Opinons on rising amount of Spanish spoken in America...

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 5:35pm

I'm writing a thesis on the rising amount of Spanish spoken in the country and the different the thoughts on the matter and if something should be done about it. Through my research I've found opinions such as:

"The Chinese, Japanese, Germans, and Russians had to learn it, so, so should the Hispanics."

as well as "Well, Hispanics don't have to, so why should they?"

and then there's "It's America, speak English!", along with that quote places like Nashville, Tennessee only tolerate English.

I was just wondering what some of your opinions on the topic were? Now, I'm not trying to turn this into a huge heated debate, just a discussion on a certain issue.

Updated On: 5/11/09 at 05:35 PM

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 5:50pm

damn mexicans.

[Weez]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 5:54pm

I think the best way to inspire a sensible discussion would not be to share your own thoughts at the beginning; if you're expecting a fairly even split of opinions, you're going to alienate your tagret audience right off bat. Just open with your question, phrased in a non-leading fashion, and see where it gets you. :P

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 5:57pm

I'll take the advice... thanks.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 6:00pm

I believe the thread title here was: "You're in America, speak American!" That went over really well...

[WishingOnlyWounds2]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 6:04pm

No, that wasn't the title... the title hasn't changed.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 6:19pm

This Topic <------Me------> Ten Foot Pole

Ne'er the twain shall meet.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 6:40pm

Wishing, years ago, a poster named RaggyPooQ started a thread with the "Speak American" title to complain that her neighbor in Miami greeted her with "Hola!". It turned into an epic meltdown where she threatened to kill herself, disappeared, then reappeared under another name days later and whines to the mods every time you remind her what happened.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 6:41pm

Wishing, I believe that oranges is making reference to a thread that once appeared on the board. (ETA orange posted while I was forming my response)

The way I see it is that our ancestors came here and had to go to school at night to learn English while working during the day. They had no choice though, based on the limited history I've read, that many of them did want to learn the language of their new home. That it was part of their new life in the land where streets were paved with gold (or cheese if you believe An American Tail).

I don't know if it's a lack of desire or that the resources just aren't there for them the way they were back when Ellis Island was in operation. But, I think we should stop making concessions for everybody.

Several years ago Geno's, a famous cheesesteak shop in Philadelphia, came under fire for posting a sign that read "This is America. When ordering please speak English". The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations even filed a lawsuit against the Philadelphia landmark. But, as the owner Geno's, Joe had every right to post such a sign.

As someone who has worked in customer service for nine years I can honestly say how difficult it is to give someone the help they need and deserve when you have no idea what they're saying. Both parties end up frustrated.

I'm not sure what the answer is though. On one extreme we have the aforementioned Nashville where only English is tolerated and then we have the other were everything is printed/said in multiple languages wasting paper and time. There HAS to be a happy medium.

Updated On: 5/11/09 at 06:41 PM

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 6:57pm

I am of the opinion that yes, English is our first language but what is wrong with people being required in school to learn Spanish? Many of my European friends have had to take English in school, many grow up at least having a rudimentary understanding of the English Language.
I also think that Hispanics, if they want live here, should meet us halfway.

[Estrella]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:13pm

What do the states Florida, California, Nevada, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado have in common? They are all Spanish names.

Spanish was the first European language to permanently take hold in North America. In fact, America is a Spanish name.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:23pm

I'm with Mr. Matt.

Not goin' there.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:39pm

Yeah. I have my own opinion and shall keep it to myself

[StageManager2]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:40pm

Pussies! :-P

Estrella: Actually, "America" is Latin, and it was named for Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci.

[clever name]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:45pm

I just squealed at your avatar, StageManager!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:46pm

OK - I'll bite. English should be the official language of the United States. It is fine to teach second languages in school, and I am all for immersion programs in foreign languages, but English should be the official language of the US.

When I was a child, we hosted some Vietnamese boat people in our home for a few months. The first thing these two men did was start learning English.

I think we have gone to far in facilitating languages other than English from being used, and at some point, we either have to recognize that a common language is important.

Kill me for being un-PC, but I think those here should learn to speak English.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:55pm

clever name: Awesome movie, huh? The little girl was a freakin' revelation!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 7:58pm

LOVED the movie

[tazber]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:10pm

I won't bite except to say that I feel Ebonics should become the official language of America.

[killertofu333]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:19pm

Oh no you DI'INT!!!

[D2]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:21pm

You would, Taz.

[StockardFan]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:23pm

HAHAHA! Taz is killin' me today!

[Amaranth9]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:40pm

It is a common misconception that Latinos don't want to learn English. The fact is, most do, and most families are bilingual or English dominant by the second or third generation. It's a matter of time and resources mostly. For example, immigrant Latino adults often work in industries with other Latinos, so they don't have much opportunity to practice or learn English. The English they learn is limited to vocabulary related to their jobs, or "working English." But they do expect their children to learn English.

Also, the whole point of bilingual classes or ESL is to teach English. To remove these classes is to risk the alienation and drop-out of students who could do very well in school once they have a grasp of the language. They would end up culturally marginalized, not strong in Spanish or English, and that's not good for anyone.

[tazber]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:47pm

I think we need to hear from musicaltheaterfan. s/he is the final word on all linguistic queries.

[cmleidi]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 8:49pm

II don't care if people want to speak Spanish. Why should that bother me? I'm more bothered by customer service people with thick Southern accents or reps from India.

I always find it interesting that most of the "You're in America, speak English!" people expect to get by in English when they visit other countries. If a Frenchman or a German or a Spaniard doesn't understand English, the people will start yelling in English.

IF you haven't learned a second language yourself, you have no right to criticise someone else for having a difficult time or not doing it fast enough. English is one of the most complicated languages to learn.