Interesting Article On English

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6052402433.html

I have remained quite here because I am not interested in stepping on others toes. However, I think this article makes a great point. A point I have long held in my belief system.

The Constitution grants citizens the right to vote without regard to their language preference. An official language was not included in the document because the framers were themselves immigrants or the sons of immigrants. I'm not saying that people who live here shouldn't understand and be able to speak english, just that in the case of the government there needs to be more understanding and considerate of its citizens. The 1906 law was passed in a time very similar to this one with the country trying to control a large amount of immigration (although it was from Europe at that time).

Do I think that they should print ballots in every language known to man to capture everyone? No, absolutely not. However I don't think it is out of line to print ballots in Spanish where there is a large population that speaks that language. It ensures that a much larger proportion of voters understand what they are voting for or against.

George Will wrote:The idea of citizenship becomes absurd when sundered from the ability to understand the nation's civic conversation.

Taken slightly out of context, but this doesn't just exclude citizens who don't speak english well. I would guess that half or more of english speaking citizens don't understand the topics being discussed in the civic arena simply because they don't pay attention, and when they do pay attention, the rhetoric and bullshit get in the way of any actual understanding. think of how many people voted for Herr Bush because of his "morals" or "he seemed like a nice guy" instead of knowing where he stood on important issues? Not meaning to limit this to Bush as this has happened in every single election since television and the news media began to allow politicians to be without substance.

Not a tremendously well-formed opinion, but an opinion none-the-less.

I agree with this. I am strongly of the opinion that everything should be in English and to hell with this business of having to print official documents in other languages, like driver license tests and school tests etc... All (well a lot) of federal documents are duplicated and translated costing millions for no good reason.

I get pissed off when I call phone support, go to the ATM or run my card through a scanner and have to hit the English button, F THAT!!!!

English, we are America!! Learn it or go away!!!!!
I would not go to Germany and expect them to all speak English and have signs in English.

I would not then demand they do to accommodate me like the Hispanic people do here!!
Nothing against one race or another, just learn to acclimate in another country, period.

You know there are entire sections of certain cities that only speak and have signs in there native tongue. China town and some Hispanic areas! You cannot go there and understand anything almost like it is another country!!!

Do not get me started on all the PC BS either!!!

I think Bush has done a great job with the economy and the war on terror but he totally dropped the ball on immigration and a few other issues to be sure.

Close the damn border and get this crap taken care of once and for all!!!!!

I guess I opened a can of worms.

Sarge, you are right. Even people who understand english don't always get politics.

However....

Language is the one thing that can unite or divide a country or region. Communication is the key to cooperation and understanding. When my family came to this country, they expected to learn English. They demanded that their children learn English. They knew that being able to communicate was the single most important part of becoming a productive member of American Society.

We have two choices here. We can continue to create a barrier to understanding and education or we can take a stand and help new immigrants learn to communicate and be a productive member of our society.

If anything, by not taking a stand on English, we are doing a diservice to the people migrating to this country. Not because of the politcal process or even the ability to get a decent job. Can you guess the reason? By not learning English, these people will be excluded from one of the most important things for getting ahead in life, a College Education. Most non-english speaking students are required to pass a English As A Second Language exam.

It is not about holding them back. On the contrary, it is about pushing them towards the means of having a better life for themselves and their children.

Well said Atomm. I agree 100% with everything you said.

Atomm wrote:They knew that being able to communicate was the single most important part of becoming a productive member of American Society.

Maybe this is the difference from our ancestors and now and was has so many people pissed off. There is no need to learn English for many people in every day life because there are large enough enclaves in urban areas that people can live full, productive live's there without the language. Not that this is a new problem, it's just that the sources are more diverse and larger than they ever have been. I've known a few people who have grandparents who came to NYC or other large urban area as small children and never spoke english, ever.

My opinion is that this latest immigration issue is a red herring to distract us from the real issues facing this country. Not that it isn't an issue, just that it isn't the most important one on our plates at the moment.

Conspiracy!

I think closing the border is really high on the list.

eNgRish?!?1!1 ZOMG!!1!11 WtF?!?!1!1!? BBQ!!1!1!!!!1

I PoRpoSe w3 5p3Ak in 1337!!!1!!1

😉

Well as someone who interacts with the public at large in an offical capacity all of the time...It is infuriating to me at the lack of will for some illegals and even legals who come to this country and make no effort to learn the native language. It becomes a strain on an already overtaxed emergency healthcare system. Where I work we have alot of immigrant workers who work the chicken farms, everytime they call 911 it takes upwards of an hour just to decide what is wrong with them. Then we sometimes convice them to get into the ambulance and we take them to the hospital...where it takes forever for the hospital translator to show up, delaying care to other patients who need it.
Some of thier attitudes(and not all) is that I should learn spanish, well screw that, they came to my country, not me theirs. I'm busy enough as it is and overworked as it is, to learn thier language so their lives will be more convient.

Sorry if that seems offensive but it is what it is.

"it is what it is"

ARGGGGGG he said it..... Stop saying it.... Arggggggg

I think that is part of the reason I feel this way. My wife, as a Nurse, deals with that exact problem all the time.

Think about how hard it is to place an order at a fast food place when the person on the other end of the intercom does not speak English very well. What if it was your job to place the order and make sure they got it right?

I just think it's time to make English official, that way people do not have an excuse to hide behind.

Megaron wrote:

Sorry if that seems offensive but it is what it is.

"It is what it is." - when you absolutely, positively HAVE to say something that adds nothing!

Not picking on you, MegaRon, it's my latest personal crusade in a long line of campaigns designed to distract me from harsh reality. I've noticed this quote in a lot of sports interviews this year, and it's gone on to infect almost every aspect of society. . .I saw it on "deadliest catch" a couple episodes ago, when ppl are being interviewed on tv, and now here on GRB!

I've ranted in Paladin's presence on this very subject recently, and now it's like an aural/written version of "Where's Waldo?" I should make up rules, points and penalties (Not 'roll out the barrel!' Not that!), maybe develop a drinking game. . .

Back to the original thread topic. . .y3ah, wh4t u guyz sa1d!!!1!1!! Certain things work to bind ppl together, and first and foremost, it's LANGUAGE! I understand it's hard for adults, particularly ones that did not have access to education in the past, to make the transition. I can go along with a certain amount of effort to make basic life and the transition easier(particularly in areas where many immigrants tend to live), but it's a transition that must be made. Acclimate, assimilate, integrate.

EverclearBoy wrote:eNgRish?!?1!1 ZOMG!!1!11 WtF?!?!1!1!? BBQ!!1!1!!!!1

I PoRpoSe w3 5p3Ak in 1337!!!1!!1

1f u c4n r34d th15 u r34lly n33d 2 g37 l41d, 573p 4w4y fr0m 73h p0rn n g37 a w0m4n!!!1!!!one!!

Reading this thread made me think of one of my favorite sig quotes

"If you can read this, thank a teacher
Then thank a solider its not in German"

Now I know that wars weren't waged based on language, but I think its rather disrespectful to all those who have fought to keep America - America if we just fold over to everyone who wants things their way.

burnout_goddess wrote:

EverclearBoy wrote:eNgRish?!?1!1 ZOMG!!1!11 WtF?!?!1!1!? BBQ!!1!1!!!!1

I PoRpoSe w3 5p3Ak in 1337!!!1!!1

1f u c4n r34d th15 u r34lly n33d 2 g37 l41d, 573p 4w4y fr0m 73h p0rn n g37 a w0m4n!!!1!!!one!!

Reading this thread made me think of one of my favorite sig quotes

"If you can read this, thank a teacher
Then thank a solider its not in German"

Now I know that wars weren't waged based on language, but I think its rather disrespectful to all those who have fought to keep America - America if we just fold over to everyone who wants things their way.

LoLZzZZ!!!!1!!1!

Technically our Language is in German 😉

Best BF42 Quick Command.. Bleiben Sie zusammen!!!!!

Isn't that dutch?

Fasha can you hear me? Schmoke n' a Pancakae? Bong n' a Blitz? Pipe & a Crepe? Oh.. Well I guess there is no pleeeasing you...Take the Dutch Hater Avvay!!!