English is the language of these United States

[Danno 1,228]

My wife gets irritated at all the bi-lingual signs here for two reasons.

1. They cater to spanish in most cases and no other foreign language.

2. She thinks it increases division.

If one follows the trajectory of language, within 20 years, whole states will be teaching schools and doing government business in Spanish.

[Peikko 1,575]

My wife gets irritated at all the bi-lingual signs here for two reasons.

1. They cater to spanish in most cases and no other foreign language.

2. She thinks it increases division.

If one follows the trajectory of language, within 20 years, whole states will be teaching schools and doing government business in Spanish.

Probably although I think 20 years is a little off - it will take longer. What would be the problem if that happened, exactly?

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Catchy.

I kind of understand what they mean.

In the area I live, I see more foreign signs than English ones for stores.

I went to get my SSN and there was Spanish signs in a US Government building... it blew me away a bit.

[trailmix 77]

Catchy.

I kind of understand what they mean.

In the area I live, I see more foreign signs than English ones for stores.

I went to get my SSN and there was Spanish signs in a US Government building... it blew me away a bit.

Did it blow you away in Canada where all the Government signs are in English and French?

[FortLaudy 10]

I have no problem with Spanish at all. In South Africa we had 11 official languages, when I lived in the middle east I learned a bit of Arabic to get by, here in Florida I'm slowly starting to learn a bit of spanish as it's everywhere, if it bothers you that you can't understand it just learn the language, what's wrong with learning a new language or atleast a bit to get by on? the problem me thinks: small mindedness and not enough eagerness to learn. ALSO, I do think people who move here should learn to speak English, just like I had to learn to get by in Arabic when I lived in an Arab country. Fair is fair.

[Nagishkaw 510]

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I actually think that the US should include other languages in major signs/info like other countries. French, German, Japanese & maybe Zhōngwén should be included along with spanish.

And yes I think the US might as well adopt American English as the official language.

[FortLaudy 10]

I don't know about all those languages, lol. But since most people here speak English and a good number too Spanish, I see no problem with both being used and thoroughly taught in schools.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

I mean what would it hurt if we had to adapt to learn another language? Where as most Europeans are fluent in at least two languages, us Americans can barely speak or write in English (myself included lol).

It just seems like the lady in this video wants convenience, and somehow thinks that other languages will threaten her lifestyle or culture or maybe she'll get lost on the hwy???? What is wrong with having to make yourself essentially smarter? I say, adapt or die with the weak.

I also, think that the idea that signs in different languages create "seperation" is hooey. I think that if we actually took the time to learn about other cultures and linguistic anthropology it would only lead to a greater understanding of a foreign culture(s).

Learning Spanish, oh the horror!!!!

[scandal 951]

In Tokyo a few years ago, I tried to take a train. It was all of about 3 stops from the train station near my hotel to the electronics shopping district, Akihabara.

However all the signs in the station were in Japanese only. I couldn't figure out how much the fare was, how to buy a ticket, which direction I was supposed to go in, or which stop to get off. Nobody I approached seemed to speak any English either.

It made me realize what a foreigner coming to America must feel like, entirely helpless.

I've traveled in plenty of other countries but most of them use a Latin character script. So if you know you want to get off at Bbommersheim stop in Frankfurt, well that's where you get off. Even if you don't know a word of German and have no idea what Bommersheim means.

In Thailand, they use Latin and Thai characters for most public signs, including BTS (Bangkok Skytrain).

Someone on this thread mentioned that they found it disturbing to see the conjunction of the language issue with lots of American patriotic flags and military themes. I agree.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Did it blow you away in Canada where all the Government signs are in English and French?

Well no, because both languages are officially main languages in Canada.

Spanish isn't really an "official" language of the US. Sometimes I think it should be, but that's just me.

[Chris_Жанна 11]

Well no, because both languages are officially main languages in Canada.

Spanish isn't really an "official" language of the US. Sometimes I think it should be, but that's just me.

Either is English.

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Either is English.

Seriously? Wow. Boy am I stupid

EDIT: Yeah, wow. I need to learn to read wiki closer. Time to go read that whole article me thinks.

Edited January 15, 2010 by Rhiannercakes

[Danno 1,228]

Probably although I think 20 years is a little off - it will take longer. What would be the problem if that happened, exactly?

What do you mean "if" it happens it is going to happen.

It doesn't bother me really, I am able to relocate if need be to a English speaking part of the country.

What is wrong with half the country speaking one language and other parts speaking english?

It will add to the fragmentation of the country.... you would be hard pressed to show how it will make a stronger country.

[Peikko 1,575]

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What do you mean "if" it happens it is going to happen.

It doesn't bother me really, I am able to relocate if need be to a English speaking part of the country.

What is wrong with half the country speaking one language and other parts speaking english?

It will add to the fragmentation of the country.... you would be hard pressed to show how it will make a stronger country.

You mean, you believe that there will be parts of the US where speaking Spanish is mandatory? No English allowed? You and your paranoia Danno, unbeatable