You are in the U.S please speak English

[gmaverick019_v1legacy]

but in america you should speak american

I know that in some countries you can get citizenship without speaking the language. As for why people find it wrong to want people to speak the language of the country they live in, it's because of waaah language freedom waaah hippie bullshit.

Well the U.S. doesn't actually have a national language....

English is the official language of most states, not federally though.

Um....American isn't a language. We speak english. But I bet most foreigners knew that.

Sarcasm. The fact that you take this seriously is a bad sign.

Here is a picture of the people I am referring to:

hahaha i feel bad for you, you might end up changing your original post, i CLEARLY took it as sarcasm from the first beat of your post, but apparently to non 'MERICUNS that fancy speak don't get over deree

god i love speaking american

I presume you mainly talking about people who speak Spanish, so that's what I will tailor my reply to.

Because a lot of people in the US speak Spanish?

Also, you come across as a bit of an asshole here. Here in Britain say if a French person came up to me and started talking to me in French (and say I notice they have a British passport) I don't go, "DAMN FRENCHIE BASTARD LEARN OUR LANGUAGE OR DIE, WHAT ARE YOU, RACIST TO ENGLISH?" I go, "Sorry, don't speak French."

I mean, it's also assholey if the French guy replied (in French), "Jeezus, you'd think it was impossible to learn French, the one true language." but in most cases they won't, they'll go, "Oh, alright, thanks for being polite."


Yeah, I don't think the people in your country who don't speak English are doing it to spite you, they are doing it because they don't speak English. I'm sure most would luuuurve to speak English, it's pretty damn convienient in the USA, but for some that isn't an option/slash they're trying.

surprisingly..people do say some fucked up shit when they think you don't know the language, I had a few friends with me and we were downtown walking around (between a few popular spots it's somewhat of a super spanish/mexican based spot, as in all the signs are in spanish and you won't see a non spanish descent person for a good 2 mile radius) and they would constantly murmur to me saying awful things about what the people were saying as we passed them..it was quite pathetic really.


Just saying, when people think you don't know the language their tongues are quite open and "elitist" is the world i'll choose.

 

[Agayek]

What it's really like is if millions of French people turned up, so that a large proportion of the country spoke French, and then asking for signs to be in their language as well. Though of course we should slap down those impudent whelps because oh noez, slightly bigger signs with words I don't understand on them! The horror?

It's less "oh noez, too many signs!" and more the principle behind it. As I said in a previous post, it's kinda like being invited to a party and demanding to only speak and be spoken to in Swahili.

It's a rude, tasteless and selfish stance. If you're going to live somewhere, you should make every possible effort to integrate yourself into that society instead of demanding it change to fit you. Doing so just makes you a selfish dick.

 

[darksomos]

Simple bit of logic is answer to thread:

I really hope this poster is trolling, because that's terrible English

I don't know if a person living in a primarily English-speaking country should *have to* speak English, but it certainly disadvantages them if they can't...

Sorry, the Internet sometimes rubs off on me.
I'm usually a grammar Nazi. I guess I need
to head for bed.

 

[Torrasque]

If they don't like it they can giiiiiiiit out!

Yeah, otherwise they'd take our jobs!

Spoiler: South Park inside. If you don't like cardboard sex, then giiiit out!

I believe you misspelled jerbs?

OP: I expect people to know functional english.
I work next to a T&T (asian supermarket) and I get alot of customers that have terrible english, but I can usually understand what the hell they are trying to say. What frustrates me, are the people that don't know ANY english at all. If you are going to live in Canada, and engage with regular Canadian citizens, there is a pretty good chance you will have to know english (or french if you're in Quebec).
If they're going to be around their own people, by all means, speak anything from mandarin to dutch. But if you expect me to serve you and keep my sanity, please know how to say "yes" when I ask you something.
There have been times where I have carried out entire conversations with hand signals and gestures >.<

Also OP, be careful where you lead this thread. Its dangling on the precipice of downright racism, and thats a paddlin'

 

[scorptatious]

Personally, I think it would be easy and convenient for everyone if foreigners who decide to live in America are required to speak English. It's the predominant language over here. Not saying they need to forget their native language, as our country was formed through the blending of multiple cultures.

How would they advertise this law change? "Do something that may be very difficult for you or that you have no want to do. Hey, it doesn't affect any of us English speakers but it's good for you! We only repress your freedoms for your own good!" How very 1984

I'm sorry, I meant LEARN to speak English. I thought I had that in there already but I guess not.

 

[Tdc2182]

Where did you get this from?

No foreign people act like that over here in Ireland.

Unfortunately there is a rather large sect of Americans over here that see fit to actually require English to be spoken.

It's pretty pathetic.

I'm probably being stupid but I don't get that, are you mocking/insulting me or what?

In the US, where I live, there is a large group of ignorant people who legitimately try too make English the only language spoken.

Yes, there are people like this, and no, I wasn't trying to make fun of you.

 

[DarkRyter]

This is America.

Land of the Free, bro. People can talk however the hell they want.

Don't like it? Well you can get the hell back to England.

Hey now, England doesn't even have an official language, and yet we still don't make a big deal when the BBC (which is state funded) broadcasts shows in Gaelic. It's not a big deal see?

What country is fascist enough to enforce a language?

I rescind my offer to return to England, and instead, recommend North Korea. There, I'm sure everyone is forced to speak Korean, or, as the North Koreans call it, the Divine Tongue of our Benevolent Ruler.

 

[orangeban]

but in america you should speak american

I know that in some countries you can get citizenship without speaking the language. As for why people find it wrong to want people to speak the language of the country they live in, it's because of waaah language freedom waaah hippie bullshit.

Well the U.S. doesn't actually have a national language....

English is the official language of most states, not federally though.

Um....American isn't a language. We speak english. But I bet most foreigners knew that.

Sarcasm. The fact that you take this seriously is a bad sign.

Here is a picture of the people I am referring to:

hahaha i feel bad for you, you might end up changing your original post, i CLEARLY took it as sarcasm from the first beat of your post, but apparently to non 'MERICUNS that fancy speak don't get over deree

god i love speaking american

I presume you mainly talking about people who speak Spanish, so that's what I will tailor my reply to.

Because a lot of people in the US speak Spanish?

Also, you come across as a bit of an asshole here. Here in Britain say if a French person came up to me and started talking to me in French (and say I notice they have a British passport) I don't go, "DAMN FRENCHIE BASTARD LEARN OUR LANGUAGE OR DIE, WHAT ARE YOU, RACIST TO ENGLISH?" I go, "Sorry, don't speak French."

I mean, it's also assholey if the French guy replied (in French), "Jeezus, you'd think it was impossible to learn French, the one true language." but in most cases they won't, they'll go, "Oh, alright, thanks for being polite."


Yeah, I don't think the people in your country who don't speak English are doing it to spite you, they are doing it because they don't speak English. I'm sure most would luuuurve to speak English, it's pretty damn convienient in the USA, but for some that isn't an option/slash they're trying.

surprisingly..people do say some fucked up shit when they think you don't know the language, I had a few friends with me and we were downtown walking around (between a few popular spots it's somewhat of a super spanish/mexican based spot, as in all the signs are in spanish and you won't see a non spanish descent person for a good 2 mile radius) and they would constantly murmur to me saying awful things about what the people were saying as we passed them..it was quite pathetic really.


Just saying, when people think you don't know the language their tongues are quite open and "elitist" is the world i'll choose.

Alright, forgetting your post for a sec, what does "non-Spanish decent person mean?" What, so that town/area happens to be filled with both Hispanics and... what? Non-hispanics who are criminals, hobos, scruffy looking?

Anyway, my point still stands, this is really not an appropiate analogy, they aren't pissed that you don't know their language, they are just using the language barrier to talk behind your back.

 

[Orcus The Ultimate]

but in america you should speak american

I know that in some countries you can get citizenship without speaking the language. As for why people find it wrong to want people to speak the language of the country they live in, it's because of waaah language freedom waaah hippie bullshit.

Well the U.S. doesn't actually have a national language....

English is the official language of most states, not federally though.

Following your Aristotelician Logic, we should all Speak every single Native American Language if we live in the USA.


America is not a country, but several continents.

 

[Joccaren]

Well, it would be rude if they were specifically not learning the language just to rile your feathers. Really, what reason is there not to learn the language other than A) you can't/are trying really hard (as will be the case with most people)

Yep, and I did outline this in one of the latter parts of my post, I even went so far as to say its rude for people to pick on foreigners who can't speak their language well, but are trying to.

B) or you're one of those weird people who think they must not "dilute" their language or some crap.

These people can literally just fend for themselves with their own language, see how far it gets you. I have little care for people who think that their language does not deserve to be 'diluted' by them learning another.

I mean, it is practical to know the language of the country you're in, but it's also practical to exercise, doesn't mean we can force people to do it and it certainly doesn't mean we can't take offense at people not doing it.

Exactly, though we can take it as rude of people to not even try to learn it. Exercise is a slightly different matter, as if you don't exercise, it affects mostly you in the long term (Yes, your family and friends may be affected, and doctors may need to help you), however, not trying to speak somewhere's dominant language not only impairs your ability to do anything in that country, but will annoy anyone who you speak to in your own tongue due to the arrogance of you expecting them to know their language, when they are in your country. It is like someone who doesn't exercise running up to a fit person and saying: Sit down and stop exercising. Because I do it, you should too.
If you speak only your own language to only those who know it, it is less of a problem, but not trying to speak in the dominant language of an area to someone who lives in that area, and expecting them to understand you, is what I have a problem with.

 

[Nunny]

I dont expect them to speak english to be part of my country, but at the very least should try to learn it. Nothing more fustrating then trying to order food at a place where only one worker can speak english, they are getting better though so... yeh...all good.

 

[VanTesla]

The difference between English and American is mostly written ex) colour-color, aluminium-aluminum, etc.

The difference between American English and other Englishes can be immense. Compared to British English, there are countless differences in pronunciation, hundreds if not thousands of lexical differences (words that only exist on one side or the other or words that mean substantially different things in different places), and vast differences even in basic syntax. The differences aren't large enough to prevent mutual comprehensibility most of the time, but they're still quite large. And sometimes they are - try to find a recording of someone (ideally and older person) from the Shetland islands speaking English. The average English speaker will comprehend about every tenth word.

Other, smaller dialects of English (English spoken in places where it's a large minority language especially) often diverge even more.

To further our differences from Britains ways, we decided to retard the English language. Also our education system is atrocious...

We didn't decide to do anything. It's very rare that people can collectively decide to change anything about language other than orthography (which is relatively disjoint from the actual mechanisms of language - and most of the Webster's changes to orthography made the spelling more phonetic). Language change just happens and you can't really stop it or direct it, much as people inevitably like to try.

Regarding our education system, it's pretty much just as atrocious as it is anywhere else in the modern world (which is to say, admittedly, pretty atrocious). But it's a hell of a lot better than it's been in the past. If you look at actual statistics and experts, this becomes abundantly clear. Government and media have a vested interest in sensationalising this "crisis" in education, which leads to the sort of extreme dishonesty you see in most non-expert publications and media. Independent research almost universally shows an extremely strong trend toward better education over time and comparable rates of education between America and other industrialised nations.

The reason for my beliefs in the education system being broken are from my experiences of seeing people graduate and not even know how to tie their shoes. Hell, I dont even feel I should have passed my English courses... I don't believe in most of the bs the media spouts, but since I have been to many schools because of my parents job kept changing locations, I have seen many problems...

 

[orangeban]

Personally, I think it would be easy and convenient for everyone if foreigners who decide to live in America are required to speak English. It's the predominant language over here. Not saying they need to forget their native language, as our country was formed through the blending of multiple cultures.

How would they advertise this law change? "Do something that may be very difficult for you or that you have no want to do. Hey, it doesn't affect any of us English speakers but it's good for you! We only repress your freedoms for your own good!" How very 1984

I'm sorry, I meant LEARN to speak English. I thought I had that in there already but I guess not.

Well, again this is only fair if the state provides the education for the people, no charges, and they get to experience full citizen-ship while they learn, not just after. If that's true with this scenario, then fair enough I guess.

 

[Jaime_Wolf]

The difference between English and American is mostly written ex) colour-color, aluminium-aluminum, etc.

The difference between American English and other Englishes can be immense. Compared to British English, there are countless differences in pronunciation, hundreds if not thousands of lexical differences (words that only exist on one side or the other or words that mean substantially different things in different places), and vast differences even in basic syntax. The differences aren't large enough to prevent mutual comprehensibility most of the time, but they're still quite large. And sometimes they are - try to find a recording of someone (ideally and older person) from the Shetland islands speaking English. The average English speaker will comprehend about every tenth word.

Other, smaller dialects of English (English spoken in places where it's a large minority language especially) often diverge even more.

To further our differences from Britains ways, we decided to retard the English language. Also our education system is atrocious...

We didn't decide to do anything. It's very rare that people can collectively decide to change anything about language other than orthography (which is relatively disjoint from the actual mechanisms of language - and most of the Webster's changes to orthography made the spelling more phonetic). Language change just happens and you can't really stop it or direct it, much as people inevitably like to try.

Regarding our education system, it's pretty much just as atrocious as it is anywhere else in the modern world (which is to say, admittedly, pretty atrocious). But it's a hell of a lot better than it's been in the past. If you look at actual statistics and experts, this becomes abundantly clear. Government and media have a vested interest in sensationalising this "crisis" in education, which leads to the sort of extreme dishonesty you see in most non-expert publications and media. Independent research almost universally shows an extremely strong trend toward better education over time and comparable rates of education between America and other industrialised nations.

The reason for my beliefs in the education system being broken are from my experiences of seeing people graduate and not even know how to tie their shoes. Hell, I dont even feel I should have passed my English courses... I don't believe in most of the bs the media spouts, but since I have been to many schools because of my parents job kept changing locations, I have seen many problems...

Again, the issue is that we're speaking comparatively. The education system is bad and really fails in some places. But that's true everywhere and always has been. It's not that the education system is great, it's that people think it's getting worse or that we're lagging behind other countries. The truth is that it's always been terrible, is actually getting better, and other countries are almost universally just as terrible.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Ahhh, this thread is going to go just great.

Yeah...

OT: If you're in Canada you're expected to know English in the West. By all means you can go ahead and continue speaking other languages but in order to succeed here you do need English. Why? Everything is English here...

I suspect I wouldn't be able to do very well in Europe or Asia without knowing the local lingo either.

 

[Johnny Impact]

I can't even.....

Hmm.

I agree with the spirit of your message. Permanent residents should learn the local language. The thing is, I think they all do. Is there some specific group of recalcitrants to whom you are referring?

You have, however, shot yourself in the foot by displaying poor knowledge of the very language you berate others for not having learned. Commas, periods, and proper spelling want to be your friends. Give them a call sometime.

I was going to post a link to the "dey tooker jerrrrrbs" South Park sketch but it had naked men in it.

 

[orangeban]

Well, it would be rude if they were specifically not learning the language just to rile your feathers. Really, what reason is there not to learn the language other than A) you can't/are trying really hard (as will be the case with most people)

Yep, and I did outline this in one of the latter parts of my post, I even went so far as to say its rude for people to pick on foreigners who can't speak their language well, but are trying to.

B) or you're one of those weird people who think they must not "dilute" their language or some crap.

These people can literally just fend for themselves with their own language, see how far it gets you. I have little care for people who think that their language does not deserve to be 'diluted' by them learning another.

I mean, it is practical to know the language of the country you're in, but it's also practical to exercise, doesn't mean we can force people to do it and it certainly doesn't mean we can't take offense at people not doing it.

Exactly, though we can take it as rude of people to not even try to learn it. Exercise is a slightly different matter, as if you don't exercise, it affects mostly you in the long term (Yes, your family and friends may be affected, and doctors may need to help you), however, not trying to speak somewhere's dominant language not only impairs your ability to do anything in that country, but will annoy anyone who you speak to in your own tongue due to the arrogance of you expecting them to know their language, when they are in your country. It is like someone who doesn't exercise running up to a fit person and saying: Sit down and stop exercising. Because I do it, you should too.
If you speak only your own language to only those who know it, it is less of a problem, but not trying to speak in the dominant language of an area to someone who lives in that area, and expecting them to understand you, is what I have a problem with.

Arg, this is frustrating. It's not your fault, you're being sensible and all that, but something about your post rubs me the wrong way and I suspect it's just me being tired but it's frustrating me that I can't figure it out. Hang on, let me think and read over the post.

Alright, thought about it and I think I've found it. The implication that someone speaking to you in their language (which isn't the dominant language of the region) is expecting you to know it. I don't think that's right, it'd only be true if they also knew the dominant language, but otherwise they are just trying to get help/strike up a friendship/proposition you for sex or whatever using the only means of communication they have available to them. It's less expecting them to know the language and more taking a chance that they might know the language and can help.

 

[dagens24]

Because we're BETTER than the other countries in this regard.

Being a melting pot of cultures is essentially what makes the U.S. what it is. It is our trademark and claim to fame.

I get that other countries are doing this too. However, I think we should encourage that idea by allowing anyone to speak their native language and being okay with it. Is that too much to ask?

Pfff Canada's Cultural Mosaic beats America's Melting Pot any day of the week.

 

[SeriousIssues]

A lot of people from Europe and Australia bring up that America is supposed to be a large collection of cultures, a melting pot.
But everything is in english. That is the main language.

So when people come to America to live for years if not the rest of their life, it does not really matter how hard learning a language is. We are not asking you to be perfect at it. But you don't suddenly decide to move to another country just on a spur of the moment impulse, you go ready to adapt to the country. So you have to be ready to learn the main language anywhere you go, or you'll just be a burden to all those around you and yourself. Ordering at a resturaunt, asking for directions, negotiating a price on a new car.
English isn't just something that is maybe something you should sometime consider picking up on your spare time in America, its the main language, and you should know it as a citizen just as a lot of others try to learn spanish to help learners of english or stubborn people who refuse to learn english.

It is not a matter of forcing culture on someone or erasing their own in place of a new one, it is simply curteousy to know the language of the country if you plan on living there, or at least attempt to. I am not saying vacationers must learn the new language, since I'm sure many vendors in big tourism states like New York or Miami are bi-tri-quadlingual but I'm sure they still do not like to use or are perfect at a foreign language either.

There is nothing racist about wanting American citizens to learn the most used language in America, and I'm surprised people could object to this or refuse to learn the language for any reason.