- Joined
- Feb 27, 2009
- Messages
- 3,617
- Location (City and/or State)
- The Catskill Mountains of New York State
Interesting thoughts coming from a country of that was settled by people that spoke Spanish, Portugese, Italian, Dutch, French, Prussian, Scandanavian and German. Oh yeah, there was even some English in there!
Maybe we should be speaking local Native American dialects since they were actually already here. After all, we did come to their country so shouldn't we have learned to speak their language?
Bottom line is, America has always been and still is the "melting pot" of the world. We've accepted people of all nationalites with their own languages and customs. In fact, many of those customs have become our customs.
I don't speak a word of Spanish and understand even less of it. Do I think English should be the "official" language? Well I do think that it would be more beneficial and unified to have one language. But I also think, given our status on freedom and democracy that it would be hypocritical of us to "demand" that people not speak their native language. After all, I have a right to speak mine, English and no one has ever told me to stop.
Can it be a hassle at times when trying to communicate with someone who doesn't speak my language-yep it can.
Does it bother me when two people are speaking a foreign language in front of me-yep it does.
Do I think that immigrants should learn the accepted language of a country in order to better live and communicate in that country-yep I do.
Do I think we should force them to speak it-nope.
Maybe we should be speaking local Native American dialects since they were actually already here. After all, we did come to their country so shouldn't we have learned to speak their language?
Bottom line is, America has always been and still is the "melting pot" of the world. We've accepted people of all nationalites with their own languages and customs. In fact, many of those customs have become our customs.
I don't speak a word of Spanish and understand even less of it. Do I think English should be the "official" language? Well I do think that it would be more beneficial and unified to have one language. But I also think, given our status on freedom and democracy that it would be hypocritical of us to "demand" that people not speak their native language. After all, I have a right to speak mine, English and no one has ever told me to stop.
Can it be a hassle at times when trying to communicate with someone who doesn't speak my language-yep it can.
Does it bother me when two people are speaking a foreign language in front of me-yep it does.
Do I think that immigrants should learn the accepted language of a country in order to better live and communicate in that country-yep I do.
Do I think we should force them to speak it-nope.