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

Pearl Trade · 03-13-2010, 10:46 PM

It almost feels like we're being forced to learn another language. No one is really making us learn anything, it just feels that way. High school students here in Texas are required to take at least 2 years of a foreign language. I'm sure other states have similar programs. Granted, learning a new language can help certain people if they ever need it, but why should it be required?

I don't think making an argument about "most Americans don't know english" is a good argument. So what if they don't know the proper uses and what an adverb is, I want to be able to understand them and have an intelligent conversation with them. If you only "partly" learn english, then a potentially good idea seems like a broken thought that's trying to be put into words. Is it really too much to ask for immigrants to learn basic english in a country who has only spoken english in it's entire history? I'm not one for bringing up the past history, but it's obvious the United States is an english speaking country, whether it's offical or not.

Tourist visas shouldn't require the holder to learn english, as it is extremely short term and it's pretty much a "get in and get out" deal. It's not like they won't know anything in english either, most people know a few words that might be able to get them through a short stay. They just need to know enough to get by. Citizens shouldn't be tested, as they will most likely learn english if they stay here, even with foreign born parents. I know of many people who's parents didn't know any english, but they still learned it in school or things like that.

It's fine that they speak spnish among themselves, but they need to know how to speak english so when they talk to people who don't know spanish they can convey what they want. We all know it's just not possible, not to mention un-Constitutional, to force people to speak english in public. I don't know anything about the Quebec laws and I haven't even heard about them having "language laws", would you care to tell me what the deal is there?

Man, I just get tired of being asked to press 1 for english.

03-13-2010, 10:46 PM	#38 (permalink)
Pearl Trade Addict Location: Houston, Texas	It almost feels like we're being forced to learn another language. No one is really making us learn anything, it just feels that way. High school students here in Texas are required to take at least 2 years of a foreign language. I'm sure other states have similar programs. Granted, learning a new language can help certain people if they ever need it, but why should it be required? I don't think making an argument about "most Americans don't know english" is a good argument. So what if they don't know the proper uses and what an adverb is, I want to be able to understand them and have an intelligent conversation with them. If you only "partly" learn english, then a potentially good idea seems like a broken thought that's trying to be put into words. Is it really too much to ask for immigrants to learn basic english in a country who has only spoken english in it's entire history? I'm not one for bringing up the past history, but it's obvious the United States is an english speaking country, whether it's offical or not. Tourist visas shouldn't require the holder to learn english, as it is extremely short term and it's pretty much a "get in and get out" deal. It's not like they won't know anything in english either, most people know a few words that might be able to get them through a short stay. They just need to know enough to get by. Citizens shouldn't be tested, as they will most likely learn english if they stay here, even with foreign born parents. I know of many people who's parents didn't know any english, but they still learned it in school or things like that. It's fine that they speak spnish among themselves, but they need to know how to speak english so when they talk to people who don't know spanish they can convey what they want. We all know it's just not possible, not to mention un-Constitutional, to force people to speak english in public. I don't know anything about the Quebec laws and I haven't even heard about them having "language laws", would you care to tell me what the deal is there? Man, I just get tired of being asked to press 1 for english. __________________ Our revenge will be the laughter of our children. Give me convenience or give me death!