Language-Idioma-语言-språk-Sprache of the U.S.

Ok, so my mom and I were walking in a hospital, both of us were hungry and looking for the cafe, and talking politics. She had saw a sign that said Blank Hospital that had the word hospital in 4 different languages(this hospital is in a very diversed neighborhood) and I guess she didn't realize it, because she thought one of them was looked like a cafe name, thus I pointed out it was just another word for hospital. Ok, so she had a brain fart.

I got to talking about how I thought I remembered AZ passing a state law which made English the official State language. I said because of this, the state wouldn't be required to print other languages, such as Spanish, on such signs. At this point, the lady walking behind us pushed her way to my side and said at least this would save *me* money. Furthermore, she said *my* relatives came to this country and had to learn the language in 1858 or else they would of had to leave. I was kinda flabbergasted because she, a complete stranger, pushed her way, literally, into MY conversation.

I didn't want to make a scene because this obviously wasn't the time or place to get into a heated debate with this utterly rude woman. I politely stated that here in America there was no official language, and that English was not the native language, and YOUR ancestors did little to learn to the native language and keep it alive.

From there on, she started laughing and said something rude to me that I couldn't totally make out. At this point I was kind of upset. What I really wanted to tell her was that she better shut up, go to her husband's kitchen, and make him dinner---where a women such as herself belongs.
Of course, I didn't say that. By this time, she had basically started running away from me because I knew she wanted to have the last word and didn't want to hear what I, just a child, had to say. Fine by me. I said just loud enough for her to hear " It's a sad day when people put money before people."

But really, I went toungetied. I wish I had said a lot more---something with better substance.

I'm absolutely sick and tired of people that have zero compassion for others. I'm sick of hearing the saying "if your going to come here learn the language" What f'in language? The language you, an American citizen, doesn't even realize is NOTthe nation's official language? America is a melting pot---why are certain people trying so damn hard to ruin this?

I know many of people from my neighborhood that have moved from Somalia that have worked hard to learn English, while working shitty jobs and raising a family. Learning English isn't an easy task and it doesn't happen over night. Why are these people trying to hinder the minority even more?

I'm lead to believe many a native born American citizens believe they hold sinority over those who were not born here. Native born Americans do NOTHING to get a citizenships and barely anything of substance to keep it, while immigrants are forced to, basically, jump through hoops to EARN a citzenships.

So, what are everybody's thoughts on the situation? Should America have a national language. Should they save the money they are using in schools that teach languages other than English, on signs and documents, and other such things?

And if you concur with the idea that English should be the official language, what should the U.S. do to help our immigrants learn the language?

 

Here in California the state education system provides free English as a Second Language programs, and Title Seven provided for curriculum to be provided as well in other languages in segregated classrooms. All state documents are translated at least into Spanish as well as being printed in English. Many Employers require that candidates by bilingual in Spanish. I wonder if Mexico translates all of it's documents into English?

Historically immigrants learned as your friends learn through their families. Children were sent to school to learn the language and came home and taught the adults in the evening. Integration of the immigrant with the rest of the population I think lead to quicker assimilation into the general population. Now we now have more segregated population areas/communities in California than ever before. We have white, black, Hispanic and Mong gangs, where when all children and populations were maintstreamed we had a more integrated state. Not isolated communities.

Does Somalia translate all of it's signs and official documents into English, do they offer free classes in your language to foreign immigrants? Is citizenship there granted without any process to gain it? Learning the prevalent language of an area or country allows for more ease in transacting business and life in that area. It's your choice you can live in an isolated communitity and not chose to assimilate, or you can do as your are doing and learn the language and culture of your adopted home. But why should the general public/taxpayers be required to accomodate those that chose to come here. If I choose to move to Germany, I would make the effort to learn German and about the culture of the country before I immigrated, not expect that government to accomodate my lack of preparation.

I agree that woman was rude to intrude into your private conversation.

 

There is a difference between Mexcio & America and Somalia & America. These differences are huge. Not only are they underdeveloped countries, but the vast majority of their people are indigenous people, whereas we are a melting pot. Also, we have taken our indigenous people and their culture/language and pretty much threw it out the window. Furthermore, both Somalia and Mexico have OFFICIAL NATIONAL languages. With all that said, why would Somalia & Mexico need signs printed in other languages? They aren't the ones claiming to be the melting pot---we are.

Historically seapking as well, there have been many immigrants who came over and never learned English, or it took them some time to learn English, because there were many segmented groups.

Gardener, I am curious why you imply their is no process to become a citizen in the U.S.? Personally speaking, I think that statement is absolutely ridiculous. Unless of course, you mean native born Americans?

Why should the Hispanics, Somalians, and any other immigrated citizen have to pay for English accomodations, such as hospital signs? Afterall, English isn't the national language! Or do they not count? Is their citizenship beneath the native English speakers?

 

The official language of the US should be English. Just like the official language of Mexico is Spanish. Just like the official language of Japan is Japanese. When you move to a foreign country, you should learn to speak the language instead of depending on the system to do everything for you. Why should an entire country have to adapt for people who came here willingly, by choice?

 

There is a difference between the immigrants of yesterday and the immigrants of today. The large majority of immigrants who came here many years ago, came here to work and make an honest living for their families. They learned to speak the language no matter how hard it was or long it took. They didn't come here to leach off the system and expect the system to cater to them like we see today. I am not in any way saying ALL immigrants today are like this, but much more so than was the case 50 to 100 years ago. Nobody is telling people to come here, either. Every country has its standards and culture. If I went to another country where a language other than my own predominated, I wouldn't expect that country to go out of its way to meet my needs. I would be up to ME to adapt to the country, not for the COUNTRY to adapt to me.

It's like this everywhere you go, so what makes this country any exception?

 

Why should it be English? It was never the native tongue. The native language in Mexico was and is Spanish...I think you missed that point. Sure, if I moved to a country where there is only 1 language spoken and it was official, I would learn the language but that doesn't consitute for America, clearly. Would you be willing to start speaking the "original" native language in America w/o assistance? Or would you say, hell no. I speak English because that's the norm where I am? Well, where I live English is NOT the prominent language spoken. Most of the Somalians do speak some English but how can we expect them to have perfected it? Should we outlaw braille too? Just as a blind person doesn't choose to be blind, a person native to a different country does not choose where to be born.

 

The official language of the USA is English....I believe that the government has stated this and the fact that our very laws and Constitution are in English make it quite clear. You want to adapt to American culture and society? Learn English. Unless they were a slave brought here in chains back in the 1700s....no one forced immigrants to come here. They came and they should respect our language and laws.

Plain and simple.

I would never immigrate to another country and demand that they meet my language barrier needs because I'm too stubborn or lazy to learn their langauge.


Normally, I support most plights of the American immigrant but when it comes to the whole language issue...this is when I wish they'd STFU.

 

I wasn't implying that at all I was responding to your comment on the issue, about jumping through hoops. And wondering what the process in Somalia is for naturalization.

 

Immigrants to the US do have a choice in learning the predominant language of the land. If you choose not to. you limit yourself as far as being able to conduct business and life efficiently. And I think in order to become naturalized, you do have to answer a series of questions and take an oath in English. It's the immigrant's choice as it should be.

The US provides free public education for learning English, why should we also provide translated materials in general life to further accomodate these individuals. Carry a dictionary with you like I have to when I travel.

 

Where the heck did you read or see that English is the official language because there is NONE! Like I said before, isn't it funny how many native born Americans don't know this?

You obviously don't much about immigration because your comments were plain ridiculous in my point of view. Nobody learns a language over night. It is especially hard for adults, especially when they are often times working 12 hour days 6 days a week to just put food in their families mouth and a simple roof over their heads and then in some cases take classes to learn English. So if you call that lazy, our definitions of lazy are polar opposite.

You must also be lacking knowledge about American culture because we don't have just one culture. Like I mentioned before, we are known for being a melting pot.

 

Not everywhere in the US is English the predominant language, fyi. I do agree with you, in some aspects you are limited if you do not know the language, but I'm not saying it's right.

The US does provide free English classes in parts of our nation, but like I mentioned above, many immigrants have to work long shifts thus it is hard to find time to attend such classes.

Have you ever picked up another language, that's not native to your own? If so, you would realize it's not as easy as carrying around a dictionary. To be able to form even phrases or to conjucate verbs is a task in itself.

Anyways, I can see where people with opposing views, such as yourself, are coming from, although I don't necessarily agree with it all. I just wish some of us citizens, who are native to America, could be a bit more compassionate and understanding to the human race. I realize it's hard to understand a situation we have never been in before, but most know that immigrants coming to the U.S. are coming from awful situations.

I've met many a Somalians, young and old, whose stories do no concur with many of American's idealistic thoughts on the whole language situation. Some of the stories are absolutely amazing and something I never want to go through. If we could be as helpful as we are critical, I think a lot could happen.

 

If you want to live and function in the US, learn English. I don't understand why this concept is so hard for you. Everyone else gets it.


You are acting quite elitist for someone who is very young and probably doesn't even live on their own. As someone who has been living in the real world for a good stretch and continues to do so....here are some tough realities for you.


America is NOT this utopic, "melting pot" you keep claiming it is. Quite the contrary, it's not very diverse at all. While television and movies would have you believe that the US is full of equal amounts of all races, religions, and ethnicities.....it isn't. There are certain parts of the US are definitely diverse but they are concentrated areas like NYC, LA, Seattle, Atlanta, Miami...a few other cities. There are entire states where minority and immigrant numbers are so low that they barely register on the census scales.

When the majority of a nation is white and Christian..expecting it to kowtow to globalistic views on language is a losing battle. Sadly.

If you are so concerned with Somalian immigrants and their language issues, why not start classes to help them assimilate rather than pitching a fit about how Americans should stop "forcing English"? You could form support groups that help immigrants learn English(to the best of their ability), help them learn the laws of their new home, and how to get around town by 1)helping them earn a driver's liscence 2)utilize public transportation.


One could interpret your attitude as that immigrants are either too stupid or lazy to learn English therefore the rest of the country must bend and accomidate that mindset.

Millions of immigrants have come to the US in the past 15 years and managed to learn English. I'm sure the Somalians can do the same.

 

...I really don't even know how to respond to such ignorant ramblings.

 

Whos says they can afford dictionaries? What if they JUST arrived in the US, thus not having enough time to learn the language, and need to go to the hospital. Well then if they don't know the language, they can't find the signs to the hospital, so then what...they die? Or if they are picked up by an ambulance and the EMT's don't speak english, with your arguement there would not be a required spanish (or other language) speaking dispatcher or EMT on duty. So the person has no idea what is happening and could feel like the EMT's are trying to do harm. Your reasoning is pretty rediculous, in this and other threads I have seen you in.

As a large world power, with many resources and a high standard of living, the US (and other countries) are obligated to help those that are less fortunate. We wouldn't be the country we are without immigrants anyway.

 

I think you just proved yourself to be the ignorant one.

 

Almost.

Although the United States currently has no official language, English has long been the de facto national language. English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language and nearly everyone in the United States uses it as a daily language. On May 18, 2006 the Senate voted on an amendment to an immigration reform bill that would declare English the national language of the United States.[1] The immigration reform bill itself, S. 2611, was passed in the Senate on May 25, 2006, and now has to go back to the House of Representatives in conference to make sure amendments are agreed upon.

98% of Americans speak English "very well" or "well." Source: "Demographics," National Journal, May 1, 1993, P. 1058.

What is so terrible about having English as the commonality ?.

I still think other languages should be on signs but English should be the language of most dominance.

 

Ergh... who cares?

"Official" is just a title. Making English the official language ain't gonna stop anyone from speaking Spanish, or whatever else their little heart desires.

I currently live here in the US, and English is my 4th language... official or not... I'm not gonna stop talkin' in the other ones I know... and no one is actually gonna be affected by this.

Let the rednecks have their little victory... make English official, and then go and listen to a mariachi band

 

The point is not what 'the people' speak. It is what is on official documentation and what is on the e.g given : Hospital signs.

I doubt other languages will be removed. Neither will you have to bump English past the prominance you already do.

 

Exactly.

Nothing will change.

So... let it go.

 

It will. I think the state will no longer be required to translate its documents in other languages. That is what a lot of people have issue with here.It costs a billion http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,7369,1588610,00.html in the EU, imagine how much in the US ?. One 'common language' would save a small fortune.