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 | Blogs > SoHoKev > MyPieHole > Learn English, You're Golden |
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With the recent uproar created by the great Messiah, (otherwise known as Senator Obama D-Ill) over his "embarrassment" that Americans can't speak a second language, I was also struck by his smug comment that we shouldn't worry about latinos learning English. While pandering is typical in politics, I find it especially annoying coming from the man who paints himself as a new brand of politician. BULLSHIT! First off I it's obscene and bizarre when the man who is vying for position of ruling over 300 million Americans finds it necessary to ridicule and belittle the people who are supposed to elect him. Saying, "alls we know how to say is, mersee bo-coo", while imitating heavy American accented French. He said this after lauding Europeans for their ability to speak several languages. Do you think maybe Obama should run for president of Andorra? Of course it's a fact that Americans stink at foreign languages. And although it's praiseworthy for Americans to learn a second language and may give some people a career advantage, Americans have done fine just speaking English thank you. The reason we don't do well in foreign languages is two-fold. First is geography. If you drive 1000 miles in any direction from Omaha, you still won't need a Berlitz travel guide. Whereas in Europe, you may have to speak 4 languages within a few hours drive of your location. And the second reason is the fact that English is the international language. It is the dominant language in tourism, business and aviation. Americans and any english speakers, can travel the globe and do quite well by just speaking English. Senator Obama exposes himself to be the Ivy League elitist that he is. And all he has done is fall into the standard liberal mindset that one hears in the coffee houses of Manhattan. The other damaging side of Obama's recent Sermon on the Mount is his brushing off the problem of foreigners who can't speak English when living here. Everyone knows that not being able to speak English is condemning one's self to long term poverty. If you can't speak the language all you can do is basic manual labor. Our building had an interesting example of the problem the other day. We're getting new windows from one company and the cast-iron facade is being partially replaced/restored by another. The window crew spoke only spanish and the facade crew spoke mainly hindi. So the window crew starts installing the Windows only to find out the they should have waited for the restoration crew to do their thing. Both crew bosses had tried with sign language but the window crew wound up having to take out the windows again. There was a ton of Puerto Rican cursing going on. LOL And in case your wondering, I love Latinos and their culture. I even have that in my profile. I also love the melting-pot that is New York. It's a major part of what makes this city great. I also speak a second language fluently. Sometimes to the chagrin of my buds in the chat room. I can actually get around in a few languages so I'm no xenophobic crack pot. lol Anyway, the key to success in this great country is to learn to speak English and assimilation. Thank you for your attention. |
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 7/11/2008 8:42 am |
I must say I only speak English. And sometimes I don't do that verywell.LOL.But living here in Florida(not to sure of other states)it would probably do me some good to learn Spanish.On more than 1 occasion I have had to deal with some one that speaks spansih and not a single word of English. But as you point out you can travel the word and find people that speack english.I know we both have traveled abroad.And the few other countries I have been to I had very little trouble finding people that speack english.Although I did have a few akward monents..LOL. But I believe if someone is coming to this country to live or stay for an extented amountof time they need to learn english.If I were moving to another country to live I would learn there Langauge. Anyway that's my 2 cents. Another great blog.And although I love the banter that you and Bret have going on with the songs...It's nice to see you doing another one of your great thought provoking blogs. Take care.Later.Hugs. Phil
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7/11/2008 9:16 am |
Estoy de acuerdo. Aunque es lamentable el actitude de intolerencia tradicional aqui. You would expect a nation of "all men created equal" a nation built by immigrants to have more multilingual citizens. I grew up hearing just enough Spanish to know when the grown ups were keeping secrets from the kids. They never passed it on, wanting the kids to be accepted. Lets not be embarrassed to be monolingual.Lets have English as the common legal language but not be intolerant of other people's languages.I am embarrassed only that my second language is flawed by being a second language.I took close to 30 credit hours to learn what could have been easily passed on to me. Gracias
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7/11/2008 12:02 pm |
Thanks Phil. You make a great point. If I were going to immigrate or live in a foreign country for an extended time, I would do all I could to learn that language as best I can.
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7/11/2008 12:44 pm |
Thanks Phil. You make a great point. If I were going to immigrate or live in a foreign country for an extended time, I would do all I could to learn that language as best I can. The sheer cost alone should drive this point home. Especially in this current economy. ~Sport~  
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7/11/2008 1:09 pm |
Erin, there isn't an ounce of intolerance in me or my attitude. You either don't understand this discussion or you intentionally throw out a red herring because you can't argue successfully. It seems your idea of multi-lingual citizens is misplaced and not thought out. No country in the history of the world has volunteered to be multi-lingual. It is thought of as a burden not as an advantage. Look up the term Balkanization if you don't know it. And inform yourself about places like China, the Indian subcontinent, The former Soviet Union, the Balkans and even Canada. America has a long and proud history with immigrants. Nowhere else on earth have immigrants experienced so much success, prosperity and tolerance. But the key to their success was their desire to learn the language and become Americans, not just to have the USA as a mailing address. Where groups were not motivated to do this, socio-economic problems surfaced. Unfortunately some segments of the Hispanic community have suffered from this. No one says that immigrants shouldn't speak their native language or teach it to their children. That's a fake and weak argument. It sounds like you were raised in a hispanic family. If so, it probably would have been great to have spoken two languages fluently. But at least your parents were smart to make sure you speak decent English. You should thank them.
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7/11/2008 1:17 pm |
eye lernt ingerlish fuwentlee and speek saomi not very well,I believe you speak Spanish Sohola kun kello kay xxx.
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7/11/2008 2:11 pm |
hey soho... I'm still in Germany and haven't understood a damn thing since I've been here.... is that a bad thing? LMAO ~mike
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7/11/2008 3:50 pm |
My Grand parents didn't know that much English when they came here from Denmark but now they have to really try hard to even remember the Danish. I am almost offended by the thought that we "MUST" learn spanish if we are going to hock burgers at Micky dee's. Everyone else through the 230 years of immigration has picked up and realized that if they want to get ahead here the English language is the way to go. Our basic trouble which you have stepped around like a pile of warm shit is the simple fact of too many illegals crossing our southern border coupled with the trend of "political correctness" where a spade is a instrument for digging. When we say an illegal immigrant is an undocumented worker it is like saying a crack peddler is an undocumented pharmacist. A little off topic but I think, by and large most Americans have seen through the phony facade of this creep and barring a barrage of hanging CHADS in Chicago, St Louis, and San Fransisco the guy is gonna get dumped like a hot potato.
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7/11/2008 3:59 pm |
Kev, Just learn the International Language of Love and no speaking is necessary. Just knowledge of the respective monetary system. Influently yours, Craig
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7/11/2008 5:52 pm |
Kev your response to Erin showed wisdom, and thoughtfulness. I only wish I could express my self with your eloquence. H  "If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear."
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7/11/2008 6:21 pm |
I think it's a very good idea for all americans to learn to speak english. 
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7/11/2008 6:39 pm |
I can speak kittycat,and beagle,also have been known to talk a tom turkey to his death.A little cantonese,a little medarian,a little french and tiny amount of german.I made D's and F's in english in highschool though..I also have talked several twinks out of their pants and they did not speak a word of english....Its my opinion but I think both the canidates should shut up and let the people vote..Peace..steven
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7/11/2008 6:59 pm |
Kev...I am appalled....English is not my native tongue....Drunken Jibberish is my native language as of now...and from now on all I can say is Merci Beaucoup...cuz I am just a stupid American idiot who only speaks one language...err two...err 3..but yet I prefer English...hmm Imagine that a Native American who wishes to speak English...
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7/11/2008 10:19 pm |
I do agree with your blog. I meant no argument. Having other available languages is an asset. I chose my other language only because it is part of my European heritage. As for arguing. You be right.
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7/12/2008 12:21 pm |
English this time Kev, Good, It is right for anyone that comes into this Country must learn to speak the language of this Country if not he or she would be lost, and if a person goes to another Country he or she must learn that language, its only common since, but the language of English is known though out the World.
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7/12/2008 8:21 pm |
Very my FRIEND, you said in a few words what I meant to say in this long blog. Thank you.
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 7/16/2008 5:10 am |
Excellent blog! I couldn't agree with you more - but I should point out something that will likely make you as appalled as it does me. Do you know that right now, in 2008, English still has not been declared/made our official national language? That's right everybody, the United States Congress still refuses to make English the official language of this country. That's not to say that some have not tried. The Republicans, before they lost the majority in 2006, attempted to accomplish this goal (at least in the House). But they were stopped by the Democrats. In the meantime, we continue to coddle our immigrants and facilitate their inability to assimilate into mainstream American society. Like you, I am not xenophobic and cherish the immigrant tradition of this country. I believe that immigrants have made this country great. But, at the risk of repeating you Kev, you're right - previously immigrants made the country great by choosing to become American outside the home. I have no problem with immigrants maintaining their own cultures inside their home. But do not force that culture onto the public square. Do you know that Mexican presidential candidates begin their campaigns in Los Angeles? Yep. We print our ballots in tens of languages..why? If the business of this country is conducted in English, why should it not be a requirement for the voter who will decide this country's future to understand that business? If they do not know the language it is conducted in, how can they cast an informed vote? If we expect our schools to ultimately be the tool that educates/assimilates immigrant children, then we need to fund massive ESL (English as Second Language) programs to handle this task. I know of one specific individual who began a teaching career in the inner-city schools of Los Angeles. This individual could not properly teach the curriculum because of the language barrier with many of the students. ESL belongs in a separate ESL program, not the primary classroom. At this point, because many would begin to accuse me of being anti-immigrant, I should repeat: I love immigrants. I think it is great that so many wish to come here. But please...please...do not try to change what it is that attracted you to come here in the first place. Maintain and protect your own cultural identity in your own household. But be American when you step out the front door. "Everyday people are the ones who are making miracles, and it's beautiful. Everyday people, lifting up the world like an answered prayer, I thank God they're there, they're the ones who care" -Reba McEntire & Carol King, Everyday People 
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7/16/2008 8:14 am |
this is a fantastic post and oh so true. i have to say that i am thrilled to see so many on here with such a reasonable viewpoint on this issue. the comment on the difference in geography is so spot on. i drive from florida to georgia several times a month - while it is a culture change (somehow going north puts me in the South) - they still speak what is commonly called english (don't get me wrong i love southern people and trace my roots way past the civil war in the South). in that same distance i could have traveled from Italy, through Austria to France - hell last time i looked at flights the "local airports" were in three different countries.
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