Bilingual USA?

[lurkingdirk]

Well, like I said, it isn't really Canada down there. Bilingualism works here in Canada because we are a country that was colonized by both the French and English, and as a result we have French and English Canadians who were born and live in our country, and who have had family who lived here for generations. In America, bilingualism can't work (in my opinion) because it is foreigners coming into the country and choosing to speak their own language. If you live in America, you should have to become American, whether it is Mexican-American or simply an American, and part of that is learning to speak the language that approximiately 250 million Americans speak as a first language. Because, and the Mexicans can trust me on this one (assuming they can read it), the Americans aren't going to go out of their way to learn Spanish.

While I think you make an excellent and correct point, it is an interesting debate. Canada ended up bilingual - not entirely, but quite bilingual - because of the founders. Could America be morphed into a bilingual country not because of the founders, but because of the current residents?

It would be a massive undertaking, and would hit serious resistance.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

While I think you make an excellent and correct point, it is an interesting debate. Canada ended up bilingual - not entirely, but quite bilingual - because of the founders. Could America be morphed into a bilingual country not because of the founders, but because of the current residents?

It would be a massive undertaking, and would hit serious resistance.

With current immigration trends in the States I think that there will be a time maybe fifty years down the road where they will have to deal with their huge Spanish-speaking population, but until then, I don't see the federal government even bothering about it. Now, I don't know if California or another state can make Spanish an official language there, because I can see that happening sooner rather than later.

 

[lurkingdirk]

With current immigration trends in the States I think that there will be a time maybe fifty years down the road where they will have to deal with their huge Spanish-speaking population, but until then, I don't see the federal government even bothering about it. Now, I don't know if California or another state can make Spanish an official language there, because I can see that happening sooner rather than later.

Dick. You said... I mean the implication was... But you're...

Damn. We agree. But we should still fight.

You're wearing stupid socks.

 

[domshooter]

personally i think that English should be the nnumber one language. for business and govt matters etc.

behind that, people can speak whatever the hell they want, as long as theyre not screaming it in my ear (which is what happens with the asians here in SF)

i wasnt aware that Italian, German etc had been phased out of culture? cause i know plenty of people who still speak it, or have learned to speak it(myself paritally included, i speak some italian) because of our families and our heritage. just like the spanish speakin groups.

but number one thing = dont yell in my ear when im on the damn bus!!!!!!

 

[paulscott]

It is a bilingual country simply because in a large part of it, Spanish was spoken before English arrived. In the rest of it, business is now using Spanish to have a larger base of clients.

 

[HE1FiNEARTiST]

i speak both english and spanish. im learning german right now so that when they mess up my order, i plan on yelling at them with my german which outta be fun :hatsoff:

 

[STDiva]

The official language is 'Merican. If yall don't like it, stay in Mayheeko señor.

 

[Nick_FM]

We (Americans) are such whiny assholes when it comes to speaking anything but English. English is widely spoken around the world,there's lots of English speakers from non-English speaking nations in this forum. So it wouldn't kill anyone in this country to study another language.

 

[Ulysses31]

Most sensible solution would be for everyone in the US to learn Spanish

 

[Straight Shooter]

I'm Latino and it kind of irks me when I see other Latino's who have been here for over 10 years and they still can't speak a word of English, I mean at least make an attempt.

 

[vodkazvictim]

I Present this as evidence that the usa is being taken over by Islamic extremists.

 

[busaguy79]

I have no trouble people speaking their native language but if they begin living in another country its only proper that they learn and speak the countrys language when out in public or work.

 

[D-rock]

This isn't exactly French Canada and English Canada.

That's a great example of why I think we should have one legal official language, and for all government functions (other than having somebody in a court of law trial where they would need an interpreter) doing anything in any other language should be illegal. I don't want to get in a situation worse than that is someday.

I think people that are here either should conform to a very great deal (notice I didn't say total) of assimilation, of which speaking English would be among that, or they don't need to be here at all. I also think if somebody can't consider themselves being 100% American and give the U.S. all it's loyalty they shouldn't be citizens here either. If I moved to a different country willingly or if I was born in a low generation family in some other country I wouldn't hold any different standards for me. :2 cents:

 

[grower_boy]

This is why white people are hypocrites. They came in here and gave a giant middle finger to the customs, culture and languages of the Natives, and brought their way of life to the forefront. Now that Hispanics are doing it, they have a problem with it.

I'm white, BTW.

And to the OP, not just Latinas get fat. That happens to some women from all backgrounds. And don't most women have moustaches when they're young if they're ever going to have them?

 

[mr. jizz]

I think English should be the official language of the U.S., however other languages should be tolerated as well. I am fluent in Spanish and I can hold a conversation in Portuguese as well. Both are great languages and (I know I'm going to get heat for this) they are far superior (my opinion) to English because words are more descriptive and I don't know, you just get the feeling of words flowing much more smoothly in conversation. Anyway, if these people are going to say "Learn English this is 'Merica" then they should take the time to learn Spanish or something else too, I don't remember it being a rule that everyone in the U.S. has to speak English, and I think it would just be common courtesy to at least show some respect and learn at least a few words/phrases from others' languages. Not all mexicans are absolutely clueless when it comes to the English language, contrary to what these idiots think, they do understand our language, sometimes they pretend not to either because of their accents or fear of saying something wrong, but that's just what I have observed from living in a place that is about 80% hispanic.

It's also a great experience to learn a new language, I noticed that my English improved after I learned proper Spanish a few years ago, and my English also improved after learning Portuguese, I found myself using better and more descriptive words. I don't understand why folks loathe having to learn a new langauge.

 

[Straight Shooter]

However, my wife hates it....she always thinks that they are saying derogatory things about her behind her back or whatever because she doesn't understand a word that they are saying. Paranoia strikes deep in that instance. We tend to be fearful of that which we do not understand.

I speak Spanish and I hate to tell you that most of the time we are indeed talking about you non Spanish speakers. We speak English, we just speak Spanish because we don't want to talk to you:1orglaugh

I've acted like I don't speak English numerous times especially when someone asks me a question when I'm at some store. I just give them the standard "No hablo ingles". It's the perfect excuse not to be bothered

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

You're wearing stupid socks.

Your mother hates you and feels good around my dick. :nono:

Awe yeah, ten months later mofo.

 

[Ulysses31]

Your mother hates you and feels good around my dick. :nono:

Awe yeah, ten months later mofo.

Proper slow aint you :1orglaugh I expect a response sometime in November