This might sound like a weird thing to be excited about, but other countries have had an official language for centuries. We have not LEGALLY/TECHNICALLY ever had one here in the US even though it's pretty obvious that English is it. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A dialect (from the Greek word dialektos) is a variety of a language used by people from a particular geographic area. The number of speakers, and the area itself, can be of arbitrary size. It follows that a dialect for a larger area can contain plenty of (sub-) dialects, which in turn can contain dialects of yet smaller areas, etc.
A dialect is a complete system of verbal communication (oral or signed but not necessarily written) with its own vocabulary and/or grammar.
Syl, you know I love ya, but English is NOT easy for everyone...you had the added 'gifts' of being young and very smart...two things on your side.
an ADULT laborer from another country, goes to work 18 plus hours a day, (surrounded by people predominlately speaking their native tongue) to wake up and do it all again...when do they have time to learn a whole new language. the law says one thing, but the system perpetuates something COMPLETELY different...it's a Catch 22, and a highly unfair one at that.
it's different with children..all children should learn english- that is what school is for.
I love you too sweetie! And I miss you! BUT in comparison to other languages and generally speaking, English is one of the easiest languages to learn...of course my 70 year old Granny who has been here for 30 years doesnt speak a word of it! But I do see your point...although thats not what I understood from your original post.
MayBride06
Posted:
Member since
Re: GOOD JOB CONGRESS!!
Posted by M&S Sept12006
Hi everyone hello!
As an immigrant that came to this country when I was 8 and having lived in two other countries besides the US I see nothing wrong with English being declared as the official language of the land. Like everyone is saying, there are many languages being spoken in this country as it is highly populated by different people from different countries. English (I must correst Jess on this one) is one of the easiest languages to learn, and therefore should be learned by everyone that come to this country, just as Greek was when I lived in Greece and Polish when I lived in Poland.
From what I can see on this thread, we're all communicating in ENGLISH, so why not be proud of where we live and the fact that the langauge was officially established as the language of the land...
Bravo!!!!
MrsH1156
Posted:
Member since
Re: GOOD JOB CONGRESS!!
Posted by MayBride06
Posted by dleeny
I just wanted to add something to this thread.
I think it is great that we pick an 'official language'. most other countries have one, we should too.
ETA: not to say I am offended by other languages being used.
Ditto! My Fh is Bilingual (english/spanish) and he also agrees. Although we are a melting pot...we are a predominately english speaking country. Speak any native language that you want, but if you live here you must accept that the native tongue will be english. Just like if you go to Brazil the native language is Portugese. many spanish people live there, but the native tongue is portugese. I don't think anyone should be offended. JMHO!!
I agree. While I'm happy we have an 'official' language, none of us would be here without our ancestors who all spoke different languages...including English. I do agree that considering the fact that Spanish is the second most spoken language in this country, that there should be accomodations for people who do not speak English as their first language or who are learning. I work in an industry where about 90% of our workforce is bilingual English/Spanish. I would not have a job without these employees and half the companies on LI who use their services would not be as profitable without these workers. If I were to move to another country, I would learn the native language so I do not think it's unreasonable to expect people who want to be citizens or resident aliens to learn English. I just think we need to make allowances.
