Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Spanish-language commercials on English-language TV

Wyodiver33 · 03-12-2010, 06:16 PM

This is obviously a touchy topic, and I understand that. I welcome all legal immigrants to the USA. But I stand firm on the idea that they should all learn English.

Yes, Europeans wrongly conquered North and South America. I'm not getting into that. That is very much in the past. It can't be fixed.

I wish English was the official, mandated language of the US. I understand that most Europeans speak at least two languages. Some speak three or four. But most European countries are, relative to the US, small countries. (Just talking about geographically, not importance, not bashing Europe.) And travel between countries is easy. So it behooves Europeans to be multilingual.

The US is a large country. English speakers in the US should not be obligated to learn other languages. I said it before that I will eventually learn Latin-American Spanish. But I shouldn't feel obligated.

Here's an example: All government forms here in South Florida have to be printed in English, Spanish, and Creole (Haitian). What a waste of time, money, and resources.

So, basically, the onus is on me to accommodate immigrants. I should pay higher taxes to make sure that they are comfortable, that all forms are understandable to them. And I should learn Spanish and Creole, which would cost me money and time. And, as I probably have another 30 years, at least, to live, if any other groups of immigrants come to the US in large numbers I'll be expected to learn their languages as well. Hmm.

Why is the burden on me? To me that's a very simple question. If I moved to Brazil I would learn Brazilian Portuguese. If I moved to Pakistan I would learn Urdu.

I would never, ever, expect to be catered to.

My viewpoint: Come to the USA legally, learn English.

03-12-2010, 06:16 PM	#27 (permalink)
Wyodiver33 Just here for the beer. Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Floriduh	This is obviously a touchy topic, and I understand that. I welcome all legal immigrants to the USA. But I stand firm on the idea that they should all learn English. Yes, Europeans wrongly conquered North and South America. I'm not getting into that. That is very much in the past. It can't be fixed. I wish English was the official, mandated language of the US. I understand that most Europeans speak at least two languages. Some speak three or four. But most European countries are, relative to the US, small countries. (Just talking about geographically, not importance, not bashing Europe.) And travel between countries is easy. So it behooves Europeans to be multilingual. The US is a large country. English speakers in the US should not be obligated to learn other languages. I said it before that I will eventually learn Latin-American Spanish. But I shouldn't feel obligated. Here's an example: All government forms here in South Florida have to be printed in English, Spanish, and Creole (Haitian). What a waste of time, money, and resources. So, basically, the onus is on me to accommodate immigrants. I should pay higher taxes to make sure that they are comfortable, that all forms are understandable to them. And I should learn Spanish and Creole, which would cost me money and time. And, as I probably have another 30 years, at least, to live, if any other groups of immigrants come to the US in large numbers I'll be expected to learn their languages as well. Hmm. Why is the burden on me? To me that's a very simple question. If I moved to Brazil I would learn Brazilian Portuguese. If I moved to Pakistan I would learn Urdu. I would never, ever, expect to be catered to. My viewpoint: Come to the USA legally, learn English. __________________ I like stuff.