Should English be Our Preferred Language in America?

[abcgrad94]

The onus is upon the immigrant to integrate themselves into our culture, NOT for our culture to bend for the immigrant.

Exactly. Years ago when my dad's ancestors came over from Germany, they were PROUD to become Americans and learn the language. They even changed their last name to sound more American. To them, it was an HONOR to become a US citizen and they wanted to do something for their country. They didn't demand the government do anything to coddle them.

Nowadays it seems immigrants have an entitlement mentality like we owe it to them to coddle them and their preferences. Hogwash! If they want to live here, they can learn to speak English like the rest of us. It doesn't have to be "perfect" English grammar, but at least enough to show they are trying!

 

[SaggyWoman]

The onus is upon the immigrant to integrate themselves into our culture, NOT for our culture to bend for the immigrant.

What is the standard, then, when we have limited persons within our culture?

 

[gb93433]

The onus is upon the immigrant to integrate themselves into our culture, NOT for our culture to bend for the immigrant.

Then why do conventions and denominations start churches that do not speak English?

 

[tinytim]

Should English be Our Preferred Language in America?

NO... we are a nation of many cultures. And we do have the freedom of speech.

If I wanna speak Spanish, it is my God given right to speak it in America!...
If I wanna speak English (and I miss spelled "want to"on purpose ... LOL) It is my God given right to speak it in America.

This hatefulness toward non-European Americans is sickening to me!

Where do we get off thinking we are superior?

Our Association last weekend held a major international festival in Moorefield WV...
WE told all the "cans" to come and that they were welcome.
We had Americans, Mexicans, Puerto ricans, Africans, and man other nationalities!
We had around 300 show up to a free block party where we gave away food, prizes, t-shirts, etc. We had a free concert with the Jason Lovins Band, who can sing both in English and Spanish

We Worshiped in many different languages!!! NOTHING is closer to Heaven than hearing people sing in their native language, and knowing that God is being glorified!

Our little Hispanic church is growing, and God is blessing it...
I am learning Spanish, and they are learning English... not because they have to, or are made to.. .but because they want to!

And what burns me up more than people who say, "They should be made to learn English", is the stupid rednecks that couldn't even pass a 9th grade English class themselves!...

Idiots calling people, that in most cases are bilingual, "idiots", for not knowing English!
Now that makes me mad!

I admire those that come to our country to make a living.
They live in a culture that is hostile toward them.
They struggle knowing our language.
They are called names (even by "Christians")
They are made to feel less than humans by labeling then "Illegal".. (Even when they are hear legally, there are idiots around here that sees people who look hispanic and automatically label them illegal, and call them sand ni&&ers!)
But yet, they work hard, provide for their family, and love God.

One day God is going to judge us for our hatefulness toward those not like us...
Be warned.

Jesus didn't just die for English speaking Americans.. .HE DIED for ALL!
And don't come back and say you are not talking about religious issues in this thread RD2, because YOU put this in a Baptist area, not the politics area.

Get over your obsession with Non-whites... .and non-citizens...
Words from Our GOD:

Lev 19:33 "Cuando un extranjero resida con vosotros en vuestra tierra, no lo maltrataréis.
Lev 19:34 "El extranjero que resida con vosotros os será como uno nacido entre vosotros, y lo amarás como a ti mismo, porque extranjeros fuisteis vosotros en la tierra de Egipto; yo soy el SEÑOR vuestro Dios.

And for you people who are uneducated in the Spanish language, I'll make it simple for you:
Lev 19:33 When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you must not oppress him.
Lev 19:34 The foreigner who resides with you must be to you like a native citizen among you; so you must love him as yourself, because you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

You wanna keep picking on aliens, undocumented or not, keep it up...
God will cut you down!

 

[Salty]

Where do we get off thinking we are superior?

Its not a matter of being superior. In fact I have much respect for those are are fluent in multiple languages.

It a matter of efficiency. We complain about high taxes. Yet, how many languages are govt forms printed in? How about elections - having multiple ballot forms?
I'm not saying that by only printing forms in English will erase the national debt, but we need to be as efficient as possible.

Now, lets look at congress - Can you see the day when there will be 50 members who speak no English - I would find it would be very hard to watch C-span with Congressman speaking 50 different languages.

Now mind you - we are talking about the govt.

If a private company wants to hire only Spanish speakers - thats fine. I contend that a businessman should be allowed to hire anyone he deems fit - period.

One more thing, you mentioned churches have non-English services - I'm all for it.
First - since we don't speak in Tongues - we need a way to reach "whosoever will" with the Gospel.
Second - the church is a private organization - and should be free to spend money as they see fit.

Finally, it would be interesting to hear from someone who is in a county that has ten or more languages - and see how their govt works.

Salty

 

[rbell]

Come on, Tim...there's an enormous difference between arrogantly asserting, "God is like me, and thus worship must meet my approval;" and expecting some sort of language and cultural standard with regards to the official undertakings of a country.

No one here (that is respected) is making the former argument.

The latter one is a valid one--otherwise, one has governmental (and often societal) chaos.

And there's a valid question at hand here...who is to say that one culture is superior over another?

Well...I guess I am.

There are some cultures that simply have not proven themselves to be up to par with others.

Case in point: Would you rather live in Wheeling, West Virginia, or Mogadishu, Somalia? Why?


Not exactly political correctness...but sometimes, the truth isn't.

 

[tinytim]

Come on, Tim...there's an enormous difference between arrogantly asserting, "God is like me, and thus worship must meet my approval;" and expecting some sort of language and cultural standard with regards to the official undertakings of a country.

No one here (that is respected) is making the former argument.

The latter one is a valid one--otherwise, one has governmental (and often societal) chaos.

And there's a valid question at hand here...who is to say that one culture is superior over another?

Well...I guess I am.

There are some cultures that simply have not proven themselves to be up to par with others.

Case in point: Would you rather live in Wheeling, West Virginia, or Mogadishu, Somalia? Why?


Not exactly political correctness...but sometimes, the truth isn't.

Somalia or Wheeling?
Somalia or Wheeling?
Somalia or Wheeling?
Somalia or Wheeling? Hmmmm... Gotta think about that one.. HAVE YOU BEEN TO WV? :laugh:

Seriously, I want to live where God wants me to, and if that meant Somalia, I would. But if it's left up to me, I would choose Wheeling... and the number one reason, I would be closer to my family.

But let's play this out...
Suppose for some reason God wants me in Somalia.
I would try to learn whatever language they speak in Somalia, but I have a feeling I would be a slow learner... I am 40, and Spanish is coming very, very slow for me!... And I suspect that my main focus would be on surviving. So that would leave very little time for me to study a language.
Would I be made fun of? Or put down because I wouldn't speak the native language well... probably.. .I would expect to be.
But I expect MORE out of Americans.
Especially Christian Americans.

Jesus said we Christians were to be the light of the world, a city on a hill... etc. IOWS, we set the example. Reagan said the same thing about Americans...

Wow.. Jesus and Reagan in the same Paragraph...

See, I'm not that far off my conservative base! :wavey::laugh:

 

[Salty]

If you did go to Somalia - the best way to learn the language would be the Baptist way- ie immersion!

The "problem" here in America is that many groups tend to live in the same neighborhoods - they shop in corner stores who speak the same language - thus there is no "need" to learn English.
Add that to the FACT it is politically correct to have translators at government give-a-way programs.

 

[Thinkingstuff]

If you did go to Somalia - the best way to learn the language would be the Baptist way- ie immersion!

The "problem" here in America is that many groups tend to live in the same neighborhoods - they shop in corner stores who speak the same language - thus there is no "need" to learn English.
Add that to the FACT it is politically correct to have translators at government give-a-way programs.

There has been historical precedent set for this. Italian Neighborhoods, Irish neighborhoods, Polish Neighborhoods, however for most by the second generation you have fluent english speakers.

 

[Salty]

There has been historical precedent set for this. Italian Neighborhoods, Irish neighborhoods, Polish Neighborhoods, however for most by the second generation you have fluent english speakers.

Key phrase "by the second generation" unfortunately, that is no longer always the case

 

[Thinkingstuff]

Key phrase "by the second generation" unfortunately, that is no longer always the case

That's true particularily with Hispanic neighborhoods. I don't understand this phenominon.

 

[Salty]

That's true particularily with Hispanic neighborhoods. I don't understand this phenominon.

Could it be that the "melting pot" is cooling down?

 

[gb93433]

Should English be Our Preferred Language in America?

NO... we are a nation of many cultures. And we do have the freedom of speech.

If I wanna speak Spanish, it is my God given right to speak it in America!...
If I wanna speak English (and I miss spelled "want to"on purpose ... LOL) It is my God given right to speak it in America.

This hatefulness toward non-European Americans is sickening to me!

Where do we get off thinking we are superior?

History is repaeting itself. At one time it was not permissible to speak another language in public other than English. That was about 60 years ago.

 

[Salty]

History is repaeting itself. At one time it was not permissible to speak another language in public other than English. That was about 60 years ago.

Link a souce, please

 

[menageriekeeper]

I have to disagree that second generation Hispanics don't speak English. I covered many Hispanic households during my census stint and there were very few children who didn't speak English VERY well. The kids soak up English like a sponge. I think that we believe folks are second generation immigrants because of their age, but really a good many haven't been here all that long.

Tim, I agree with rbell, our culture is superior. We aren't, yet, overrun with drug lords. Poverty is no longer rampant in our society. We have developed a social structure that endorses personal freedoms even when those freedoms offend someone else's seniblities. We've figured out how to educate our children, feed our people, protect ourselves, and enjoy a prosperity that is unequaled in the world. America is still the "great experiment" but with the blessings of God that experiment is working!

What people like me find offensive about illegal immigration isn't that they want to enjoy America's blessings, its that they don't work to acheive the those blessings in their own land. Our forefathers worked hard and suffered much to make this country what it is. Why didn't theirs? Why aren't they? Our forefathers led a revolution to stop the atrocities of the king of England. Why can't they at least make an attempt?

Mogidishu or Mexico, it doesn't matter. When the people get fed up with the corruption and violence and begin to fight against it, then we in America can be some help. But what both lands have in common are people who want what we have, but they don't want to do what we had to do in order to earn it. And yes, that burns my cookies. This whole "victim" mentality that runs so rampant in our country, overflows the rest of the world.

They can't fight back because they've been fed the lie that losing a life in the fight for freedom is a terrible thing rather than proud acheivement for the good of their societies. The world no longer honors its freedom fighters. Unfortunatly, the leadership of America, by playing world watchdog, has fed into this mentality.

 

[Servent]

Maybe we all should learn to speak one of the lauguages of one of the American Indian tribes.

 

[Salty]

Maybe we all should learn to speak one of the lauguages of one of the American Indian tribes.

Not a bad ideal as some of them are becoming extinct

 

[tinytim]

What people like me find offensive about illegal immigration isn't that they want to enjoy America's blessings, its that they don't work to acheive the those blessings in their own land. Our forefathers worked hard and suffered much to make this country what it is. Why didn't theirs? Why aren't they? Our forefathers led a revolution to stop the atrocities of the king of England. Why can't they at least make an attempt?

I understand this sentiment.. however, I know of a few people that left central America in the 80s because of the wars that were going on, and they left with their children to escape. In order to save their children's lives. They were very poor, and because of their situation in their own country, they could have never worked hard enough to make their country good. They were simply thinking of their children, as any good parent would.



I know of a family in which the mother and father were here illegally, had a child , was working and supporting their family, got caught up in a raid, and now the child is looking at being deported with her family back to a place in Honduras where they will have to literally live on a garbage heap. The child is in the 4th Grade, and is a straight A student, speaks English well, and is a lovely child. Please put yourself in this child's shoes.. Something is definitely wrong with this picture..

Should the Gov. deport the whole family to keep them together?
Should the Gov. deport just the parents, and place the child in an already overloaded foster care system?

If they deport the whole family the Gov. is essentially throwing out an American Citizen (the child was born here in WV, and is a Citizen)

OR should they do what is best for the child, and work with the family to make them legal?

A 100 yrs ago when immigrants got off the boat, they could come into our country completely broke, and still be legal.
Today it costs 100s of dollars to do this, and seeing that many are coming from countries that are very poor, we are placing a obstacle in the way.

IF your ancestors would have had a lot of money to become citizens, would you have been born in America?

Mine came over in the 1600s. Some were bond servants to rich people.

What I am against is the easy answers.. "Deport em all"..
Because when you actually get into the situations, you will understand there are no easy answers...

The problem of immigration is very, very complex.
And the attitude that we are better than others that want to come to America is a wall that is hindering the solution.

 

[gb93433]

Link a souce, please

I am old enough to remember.

 

[tinytim]

I am old enough to remember.

Source to your birth certificate please... OH wait... that was meant for Obama!...
:laugh:
:smilewinkgrin:
:tonofbricks:

OUCH!