You would have a point if it weren't perfectly possible to have multiple tongues used in everyday life. Europe manages fine. There is no US official language. There should not be one.

At different times in its history, the United States has had as many native German speaking people as English, and in some places, there are as many Spanish speaking people as English, or, in the case of Puerto Rico, more. That you are not one of them does not make all those people wrong to want to speak the language they learned naturally, and our government has no business telling them not to.

I'm afraid you are the one clinging to an expectation, Mr. unarmedman. You expect everyone to behave as you would like them to, for your convenience and to suit your preconceptions, rather than as they have learned to behave in their natural up-bringing and environment.

That's right-winger social control nonsense, right there.

Official languages can be useful. What would happen if your military became predominately Spanish-speaking, whilst your Air-force were predominately English-speaking? Could be a problem, when it came to trying not to blow each other up.
Saying that America does not need an official language seems to be based on the assumption that the people in power will always speak English.

Sure. Let's label my stance. Why not.

We're really talking about hypothetical situations here, and are pretty much off the topic of immigration legislation anyway. But what the heck.

As English-speakers - not Americans - we have an advantage in the international arena. Since English is the international language of business, European countries teach it from a very young age. It is economically wise for them to do so. That is why the European countries (along with many other countries) are largely multi-lingual. Not to mention that smaller land areas, and land-locked countries the size of New Jersey help contribute to this phenomenon.

Some might consider this to be an unfair advantage of ours. I guess it is, but that's the way of things.

Still I would say that the culture of expectation is there, and that it shouldn't be. A Chinese man doesn't walk into a bank, and ask if the teller speaks Chinese. Yet that was almost always the first question out of a spanish-speaking person's mouth.

I'm not suggesting there be some law on the books to hamper immigrants from being able to enjoy their culture in America. I'm just suggesting that english should continue to be encouraged, promoted, and spoken.

Does that make me a right-winger? If so, I guess I'm not the only one in this thread.

I don't take issue with the star-bangled banner being translated into a different language. Is it racist? I'm not sure, when Bush says something insensitive or rude like that I tend to ignore it. The same way I would ignore a person with tourette's saying something off-color.

I have a problem with there being sections in book/movie stores that are categorized as "black cinema" or "black literature". Gee, I thought segregation ended in the 60's?

"official language", why not an official way to think!!, this is a first step for an official culture.....what's going one!!, here in france our govenement's started to do same shit with nord african immigrate, in the 60's government bring then back because they need workers, now they trie to remove them just because they do not born in france, they don't matter if they work there since
10 or 20 years, if they have childrens born in france or not, they just said 'hey look at your paper, you'r not french, go home", some of this peoples are waiting for a régularisation since a very long time, they pay taxes in france, have family, work hard for the country ...and then they trie to move then, and they fucking do....so our new national sport is to burning cars!!!
Until five years in france we can see our governement's working hard to make it more libéralism, in france by the past we have some real socials laws
who started to be deleted by this governement, step by step, france is going to be a ultralibéralism country as the usa...when i here some of this stupids officials thinks it makes me think about the situation in china.
whe must be very carful about that!!!!!!

Really this is an easy one to answer.

The question is, "Wow, is this racist?"

The definition of racist is, "discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion."

So the answer is, yes.

unarmedman wrote:Since English is the international language of business, European countries teach it from a very young age. It is economically wise for them to do so. That is why the European countries (along with many other countries) are largely multi-lingual.

Something to do with lingua franca, right? Imagine a Chinese businessman meeting a German businessman. I'm guessing they'd speak English or French.

Disappointed at some of the true colours being shown here. Learn a language for the joy of communication, ex-bank teller. Reconsider the growl of ignorance in favour of the smile of recognition. If you take the time to learn, you may even reciprocate the idea of taking on another language, rather than hiding out in a linguistic foxhole.

The US antional anthem in Spanish? That's "Living on a Prayer", right?

dave-sidca wrote:Official languages can be useful. What would happen if your military became predominately Spanish-speaking, whilst your Air-force were predominately English-speaking? Could be a problem, when it came to trying not to blow each other up.

What would happen if suddenly asphalt became cheese? That would be a problem. Let's spend our national energy worrying about that problem too.

dave-sidca wrote:Saying that America does not need an official language seems to be based on the assumption that the people in power will always speak English.

yes, i think that's a safe assumption.

timmx, you think it's racist to say that "people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English."
elitist would be more accurate, especially for such a literary master as bush to be worried about the sanctity of the english language. that doesnt make it racist.

good points being raised here. most of you realize the need for nuance.

unarmedman wrote:Sure. Let's label my stance. Why not.

Okay, "culture of right-wing catch phrases," let's label it. It's the right-wing party line.

As English-speakers - not Americans - we have an advantage in the international arena. Since English is the international language of business, European countries teach it from a very young age. It is economically wise for them to do so. That is why the European countries (along with many other countries) are largely multi-lingual. Not to mention that smaller land areas, and land-locked countries the size of New Jersey help contribute to this phenomenon.

And nobody is suggesting that speaking english isn't a good idea.

Still I would say that the culture of expectation is there, and that it shouldn't be. A Chinese man doesn't walk into a bank, and ask if the teller speaks Chinese. Yet that was almost always the first question out of a spanish-speaking person's mouth.

And you expect people to speak english, even if they're not from an english speaking place or home. That's unrealistic as well, given the way our country is supposed to work: Huddled masses, teeming shores, etc.

I'm not suggesting there be some law on the books to hamper immigrants from being able to enjoy their culture in America. I'm just suggesting that english should continue to be encouraged, promoted, and spoken.

So am I. We still don't need an official language, and we shouldn't pretend that we have one.

Does that make me a right-winger? If so, I guess I'm not the only one in this thread.

That doesn't make you a right-winger. I don't know what awful thing happened to do that to you. Your presumption that the United States is for english-speaking people only is rude, and a touchstone of the right wing. The position is ugly, uncharitable, un-christian and ignorant of history.