• If you're going to live in a country, please learn their language first
    544 replies, posted
The funny thing is that the phrase "Lingua Franca" is in Latin.
I really don't think the English language will shrink or be used any less, after all it is the language of business, and very quickly taking over French, as the language of law. And so while Mandarin technically has more speakers, English is by far the more influential and profitable to speak. In England there's been quite an upsurge in immigrant levels over the years, especially amongst countries like Somalia etc. However, there's more a jingoistic self-righteousness directed at the attack on 'British' culture than the language itself. Because why there's mild irritation at their inability to speak English, (for many reasons that the immigrants cannot help; who knows why they've come over to live a better life) employment, and the threat thereof of being removed from benefits, should you not actively seek employment, soon compels Immigrants to learn English. I don't know the culture, or legislation regarding this in America, but surely immigrants are eventually forced or compelled to pick up English?
[QUOTE=johan_sm;29843391]Because latvian is junk and keeping it cause of culture is the only half-valid argument. Enforcing people to learn it is really stupid. Everyone there knows russian, so why bother?[/QUOTE] Urgh, if you really [b]are[/b] latvian, do everyone a favor, change your nationality and go to Russia.
OP, you're a telemarketer, you phone them, they are under no obligation to speak to you, let alone speak english: Protip: They may just be saying they don't speak english because they don't like being called by Telemarketers.
[QUOTE=johan_sm;29843391]Because latvian is junk and keeping it cause of culture is the only half-valid argument. Enforcing people to learn it is really stupid. Everyone there knows russian, so why bother?[/QUOTE] It is the language of your people, to get rid of the language paves the way for getting rid of your culture and your national identity. If you hate it so much, then just move to Russia.
[QUOTE=Sobotnik;29836928]Those people in Belgium speak French because they are French. Belgium should be split in half and annexed by France (southern part) and the Netherlands (northern part) respectively.[/QUOTE] Dream on, Flanders would never give up Brussels. I'm not against this idea, it's just that it won't happen.
[QUOTE=Tyrannosaur;29829369]As a telemarketer for a charity, I call a lot of people everyday. And it pisses me to no end when I call someone and they answer and say "I don't speak English" or they answer the phone speaking Spanish. If you're going to come to America, learn English first. Every other culture knows how this works, they have come to America and integrated into society as normal people. The British, French, Chinese, Russians, Germans, and even the Bosnians have all integrated into American society. They only group that has failed to is the Mexicans. Now I understand that some Mexicans are good people and have learned English and integrated into American society, but many of them have not. And you know that these Mexicans who don't speak English are illegal immigrants, because you have to learn English in order to become a US citizen, it's part of the citizenship test that all legal immigrants are required to take. This doesn't just go for America, it goes for all countries, please, learn the language of the country you're immigrating to. I wouldn't move to France if I didn't speak French or Japan if I didn't speak Japanese. -The American People[/QUOTE] I'm half Mexican, my mom was born in LA and was brought up as an American. Her and her mom both speak excellent English, despite the fact that my grandmother crossed the river and grew up a Mexican. Neither of them speak good Spanish, and I was never taught. It disappoints me to no end that they are so American. Also, a telemarketer? You know that probably half of those people can speak great English, but probably only speak Spanish so you stop talking, right?
Well if you live in a ghetto you really dont need to learn the language right away. Not to mention the only reason that we even speak english here is because we werent willing to learn the countries language.
[QUOTE=MarlaCouture;29835521]My friend is half Aboriginal, she thinks she sounds hot when she talks like a drunk Aboriginal. I try telling her it sounds terrible but she takes it as me being racist and that I hate black people. What does one do?[/QUOTE] fuckin abos runin our country
[QUOTE=Godflex;29843527]I really don't think the English language will shrink or be used any less, after all it is the language of business, and very quickly taking over French, as the language of law. And so while Mandarin technically has more speakers, English is by far the more influential and profitable to speak. In England there's been quite an upsurge in immigrant levels over the years, especially amongst countries like Somalia etc. However, there's more a jingoistic self-righteousness directed at the attack on 'British' culture than the language itself. Because why there's mild irritation at their inability to speak English, (for many reasons that the immigrants cannot help; who knows why they've come over to live a better life) employment, and the threat thereof of being removed from benefits, should you not actively seek employment, soon compels Immigrants to learn English. I don't know the culture, or legislation regarding this in America, but surely immigrants are eventually forced or compelled to pick up English?[/QUOTE] Momentarily it's the biggest language in business, but I read that China is going to be the biggest economy within decades
[QUOTE=thisispain;29829590]dear american people, stop complaining about language when you don't bother learning any yourself -the rest of the world[/QUOTE] lol
I work at an Ice rink, the janitor can't speak English at all. He walked into my office and asked me "You see play off?" And I replied, "Yeah I have, the last game was really good" He had no idea what I meant. I had to repeat it a few times with a thumbs up for him to get it.
[QUOTE=DainBramageStudios;29840215]wrong wrong wrong[/QUOTE] lol denying basic facts get the fuck out
[QUOTE=Number-41;29845618]Momentarily it's the biggest language in business, but I read that China is going to be the biggest economy within decades[/QUOTE] True, the 21st century is China's and the emerging BRIC's (Brazil, Russia India/Indonesia and China), or at least for the next thirty years. However in China, just as is done around the world, English is taught practically when they start education. English is a lot easier to learn then Mandarin, and even with China being one of the biggest economies, its building this basis on account of its HUGE exports of goods to predominantly English or European speaking countries. Unless their economy shifts structurally to the services section - it might do so, following the path of Britain, Germany and U.S.A - then I think Mandarin still wont hold as much importance.
Agreed.Isn't that right, RUSSIANS ?
[QUOTE=3com111;29846146]I work at an Ice rink, the janitor can't speak English at all. He walked into my office and asked me "You see play off?" And I replied, "Yeah I have, the last game was really good" He had no idea what I meant. I had to repeat it a few times with a thumbs up for him to get it.[/QUOTE] If you were a janitor, you'd forget english. No one speaks to janitor :(
bilingual english and spanish master race
[QUOTE=J Paul;29829437]You might find it interesting to know that, at the time of our nations' inception, English only [I]barely[/I] won out as the official language, because the vast majority of the immigrants were German. And that's why we're an English speaking people living in counties with German names.[/QUOTE] That's actually a very dumb rumor. The United States has no official language, and there was never a vote on it either. Nor did many of our people ever speak German at any point in time.
[QUOTE=Zethiwag;29837391]In fact, I figured charity workers would have to be understanding and forgiving to work like that. Maybe you should get a job in a more xenophobic place, where it's 100% caucasians only! No colours![/QUOTE] There is nothing xenophobic about wanting the people who want to come here, be able to communicate with the rest of us who live here.
Here's the main problem: Mexicans coming over, and forcing us to speak Spanish, rather than them learning english. Example of why it's bullshit: My mom is an Auditor for WIC services. She pretends to be a WIC item buyer at stores to make sure the stores are keeping with WIC standards. Then she talks to the store owner to tell how they did. I went with her on one of the trips, and the store owner was moved to the US from Iran 10 years ago. He spoke english quite well, but we were surprised to see him speaking perfect fluent spanish to his mexican workers. He says he didn't want to hire them, but he was forced to but the area owner. He said that he knew spanish because [b]when he moved to the US 10 years ago he was forced to not only learn English but also spanish because of the mexicans coming into the country[/b]. I have no problem with mexicans coming into America, but it's unfair to all other immigrants who come to america and now have to learn 2 languages.
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;29848015]There is nothing xenophobic about wanting the people who want to come here, be able to communicate with the rest of us who live here.[/QUOTE] That's part of the problem is that they DON'T want to learn english...
[QUOTE=codemaster85;29829690]Oh yeah, that's why it's a requirement to take 2 years of a different language to graduate highschool right?[/QUOTE] No it isn't. At least not in my state, Illinois. [editline]15th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Demolitions2;29848042]Here's the main problem: Mexicans coming over, and forcing us to speak Spanish, rather than them learning english. [/QUOTE] Hold up there cowboy. Nobody is making you learn Spanish.
[QUOTE=Lord of Ears;29846910]lol denying basic facts get the fuck out[/QUOTE] fine let me elaborate 1) the usa does not cover "almost" a whole continent. perhaps you should look at a map once in a while [img]http://www.greece-map.net/north-america/north-america-map.gif[/img] 2) the percentage of people in the US who have english as their mother tongue is not 98%. it's actually 82% 3) there are practical needs to learn other languages than english, because of the waves of immigrants coming in. plus the united states has a massive import/export market with china, so speaking mandarin is very valuable for business, and will become even more so in the future. it is you, good sir, who is denying basic facts.
Well yeah, if you plan on living in a country for atleast a year that would be implied. But say if your were studying abroad, would you need to learn their language fluently? I do find it funny that Americans learn spanish so they can communicate in their own country with Mexicans.
Dear America, English isn't your official language. Look it up. - Me
[QUOTE=DasherDigital;29848376]Dear America, English isn't your official language. Look it up. - Me[/QUOTE] Dear Poster Look up States -Me
[QUOTE=Swilly;29848418]Dear Poster Look up States -Me[/QUOTE] and he's really fucking late
[QUOTE=asdfghjkl';29848438]and he's really fucking late[/QUOTE] I know, I'm not gonna be a dick about it.
[QUOTE=borisvdb;29848352] I do find it funny that Americans learn spanish so they can communicate in their own country with Mexicans.[/QUOTE] Yeah it's pretty funny how many Europeans learn English because Americans refuse to speak anything else. Hilarious.
[QUOTE=Slight;29834708]Those aren't xenophobic statements in the slightest. I want people to learn our fucking language when they come into our country. Its so god damn mind numbingly simple, how can you possible construed it to me having a [b]fear[/b] of foreign culture. Our culture isn't strict, our culture is formed by other people's culture, but alas it is still our culture. All I'm saying is learn it. Otherwise how can you call yourself a citizen? You don't have to agree with it, you can live your own style of life. But you have to know where you are. Especially if you're going to be voting people into office.[/QUOTE] Xenophobia doesn't necessarily mean that you're scared of other cultures, that's like saying homophobia is always fear of homosexuals; the word has taken on a different meaning that its roots words. And why should people in the U.S. accept the culture here? They can do whatever the fuck they want so long as they aren't hurting anyone. When it comes to voting people into office, if first generation immigrants' votes do go towards electing someone, then so what? That's what majority rule is all about. [QUOTE=Slight;29834708]All I'm saying is when people get harassed for being an obvious foreigner who can't learn to communicate with other citizens don't deserve my pity. Why should I pity them? Give me one good reason.[/QUOTE] Are you honestly telling me that isn't promoting hatred towards other cultures? The belief that a person should learn the language doesn't excuse the fact that you believe insults and harassment should be directed towards them. And you said they [I]deserved it[/I], that's different from having no stance on the issue, in that way you're making the claim and should give me a reason why theydeserve it. [QUOTE=Slight;29834708]All you've done is throw personal insults around and discounting the opposite side because of their character and not their points and ignoring their actual argument. What do we call that again? You said it once... oh yeah [b]ad hominem[/b]. Accusing me of exactly what you're doing. More ironic than the OP. In fact, I don't even know what your argument actually is other than I'm a xenophobe. [/QUOTE] Um, your first sentence in this thread was telling someone to shut-up and get out. Stop playing the role of the victim when you've been insulting people this entire thread. I'm basing my argument off the First Amendment, did you not read the first page of the goddamn thread? Do I have to spell out the fact that when I say the country's values I'm referring to the first amendment which was mentioned numerous times in this thread? You were the one who skipped that part of the post and interpreted all as an insult.
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