Bilingual America

[Rockafella Skank]

We have a tendency to be arrogant about "our" language here in the States. Yet, when traveling abroad we often expect our European hosts to speak our language. Chances are they do and those that don't are simply making it difficult for you to order your entree. As 3Vandoo mentioned, quite accurately, America is not just the US. America is span of continents in this hemisphere. Talk to people from nearly ANY other country in the span and they often bristle when when you say you're from America.

 

[littleflex]

I'm sort of bilingual. I'm taking spanish in college right now and just got back from taking a semester abroad in Costa Rica. I think its important to learn another language, and definitely broadens your horizons and choices at home or on vacation. Besides that Latina girls are the best! I need to find a hottie here in the US so she can teach me how to speak better

 

[VicTusDeuS]

Most of my friends are white americans. Two are landscapers and take care of lawns and stuff for a living. Other white folk I know also do demolition work and contracting work of houses. They are all small companies and these white people do the work on their own. It doesnt matter if these immagrents are here or not, the work gets done either way. So no, we shouldnt change the rules to conform to them. The little italian guy who spent his life building up my town 50 years ago didnt have any special treatment. He came to this country with nothing but his tools. He had to fight stereotypes and bust his ass to give his family the lifestyle and mini empire they now own today.

Well, should we change rules? Let's see.

You undoubtedly sell a lot of homes that are bought only as teardowns and rebuilds? Well, who do you think does the work? who tears it down? who does the work building after the architect and engineer draws it up?

Who does the landscaping? Who does the bi-weekly mainetnance?

Do you really want that to stop? Do you really think ther are Americans rushing in to fill those positions?

Yes there are A bunch of hard working Americans rushing to fill these positions, you just got to look.

 

[musclebrains]

I don't understand the argument that you have to learn English to be a productive member of American society. It's simply not true. You can work in environments where English is not spoken in nearly every American city. The immigrant populations are notoriously productive. In fact, they are often depised --as Cubans were in Miami for decades -- because they are SO damn enterprising.

I love the fact that there are places I can go in America where I feel like I'm in another country.

 

[VicTusDeuS]

This country has way too many people as it is. Overcrowding is a big problem in my area and urban sprawl is taking over much of our open space. We should stop letting more people come to our country.

 

[VicTusDeuS]

I love the fact that there are places I can go in America where I feel like I'm in another country.

I don't. If you want to go to another country so bad go buy a plane ticket, don't be cheap.

 

[musclebrains]

I don't. If you want to go to another country so bad go buy a plane ticket, don't be cheap.

How will that change anything?

 

[Enrico]

This thread has gotten so ignorant that I'm done with it. BTW, I'm not an immigrant. The US annexed Puerto Rico in 1901, so it's part of America now.

Todo que tengo decir a los ignorantes (Sabemos quienes son) es:

CHINGADA BENDEJOS!! AJAJAJAJA!

 

[aurelius]

This is an english speaking country....PERIOD. France is a french speaking country. Germany is a german speaking country and so on. Immigrants can retain all the heritage they want, including their language, but they must also assimilate to the U.S. culture. This, above all, includes learning to use the english language. If they want to speak spanish at work and in government offices, then stay in a spanish speaking nation.

I little over simplified. Here in Spain there are at least four languages spoken. I live in BArcelona which is the capitol of Catalunya where people speak both Castellano and Catalan. In the Basque country both Basque and Castellano are spoken and in Galicia Gallego and Castellano. This sort of diversity is not uncommon in Europe.

The US itself has always had a righ linguistic history. Did you know that a bill reached the Senate floor in the early 20th century trying to make German our "official" language?

Enrico, no te enfades chaval. La lucha contra la ignorancia sigue para siempre.

 

[p0ink]

I don't understand the argument that you have to learn English to be a productive member of American society. It's simply not true. You can work in environments where English is not spoken in nearly every American city. The immigrant populations are notoriously productive. In fact, they are often depised --as Cubans were in Miami for decades -- because they are SO damn enterprising.

I love the fact that there are places I can go in America where I feel like I'm in another country.

enterprising...like selling drugs and murder? awesome!

p.s congrats on becoming a mod man