Now SPEAK ENGLISH!

[SamSpade]

Doesn't really mean much. I heard on WMAL yesterday that state and local govts (and feds?) will still be allowed to print government forms in multiple languages.

See, and where I work, documents can be given in languages - ON REQUEST.
I'm fine with that. They can request Pig Latin if they want. We just don't have to write everything in two languages.
Spanish is not our "second language".

 

[SamSpade]

My bank put up a new poster a couple of weeks ago advertising their new translation service. If you come in and speak one of the 50 languages on the poster that is NOT English, you point to the language and they immediately get a translator on the phone to help assist you with your banking matters in your language.

And I am fine with that. When I go to Johns Hopkins for my daughter, they provide a similar service. I think that's great.

 

[vraiblonde]

What does an official language mean in the scheme of things?

National unity. No matter our individual differences, having a common language makes things easier with regard to communication and helps us feel connected.

Schools, government, the workplace - we should be able to understand each other.

All those bubble wrapped immigrant communities where the majority of residents speak only a foreign language, that doesn't help them assimilate to our culture.

 

[Ken King]

English? Hell, it should be American. Last time I was in the UK I barely understood half of what they were saying.

 

[RoseRed]

English? Hell, it should be American. Last time I was in the UK I barely understood half of what they were saying.

Try talking to a Scotsman!

 

[Sneakers]

Try talking to a Scotsman!

Almost as tough as talking to an original 7D resident.

 

[Kyle]

Almost as tough as talking to an original 7D resident.

Try Cajun.

I listened to 15 minutes of that once and didn’t come away with one word.

 

[RoseRed]

Almost as tough as talking to an original 7D resident.

He makes it more interesting when he tosses in some Gaelic or Arabic.

I was able to understand my father in law.

 

[GURPS]

The French are at least mildly INSULTED to be addressed in any language but their own.

I recall a story from the early 2000's the French were terrified their language was being diluted by the inclusion of English Technological Names like Air Bag in a car

They were going to create French Replacements for EVERY single term

 

[WingsOfGold]

The thing is, despite this - in Quebec, almost everyone speaks French, and about 80% ONLY speak French - not too far behind FRANCE.
In English speaking Canada, it's the reverse - and with the exception of New Brunswick - practically no one. Like, in very low single digits.
They have two languages, but apart from the official part of the government, they're pretty much two nations, with different language and culture.

I think an independent Quebec is an eventuality.

Until today - only eight countries have no official language: Australia, Eritrea, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Sweden, Tuvalu and the United States.
Eritrea, I get - it has a half dozen major languages and a handful of smaller ones, with no majority.
And it's a new country comparatively.

Australia, UK, Mexico - I don't get, because almost everyone in Mexico speaks Spanish, and almost everyone in Australia and the UK speak English, but unlike the United States - the UK has a very long history of people who speak Gaelic, Welsh and Scots.

___________________________________________________________________________

But basically, it's about damned time we joined the REST OF THE WORLD.

I think an independent Quebec is an eventuality.

Doubtful, don't know how old you are but the arrogant assshole Degulle encouraged it years ago, didn't happen.

 

[NOTSMC]

National unity. No matter our individual differences, having a common language makes things easier with regard to communication and helps us feel connected.

Schools, government, the workplace - we should be able to understand each other.

All those bubble wrapped immigrant communities where the majority of residents speak only a foreign language, that doesn't help them assimilate to our culture.

I read that too. I guess I fail to see the significance of declaring something official that's been official, unofficially in this country, for longer than I've been alive. People are still going to speak whatever language they speak regardless of official language.

I don't really care one way or the other, people just seem to be slightly excited over this and I was just curious about why it was significant to them. I don't get what it really changes.

 

[PJay]

Trump English executive order: What making it official language mean

President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order that will make English the official language of the U.S., a historic first at the federal level.

www.newsweek.com

 

[gemma_rae]

I would like to see, a Scotsman thrown out of a window!