Then again, WE aren’t obligated to make theirs convenient, either
My grandmother came to reside permanently in the US in her 50s (my mother was born here but the family moved back to Czechoslovakia when she was three. My mother came back at 21). Grandma’s grasp on English wasn’t perfect (Lincoln freed the sleeves) but she did manage to communicate fairly well.
On the other hand my mother worked with a woman who immigrated permanently from Italy. She REFUSED to learn English. Not couldn’t, wouldn’t, because Italian was better (everything Italian was better). I think this is what the OP had in mind.
Tais-toi 'estie! Maudit espece de chien!
Su madre!
Suck on my max Mara!
It sounds like a Kevin Smith movie in here!
When I moved to Sweden awhile back (I’ve since moved back to Texas) I learned Swedish, hell, if I wanted to watch T.V. I needed the language. Thank God my dad retired from the service while I was still in high school and moved back.
Now, I’m taking ROTC at Texas A&M, I’ll be starting my sophomore year pretty soon here, and I’d like to say that if you come to the states, you should learn the language.
Hell, There are Hispanic people in my Cadet outfit that DON’T know Spanish, because their Parents cared about their ecnomic well being.
Of course, some times when we go on a company run, the 1st Sgt. goes “Yo Quiero se un Airborne Ranger” by accident.
oops.
I’d just like to point out that not a single person who has agreed with the OP has commented on the fact that the United States has NO official language.
the laaaaannd of the free and the home of the bbrrraaaaave.
I can see a parents desire to make sure their kids learn English as being economically profitable, but knowing Spanish is not in anyway economically unprofitable, in fact it is quite profitable. I don’t understand how being bilingual is in anyway bad. Hell I wish I was, then could make more money at lots of jobs that young college students must take to afford to eat.
And those states that do are screwing over Native American communities because the laws make ancestral language immersion schools illegal, therefore hastening the deaths of languages that the government has lately “taken an interest in saving.”
Navaho, after having some success with its programs, is running up against this. Others are as well.
Absolutely. So the next time you visit Hawaii, make sure you’re fluent in Hawaiian. It’s one of their two official languages.
Wow!
Lighten the fuck up, everyone!!
Let’s make happy-friends, even if we don’t speak the same lingo…
I know what it’s like to be in a country where no one speaks your language… it’s difficult, frustrating, and sometimes even damned dangerous!
I have learned to speak the language, in a rudimentary way… but even now, the natives use idioms/slang/jargon that was NEVER taught in any classes I took, and they never slow down if they are speaking too quickly!
Thank you, Astrogirl for being my emergency translator when I get myself into deep shit (as happens often) and can’t talk my way free!
For those of you who have to deal with foreigners who do not speak your language: treat it as a game! Grunt, pantomime, grimmace, scratch your genitals if all else fails! Chances are you can understand the other person if you try…
why restate the obvious?
Do yer fuckin’ homework before making such statements, wouldya?
Revision:
Has anyone noticed that only one person who agrees with the OP has commented on the fact that the US has NO official language?
And that one person really doesn’t completely agree with the OP, as she states that its for the person’s own good to learn English, not that its an inconvenience to her. The difference between these two posters (Athena and Superdude) is fairly huge, as Athena appears to show empathy for those at the disadvantage of not knowing English, whist the OP categorically lambasts an entire population simply because they make his life inconvenient (at the rate of probably about 15 minutes every 3 years).
That used to piss me off too, until I went to Mexico on vacation last year. That was the first time I was glad to be asked if I wanted English or Spanish. Now it doesn’t bother me a bit. BTW I tried speaking what little Spanish I knew while I was there and the locals were very helpful in teaching me new words. I think as long as you try to use the native tounge people tend to be more helpful.
As for the OP, I live just outside DC and I hear you loud and clear. I hate going to Wendy’s and being asked for my order in Spanish then feeling like I need a translator just to get some damn food. I stopped going to fast food joints cause I never understand them (or they me) and my order is always wrong.
Where a’bouts just outside of DC? I live in Burke, in Fairfax County.
Oh yeah, shitsnorting ass-fuckers.
Supervise. I know it movement in direction of this country, because this furnace is, and of you which I lifespan absolutely good must, yada yada a yada of one. However, because you live now here, it A must saw now known as the language with him! Certain directives! If you want to say Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Canada, Yiddish, Klingon or everyone in you have fortunately the family. But another hope that I learn a) its language or b) hardly receives Interpreter, because you would like to have the conversation. I confirm, if I go an origin to his country, gives schlendern in the hotel absolutely, the relation of the lunch at high speed, or that opposite with the request with a person English, known as I probably extend it similar courtesy. It is extremely simple. If you arrive that E.E.U.U., this category of the fundamental knowledge of the language of the speech has at least. The English broke well. You form at least the attempt. Like, if you disturbed, if you learn how to say English, which 10 of the children thousands in front of this trace were inside: The national origin with the value puts the " road " I at the microbe sésamo is totals for the respect you (they are the American conditions, therefore I appear me am me probably must that those with majority marked people, this one rant better to be made). But you are not maintaining in this country. They are in me. And I hope that you shift the elephant. And, it does not follow any more the length its forming part independent which leads an approved origin. It leads our manner. If you want to lead in this trace of the transport of the left hand, with motionless, gone back to England (the official file named its in the file, " by the trace of the transport, " consequently which these people could arrive to him. It does not name with him, consequently that it can Hardly spend time in him)., because you fly, boated, a drilling, digs the goods of smuggling, airlifted, or them assistances in this large trace of automatic Liang are not for you must of the opinions repair me, to indicate to you freely. If you want to be to admire, markings admire it respective place, or in you have yourself the family. It does not try to force with me, to approve its faith theology. In a way similar, heard its boy to the school. But we lose the invaluable operational means which we cause that the category begins, for with the Chinese informing, anybody???, one everyone. More, like it trains its boy, cannot arrive this occasion which the academic company is an American citizen, if they never receive the meeting. Consequently once again if you want to be you approximately the enormous news controls of the family, with the small stick your value of the Japanese fatherland and from the language, then it comes to him turns over place. OH -. this one is of Fuck of the cave. Cocksucker. Sonofabitch. De Cuntfunnel. Ass __________________" Superdoubts! It is the elephant, whoa, y’ know, excel it, total gnarly, nobody, the right? The elephant which excels, it is the elephant which whatnot which is admirable truely the complete diskette which is by chance ifyaknowhamean, repairs excellent access? Whoa! " - racinchikki
Which is, IMHO, a sad omission on our part. I think that it has just been assumed all along that it was clear that English was the official language by default, since that is the language which is used on our currency, in public documents such as congressional records, etc. (With a little Latin thrown in for style here and there.) Of course, now it is unlikely that an official language will ever be declared, since there would be too much of an uproar.
::Putting on asbestos suit::
Not trying to seem xenophobic here, but I think that one of the greatest strengths that the US has is that it has always been a blending pot of many cultures. There is much to be gained from this variety. It just saddens me to see any given culture come in, and rather than trying to join in with the mix, choose to segregate itself by language and customs. If you want things just the way they were at home, why didn’t you stay home?
As several folks have pointed out, age can frequently be a big barrier to fully learning the language and assimilating oneself into the culture. This isn’t a new thing; there have been loads of families of various nationalities where it was a given that the young would learn and follow the language and customs of the US, while the grandparents would steadfastly hold on to language and the ways of the “Old Country.” That’s understandable. It just bugs the heck out of me when someone comes in and doesn’t bother to learn the predominating language because there are enough crutches in place to make them happy.
Couldn’t agree more, Souperdouche:rolleyes:
As part of my Med Ed, I’ve worked in a few major NYC public hospitals. And there’s nothing that burns my bovie more than when the critically ill do not speak English. Getting a thorough history from a patient is an integral part of making a correct diagnosis. Often, critical clues are missed because the patient was too lazy and stupid to have learned English. Not to mention how bad I look when my superior asks me something like, “Was the pain sharp, dull, throbbing? Did it radiate to the back or to the shoulder?”
In these situations I respond by explaining that, “The crap-smelling dickwad doesn’t speak any English, the lazy fuck! How the fuck would I know? Who the fuck cares if he lives or dies?”
Sourdouche, I think you’re a dick. I think this because you rant on and on about something which to you, is little more than an inconvenience. We have all felt the frustration of the inability to communicate with recently emigrated folk. Don’t let it get to you so much, though.
My personal experience (echoing what others in this thread have posted) is that a majority of foreign-speaking adults have a tremendously difficult time learning English. And they do pay a substantial price for it.
I think you’re a dick because this thread reinforces a negative stereotype of non-English speaking persons (NESP) living in the USA. You choose to view NESPs in the most negative light possible. In reality, a NESP could be:
[list=a]
[li]Very recently emigrated (not enough time to have learned English).[/li][li]Too busy working a low paying job and supporting their family to lear English.[/li][li]Struggling to learn English, but having trouble.[/li][li]Too sluggish and lazy to bother to please you, Pooper-crude.[/li][/list]
I’d like to see the data that a majority (or even a substantial fraction) of the folks you defame are in category D.