do you think you are being discriminated against

ali_bl-nov05 · May 2011

wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

RedWingsFan · May 2011

emiliemadison:
yankeebaby2:

emiliemadison:
Of course not. If there is a job that requires an applicant to be multi-lingual and you're not, then you're simply NOT QUALIFIED. It's the same for any other job that has requirements, like having X years experience, a specific degree/certification, etc. Either you have the job qualifications or you dont, and speaking a 2nd language is no different.

well we have a poster on the 9-12 board that doesn't want to let people in this country that don't speak english and we have a poster here who says English needs to be an official language because she is uncomfortable when she hears people speaking spanish on the streets but nither are racist

I'm uncomfortable around Bible-thumpers. Can we outlaw Christianity? Ignorant people, too. They make me twitchy. Isn't there some way to ban them? Or at least make them live on their own little island or something? I dont want that in my neighborhood.

Yep, we can put them on the same island with all those selfish mothers who take class c medications (or worse) while they are pregnant, since they shouldn't be having kids anyway (referencing JudgingYOU's UO from today) Big Smile .

Today has been full of awesomeness.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

ali_bl-nov05:
wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

Estoy llorando porque nadie nunca me mandan mensajes! Sin berguenzas!

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

emiliemadison:
yankeebaby2:

emiliemadison:
Of course not. If there is a job that requires an applicant to be multi-lingual and you're not, then you're simply NOT QUALIFIED. It's the same for any other job that has requirements, like having X years experience, a specific degree/certification, etc. Either you have the job qualifications or you dont, and speaking a 2nd language is no different.

well we have a poster on the 9-12 board that doesn't want to let people in this country that don't speak english and we have a poster here who says English needs to be an official language because she is uncomfortable when she hears people speaking spanish on the streets but nither are racist

I'm uncomfortable around Bible-thumpers. Can we outlaw Christianity? Ignorant people, too. They make me twitchy. Isn't there some way to ban them? Or at least make them live on their own little island or something? I dont want that in my neighborhood.

Yes please. We can send them back with the hispanics. They speak in tongues anyway which is not the official language

anna7602 · May 2011

I do speak other languages, so no. However, I've had to hire for jobs before and there were very distinct guidelines for when we could say "bilingual in x language REQUIRED" and "bilingual PREFERRED." If whoever is doing the hiring for the jobs this person is looking at knows what they are doing, they had better be covering their arses, because yes, they could be slapped with a discrimination suit.

On the other side, I've also been hired for jobs that were "bilingual preferred" (v. required) and I was able to negotiate for higher pay as a result of my language qualifications. But for jobs where it was required, I did not get additional compensation.

I hope that makes sense.

ali_bl-nov05 · May 2011

yankeebaby2:
ali_bl-nov05:
wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

Estoy llorando porque nadie nunca me mandan mensajes! Sin berguenzas!

Prefiero hacerlo por aqui para poner nerviosa a la xenofoba

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

AshPal61:
ali_bl-nov05:
wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

jajajajaja

JOL!

wordtoyourmother · May 2011

ali_bl-nov05:
yankeebaby2:
ali_bl-nov05:
wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

Estoy llorando porque nadie nunca me mandan mensajes! Sin berguenzas!

Prefiero hacerlo por aqui para poner nerviosa a la xenofoba

la tirate muy duro manita. lol

wordtoyourmother · May 2011

you'll also find that my Spanish is a mix of an attempt to write properly and Dominican ebonicz. Do not expect anymore any less. please.

lol

ali_bl-nov05 · May 2011

wordtoyourmother:
ali_bl-nov05:
yankeebaby2:
ali_bl-nov05:
wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

Estoy llorando porque nadie nunca me mandan mensajes! Sin berguenzas!

Prefiero hacerlo por aqui para poner nerviosa a la xenofoba

la tirate muy duro manita. lol

hehehe, aqui no somos faciles mana, se le pega un boche al ma bonito

Ahora me dio envidia tu ticker, dejame ir a poner el mio en espa?ol. Vengo ahora.

anna7602 · May 2011

kscarlett5683:

HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.

Nobody can argue that this country's primary language is English. I believe it should be our official language and the law indicates that all correspondance be offered in English -- but can also be offered in any other language you want.

In other words, if I go into a store, I can expect to communicate in English and read English signs. But the proprietor of the store can choose to also communicate in Spanish or Mandarin or whatever to another customer who preferes that language.

I don't think that's so horrible. I dont understand why it would be a big deal, honestly.

I can go entire days in my neighborhood without speaking a word of English and I honestly don't see how making English the "official" language would change that at all. It's a fact of human life that people tend to migrate toward areas where they know other people from their home country. In general (and I don't mean always), newly arrived immigrants tend to go live in the neighborhoods where their countrymen have already established themselves. This has been happening across America for generations. There are neighborhoods in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. that were traditionally Italian or Jewish or German and these days, it's no different. Now you can walk around Boston's North End and hear some Italian, but it's mostly the older people, and I mean like age 75 +. Their children and grandchildren all speak English. I don't think they would have learned English any faster if there was an "official" language policy and I don't think they would have been less likely to go into business with their brothers, uncles, etc. from Italy and open a restaurant, coffee shop or any of the other thriving Italian-family-run businesses in that neighborhood.

So, enlighten me, please, what is the point, exactly, of an English policy in this country?

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

wordtoyourmother:
ali_bl-nov05:
yankeebaby2:
ali_bl-nov05:
wordtoyourmother:

abi-bl

check your pm's my dear

Te acabo de enviar un mensaje. Hablemos espa?ol ahora, cuando el ingl?s sea el idioma oficial no podremos hablarlo aqui, supongo, REVA (riendome en voz alta)

Gosh, I hope we are not making her too uncomfortable.

Estoy llorando porque nadie nunca me mandan mensajes! Sin berguenzas!

Prefiero hacerlo por aqui para poner nerviosa a la xenofoba

la tirate muy duro manita. lol

Por fin! Ya era hora de soltar el "snark"

Heather R · May 2011

kscarlett5683:

To answer your question....I believe that this country's history is around English.

Except for all those places with Spanish and French names that were Spanish, Mexican, and French territories.

1ChikaBonita · May 2011

Absoultely not. It's just a qualification you must have for the X position you are applying for. It's just as if they require you to have some type of certification or a specific skill for the position. I am Bilingual en Espanol y Ingles, but I don't feel in anyway discriminated if a positon call for Bilingual in French, German, Chinese, etc.

I find it hilarious that the above pp thinks our "country's history is around English"? What the hell does that mean! LOL! Someone ditched US history in H.S., LOL!

thequeeenbee · May 2011

Nope, being bilingual is just an extra skill that someone can have. Asking them to use it is not discrimination.

taratru · May 2011

kscarlett5683:
If they were born or educated in the U.S.A., then most of their classes were in English. So please let's not be ridiculous here.
If I moved to any other country, I'd learn that language. I'm not saying others shouldn't communciate in the language they are most comfortable in, I'm saying if you speak English in the U.S.A. you should never have a problem.

The fact that many of you think that's not ok baffles me, really it does!

To answer your question....I believe that this country's history is around English. When media, the government and schools start using spanish as their primary language, then maybe the rest of us should switch. But that's not going to happen. I believe we should have a national language.

I *wanted* to stay quiet, but...

You do realize that there are MANY schools in this country (even public ones!) that are not taught in English, right? There's an elementary school that I wasn't fortunate enough to get my kid into that is an immersion school where three full days a week, students are instructed in and spoken to in nothing but Spanish.

Also...how is our country's history mainly "around English?" Because the Puritans came from England? I'm very confused.

DEBBIE33CASEY · May 2011

StrawberryAlarmClock:

::replying as if I were monolingual::

No more than I'd feel discriminated against if a job asked that I have medical experience or could type 60 wpm. They need someone bilingual. Ya est?.

Yo tambien!

g8trkim · May 2011

No discriminated against. I just wish it was a skill I had.

andiandlou · May 2011

RedWingsFan:
kscarlett5683:

To answer your question, no, I don't feel I'm being discriminated against because I assume there is a reason for it. Part of the qualifications of that job.
HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.
Nobody can argue that this country's primary language is English. I believe it should be our official language and the law indicates that all correspondance be offered in English -- but can also be offered in any other language you want.
In other words, if I go into a store, I can expect to communicate in English and read English signs. But the proprietor of the store can choose to also communicate in Spanish or Mandarin or whatever to another customer who preferes that language.
I don't think that's so horrible. I dont understand why it would be a big deal, honestly.
Really? That's too bad. We live in a predominately Polish area of Chicago, and I love it. I speak a little, but it is really interesting to me to see how these families have moved to America (and some were born here), but still honor their heritage and where they came from.

Thumps up to this

andiandlou · May 2011

RedWingsFan:
kscarlett5683:

To answer your question, no, I don't feel I'm being discriminated against because I assume there is a reason for it. Part of the qualifications of that job.
HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.
Nobody can argue that this country's primary language is English. I believe it should be our official language and the law indicates that all correspondance be offered in English -- but can also be offered in any other language you want.
In other words, if I go into a store, I can expect to communicate in English and read English signs. But the proprietor of the store can choose to also communicate in Spanish or Mandarin or whatever to another customer who preferes that language.
I don't think that's so horrible. I dont understand why it would be a big deal, honestly.
Really? That's too bad. We live in a predominately Polish area of Chicago, and I love it. I speak a little, but it is really interesting to me to see how these families have moved to America (and some were born here), but still honor their heritage and where they came from.

Thumps up to this

andiandlou · May 2011

RedWingsFan:
kscarlett5683:

To answer your question, no, I don't feel I'm being discriminated against because I assume there is a reason for it. Part of the qualifications of that job.
HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.
Nobody can argue that this country's primary language is English. I believe it should be our official language and the law indicates that all correspondance be offered in English -- but can also be offered in any other language you want.
In other words, if I go into a store, I can expect to communicate in English and read English signs. But the proprietor of the store can choose to also communicate in Spanish or Mandarin or whatever to another customer who preferes that language.
I don't think that's so horrible. I dont understand why it would be a big deal, honestly.
Really? That's too bad. We live in a predominately Polish area of Chicago, and I love it. I speak a little, but it is really interesting to me to see how these families have moved to America (and some were born here), but still honor their heritage and where they came from.

Thumps up to this

andiandlou · May 2011

RedWingsFan:
kscarlett5683:

To answer your question, no, I don't feel I'm being discriminated against because I assume there is a reason for it. Part of the qualifications of that job.
HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.
Nobody can argue that this country's primary language is English. I believe it should be our official language and the law indicates that all correspondance be offered in English -- but can also be offered in any other language you want.
In other words, if I go into a store, I can expect to communicate in English and read English signs. But the proprietor of the store can choose to also communicate in Spanish or Mandarin or whatever to another customer who preferes that language.
I don't think that's so horrible. I dont understand why it would be a big deal, honestly.
Really? That's too bad. We live in a predominately Polish area of Chicago, and I love it. I speak a little, but it is really interesting to me to see how these families have moved to America (and some were born here), but still honor their heritage and where they came from.

Thumps up to this

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

yankeebaby2:

emiliemadison:
Of course not. If there is a job that requires an applicant to be multi-lingual and you're not, then you're simply NOT QUALIFIED. It's the same for any other job that has requirements, like having X years experience, a specific degree/certification, etc. Either you have the job qualifications or you dont, and speaking a 2nd language is no different.

well we have a poster on the 9-12 board that doesn't want to let people in this country that don't speak english and we have a poster here who says English needs to be an official language because she is uncomfortable when she hears people speaking spanish on the streets but nither are racist

I hope you really weren't speaking about me. I never said I was uncomfortable when I hear people speaking spanish - or any other language - on the streets. EVER.

Frankly, this whole thread is pissing me off. You are all playing semantics here.

Are you really going to argue that our primary - or dare I say, default - language here in the United States is English? How can you not? *MOST* schools are taught in English (yes there are exceptions), our major media channels are in English, most of our street signs are in English, government documents (and yes, I know in those cases there are places where there are translations available)....etc. Most of the American-based websites are in English. Our CONSITITUTION was written in English, despite that fact that this country is a welcome melting pot.

Need I go on? Our country happily accommodates those who speak other languages. I have NO issue with that.

All I am saying is that as a person born in the U.S.A. taugh the primary langugage of the country should have the expectation to be able to communicate in commerce and in all official ways. If I walk into the store, the sales person should be able to speak to me in English.

I fail to understand why this is an UNREASONABLE expectation.

Let me reiterate someone wants to speak another language to another human being, I could care less.

It offends me that anyone could in any way imply that I am racist in any way. My ancestors were massacred by the founders of this country. I have family members who still live on reservations. My other ancestors were brought here against their will as slaves - I have no idea what language my ancestors would have spoken. That history was stripped from me. I am mix of different cultures and heritages and all of my family reflects that -- including Cuban.

I challenge anyone to tell me exactly where it is that I wrote that we should not be welcoming and accommodating to all languages or where I felt uncomfortable.

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

ali_bl-nov05:
kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:
PiRSquared330:

Come on, I realize this is controversial but I can't for the life of my understand WHY

Because it's racist and xenophobic to feel this way and because we stole this country from people who didn't speak english

No, I don't feel it's racist in ANY WAY shape or form. Yes, this country was stolen from MY ANCESTORS. You are absolutely correct. But so what? I was born here and learned English. I'm not saying do not accept others from other places with other languages, but why, why why is it so horrible to have the expectation that I can communicate in the primary language of this country, the country I was born in?

Because you just said you expec to go into inmmigrant neigborghood and have people speak english at each other because it makes you feel strange. That's why is xenophobic, plain and simple. And being descendent of native americans in no way excuses you.

NO I DID NOT. What I said was I don't like going into any neighborhood into a store to buy something and I cannot communicate what it is I want to buy or ask a question.

There are neighbhorhoods in NYC where you CANNOT FUNCTION if you don't know the language. I dont' understand why I cannot expect, in MY OWN COUNTRY to be able to FUNCTION in English.

Again, I walk into a store and want to purchase a soda and do not understand how much it costs because the person doesn't speak English. THAT is what causes discomfort, NOT hearing two people speak another language.

Please, for God's sake, someone tell me why that is wrong.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

kscarlett5683:

HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.

This is what you said that is offensive and has nothing to do with the shopkeeper selling you coke in a language you don;t understand. It's a private business and they can serve you in the language of their choosing. All you have to worry about is if they can make correct change.

It doesn't matter if you are native american or have some cuban or whatever culture you are rambling on about, you are being 100% xenophobic about forcing these poor shopkeepers to cater to you in your language. If you don't like it, shop somewhere else. They pay their taxes and they have acheived some semblance of the american dream and you want to take that away from them because they don't speak your language?

margotmacomber · May 2011

I don't think everyone quite understands the exponential way technology is growing and the increasing impact that will have on globalization. You might as well start adapting now, save yourself the trouble later.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

kscarlett5683:
ali_bl-nov05:
kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:
PiRSquared330:

NO I DID NOT. What I said was I don't like going into any neighborhood into a store to buy something and I cannot communicate what it is I want to buy or ask a question.

There are neighbhorhoods in NYC where you CANNOT FUNCTION if you don't know the language. I dont' understand why I cannot expect, in MY OWN COUNTRY to be able to FUNCTION in English.

Again, I walk into a store and want to purchase a soda and do not understand how much it costs because the person doesn't speak English. THAT is what causes discomfort, NOT hearing two people speak another language.

Please, for God's sake, someone tell me why that is wrong.

YOU are the one hanging out in Spanish Harlem or Brighton Beach or Little Italy or Chinatown and you want to force them to speak english so they can sell you a coke?

Stick to Long Island if hearing polish, spanish, russian, ect is getting between you and your coke. And seriously, how much soda do you drink that you want us to believe you are wandering from ethnic neighborhood to ethnic neighborhood being denied cokes all over the place?

zeptattoo · May 2011

Discriminiation? No, I call it a qualification.

As for the whole business/neighborhood thing, yes it can be frustrating, but I go somewhere else. There is a chicken place here that is Korean that only has signs in Korean (beyond the name), menus in Korean and they only speak Korean. DH justs points to the picture or we go somewhere else. Big deal.

yourfaceyourface · May 2011

yankeebaby2:
My SIL speaks no english and makes 120k a year working for a dominican freight forwarding company in Miami. Oh and your mom can come work at my job. No one in our accounting department speaks english/

i wonder if i have worked with her (or her office, as i dont speak much spanish). i work for a shipping line.

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:

HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.

This is what you said that is offensive and has nothing to do with the shopkeeper selling you coke in a language you don;t understand. It's a private business and they can serve you in the language of their choosing. All you have to worry about is if they can make correct change.

It doesn't matter if you are native american or have some cuban or whatever culture you are rambling on about, you are being 100% xenophobic about forcing these poor shopkeepers to cater to you in your language. If you don't like it, shop somewhere else. They pay their taxes and they have acheived some semblance of the american dream and you want to take that away from them because they don't speak your language?

No, I do not want to take away the american dream from ANYONE. That is ridiculous. And yes, right now the laws don't have any restrictions on language.

All I am saying...SIMPLY.....is that I should have no barriers to communicating in English since English is the primary language of this country. And again, still confused.....why is this a problem? I'm not trying to take rights away from anyone else.

But clearly I am the only one on this board who feels this way---or dares to say it. I'm not going to beat a dead horse here since nobody has actually given me a good answer as to why this is an issue.

RedWingsFan · May 2011

kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:

HOWEVER - and this may be an UO -- I do think we need to make English our official language. I say this as a mixed ethnic person with strong Native American heritage. I do not like the feeling of going into some neighborhoods and feeling like I'm a foreigner and I can't get along because I don't know the language. In NY, you find that alot. Mind you, I'm not saying just spanish, but all languages.

This is what you said that is offensive and has nothing to do with the shopkeeper selling you coke in a language you don;t understand. It's a private business and they can serve you in the language of their choosing. All you have to worry about is if they can make correct change.

It doesn't matter if you are native american or have some cuban or whatever culture you are rambling on about, you are being 100% xenophobic about forcing these poor shopkeepers to cater to you in your language. If you don't like it, shop somewhere else. They pay their taxes and they have acheived some semblance of the american dream and you want to take that away from them because they don't speak your language?

No, I do not want to take away the american dream from ANYONE. That is ridiculous. And yes, right now the laws don't have any restrictions on language.

All I am saying...SIMPLY.....is that I should have no barriers to communicating in English since English is the primary language of this country. And again, still confused.....why is this a problem? I'm not trying to take rights away from anyone else.

But clearly I am the only one on this board who feels this way---or dares to say it. I'm not going to beat a dead horse here since nobody has actually given me a good answer as to why this is an issue.

But you are - by wanting the owner/employee of a privately owned business to speak English, you are taking away their rights as an owner of (again) a PRIVATELY owned business to run their store as they see fit.

If it frustrates you that much, you have the right to go somewhere else where English is spoken. I go to a Polish deli where they only speak Polish - I say hello in Polish, point at the kielbasa I want, say thank you in Polish, pay and leave. Easy peasy.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:

No, I do not want to take away the american dream from ANYONE. That is ridiculous. And yes, right now the laws don't have any restrictions on language.

All I am saying...SIMPLY.....is that I should have no barriers to communicating in English since English is the primary language of this country. And again, still confused.....why is this a problem? I'm not trying to take rights away from anyone else.

But clearly I am the only one on this board who feels this way---or dares to say it. I'm not going to beat a dead horse here since nobody has actually given me a good answer as to why this is an issue.

I have given you many reasons why this is an issue and you're rejecting them. You can't force the dominican owner of a bodega in washington heights to tell you how much your soda costs in english simply because it is his right as a private business owner to adress you in the language he chooses. You have the right to chosse to buy your soda somewhere else

Chrysallys · May 2011

Nope. Its completely understandable to me.

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:

But clearly I am the only one on this board who feels this way---or dares to say it. I'm not going to beat a dead horse here since nobody has actually given me a good answer as to why this is an issue.

I have given you many reasons why this is an issue and you're rejecting them. You can't force the dominican owner of a bodega in washington heights to tell you how much your soda costs in english simply because it is his right as a private business owner to adress you in the language he chooses. You have the right to chosse to buy your soda somewhere else

We are just going to have to agree to disagree then. What you said above is absolutely correct today. I'm not trying to take anyone's rights away. All I am saying is that in this country we should all have a common language that we can all "default" to in order to communicate. I really don't see how this impinges on anyone's rights.

Additionally, and I think you of all people are aware of this, but some don't have the resources to just leave their communities to "buy a soda somewhere else." Some have jobs or homes in areas where another language has built up around them and now they find themselves lost. Does that person not have the right to be able to effectively communicate? Isn't that person getting shut out?

All I am saying...SIMPLY.....is that I should have no barriers to communicating in English since English is the primary language of this country. And again, still confused.....why is this a problem? I'm not trying to take rights away from anyone else.

Ninety-two percent of the world's countries have at least one official language. (Source: 2002 World Almanac, 2001 U.S. Bureau of the Census Estimates)

All I am saying is that we have one common official language where we can all communicate.

I'm not saying we shouldn't have translations, signs, documents, etc in other languages. Of course we should learn other languages in school (in fact, I think it should be done earlier than it is today normally). I'm not saying you shouldn't communicate at all in another language if you so choose.

All I'm saying....simply....is that English be our official language so we can have an official language and common ground. Technically, it is our "default" language today. Not trying to marginalize anyone and I'm not xenophobic.

And to address the original point, I have no issue with a job requirement requiring one to be bi or multilingual

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

Cassie730:

You use the word "simply" a lot...and that's exactly what you are...simple. Because the fact that you can't understand the "simple" concept that English is not an "official" language and no one should be forced to speak it for your comfort is very minute.

I am a white female. I am not bilingual. I speak English only with the exception of "simple" "hola" "gracias" "adios"...etc. But I also have the respect and understanding for other people and other cultures that I can walk into a store, or a restaurant and communicate with a non-english-speaking owner, patron, etc. JUST FINE without being uncomfortable or an immature ignorant asssshole about it. The same way I can communicate with deaf people who don't have oral language skills JUST FINE. It's about adapting and finding commonalities. If you have some fvcking respect for these people, their culture, their store then you could find a way to communicate with them without having to have them serve and cater to YOU in your language because of your own insecurities and uncomfortableness.

You are everything that is wrong with the close minded ignorant culture that makes people shy away from Americans. Try EMBRACING from other cultures and learning from them. There are cultures and civilizations, families, etc. that have been around far longer than our little country has. You could learn a lot from opening your mind.

You don't know one iota about me, so I'm going to ignore your insults. I am the least close minded person I know. Nothing I said was about not embracing other cultures and learning about them. Any country I have ever gone to I have made it a point to learn the language as much as I could in order to respect the language and culture of that country. As an American, people have told me they admired me for it, as most Americans just assume everyone knows English. I don't deserve admiration - I think it's common sense and respect.

Nothing I said had disrespect for any other cultures nor am I an "ignorant a$$hole" to anyone from another culture about anything, regardless of what language they speak.

The fact that you can't read speaks volumes. I know that today the U.S. has not named English as it's "official" language legally.....that's my point, that I think we should.

The fact that you can't have an intelligent conversation without insulting anyone speaks to your closemindedness.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:

We are just going to have to agree to disagree then. What you said above is absolutely correct today. I'm not trying to take anyone's rights away. All I am saying is that in this country we should all have a common language that we can all "default" to in order to communicate. I really don't see how this impinges on anyone's rights.

Additionally, and I think you of all people are aware of this, but some don't have the resources to just leave their communities to "buy a soda somewhere else." Some have jobs or homes in areas where another language has built up around them and now they find themselves lost. Does that person not have the right to be able to effectively communicate? Isn't that person getting shut out?

All I am saying...SIMPLY.....is that I should have no barriers to communicating in English since English is the primary language of this country. And again, still confused.....why is this a problem? I'm not trying to take rights away from anyone else.

Ninety-two percent of the world's countries have at least one official language. (Source: 2002 World Almanac, 2001 U.S. Bureau of the Census Estimates)

All I am saying is that we have one common official language where we can all communicate.

I'm not saying we shouldn't have translations, signs, documents, etc in other languages. Of course we should learn other languages in school (in fact, I think it should be done earlier than it is today normally). I'm not saying you shouldn't communicate at all in another language if you so choose.

All I'm saying....simply....is that English be our official language so we can have an official language and common ground. Technically, it is our "default" language today. Not trying to marginalize anyone and I'm not xenophobic.

And to address the original point, I have no issue with a job requirement requiring one to be bi or multilingual

Pm the cross streets where you are having a hard time buying a soda in english and I'll tell you where to go. I know those neighborhoods like the back of my hand:)

Sorry, you're are not going to convince me that you cannot buy a soda in english anywhere from 125th street all the up to dyckman

and just for a second, put yourself in that store owner's shoes. Away from his/her extended family, needs help making appointments, needs help filling out tax sheets and business related items. Was probably ripped off when he/she paid a "notary" to fill out the paperwork for his/her business licenses. He/she has a hard life too and you wanting a soda in english shouldn't trump that

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

yankeebaby2:

Pm the cross streets where you are having a hard time buying a soda in english and I'll tell you where to go. I know those neighborhoods like the back of my hand:)

Sorry, you're are not going to convince me that you cannot buy a soda in english anywhere from 125th street all the up to dyckman

and just for a second, put yourself in that store owner's shoes. Away from his/her extended family, needs help making appointments, needs help filling out tax sheets and business related items. Was probably ripped off when he/she paid a "notary" to fill out the paperwork for his/her business licenses. He/she has a hard life too and you wanting a soda in english shouldn't trump that

Give me a break. Not everyone who doesn't speak English has had a hard life. BUT -- let's play.

First of all, I know first hand what it would be like not to know English but have to live in an English speaking country. My babysitter - very close friend of the family - moved from Colombia to live near me and DH because she insisted she come take care of DD. She spoke almost no English. She took care of DD for a little over a year, but had to move back for personal reasons. We loved her. We were happy to have her.

We also helped her sign her lease, with social security (she is a green card holder who's late husband was a citizen, so she and her children get benefits), and real estate work (her husbands properties) that needed to be taken care of. I witnessed first hand the struggles she went through.

I took the little spanish I knew and - OMG you might want to sit down for this -- communicated as best as I could in HER language to help her feel more comfortable in my home. I've got some funny stories surrounding my horrible translations and the look on her face. How she taught me "biscocho" meant "pu$$y" where she came from and I should use "torta"....and it goes on and on. (forgive my spelling mistakes in spanish)

I am not in any way non-empathetic.

BUT -- I did feel like she should have made more of an effort to learn enough English to be able to get around on her own. Not easy --- English as a second language is difficult, I know, especially for an adult (compared to a small child) -- but I think necessary. To make HER life easier. So she doesn't feel crippled like I knew she felt at times. Why is that wrong?

What's so wrong with having a common language again? How does that trump people's rights? Maybe some of you are misreading my comment to read "only English" or "intolerant of other languages" or "can't get into the country because you don't speak the language". Um....no. Let me be clear that I do not agree with any of those things. But whatever.

Well, I think this conversation has gone on long enough. It seems like my UO here cannot be seriously talked about without being accused of being xenophobic, closed minded, an a$$hole.....what have you.

Personally, I think that sucks. I have spoken to others IRL and, funny enough, it's not an UO to the different groups I talked to. Liberals, conservatives, white, hispanic, black, christian, agnostic...you name it.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:

Give me a break. Not everyone who doesn't speak English has had a hard life. BUT -- let's play.

First of all, I know first hand what it would be like not to know English but have to live in an English speaking country. My babysitter - very close friend of the family - moved from Colombia to live near me and DH because she insisted she come take care of DD. She spoke almost no English. She took care of DD for a little over a year, but had to move back for personal reasons. We loved her. We were happy to have her.

We also helped her sign her lease, with social security (she is a green card holder who's late husband was a citizen, so she and her children get benefits), and real estate work (her husbands properties) that needed to be taken care of. I witnessed first hand the struggles she went through.

I took the little spanish I knew and - OMG you might want to sit down for this -- communicated as best as I could in HER language to help her feel more comfortable in my home. I've got some funny stories surrounding my horrible translations and the look on her face. How she taught me "biscocho" meant "pu$$y" where she came from and I should use "torta"....and it goes on and on. (forgive my spelling mistakes in spanish)

I am not in any way non-empathetic.

BUT -- I did feel like she should have made more of an effort to learn enough English to be able to get around on her own. Not easy --- English as a second language is difficult, I know, especially for an adult (compared to a small child) -- but I think necessary. To make HER life easier. So she doesn't feel crippled like I knew she felt at times. Why is that wrong?

What's so wrong with having a common language again? How does that trump people's rights? Maybe some of you are misreading my comment to read "only English" or "intolerant of other languages" or "can't get into the country because you don't speak the language". Um....no. Let me be clear that I do not agree with any of those things. But whatever.

Well, I think this conversation has gone on long enough. It seems like my UO here cannot be seriously talked about without being accused of being xenophobic, closed minded, an a$$hole.....what have you.

Personally, I think that sucks. I have spoken to others IRL and, funny enough, it's not an UO to the different groups I talked to. Liberals, conservatives, white, hispanic, black, christian, agnostic...you name it.

that's funny because bizcocho for me means cake but anyway yes your colombian nanny shoudl learn english so that she is not so crippled by not understanding the language. How will making english the official language change that? Will they have spanish teachers teaching all these willfully stubborn hispanics about a dangling participle? They are not not learning the language just to fvck with you, they are not learning it becaause it's hard.

And this was bout you and how you had a hard time buying a soda in spanish harlem in english. So go to regular harlem I don't see how buying a soda in spanish is a hardship compared to what immigrants are going through every day

kscarlett5683 · May 2011

yankeebaby2:
kscarlett5683:
yankeebaby2:

that's funny because bizcocho for me means cake (Everyone else has told me that too, but maybe it's a regional thing. It was funny though) but anyway yes your colombian nanny shoudl learn english so that she is not so crippled by not understanding the language. How will making english the official language change that? It wouldn't. Will they have spanish teachers teaching all these willfully stubborn hispanics about a dangling participle? They are not not learning the language just to fvck with you, they are not learning it becaause it's hard. I'm completely aware of that. In no way did I take it personally.

And this was bout you and how you had a hard time buying a soda in spanish harlem in english. I wasn't actually talking about spanish harlem (I never mentioned it, but I was talking about a neighborhood in queens). And it was an example. So go to regular harlem I don't see how buying a soda in spanish is a hardship compared to what immigrants are going through every day It's not. And in no way did I say it was, nor was I comparing myself to them.

However, I just don't get the resistance. Making English the official language -- in my opinion -- should not change offering translations of other languages where appropriate (signs, documents, whatever). Not trying to create a barrier to immigration, not trying to stomp on anyone's rights.

I'm done. I feel like I'm beating a dead horse.

yankeebaby2 · May 2011

I don't see how making english the official language would have helped the store owner or the colombian nanny and I still maintain that you said this based on your own discomfort.

You specifically stated that you did not like going into ethnic neighborhoods and not understanding the language. Making english the official language won't change that. Store owners of private businesses can transact business int he language of their choosing and patrons of said store can take their business elswhere

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