must be married to...

5/12/2008 3:04:21 AM

haha...10/10

5/12/2008 3:08:20 AM

dude, the sad part is im such a shitty speller that it took me a minute to figure out the problem

DAMN YOU MICROSOFT SPELL CHECK!!!!

5/12/2008 4:51:20 AM

haha 10/10.

plz to not lock el-duke-o

5/12/2008 5:15:48 AM

Wow.

5/12/2008 7:17:12 AM

Ha. I thought this was going to be another "here we go again" threads. Didn't even read the thread title that carefully despite the offending word being in caps.

Nice of the lady to underline the word on the sign though.

[Edited on May 12, 2008 at 7:34 AM. Reason : -]

5/12/2008 7:30:05 AM

here we go again


obviously some leftwing loon photoshopped that...you people are barack obamas sheep

5/12/2008 7:32:52 AM

Seriously, we have problems with oil supply, inflation, the fact our generation and our children are going to suffer due to the spending policies of this generation, and our country is being ran in the ground by Republican fascists and Democratic socialists.

And dumbasses want to talk about making some language de jure official when it already is de facto?

5/12/2008 8:15:52 AM

Because if someone can't speak or write perfect English then you'll know they're not a real American.

5/12/2008 8:31:12 AM

5/12/2008 9:24:27 AM

ahahahah

5/12/2008 9:35:26 AM

Blame it on the education system. If we can't even teach people to spell correctly, how do you expect us to teach them plain english?

5/12/2008 9:38:07 AM

While i have never been one of those hard-liners against illegal immigrants; I have to say that i do think it is bullshit that they come here and make very little attempt at learning english. Then they turn around and expect our businesses and gov't services to provide "espanol" options in order to accommodate them.

English SHOULD be the "Official Language" of the US.

5/12/2008 11:11:13 AM

I do think it's important that they learn English so that they can function better in our society. It behooves them to do so, and I think the ones that want to live here for a prolonged amount of time actually do try to learn the language.


However, if there was no urgency to proclaim a national language in the past 200 years, I see no reason to hasten to proclaim one now.

5/12/2008 11:17:06 AM

Well it has never been an issue until the influx of mexican immigrants started later part of the 20th century. Previously german/irish/asian/ whoever immigrated here during previous centuries and most likely did not speak a tongue of english. However, in order to excel in this country they quickly picked up english. Nowadays though spanish speaking illegals or even legal immigrants are catered for by the retail community as well as gov't social services with spanish. Therefore there is no longer as much of reason to pick up english when they can on a telephone push "2 for spanish" or whatever.

5/12/2008 11:26:24 AM

Are you sure? Can you provide statistics? I've read things suggesting that 1st gen immigrants generally never speak the language here and 2nd gen is largely bilingual and mostly assimilated.

Allowing for bilingual access in phone lines is just the technology enabling a native speaker to speak their own language. Aren't there signs in LA in Japanese/Korean?

5/12/2008 11:34:17 AM

Literacy should be taught with a fucking baton.

Fuck bitchy parents.

5/12/2008 5:41:01 PM

Quote :

"Nowadays though spanish speaking illegals or even legal immigrants are catered for by the retail community...therefore there is no longer as much of reason to pick up english when they can on a telephone push "2 for spanish" or whatever."

So you're blaming capitalism and companies trying to make money by catering to a niche market?

5/12/2008 5:48:28 PM

Fucking capitalism.

5/12/2008 5:49:46 PM

yeh having multiple languages is just a waste of time/efficiency and money

just make english the official language. if you can't speak/read it, learn it.

5/12/2008 5:52:29 PM

i dont get how english ISNT the official language

[Edited on May 12, 2008 at 6:04 PM. Reason : all caps shows that i really dont get how its not]

5/12/2008 6:03:46 PM

it is theoretically. show me some US public office where english won't be used.

5/12/2008 6:08:42 PM

no, it's not "theoretically". It is practically because that's what everybody uses, but in principle, the US does not have an official language

5/12/2008 6:27:44 PM

Quote :

"Well it has never been an issue until the influx of mexican immigrants started later part of the 20th century. Previously german/irish/asian/ whoever immigrated here during previous centuries and most likely did not speak a tongue of english. However, in order to excel in this country they quickly picked up english. Nowadays though spanish speaking illegals or even legal immigrants are catered for by the retail community as well as gov't social services with spanish. Therefore there is no longer as much of reason to pick up english when they can on a telephone push "2 for spanish" or whatever."

My German great-grandmother never learned English. Like SkankinMonky said, first generations are often slow to learn English or never learn. All the Germans/ Italians/ Polish speak English these days not because they were more dedicated learners, but because it's been 2-3 generations since they got here.

First generation immigrants always sucks at joining US culture. But their kids go to public school and grow up speaking English and enjoying our American fast food restaurants. There is not a single time in history when this has not happened. And it will certainly happen for the children of Hispanic immigrants. Bill O'Reilly & pals are just trying to frighten you into believing that "press 2 for spanish" is a threat to our way of life. bullshit!

And since when is it a bad thing for a business to add services to attract customers? I thought Republicans were all about free market, but for some reason they freak out about Spanish-speaking bank tellers. Sorry guys, immigrant dollars are just as green as those spent by AMUUURRRICANS

5/12/2008 6:51:09 PM

^Why do you hate America? Is it the freedom?

5/12/2008 7:30:51 PM

Im all for making it our national language to cut costs for local and state governments. I believe you can get the California drivers license exam in 7 languages. Thats fucking ridiculous. Are we going to start putting up 7 different road signs?

5/12/2008 7:56:17 PM

^ Why would we do that? Pretty much all roadsigns are pictures, and names are names in any language.

5/12/2008 8:01:03 PM

outta fairness.

5/12/2008 8:03:31 PM

Quote :

"My German great-grandmother never learned English. Like SkankinMonky said, first generations are often slow to learn English or never learn. All the Germans/ Italians/ Polish speak English these days not because they were more dedicated learners, but because it's been 2-3 generations since they got here. First generation immigrants always sucks at joining US culture. But their kids go to public school and grow up speaking English and enjoying our American fast food restaurants. There is not a single time in history when this has not happened. And it will certainly happen for the children of Hispanic immigrants. Bill O'Reilly & pals are just trying to frighten you into believing that "press 2 for spanish" is a threat to our way of life. bullshit! And since when is it a bad thing for a business to add services to attract customers? I thought Republicans were all about free market, but for some reason they freak out about Spanish-speaking bank tellers. Sorry guys, immigrant dollars are just as green as those spent by AMUUURRRICANS"

Bears repeating.

5/12/2008 8:15:58 PM

Nerdchick wins the serious debate related to this thread.

5/12/2008 8:19:20 PM

bears repeating?

5/12/2008 8:20:15 PM

I think its interesting that no one complains when their TV comes with like 3 or 4 languages of instruction manuals, or how some airports have as many on all the signs.

No, no one complains unless its just two languages and the other one is Spanish.

Just something I've noticed.

By the way, the 'official' language on any construction site is Spanish (or, at best, dual-language)... and when you spoiled rich kids decide you want to make a $6/hr living breaking your back in the sun, then you can change it.

[Edited on May 12, 2008 at 8:59 PM. Reason : ]

5/12/2008 8:59:01 PM

^todos los sitios de la construccion? vale entonces, yo tendre la ventaja sobre todos los idiotas aqui en este sitio de la red.

y los democratas pueden irse a la mierda para morir por no tener los cojones de defenderse

[Edited on May 12, 2008 at 9:04 PM. Reason : .]

5/12/2008 9:03:35 PM

why would i complain about an instruction manuel being in different languages? It is made in another country and shipped to different countries? It makes sense. Airports accomodate travelers, some of which are from different countries...so that makes sense. Also, the added expenses of adding languages arent paid for by tax money. Ive got no issues with any examples you've stated 3/11.

5/12/2008 9:04:14 PM

Quote :

"bears repeating?"

Looks like bears fighting to me.



[Edited on May 12, 2008 at 9:48 PM. Reason : -]

5/12/2008 9:47:52 PM

I could have sworn that the plurality of people in california are hispanic. eliminate all english signs in california!

5/12/2008 10:41:49 PM

HUR fuckin bailed on this thread.

Come to anywhere in NYC and you will see signs with Chinese, Russian, whatever random Indian language people are speaking in the area, polish, and Spanish on them.

Depending on what area you're in the signs language changes. This is what makes New York so great.

HUR you suck

5/12/2008 10:48:52 PM

Quote :

"why would i complain about an instruction manuel being in different languages? It is made in another country and shipped to different countries? It makes sense. Airports accomodate travelers, some of which are from different countries...so that makes sense."

FTW



^ STFU bitch; i got something called a life and don't sit on TWW all day you fucking yankee. So they have other languages in the traditionally minority populated areas. However, I have never fucking gone to the DMV and heard instructions in english, italian, german, and spanish. For Fucks Sake if you are going to get a drivers license you should be able to understand the DMV's instructions in english.

[Edited on May 12, 2008 at 10:57 PM. Reason : l]

5/12/2008 10:55:54 PM

^ WRT the DMV, it's FAR, FAR safer for us to make rules and regulations as clear as possible, even if it means printing them in spanish, than to keep it in English, and cause people to drive around who don't understand the rules, because they don't speak english well enough.

Unless you're anti-safety, there's no good reason to be against people at the DMV getting stuff in the language they understand best.

5/12/2008 11:32:14 PM

^ i am not talking about the driving instruction manual; i am talking about the actual intercom announcements and directions given AT the DMV for those getting a license. None the less road signs are in english. While our friend from south of the border can easily learn the shapes/colors of the different signs there still is a hazard associated from not being able to read the random miscellaneous signs that are solely in english.

5/12/2008 11:35:17 PM

I haven't been to the DMV in a few years, but I don't recall them giving out directions in Spanish, period. And I can't imagine they'd give out directions ONLY in Spanish.

And if someone's been here long enough to be able to legally get a license, they probably know enough english to read all the signs they need to read, even if they still prefer their native language.

Just because someone reads or prefers something in spanish doesn't mean they don't know at least some english.

5/12/2008 11:39:43 PM

where do u live Iowa?

5/12/2008 11:40:16 PM

JoCo N.C.

5/12/2008 11:47:34 PM

No official language.

Fuck xenophobia.

5/13/2008 12:05:02 AM

There is a difference between xenophobia and catering to people who are to lazy to learn english which is the "de facto" language of the US.

Try moving to France and convincing the french they need to accommodate your english needs everywhere. They would probably tell you to go fuck yourself. Outside of tourist/transportation heavy places they are more anal about their language then we are.

5/13/2008 12:19:10 AM

Speaking of France...



Official language would exclude immigrants from the means to opportunity not to mention basic justice. Of course, if you've been to France, you've noticed there's quite a bit of English not only written, but spoken, around there. If a huge influx of American expatriates rushed Charles de Gaulle, you might see even more English about.

[Edited on May 13, 2008 at 12:23 AM. Reason : ...]

5/13/2008 12:22:17 AM

States with Official English (30):

Alabama: Constitutional amendment (1990) passed by ballot
Alaska: Statutory voter initiative (1998)
Arizona: Constitutional amendment (2006)
Arkansas: Statute (1987)
California: Constitutional Amendment (1986)
Colorado: Constitutional Amendment (1988)
Florida: Constitutional Amendment (1988) Petition initiative
Georgia: Legislative Statute (1986, 1996)
Hawaii: Constitutional Amendment (1978) by the legislature
Idaho: Legislative Statute (2007)
Illinois: Statute (1969)
Indiana: Statute (1984)
Iowa: Legislative Statute (2002)
Kansas: Legislative Statute (2007)
Kentucky: Statute (1984)
Louisiana: The formerly predominantly French Territory of Louisiana adopted English as its official language as a precondition for its admission into the Union as a state (1807)
Massachusetts: The original constitution was interpreted as having established an official language (1975).
Mississippi: Legislative Statute (1987)
Missouri: Legislative Statute (1998)
Montana: Legislative Statute (1995)
Nebraska: Constitutional Amendment (1920), by popular vote.
New Hampshire: Legislative Statute (1995)
North Carolina: Legislative Statute (1987)
North Dakota: Legislative Statute (1987)
South Carolina: Legislative Statute (1987)
South Dakota: Legislative Statute (1987)
Tennessee (1984) Legislative Statute
Utah: Statute (2000) passed by petition initiative.
Virginia: Legislative Statutes (1981, 1996)
Wyoming: Statute (1996)

States without official English (20):

Connecticut
Delaware*
Maine
Maryland
Michigan*
Minnesota
Nevada
New Mexico
New Jersey*
New York
Ohio*
Oklahoma*
Oregon
Pennsylvania*
Rhode Island*
Texas
Vermont
Washington*
West Virginia*
Wisconsin*

* Official English Legislation has been introduced in the current legislative session.

http://www.proenglish.org/issues/offeng/states.html

5/13/2008 5:12:40 AM

Quote :

"Try moving to France and convincing the french they need to accommodate your english needs everywhere."

I don't see that scenario playing out here in the U.S. I could be wrong, but I believe it's the government, of their own accord, making sure they accommodate people that speak other languages . They aren't doing it as a result of people trying to convince them to do so.

5/13/2008 7:20:04 AM

Try moving to france and comparing the number of bilingual people to the number of bilingual people in the US.

5/13/2008 7:50:24 AM

how about you take millions of english citizens and move them to France.

then you can convince them to use english on stuff.

oh wait...



but im sure the french complain about this shit to because they're bitches like you HUR.

[Edited on May 13, 2008 at 8:02 AM. Reason : !]

5/13/2008 8:01:24 AM