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Do you think English should be America's only language?
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Wow, I'm surprised at how many people said yes. Do you mean 'official language'???
They're having these huge debates over here right now about immigration laws and the government feels that people move here but make no attempt to assimilate into the culture.
I think it's really awful how they force people to identify with the English culture. I guess because I can be considered an immigrant I have a totally new perspective on everything, but I don't consider myself English and I have no desire to become English.
DH says it's a different situation, but I dont' know...![]()
They're having these huge debates over here right now about immigration laws and the government feels that people move here but make no attempt to assimilate into the culture.
I think it's really awful how they force people to identify with the English culture. I guess because I can be considered an immigrant I have a totally new perspective on everything, but I don't consider myself English and I have no desire to become English.
DH says it's a different situation, but I dont' know...
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
I think as an official language YES English should be the only one.
The wide range of dialects across the counrty is soo big i feel l ike we do have other languages
BUT I do think that i would love my child to be proficient in another language...And that doesn't mean starting to learn it in the 6th grade...
I think it should be taught much earlier
The wide range of dialects across the counrty is soo big i feel l ike we do have other languages
BUT I do think that i would love my child to be proficient in another language...And that doesn't mean starting to learn it in the 6th grade...
I think it should be taught much earlier
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
No!
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
I think English SHOULD be the official language.
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
I do think it should be the OFFICIAL language. that would just mean all official signs, documents, government test, would be in English.
I have no problem with the billingual store clerks speaking spanish to the spanish speakign customers, but I was in Grand Central tryrign to figure out why some entrances to the 7 train were roped off & others weren't & the only signs I could find were in Korean & there was 1 spnish sign about the far increase!![]()
No English signs about the service change! OK, maybe they were ripped down, but English signs should be a PRIORITY & other languages secondary if the sign poster chooses to do so.
EAT- I agree with Jenn that languages should be taught in school earlier though.
I have no problem with the billingual store clerks speaking spanish to the spanish speakign customers, but I was in Grand Central tryrign to figure out why some entrances to the 7 train were roped off & others weren't & the only signs I could find were in Korean & there was 1 spnish sign about the far increase!
EAT- I agree with Jenn that languages should be taught in school earlier though.
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by RedHead
I think as an official language YES English should be the only one.
The wide range of dialects across the counrty is soo big i feel l ike we do have other languages
BUT I do think that i would love my child to be proficient in another language...And that doesn't mean starting to learn it in the 6th grade...
I think it should be taught much earlier
My thoughts exactly! They should start languages much earlier than middle school.
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
What I want to know is why is this such a big deal? Why do people get their panties in a bunch when people say English should be the offical lang. of the United States. It's not about conforming, it's about communicating effectively with everyone. Every country has its own offical lang, why not the United States?
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
I think English should be America's official language.
My parents are immigrants- they came here when they were in their early 20's, both with a working knowledge of English. But they both had thick accents, and were often very embarassed to speak English. So they tended to avoid other English speakers (of any race), and formed a lot of assumptions about other groups of people in the US. I would go so far as to call it racism, unfortunately. I think being able to speak better English would have lessened that, to a degree.
In addition, it made getting jobs and doing regular stuff more difficult for them. I was my parents mouthpiece as soon as I started speaking. I made dr's appointments, wrote letters, checked grocery bills, helped with tax forms, immigration forms and a zillion other things. doing these things for them did not do good things for our relationship.
Its dangerous not to know the language of the country you are living in. what if you are in an accident, and cannot communicate with the paramedics? what if your home is on fire and you can't tell the 911 operator?
I think it's also a matter of respect- if I were to move to another country, I would make sure I had a handle on their national language. I don't think learning a new language means leaving your culture behind, it gives you an advantage in your new home.
rebecca
My parents are immigrants- they came here when they were in their early 20's, both with a working knowledge of English. But they both had thick accents, and were often very embarassed to speak English. So they tended to avoid other English speakers (of any race), and formed a lot of assumptions about other groups of people in the US. I would go so far as to call it racism, unfortunately. I think being able to speak better English would have lessened that, to a degree.
In addition, it made getting jobs and doing regular stuff more difficult for them. I was my parents mouthpiece as soon as I started speaking. I made dr's appointments, wrote letters, checked grocery bills, helped with tax forms, immigration forms and a zillion other things. doing these things for them did not do good things for our relationship.
Its dangerous not to know the language of the country you are living in. what if you are in an accident, and cannot communicate with the paramedics? what if your home is on fire and you can't tell the 911 operator?
I think it's also a matter of respect- if I were to move to another country, I would make sure I had a handle on their national language. I don't think learning a new language means leaving your culture behind, it gives you an advantage in your new home.
rebecca
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
I feel very strongly about this......
YES i think it should be the official language....
I CAN NOT STAND that I have to try to learn someone ELSES language in AMERICA!!!! They get mad at you when you cant speak their language. I have NO tolerance for it....
My view is this:
MY grandparents had to learn English when they came here, so YOU have to learn English when you come here.
IMO its rude & ignorant to live in a country and NOT try to learn their language and inconvience everyone. Even try the tiniest bit! The country shouldnt have to accomodate you b/c you are too lazy, stubborn, etc to learn this language..
Sorry.. these are my feelings.. hope im not too harsh!
ETA: i would NEVER go to another country and expect them to cater me. I would learn the language.
YES i think it should be the official language....
I CAN NOT STAND that I have to try to learn someone ELSES language in AMERICA!!!! They get mad at you when you cant speak their language. I have NO tolerance for it....
My view is this:
MY grandparents had to learn English when they came here, so YOU have to learn English when you come here.
IMO its rude & ignorant to live in a country and NOT try to learn their language and inconvience everyone. Even try the tiniest bit! The country shouldnt have to accomodate you b/c you are too lazy, stubborn, etc to learn this language..
Sorry.. these are my feelings.. hope im not too harsh!
ETA: i would NEVER go to another country and expect them to cater me. I would learn the language.
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by lolita4life
I feel very strongly about this......
YES i think it should be the official language....
I CAN NOT STAND that I have to try to learn someone ELSES language in AMERICA!!!! They get mad at you when you cant speak their language. I have NO tolerance for it....
My view is this:
MY grandparents had to learn English when they came here, so YOU have to learn English when you come here.
IMO its rude & ignorant to live in a country and NOT try to learn their language and inconvience everyone. Even try the tiniest bit! The country shouldnt have to accomodate you b/c you are too lazy, stubborn, etc to learn this language..
Sorry.. these are my feelings.. hope im not too harsh!
ETA: i would NEVER go to another country and expect them to cater me. I would learn the language.
i agree 110%
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
thanks Don!
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
i think it should be a prerequisite for citizenship
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by don424
i think it should be a prerequisite for citizenship
yes, definatly!
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by lolita4life
Posted by don424
i think it should be a prerequisite for citizenship
yes, definatly!
we're gonna get flammmmmeddddd
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
hey... its my HONEST opinion!!
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by don424
Posted by lolita4life
Posted by don424
i think it should be a prerequisite for citizenship
yes, definatly!
we're gonna get flammmmmeddddd![]()
LOL, no flames, not from me, at least.
I *think* that taking courses in Italian every so often is a condition for living/working there for an extended period of time. I have an acquaintance whose sister lives in Italy (but is an American citizen). She speaks fluent Italian, but in order to remain there, she must take italian refresher courses.
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by lolita4life
hey... its my HONEST opinion!!
me too -- i'm glad you had the guts to say it
i just followed up
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
i mean i by all means dont think people shouldnt keep their own language, of COURSE i think they should... but when they cant even communicate on an everyday basis just going to the store.... that needs to change.
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Re: Do you think English should be America's only language?
Posted by don424
Posted by lolita4life
Posted by don424
i think it should be a prerequisite for citizenship
yes, definatly!
we're gonna get flammmmmeddddd![]()
No, I happen to agree with you both as well. Very good points.
