland while in the navy and the first 3 days there I wouldn't understand half what they were saying, but I found it fun to listen to anyway. This happened every time I went there.

[del]

Most of the European immigrants came to this country before our grandparents were born, or any bodys memory that has lived in our life time (a long time ago)(18xx). 98 percent of these people did not learn more than a few words of English (if your ancestors did good for you) in their life time. The jokes about immigrants can be recycled just insert latest nationality of the immigrant of the time (including now). It is really tough to learn a language after puberty. I wish this country would teach multiple languages to kids in grade school, when it is easiest to learn. learning a second, or third language teaches you a lot about your first language, in college I took German, and learned more about English than German. So chances are our ancestors did not learn English for two or three generations. Do you think they spoke English in little Italy?

del

[Bobgorilla]

I want to be perfectly clear because I think this issue is very important.

I don't care if you speak Klingon, I should not have to learn it to conduct business in this country and neither should anyone else!
And if I want to conduct business in your country YOU should not have to learn my language

[halfdome, Danny]

Do you think they spoke English in little Italy?del

In the 1950's I heard both in Denver's Little Italy. All the Italians I've know were proud to be American. We were children and they always spoke to us in English. My step dad never taught us Italian, he felt this was America and English was the language. His parents were from a tiny village near Rome and sent him to school to learn English and was not taught Italian until he was 11 years old. I guess if you want to be an American citizen you'll learn English otherwise it appears you would rather pay homage to the country you left or just don't care to be part of this country. Brings to mind the old bumper stickers "AMERICA LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT". I won't press 1 for English, the machine will continue in English or hang up, if so they lost my business. Danny

[Classic Finn]

You wanted English ... here ya go.. .....
After zis fifz yer, ve vil hav a reli sensibl riten styl. Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi to understand ech ozer. Ze drem vil finali kum tru! And zen world!

Classic Finn

Hekki this is the line I thought looked like pidgeon french, It seems like people who want to fake a bad french accent use lots of zzzzzzzzzs
P.S. I find it admirable that you know more than 1 language and wish I had developed that ability particularlly at a younger age.

Ok thats the one...

Well ok .. I have to admit though - there is a negative side to this as well.
Am I making more money due to the fact that I speak more than one language.??

I kick myself in the ol noggin many times in my life especially now that I didnt persue somthing that I could have had a better income with the capabilities... However no use in crying in the beer over it...

I think everyone has had a time in their lives when theyve said - I shouldve done that or I shouldve done this instead...such is life..

I have had many real good times because of it though in meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds and that to me is fullfilling and also at times more meaningful than any amount of money..so there are the positive sides of it as well.

As I say to my children learn what you can and do the best you can and be happy in life.. thats what counts..and count your blessing of what you have.

So Im ending my opinions and ideas on this subject right here..

PS You can immigrate to any country you choose however learn the language that is used there however dont forget your home country... and its culture or language ... its not a sin to pay homage to your old country and its not anything to be ashamed of if you speak it at home or amongst your family and friends. it doesnt mean that your disloyal to your new homeland if you hold on to your old country traditions while living amongst the new.


Best regards
Classic Finn

[halfdome, Danny]

Most of the European immigrants came to this country before our grandparents were born, or any bodys memory that has lived in our life time (a long time ago)(18xx). 98 percent of these people did not learn more than a few words of English (if your ancestors did good for you) in their life time. The jokes about immigrants can be recycled just insert latest nationality of the immigrant of the time (including now). It is really tough to learn a language after puberty. I wish this country would teach multiple languages to kids in grade school, when it is easiest to learn. learning a second, or third language teaches you a lot about your first language, in college I took German, and learned more about English than German. So chances are our ancestors did not learn English for two or three generations. Do you think they spoke English in little Italy?

del

I'd love to see the documents that you refer to that 98 percent of these people did not learn more than a few words of English. Danny