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Now that I've spent a good chunk of time abroad in the past year, I've come to realize the importance of language. As in, being able to communicate in ones you don't speak. I don't speak Czech. I don't speak German, Austrian or Hungarian either, but it didn't keep me from getting around those countries on my first trip abroad. Often the menus, and the dishes, were written in several languages, including English, to accommodate the tourists. Which made it possible for me to at least know what I was ordering, then smile and point.
Not in America. It's English or starve here. We don't even accommodate our own second language: Spanish. I mean, if you come to America, you better learn the language, right? I'm pretty sure I've said that before and meant it, but after traveling abroad and having trouble asking for simple things like a bathroom or a tissue to blow my nose, I see why being a multilingual nation could greatly help our failing economy.
So why don't we have more multilingual signage, menus and packaging? We sure have enough citizens of different stripes.
I'm aware of the outrage (some) people feel about illegal immigrants. So let's leave them aside for a minute. But what about the tourists?!
Tourists spend money, and we need it. So why not make it easier for them to get around? Spend 10 minutes outside the United States, and you will see what a relief it is to see the word "Schnitzel" written in your own native tongue.
Why don't we as Americans want to be a part of making that accessible to as many people as possible? From as many places as possible? America isn't just for those of us who happen to live here: It represents so much to so many. It's the American Dream.
And living it -- even if you're only here for a week or two -- would be far easier if we were more willing to translate.
When the train schedule is posted in your language, it feels like a warm hug in a foreign land. Like you're welcome there. Now I'd like to return the favor. I would like to extend that sort of lingual hug (oh, quit it, bottom-dwellers) to as many people from as many different countries as possible.
Do you agree? Should America continue to be English-only, or should we try to broaden our vocabulary to embrace the world?
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Tuesday 26 January
By R. Espin
Where ever I go I see them catoring more and more to the Spanish speaking poeple, Just as many ads or done in Spanish as is in English.
Often times I drive down the street to see a huge Mexican flag flying oer some one's home or displayed over their garage door our a sticker on the rear of their car or truck of the Mexican flag or one that names a town in Mexico or it just says Mexico
They also critisize our country and people and disrespect us in more than one way. I have been to Mexico and I know that if I raised an American flag ore my rented house there. I would be lucky to survive the night. Not to mention that they come here and receive benifits that we can't even have yet they earned none of them.
One Language, You bet with justice for all? You bet. But lets also keep control of our home lest we lose it
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Tuesday 26 January
By rebeca
I totally agree that more languanges should be taught in schools across the country. America is at a disadvantage in this area. Most European countries speak more than one language. HOWEVER, I am totally in favor of having English as the oficial language of the United States. Immigrants must learn to speak English; this is the United States of America Not the United States of South America! I am an immigrant, Cuban born and speak fluent Spanish and English; I am proud of my heritage but do not like the fact that immigrants don't find it necessary to learn the English language. I find it offensive to go to the mall and be spoken to in spanish although I speak it fluently. My husbands business partner is 100% gringo and he went to a car dealership and there was not one individual that spoke English! English and ONLY ENGLISH should be spoken when dealing the public.
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Tuesday 26 January
By Kathleen McCabe-Blank
PLEASE!!! For years now I have had to press '#1 first' if I want to converse in English! I have been out of the country over a dozen times and appreciate that other regions share our language (English) --although not our "official" language. Yes, our citizens ought to strive for bi-lingual or tri-lingual usage; if for nothing else, education and the good of society...Let's keep in mind that this country continues to spend millions of $$ for ESL so immigrants can be educated in this country. That goes without saying how many different dialects have to be considered when (educationally) evaluating people/children in his/her native lanugae (in order to be equal)--let alone providing interpretors for the guardians. What language(s) should be selected as an addition and who will pay for this significant modification? Surely not the business/banking sector! My years of training in French have done me little good, with the exception of a restaurant choice and wine! "Welcome to America-Now Speak English!"
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Wednesday 27 January
By Catmoves
This could only be written by someone who has never investigated the historical facts of societies turning multi-lingual.
You might also look into the comparative second ranking countries you mention, or their dependency on the tourist trade.
Reality bites.
For my own part, I simply shrug and walk away when someone speaks a foreign language in my presence. And I speak a number (5) of other tongues. When in Rome...if only they had taken that to heart, we might all be speaking Italian now.
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Tuesday 26 January
By David G. Amir
Are you serious? It is because we are a melting pot that we gravitate to one language, English, the common denominator, the common language to be used by all. Other countries such as Israel post in 3 languages, Hebrew, Arabic and English, reason being there are just as many arabic speaking people in that country than Hebrew speakers and the English is for everyone else, business people, tourists etc. Though French is the official universal Language, more people speak or learn English as a second language than any other language, it has effectively become the official universal language. What are we supposed to do, change everything to include every language under the sun? After all we wouldnt want to upset anyone and leave out their language. Do you realize the costs involved in changing all the signs, packaging, etc., its a monumental undertaking. Don't we have more important things to worry about in this country?
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Sunday 25 July
By caplab
You visited Europe, a continent where countries are the size of our large cities -- a continent where cultures warred for centuries, executed those who spoke differently, worshiped differently, dressed differently. A mass of old empires that colonized and imposed their ways on others, where differing cultures drew lines in the sand and fought over miles of territory. Why is the WORLD would we want to complicate our nation by ADDING languages. This is the perfect example of political correctness warping logic and intelligence, to say nothing of a basic understanding of history. It is SMART to have a language that everyone understands and speaks in the same country -- we are lucky -- we're 3 x the size of Europe and we can go anywhere in this country and understand each other. Guess what...That's a GOOD thing....not a bad thing. I know its hip to want to sound like George Clooney and the Oscars crowd by deciding we should be like Europe. Don't visit Europe, live there. LIVE there for a few years. Then tell us how much more sense it makes. Compare the number of Europeans who come to live here to the opposite. There is a reason. A single language is a sign of Progress.
I love the internet, but there sure are a lot of dumb people using it.
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