This is a headline story right here! It has to be one of the top issues in the country today. I am referring to the "Press two for Spanish" issue. Why is this even an option? If someone wants to become an American badly enough, they should take the initiative to learn the language that is spoken here: English. I mean, does the government not know that by allowing a language barrier to exist inside our country, they are potenially limiting the progression of the country. There should not be a need for any type of translator in our country. How can we be called the top country in the world if the citizens within it are not able to communicate freely? "Press two for Spanish" is also one of the most annoying statements that can be uttered over the phone. Spanish is not the only problem either. It is all the gibberish and nonsense that has to be endured before actually having the opportunity to speak to a customer service officer or telephone operator. I believe that Americans need to keep it simple. Diversity is grand, but when it pertains to the language, there is a problem. I have a simple solution that will unify our country and tear down the language barrier: Learn our language or go home!
Katie1234
One thing: English isn't the offical language of the states.
I agree with you completely, but without English being our official language....
It stinks. We're now expected to learn spanish among othe languages to get jobs. A lot of schools require a year of foriegn language. Learning a language should be optional.
While I agree that they cannot be blamed for not having the resources, there are plenty of ways for people to learn a new language. Should we as American's enable them by forcing people to take a foriegn language or give them a steady push by allowing foriegners to learn the language that is dominant in our country?
jomi973I do understand what you mean. If you are going to move to another country, you should learn the language of that country. That is true.
You have to look on both sides though. English is my second language and it can be a difficult language to learn. There are so many rules and some things just do not make sense. I now speak English fluently because I learned it at a young age. For older people learning a language is challenging. Even if they learn it, they can still be confused a... (more »)
While I am not against the learning of other languages at all (I love language study!), and while English is not America's official language, I believe it should be America's official language.
And that if somebody wants to immigrate here, they should have to learn English. It's merely practical, because you're not going to get very far in this country without a good grasp on English anyways, which is what most of our people speak.
Then again, this is just my opini... (more »)
bombthroweramericans can only speak english and barely no our own history let alone world
europians can speak at least 3 and no american, political, world and there own
america has no official language, plus what about visters. english is the most common language but it is not legally official
ShontelleSymoneAnother question for you. Why is it that you don't have such a problem with whites coming to America and speaking their native language? It is so racist that people would just point the finger of Latinos who are trying to better themselves by coming to America. They have kids and families. You don't know their financial situation so "going home" is not an option for these poor people. I (as a part mexican girl) am offended by this article.
OK this is completly stupid. You are saying that it is racist. Are you kidding me? English is the official language of the United States of America and the fact that you mentioned the Cherokee nation is absolutley illogical since even the Cherokee did not have a completely unified language and they were not the only people that were here before the English. Now if one of their languages was the official language I would understand but it is not the case english is. Now if you want to get into th... (more »)
what about germans should german immigrants learn english or go home. no free assosiation, most countries have at least 4 official languages, england has 20, welsh (sorry don't know the actual name) irish gaelic, gualish, indian, pakistani, arabic, and every other one from what was once there empire (which was the most of the world, the sun never set on its greed, racism, and brutality.
HeartBreaker2010come on im part mexican and german and i understand both its not racist, it's common since, if you don't understand then go back to school. sorry but its true:)
no group has the right to force its launguage on anyone, not speaking english doesn't hurt anyone, so i can't stop it, "your right to swing your fist stops at the tip of my nose."
Actually, You are wrong. The Cherokee people DO still have a languag that we still speak. We are one of the few tribes left that still have a thriving language. Sorry for the late comment, I've been really busy recently.
And did you think I just ment the Cherokee? NO. I used Cherokee as an examply because I am part Cherokee.
With all this said, when are you going to learn Cherokee? You know, the first people here? What makes English so great? Actually, you don't even speak proper queen's english. So when you say learn our languange or go home,I and well within my rights as a cherokee girl to say learn OUR language or go home.
ohmakemeoverThe good thing about America is that we don't force anyone to do anything here. We don't force religion, or politics, and we don't force culture. Plenty of people in America only speak a foreign language and they get along fine because they have others to relate to. If they feel like they need to learn English to get by, then that is their prerogative. Also, shame on you for calling other languages gibberish. That is close-minded and immature and I suggest you check... (more »)
except pay taxes to fund wars genocide and oppression
obey laws most of which are tardy
and in the past murder (the draft, war doesn't change any thing, its murder if you kill someone on purpose)
I didn't understand a word you just said. And yes, we have to pay taxes, but that is also one of the biggest political debates in America of all time. It doesn't go smoothly. But other than that, I didn't get any of what you typed.
taxes are stalnist, they assume the gov owns your wealth.
you have to obey laws
and follow agreements that you were not a part of if you did not take part in a desicion you are not bound by it. i did not agree to pay taxes so why do i have to.
and the draft turning kids into murders
anonymous said...
Jun. 13, 2011 at 4:12 pm:
Jun. 13, 2011 at 4:12 pm:
I completely agree with you! I don't get why we Americans have to learn Spanish (not to mention in school), and they don't have to learn English. Yes, I know they have 'English as a Second Language' classes, but it's not an elective class. This should be changed!
america has no language, there is no law make english the official language, we use english because most of us speak it, if that changed the new language would be the norm.
besides we should learn foreign languages, isolationism caused the depression and the holocaust
"Now, I agree that immigrants should learn English. But...instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English — they’ll learn English — you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish...it’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe, and all we can say [is], 'Merci beaucoup.' " -Barack Obama
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