One thing I think is long overdue, and I say this a a person whose father came from a non-hispanic country LEGALLY at the age of 6 and HAD to learn English, and was harassed and made fun of by kids and schools until he did (BTW--he was first one in family to graduate college and did very well as an American, and raised his kids to be American first), is an English only official language of this country. I'm breaking that aside out into this new thread, as I'd like to discuss that a bit now that we have an admin that might actually listen and do the obvious.

I think it is harmful and a total disservice to those who might be immigrants to this country (LEGAL ONES) to not require them to use the language that has bound us all together for moire than 250 years and helped create the commonality between differing backgrounds that binds not divides America.

(And as a Catholic, I call for an end to the church-imposed apartheid in the American Catholic Church, done in the name of money and greed.)

Anyone have similar experiences? (Illegals need not comment).

I'm fine with it.

Should be mandatory to learn the language in the United states if You want to actually live here. Tourists are exempt but learning some English would help Their experience while visiting here as far as Shopping, Eating at restaurants,Maps and street signs ect.

Germans don't get angry that I can't speak German very well.

(12-01-2016 08:55 AM)GoodOwl Wrote:  One thing I think is long overdue, and I say this a a person whose father came from a non-hispanic country LEGALLY at the age of 6 and HAD to learn English, and was harassed and made fun of by kids and schools until he did (BTW--he was first one in family to graduate college and did very well as an American, and raised his kids to be American first), is an English only official language of this country. I'm breaking that aside out into this new thread, as I'd like to discuss that a bit now that we have an admin that might actually listen and do the obvious.

I think it is harmful and a total disservice to those who might be immigrants to this country (LEGAL ONES) to not require them to use the language that has bound us all together for moire than 250 years and helped create the commonality between differing backgrounds that binds not divides America.

(And as a Catholic, I call for an end to the church-imposed apartheid in the American Catholic Church, done in the name of money and greed.)

Anyone have similar experiences? (Illegals need not comment).

I have no issue with it.

I am more curious on the church imposed apartheid? What do you mean by that?

(12-01-2016 09:21 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Germans don't get angry that I can't speak German very well.

I've found that if you give it a shot when traveling, people respect that. I usually try and then a waiter or shop owner will speak English to me if I'm butchering it.

Only place I found that not to be true is the Metro Paris area.

(12-01-2016 09:43 AM)fsquid Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:21 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Germans don't get angry that I can't speak German very well.

I've found that if you give it a shot when traveling, people respect that. I usually try and then a waiter or shop owner will speak English to me if I'm butchering it.

Only place I found that not to be true is the Metro Paris area.

Agree 100%, especially about Paris.

As for other places, I've found that they want to practice English with me so my being able to practice their language can be somewhat limited.

(12-01-2016 09:45 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:43 AM)fsquid Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:21 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Germans don't get angry that I can't speak German very well.

I've found that if you give it a shot when traveling, people respect that. I usually try and then a waiter or shop owner will speak English to me if I'm butchering it.

Only place I found that not to be true is the Metro Paris area.

Agree 100%, especially about Paris.

As for other places, I've found that they want to practice English with me so my being able to practice their language can be somewhat limited.

we have a really good authentic Mexican restaurant that we visit here for lunch where we are the only white people in the joint. The owner has someone who doesn't know much English take our order everytime. I then will see the waiter show the order to the owner and sometimes he will come over and just confirm something if it looks weird. I think that is a great idea to give some confidence to those starting anew here.

English needs to be the only language in the world. I hope Trump can make that happen.

(12-01-2016 09:49 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  English needs to be the only language in the world. I hope Trump can make that happen.

^^^ for a variety of reasons

(12-01-2016 09:52 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:49 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  English needs to be the only language in the world. I hope Trump can make that happen.

^^^ for a variety of reasons

I won't go that far as folks have a right to speak their native language. However, I can agree with English being the official language used for conducting US govt business.

(12-01-2016 09:56 AM)VA49er Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:52 AM)stinkfist Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:49 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  English needs to be the only language in the world. I hope Trump can make that happen.

^^^ for a variety of reasons

I won't go that far as folks have a right to speak their native language. However, I can agree with English being the official language used for conducting US govt business.

I wouldn't disagree with any of that with the latter being the potential "realistic" end game...

IMO, the way humans communicate is the single most important development in mankind's history....in my mind, the fewer options that are available becomes the tool to help achieve the most moving forward as a species...

(12-01-2016 09:43 AM)fsquid Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:21 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  Germans don't get angry that I can't speak German very well.

I've found that if you give it a shot when traveling, people respect that. I usually try and then a waiter or shop owner will speak English to me if I'm butchering it.

Only place I found that not to be true is the Metro Paris area.

I do attempt, and while I feel like a dipshit because I suck at it, I know they probably appreciate it. I always preface speaking by telling them that I'm sorry that my German is not good.

(12-01-2016 09:49 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  Latin needs to be the only language in the world.

FIFY

(12-01-2016 10:14 AM)shiftyeagle Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 09:49 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  Latin needs to be the only language in the world.

FIFY

lol....I see what you did there....lol

" I say this a a person whose father came from a non-hispanic country LEGALLY at the age of 6 and HAD to learn English,"


Perhaps you should learn English first.

(12-01-2016 09:49 AM)EverRespect Wrote:  English needs to be the only language in the world. I hope Trump can make that happen.

It already is. Thank you Trump.

(12-01-2016 10:39 AM)smudge12 Wrote:  I agree with stink that it would probably be best if all mankind had one language. Don't think it should be forced in any way, but I can see the Internet being the thing that brings all humans to one language. It'll probably be English since the majority of the Internet is in English, but who knows... likely won't happen in our lifetimes.

If you believe what is written in the Bible, I don't think it would be a good idea at all.

(12-01-2016 10:41 AM)Fitbud Wrote:  

(12-01-2016 10:39 AM)smudge12 Wrote:  I agree with stink that it would probably be best if all mankind had one language. Don't think it should be forced in any way, but I can see the Internet being the thing that brings all humans to one language. It'll probably be English since the majority of the Internet is in English, but who knows... likely won't happen in our lifetimes.

If you believe what is written in the Bible, I don't think it would be a good idea at all.

If English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for all of mankind.

Let's just say that competency in English should be required to graduate high school, and to be accepted into any public university.