English Made Official.........Imagine that?

[Wolfe]

Well, I've been to another province, in the same country where nothing is in ENGLISH.

you must be talking about the back asswards province of Quebec. Believe you seen nothing until you have seen the Quebec version of hillbillies. And there are a lot of them in that province.

 

[musicman]

This is why the founding fathers excluded a national language in the Constitution and then again in the Bill of Rights.

Both of which were written in English.

Perhaps it was an oversight that they didn't make separate versions in Spanish, French, and Swahili, while having it simultaneously "signed" by some dour little feminist locked up in the display case for all eternity. Or, maybe they (wrongly, it would seem) gave us credit for a little bit of common sense. Or, maybe our founding fathers, who tried so valiantly to safeguard us from tyranny, simply failed to foresee the vitriolic hatred future tyrants would harbor toward ALL things American - foundations, tradition, history, and language.

 

[MJDuncan1982]

It should be left up to the 'invisible hand' of society. If one hundred years from now the country is 60 percent spanish-speaking, the 'official' language is spanish.

Codifying a language just puts up a barrier to the ebb and flow of society.

 

[Bonnie]

elephant

Your silly example was suppose to make me think amending the Constitution is a good idea? Again - the negative side of having a national language far outweighs any possible benefit you can make dumb examples for. The ease of you doing business and your life are not my concern. And competence - what? A national language will make the USA more competent? It will make my neighbor more competent? What are you talking about?

Thrall us with all the negatives of a universal language in the U.S?
Then how about we use all different kinds of currency as well?
Additionally I was referring to everyone's commerce not just mine!

Explain to me the benefits of someone dying in a hospital emergency room becauase they don't speak enough english to tell doctors any allergies they may have. If this person dies, whose fault is it? The hospitals because they didn't have an interpretuer at the ready???

 

[Hristowl]

You call this English ?

Hristowl,
London
(only joking)

 

[007]

I do see that it's a bit different for you.

Here it just makes sense to learn the language of this country. It should be a standard set that English is learned in order to assimilate into the country. I also believe that whatever language you speak when you come here should not be diminished in any way.

Not for elitist reasons but for practical reasons there needs to be a universal language taught and spoken here.

Damn straight.

Dear official English supporter,

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has re-introduced H.R. 997 to declare English our
official language. It is an excellent bill and ProEnglish strongly endorses
it. Please use ProEnglish’s fax center to send a free fax to your U.S.
Representative urging them to co-sponsor H.R. 9997. If you have any problems
sending your fax, please contact us via email for assistance.

Please also send a separate fax message to your two U.S. Senators urging
them to consider introducing a companion bill to HR 997 in the Senate. This
is vital because having a bill introduced in both House and Senate,
affects the chances of being considered.

Please act now. Congressmen are far more likely to co-sponsor or introduce
a bill if they hear from their constituents. Go to the ProEnglish fax
center: ( http://proenglish.wslogic.com/pe/faxing ). After you have logged
in or registered, you can fax your congressmen with a simple click of your
mouse.

And after you send your faxes, please forward this message to any friends
or family members you think might be willing to help.

Thank you

 

[elephant]

I hope you all know that...

"To be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. The sentences on this page are examples of the types of sentences an INS officer may ask you to read aloud or write during your interview. They are not an exhaustive list. The INS officer who interviews you may ask you to read or write other sentences."

Guess where this is from?

So what is the point of this new law again?

 

[Annie]

I hope you all know that...

"To be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. The sentences on this page are examples of the types of sentences an INS officer may ask you to read aloud or write during your interview. They are not an exhaustive list. The INS officer who interviews you may ask you to read or write other sentences."

Guess where this is from?

So what is the point of this new law again?

Elephant, I do not support the idea of the law. Yet the problem that is being addressed isn't coming from those that are looking to become citizens.

 

[Bonnie]

I hope you all know that...

"To be eligible for naturalization, you must be able to read, write, and speak basic English. The sentences on this page are examples of the types of sentences an INS officer may ask you to read aloud or write during your interview. They are not an exhaustive list. The INS officer who interviews you may ask you to read or write other sentences."

Guess where this is from?

So what is the point of this new law again?

Which is great and in that case no further law is needed, however who is actually enforcing this? Seems like many are asleep at this wheel.

 

[elephant]

Which is great and in that case no further law is needed, however who is actually enforcing this? Seems like many are asleep at this wheel.

It is unenforcable. Do you want it to be illegal to speak other languages in the US? Are you going to take down street signs in New York that are currently in Mandarin? Are you going take Univision off the air? Will Indian movies be banned from import?

I just think this newly proposed law (proposed as an amendment since 1981, I think) is a sad attempt at forcibly creating American culture. The next step will be dividing the US into English speakers and non-English speakers. Officially excluding people who do not speak 'official US English' from the 'educated speakers'.

Was someone asleep at the wheel for the first 150 years when all the European immigrants came to the US? What is different now? Do you not like Eastern Europeans? Or is it the South Americans? Maybe the West Africans?

Who or what are you trying to protect?

 

[elephant]

Elephant, I do not support the idea of the law. Yet the problem that is being addressed isn't coming from those that are looking to become citizens.

Then what is the problem? If it is not trying to keep people out, are you trying to exclude some people who are already here?

 

[Annie]

Then what is the problem? If it is not trying to keep people out, are you trying to exclude some people who are already here?

I have no problem excluding anyone who wishes to come here through immigration laws, enforced. Just don't think that has anything to do with an 'official language.'

I would be very happy to see the governments only publish official documents in English, same with road signs. People don't want to learn English, get it translate it or use a translation site. If private businesses want to cater to non-English speakers, that's their perogative. None of this would take a 'law'.

 

[Bonnie]

elephant

Was someone asleep at the wheel for the first 150 years when all the European immigrants came to the US? What is different now? Do you not like Eastern Europeans? Or is it the South Americans? Maybe the West Africans?

The European immigrants quickly learned English out of necessity and practicality while still maintaining their own ethnic identity. They adapted to the country they came to live and do business in. That is not the case now, and what is happening is exactly what you suggest in your post of America being divided into those who speak English and those that don't. Those who don't wish to learn English are in fact isolating themselves from everyone else. I suppose one could say well tough shit them but if affects everyone in some capacity.

No I don't have any problems with any foreigner that comes here legally, learns enough English to get by and contributes to society. My family is half Spanish/Italian, the other half English/Irish/French. All came here legally and learned English.
All other countries wish to maintain some kind of indentity and patriotism as does America, there is no shame in that, nor is there any elitism in that, nor is there any prejudice in that. Period!

 

[insein]

i dont feel the US needs to have a national language. With that said, i dont feel any laws forcing private owners to display signs in bilingual or trilingual settings should be created either. When will the people realize that its our country and we outnumber the idiots in washington 5000000 to 1. We need to take back our country from corrupt politicians all over this nation.

 

[Bonnie]

i dont feel the US needs to have a national language. With that said, i dont feel any laws forcing private owners to display signs in bilingual or trilingual settings should be created either. When will the people realize that its our country and we outnumber the idiots in washington 5000000 to 1. We need to take back our country from corrupt politicians all over this nation.

Summed up very well. Why should those who speak English or have learned to do so be forced by PC biggots in Washington to bend over backwards and change our lives to accomodate those who have little respect for America and it's citizens??

 

[ScreamingEagle]

Summed up very well. Why should those who speak English or have learned to do so be forced by PC biggots in Washington to bend over backwards and change our lives to accomodate those who have little respect for America and it's citizens??

I for one certainly don't want that. As someone here already said, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were printed in English. Over the years our country absorbed immigrants who came here speaking other languages but they learned English as they joined the American melting pot.

However, today we are experiencing large groups of immigrants today who are not only entering illegally but who also expect us Americans to bow to THEIR customs (as a result of idiotic liberal multiculturalism). Excuse me, but this is MY country, not theirs, and if they wish to immigrate here THEY are the ones who need to respect the American way, the American traditions, and the customary American language: English.

These foreigners even have political groups who push for separation from the U.S. (even as they simultaneously suck from the federal tit). The purpose of the English-Only law is to help keep the American custom of speaking English, to keep it the melting pot it always has been, and to prevent the balkanization of our country.

 

[elephant]

elephant


The European immigrants quickly learned English out of necessity and practicality while still maintaining their own ethnic identity. They adapted to the country they came to live and do business in. That is not the case now, and what is happening is exactly what you suggest in your post of America being divided into those who speak English and those that don't. Those who don't wish to learn English are in fact isolating themselves from everyone else. I suppose one could say well tough shit them but if affects everyone in some capacity.

No I don't have any problems with any foreigner that comes here legally, learns enough English to get by and contributes to society. My family is half Spanish/Italian, the other half English/Irish/French. All came here legally and learned English.
All other countries wish to maintain some kind of indentity and patriotism as does America, there is no shame in that, nor is there any elitism in that, nor is there any prejudice in that. Period!

I already knew your family was made of better immigrants than ones you want to persecute - this was an obvious argument for you to make. And let us not forget the past is always better than the present - that is why you are a conservative, to keep things the same, to make laws to enforce the status quo.

You should move back to Europe where they seem to love racism and culture by force. You said there is no shame in that, right? Maybe you can help the new German National Socialist party get some more parliamentary seats. Or help Jean-Marie LePen get elected in France. I forgot - you could help the English keep Northern Ireland.

Again, are you going to make other languages illegal? Only that will stop the Chinese from speaking Mandarin and the Latin Americans from speaking Spanish and Portuguese.

By the way, where are all of these non-English speakers who are taking over your America and corrupt its culture.

 

[elephant]

I have no problem excluding anyone who wishes to come here through immigration laws, enforced. Just don't think that has anything to do with an 'official language.'

So you are excluding everyone?

 

[Annie]

So you are excluding everyone?

I really have no preference who comes in, well maybe I do have a problem with not enough scrutiny of who is coming in. Anyways, whatever issues need to be addressed regarding immigrants, should be done by ENFORCED immigration laws.

There is no need for an 'official language.' As I've stated twice previously, that issue may be addressed simply by using English on all official documents-letting the 'reader' decide whether to learn the language, hire a translator, or use a translating device. Private businesses can decide whether or not they wish to provide multi-language signs, etc., based on their own motivations.

 

[Bonnie]

I already knew your family was made of better immigrants than ones you want to persecute - this was an obvious argument for you to make. And let us not forget the past is always better than the present - that is why you are a conservative, to keep things the same, to make laws to enforce the status quo.

You should move back to Europe where they seem to love racism and culture by force. You said there is no shame in that, right? Maybe you can help the new German National Socialist party get some more parliamentary seats. Or help Jean-Marie LePen get elected in France. I forgot - you could help the English keep Northern Ireland.

Again, are you going to make other languages illegal? Only that will stop the Chinese from speaking Mandarin and the Latin Americans from speaking Spanish and Portuguese.

By the way, where are all of these non-English speakers who are taking over your America and corrupt its culture.

This whole post of yours is nothing more than an attack on me personally and absolutely ignores all that I have said in previous posts in which nothing in them implies I am a racist or someone who wishes to subjugate people based on race or ethnicity. You make ridiculous leaps and assumptions. And for the record I was married to a Chinese man who spoke both English, and, Cantonese of which I learned a bit of so that when I would visit his family in Hong Kong I would be able to communicate better.