America, speak English or get out

[Bush is a chimp]

I saw someone wearing this crap out in public! Those words were flanked on both sides by the statue of liberty! So me being me the first thing I wanted to do was kick this jokers ass, but then reason set in and I approached said individual and asked him what that statement meant to him.

Well I got the glass eyed slack jawed look of the WWF crowd, Then I saw a light bulb light up! He replied "People come to my Country they should speak my language or get the fuck out"! Wow how can I reply to that brilliant statement I was defeated... Yeah right! So I told him since that is his belief that all people that speak another language should be kicked out of America then 90% of the people in America should be deported. He replied "hell yes" I informed him that I speak 3 languages so that means I should be kicked out of a Country I was born and raised in! How absurd!

Well I got the "Goddamn Liberal" comment and he stalked away to his Bigfoot sized pickup truck with the rebel flag on it and drove away.

Sorry about the rant but this got under my skin! Why are people so damn ignorant?

[Bush is a chimp]

1. Sorry

for the F in the subject line. Tried to edit it but there was no edit link.

[ulysses]

2. distrust of intelligence

is as long-standing an American trait as is xenophobia.

[wryter2000]

3. Probably his family

Probably his family came here from Europe and continued to speak another language for a generation.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

4. The irony of course

is that your average Nascar fan doesn't REAAAALLY speak English all that well. Plus, notice they harp on the ability to SPEAK the language. Because if they started harping on English LITERACY they would be in a world of hurt and would be arguing for their own deportation.

[Bombtrack]

5. Well almost none of the anti-immigrant people are against bi-lingualism

as long as one of the languages is English, at least none I've ever met.

[ulysses]

6. wow, come down here.

I'll introduce you to a few.

[Bush is a chimp]

8. We have them here

If you are bi-lingual then you are a "traitor" sound familiar?

[caledesi]

7. I guess Bush* should pack his bags, no? eom

[Nay]

9. * doesn't need to pack. He can't speak ANY language.

[adriennel]

10. not to mention

lots of foreign nations routinely teach English as part of their curriculum. Many Europeans and other non-Americans see the unwillingess of Americans to learn a language other than their native tongue as arrogent and weak. Conservatives and right-wing loonies are constantly harping on the need to get rid of bi-lingual education in the United States. Don't speak Spanish in school! We're in America! That's real enlightened.

What's wrong with bilingual education? Children have a greater capacity to learn language than adults, so why wait until high school or college to offer foreign language classes? I truly benefitted from attending a bilingual school for grades 1-5. Best portion of my entire education. Once at college, I passed the foreign language requirement without having to take a class. Meanwhile, most of my friends were struggling and cursing to complete their basic level foreign language class.
I just don't get why bilingualism is bad. It is really an assest in these times.

[Mikimouse]

11. That language hasn't been spoken here in centuries

n/t

[Minstrel Boy]

12. What language does America speak, anyway?

Because I don't think it's English. :evilgrin:

[Gringo]

13. The shirt is stupid but

A person who chooses to live in this country should make an effort to *be able to* speak the common language, English.

When I lived in Japan, I never expected anybody to speak English to me. I learned Japanese and did fine.

I don't buy the nonsense about it being a "diverse" country or "a nation of immigrants". If the various groups are unable to speak a common language, it is a hindrance on national unity, organizing labor or political movements. I really do think immigrants should leanr the language (although I wouldn't support laws mandating it- you can't expect an 80-year old to learn the language..

[Stupdworld]

14. exactly

say what you will, but i think foreigners should make an attempt to learn the language. im not about to visit any other country without several hours with the language tapes. i mean, its at least respectable to try, even though i dont sprechen ze deutch worth one think dime.

[Karenina]

18. Naaaaa Duuuu!

I believe yours to be the right attitude. Americans miss out on SO MUCH. LANGUAGE IS SUCH FUN!!! Ich wohne in Deutschland jetzt und zur Zeit ist mein deutch immer noch SCHEISSE. But I have to tell you HOW much FUN it is trying to get it right, which at my age I will likely never accomplish. For the life of me, I cannot understand American hostility to other languages. One of the things I simply LOVE about deutsch is its flexibility. And don't be fooled for a second, German, just like English, (in the words of the African drummer, Carlos) "She no one language, she many, many, language." I sat in a pub with 7 dark-skinned folks- NO ONE came from the same country and our only COMMON LANGUAGE was deutsch. The FUN part is the DESIRE to understand someone and their uniqueness and experience.

Lately I've been studying Turkish music with a Ballimer Meister. He builds the most BEAUTIFUL instruments!!! His nieces translate for me (German/Turkish) and I've gotten good enough to ask folks how they're doing and request more sweet tea. I sit in the shop and simply LISTEN. Es gibt KEINE EINGANG! With German, an American speaker who pays close attention will recognize words or constructions- TURKISH ist etwas anders! Sometimes Haydar will sing a lyric and I freak out having no idea what it means, just pure emotional response... THEY LAUGH HYSTERICALLY then explain to me intellectually what I already grokked emotionally and then chatter incredulously amongst themselves knowing I have NO WAY to understand the texts just hearing them sung.

Wer verstehen will, versteht.

[Bush is a chimp]

15. I agree Gringo

I agree with you 100% but imagine if you were an immigrant and you knew what that shirt said, not a very nice welcome to our Country.

[damnraddem]

16. Porque?

Suggest that when people come to the Americas, if they can't speak a Native American dialect, they should get the f___ out.

[MadHound]

17. This joker should ask his grandparents what they spoke,

When they were little. When I was small I grew up in Hermann Mo, a small German town on the Missouri River. I spoke German as a second language from the time I could speak. These were all first, second or many generations German immigrants, and all could and did speak English. But they kept their language and culture around as a comfort and identifying matter. And I've found that there are many small towns around the country that did that. Of course it has died out now. Hermann has gone from an isolated, self sufficient farming community to a tourist trap, many other small towns just dried up and blew away.

I do think that immigrants should learn the language, and actually think that the vast majority do. But they are just like those old time Germans of my youth, keep their language and culture around as a comfort. Their children will blend in, and their grandchildren won't even speak the mother tongue, so what harm is there in allowing them to use their old language? It is part of what makes the US unique.

Now I want some bloodwurst and kraut, see what happens when you get nostalgic, the comfort food kicks in!

[greekspeak]

19. I doubt this guy had a great grasp on English

It does not sound as if this gentleman had an adequate education. I am sure that if someone came around him and spoke PERFECT English, he would brand that person a "g-d liberal" as well. They say ignorance is bliss...this guy must be quite thoroughly eaten up with it.

[Cleita]

20. Tell him the Statue of Liberty is French born.

And, usually the types you described are English challenged themselves so, if you dare, point that out.:evilgrin:

[Astarho]

21. Yantingwu hapi

"That's how it goes" :eyes:

Most people who come here do learn English (better then a lot of natural-born citizens), but they don't forget their home language either. God forbid anyone in this country should be "bilingual"

Funny, I've met a Spaniard and an Iranian, and their English is better than my Spanish and way better than my Farsi. I try to learn every language I encounter, with varying degrees of success.