Should the US be Officially Multi-Lingual?

Mioque,

Being multilingual is, IMO, a good and nice thing. It is not, however, absolutely necessary. I for one can read and speak at least two languages (English and Hebrew) fairly well. I do not wish, however, for the government to start printing my ballots in Hebrew. I have a friend who grew up in Israel. They were required to learn Hebrew and English. She also speaks Italian, Spanish, Arabic, and Latin. She does not, however, think America should put everything in her homeland's language for her. She speaks Hebrew at home and around other friends who also speak Hebrew. When communicating with Americans, she speaks English because she knows it would be rude to do otherwise.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Joseph
I hope you do realize I was actually agreeing with you on this.


"Being multilingual <...> is not, however, absolutely necessary."
"
Absolutely true when it comes to ordinary citizens. A POTUS on the other hand ought to be at least bilingual (which specific second language is not that important) just so that he has a clue about how language impacts on culture.

 

I came across this thread searching for "Spanish" on the board. Reason being is, I got the "urge" to learn Spanish this summer and started taking a class. Well, it turns out that our Church has been wishing for a man to lead a Spanish Sunday school class. I feel I was led to this opportunity and will step up to the challenge. I think that these people need to be reached.

I do not like illegal immigration and I think that in the US, one should learn to speak English. But if God has put it upon my heart to learn their language to reach to them, my opinions are meaningless.

Just my .02 worth I thought I'd share

 

Tim,

Nobody said your opinions are meaningless. What we are saying is that if people don't learn our language, they should not be allowed to be a citizen let alone allowed to vote. That is all. If you wish to learn Spainsh, as I have learned Hebrew, then do so and do the work of God. But don't expect everyone else to have to do that as well.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Tim,

God always prepares us for what His plans are for us! Did you have an easy time learning Spanish?

 

English has NEVER been the only language in the US. It was a split between English and German in 1776. Spanish and English have been the lergest two languages since the early 1800's.

The reason we don't have an official language is the same reason we don't use the metric system. The law of supply and demand has always determined which system we use. It's worked very well up to now.

Interestingly, it's naturalized (aka immigrant)citizens to generally have a better command of English grammar and composition than native born citizens. If you were to enforce that, a lot of native born citizens would be automatically disqualified from voting. But, since the US doesn't have an official language, the point is moot.

Good point. I'm amused by the hypcrisy of many people who visit spanish speaking parts of the country and refuse to say "Muchas Gracias", but visit Hawaii and have no problem saying "Mahalo" and "Aloha".

[ November 01, 2004, 06:45 PM: Message edited by: Johnv ]

 

On that point, I couldn't agree more.

 

Interestingly, it's naturalized (aka immigrant)citizens to generally have a better command of English grammar and composition than native born citizens. If you were to enforce that, a lot of native born citizens would be automatically disqualified from voting.
</font>[/QUOTE]There would certainly be less Democrat voters if we did that.

I would be in favor of not allowing anybody who cannot speak or read English to not be able to vote. English should become the national language. I realize it isn't, but I think it should be. And that is, afterall, what this thread is all about: what we each think.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Well, Joseph, in regards to an official language, I don't have a problem with it. I think there should be a federal official language (English), and that states should be allowed to also adopt regional languages of their choosing in parts of their state (Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese). The country is simply too large and too diverse to have only one cultural language from one side to the other. In fact, here in CA, when we became a state, most people spoke Spanish. The State Constitution was drafted in Spanish as well as English. Spanish is a native mother tongue in many of the Southwestern states, and it would be as crazy to tell us that we have to give it up in order to make some dude in Maine happy. I'm sure the Alaskan Eskimoes, the native Hawaiians, the Puerto Ricans, the Pensylvania Dutch, and the East Coast Italians and Jews would all agree.

 

I think you are wrong. I know at least one Israeli here in Little Rock who totally disagrees. She is very strong that we should speak the official language of the country.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I wasn't aware that there was a large Jewish community in Little Rock. Anyhoo, I was referring actually to the large Jewish communities that are prevalent in the easternmosts states. I was being very general. But thanks for reminding me that diversity is not a local thing.

 

Puerto Ricans should speak English in public in Puerto Rico? People should speak whatever language they want in public. In the workforce, if the workers speak Japanese, Hindi, whatever, then let them.

That said, my in-laws have been extremely gracious by speaking English when I'm with them in their country.

 

Really? Kewl!

How about at the International Foodmart? Ours has great produce.

It is certainly in their own self-interest to know English. I have no talent, no ear for languages (I didn't become fluent in English until I learned to read and I was born here to English-, well, Texas-English-speaking parents), so I have sympathy for foreigners who have trouble picking it up.

My great-grandmother spoke no English, only Czech. The generation born here usually do well in both languages, and the third generation is often hardput to speak their granny's mother tongue.

 

I didn't mean you all thought they were meaningless Sorry if it came out that way... I meant the opinions I held were meaningless when faced with the opportunity God has placed before me!

 

I am still taking a Spanish class, and am often confused. But when I speak it, it's much easier. I hear there are people who learned it and speak it well, who don't know all the mechanics. I'm sure all will be ok though and the mechanics I can pick up will be helpful in the future.

 

English has NEVER been the only language in the US. It was a split between English and German in 1776. Spanish and English have been the lergest two languages since the early 1800's.

</font>[/QUOTE]You guys have never lived in a community with a large military population, have you?
I grew up near a large Air Force base in southern Illinois. You can go to the mall, or to McDonny's, and a lot of the military brides speak whatever it is their native language was.
A lot of Latinos, a lot of Asians. I was an assistant manager for a Christian bookstore down there; and it annoyed me no end when the "war brides" would come in and start rattling off in Korean, and get ticked off when the salespeople couldn't understand their English!

 

Puerto Ricans should speak English in public in Puerto Rico? People should speak whatever language they want in public. In the workforce, if the workers speak Japanese, Hindi, whatever, then let them.</font>[/QUOTE]1. I honestly might have missed it...but when did P.R. officially become a state?

2. When they speak to other Japanese, etc...who understand that language...no problem. But, when an American comes around, they should speak English to them (especially if they are communicating with a customer).

3. Bottom line...if you are going to live in America and e joy the opportunities afforded to you by our great nation, then have enough respect to learn our language.

That said, my in-laws have been extremely gracious by speaking English when I'm with them in their country. [/QUOTE]

I, also learned Hebrew in seminary which means I don't mind speaking in Hebrew with my Jewish friends every now and then. Not everyone, however, has had the same opportunities I have had, or has the time to mess with that.

Joseph Botwinick

 

Stacie,

You folks can give up Cajun French if you want to, but please don't ever give up etoufee' or jambalaya!

 

There would certainly be less Democrat voters if we did that.

I would be in favor of not allowing anybody who cannot speak or read English to not be able to vote. English should become the national language. I realize it isn't, but I think it should be. And that is, after all, what this thread is all about: what we each think

There would be a lot less Republican voters also. (i.e., Appalachia). Unfortunately, many Americans, whether they were born here or not cannot read English. Natural born or not, if you are a US citizen it is your right, and obligation if I might add, to vote. This should not be contingent on literacy.

On the other hand, English should be the national language, if we had to have one. However, in some parts of the country it is not practical to use English only. For example, here in Orlando, where tourism is essential to our economy, we need to have service workers who are fluent in Spanish. A huge bulk of tourism money comes from that of Latin and South Americans. We need them to keep coming back.

Oh, and by the way the road signs in Miami are not in Spanish. (unless the street name is Spanish ) A lot of people speak Spanish, though, because Florida does have a large Hispanic population.