Someone defend the other side of this American argument.

[dstryfe]

I know I would. Also, to say that America has a backwards sentence structure implies there is a correct sentence structure. Perhaps us Americans use the correct sentence structure and everybody else is backwards, just like we drive on the right (And correct) side of the road.

I am considering the first functional structure to be the point of reference. Comparatively, english is backwards. As for cars, I can't say either way which came first, or, therefore, which is 'more correct.'

 

[DrDeath3191]

In the USA, you need to speak English. Pretty much everyone else does, so you should too. I do not go to China and expect everyone to understand English.

 

[Link Kadeshi]

one, you Americans don't speak English, stop pretending that you do
b, this is something you have to deal with.

Actually, yes, we speak English. No one technically speaks true English. The dialect of the English language we speak is America, just as the dialect spoken in Britain is British (With many variants I'm sure), and the dialect of Australia is Australian. Also, if you want to make bullet points, it's only proper to say "One, Blah blah. Two, Blah blah." Not mix numbers and letters.

I actually have to agree with this. I don't think it's too hard to learn English when you already know Spanish, however, I would need to make that an opinion only, as I only learned Spanish after knowing English. I worked in customer service for a long time, it annoys me a bit when I have to talk to a 3 year old(Not sure on age, just saying young) to explain the virtues of one thing or another. Seriously, try selling a computer to someone through a small child.

Also, I can deal with minor language barriers, but I had a Indian couple come to me, speak the language, but need help with some simple written directions. Fine, that's ok, as they at least learned how to communicate. Make an effort is all I'm saying. I used to work in a Burger King at my first job, and the area I worked in is famous for migrant labor. It felt insulting that they couldn't even order the food ever in English, always with "2" or "6". Yargh. Not sure if it's an insult, though I have to ask: What about other countries. Do Spaniards hate when the French come over and only speak French? Does this only become a problem in areas of Customer Service?

Though, I guess the fact that some of these people bring anyone to communicate through is saying something in and of it's self. AHH! Ranting again!

 

[mightyfoo69]

i agree and im not racist
i think its important for anyone from another place to be able to communicate through atleast some common words
all i know is that im taking spanish to find out what those dam kids are saying about me in spanish. haha

 

[AudatiousTitan]

Imo this thread is effectivly redundant. This arguement will go around in circles and eventually (as others have said) turn into a flame war.

For my perspective i thought the original post wasnt a great way to start a discussion. While i agree with many of the points some of them are untrue and simpily ignorant.

English is by far one of the hardest languages to learn as many have said, and for many it is the hardest without exception. To put it in context for any person who is not of chinese discent it is extremely hard to learn cantonese etc... its not a simple task of taking lessons problem solved. Saying that i believe that at least making an effort to learn a native language should be a priority. I may be reiterating previous points but the manner in which the original post was made is beyond belief. No you should have to take another language up if it isnt your native language but if you are that annoyed about them not speaking english couldnt you meet them half way?

 

[Rawker]

what country is below america children? mexico, that's right! and most of south america is spanish speaking, so it would be logical for us to learn a language in which alot of people immigrate to. canadians learn english because America is right next to it. know your foe, kiddies.

 

[Kiutu]

I think a uniform language is a good thing. Would be nice if everyone in the country could talk to eachother, better the whole world. I dont really care what language, but English seems the one that should be the World's language, since its spread the most around the world.

one, you Americans don't speak English, stop pretending that you do
b, this is something you have to deal with.

British? Yeah, we speak english, we WERE english, but you guys were pricks to us. Dont continue. Removing u from alot of words does not make it a different language, nor a lesser one. Color and colour mean the same thing.

 

[Trivun]

We have the same problem here in the UK. There are plenty of immigrants from Eastern Asia (mainly India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) who don't make any effort to learn the lanuage. Now, I have no problem with immigrants (illegals should bugger off back home but normal immigrants I'm alright with), but if they come here they should make the effort to learn English. If I went to live in India or China or wherever I would make an effort to learn the local language, even if I proved to be crap at it. Hence why is it that people come to the UK and expect everythig handed to them on a silver platter in their own language with absolutely no effort on their part? It's just stupid and plain ignorant and selfish. Same in the USA. If you live in a different country you should make an effort to learn local languages and customs and so on, otherwise you shouldn't be there in the first place.

 

[asinann]

Pretty simple really. Classes to learn English costs money, plus there the cost of the textbooks and whether or not they can fit the class into their daily schedule because god forbid the man would rather spend time with his daughter than a night class after work.

On the other side of that, classes to learn spanish cost money too and most of the jobs that are starting to require you learn spanish pay minimum wage (but hell with you if you think the spanish speaking only are told they need to learn english.)

I understand your frustration and it does make sense that people should learn the language of the country they reside in, but also keep in mind that these people may not have the resources to learn English from a school. If we offered free lessons to teach people and they still refused then I would agree with you more but right now there are alot of factors prohibiting these people from learning

Maybe if we stopped requiring business and government agencies to provide translators for 100 different languages we could afford to send some people to classes. That said, I can understand someone newly immigrated not understanding the language, but after about forty years it's well past time that you should have learned just by communicating with people. After that long it's just them saying "I don't want to learn the language, so I won't."

 

[VanityGirl]

What the fuck is wrong with YOU? Why don't you know Spanish? They did after all colonize here before the English.

The Vikings were here before them and the Native Americans before then. I don't find that to be a solid arguement.

Even though the author's first post was poorly written and very flame worthy, I'll respond in a better and non flaming way.
I think that any country you move to and plan on living in you should have to learn the language. My mother is a native English speaker and she used to travel to Puerto Rico a lot. She did not even live there, yet quickly understand the necessity of learning the country's native language.
Now my mom is living in Amsterdam, and what language do you think she's trying to learn to speak now? Yep, Dutch. She's not learning it because it's fun or interesting to her, she's learning it so she can better communicate with the people she works with and with the Dutch people in general.

So I think people who move to America should try to speak English.

Hell, even I learned enough Mandarin to get me around when I lived in Singapore. (Thankfully their national language is English).

 

[asinann]

To become a citizen, you have to pass and meet the requirements, and i believe you have to take a test.
So if you dont speak a word of English, chances are you are not a citizen of this country, and have no right that a citizen learn your language.

The test is written in nearly every language on earth, you don't need to be able to speak or read english to pass it.

 

[Bigeyez]

Look, our 2 YEAR OLDS know it (English), so why can't you?

It's funny how this type of comment is repeated in these debates.

You do know that the human brain is programmed to learn things while it's young. Thats why in a short time span of 2 years, babies can go from not being able to even turn on their sides to walking and talking. After this major growth and learning period has passed it's MUCH harder to learn insanely complex things like new languages...even more so if they were never exposed to the language before. Hence why older people (say 30's 40's) have tons of trouble trying to learning a new language. Thats also why people can never really rid themselves of an accent when learning another language...It certainly isn't impossible but it's way harder then people like you seem to think...thats just how the human brain works.

To become a citizen, you have to pass and meet the requirements, and i believe you have to take a test.
So if you dont speak a word of English, chances are you are not a citizen of this country, and have no right that a citizen learn your language.

The test is written in nearly every language on earth, you don't need to be able to speak or read english to pass it.

I was going to answer this guy but you got to it first. I'd just like to add that that non-english speaking immigrant probably knows more about the country then most regular Americans do. Seriously I bet most of the people in this thread would fail the citizenship test if they were forced to take it.

 

[101194]

"Learn the language or GTFO"
If I go to china, I'm not going to ***** and moan that Chinese don't speak Enlish, But It doesn't really matter to me one way or the other.

 

[punkrocker27]

i really hope you're being sarcastic here. because the irony is not at all that hard to see.

i do agree we shouldn't be forced to learn any language but dude, come on. in these changing times, it'll only help you. i used to help out at my bro's surf shop down in florida and bout 90% of foreigners spoke zero words in english. nada. that's a big customer base to be missing out on.

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

I agree with you. My grandparents came here from Germany dirt poor, and they learned English instead of complaining how the system is out to get them and everyone should bow to [i/]their[/i] whims.
I plan to study in Japan and guess what I'm doing? Learning the fucking language.

 

[Aulleas123]

one, you Americans don't speak English, stop pretending that you do
b, this is something you have to deal with.

OH GOD!!! I'M SPEAKING ENGLISH!!! AND I'M NOT IN ENGLAND!!! Guess what, if you can understand what I'm typing without having to switch languages, then we're speaking the same language. Which is English. (Sorry, I really don't like Elitism)

As for the idea that Spanish was spoken here before English, actually, it goes:
1.) the Various Native American Languages (Souix, Aztec, Cherokee, Seminole, etc.)
2.) Norwegian (Vikings came over before Columbus)
3.) Italian (Columbus and Amerigo were both Italians, as were most of their crews)
4.) Spanish (which is not exactly the same thing as Mexican Spanish)

As for the original topic, America has never established an 'official language' with the mentality that we accept all languages and all cultures. While most individuals are accepting (despite what others on this forum will claim with isolated, anecdotal evidence), if individuals cannot understand each other, communication is limited. If immigrants, legal or illegal, want to be accepted into America (or into any other country), they must learn the language as well as the culture. If I emigrated to France, I would have to learn the French language and culture in order to live and have a decent life. Why is it different in America?

Personally, I think for the sake of international affairs, people should learn (any of) Chinese, French, Korean, or Arabic.

 

[chronobreak]

one, you Americans don't speak English, stop pretending that you do
b, this is something you have to deal with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language

What the hell happened to you, Jim_Doki? I can't believe you of all people would make such a statement.