Illegals - DPChallenge Forums

04/21/2006 03:18:53 PM · #51

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Maybe we need to learn Spanish? I'm one for thinking that Americans are possibly smart enough to learn two languages. Lord knows most other civilized countries do it.

Welcome to the 21st century.

I am all for being bilingual, but I would prefer to learn the language of my heritage (German), or Japanese, as I find that culture very interesting. I should not have to learn Spanish to function in the country I was born in. If I moved to another country I would expect to learn the language and not have that country learn mine. I find it strange that while most other countries learn English to aid in global communication the US is sliding into Spanish. (Maybe we should all learn Chinese since they are becomming a major economic force!)

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

04/21/2006 03:24:19 PM · #52

Most countries learn english because we're too lazy to learn their language. I speak German (at least get by), but I'm starting to learn Spanish. Why stop at 2 languages?

Name another industrialized nation that doesn't have English as their primary language that isn't either officially bilingual or doesn't teach english from grade school on.

We are so lazy. Why shouldn't you have to learn another language to function in the country you were born? Most other people do it...

Phil

Canon EOS-7D

04/21/2006 03:32:58 PM · #53

Check out the second sentence in the third paragraph below "English as an additional language (EAL) is when people study English as a new language." Doc.

Good ol' Wikipedia

04/21/2006 03:33:37 PM · #54

When I left Houston, the common thinking was that there would be no one to work in fast food restaurants, construction and other blue collar work if the immigrants/illegals weren't here. I moved to Missouri in 2002 and--amazing--all these types of jobs were getting done! We have a problem when every US citizen has a job (or is part of a family earning its own way), there is nobody left on welfare (because they are working or wealthy enough to not need to work), and there are job openings.

I certainly can't believe US citizens don't want to be computer technicians. Let's send the illegals home and make sure the government is not supporting those able but unwilling to work.

04/21/2006 03:53:50 PM · #55

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

As I said, I just don't want to be forced to learn Spanish. One factor that holds a country together is its common language, and I think it is wrong for Spanish to become the common language of the US. We are a "melting pot", and we "melted" into an English speaking nation. As for learning a second language, why not an Asian language as there are certainly large numbers of Asian immigrants. BTW,as far as I know we do not tell other countries they must learn English and except for global business they could certainly get by without it.

And why tell me I have to learn another language when the illegals are coming here and not learning English? They are also bringing their customs and culture. Would you go to Japan or Russia and try to force them to change their culture because you moved there? Should 30 million Americans move to another country and make them conduct their national business in English and celebrate US holidays?

I want to feel like I am in the US as I go about my daily life. The world would be boring if there was a world culture and all places felt, looked and sounded alike.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/21/2006 05:25:36 PM · #56

Originally posted by chaimelle:

So if the common language became Spanish then that would hold the country together just as well, right...?

04/21/2006 05:34:50 PM · #57

Well, like it or not, it's happening baby. Your generation will resist it, my generation with assimilate it with great difficulty, my son's generation will probably embrace it. Before I die, I fully expect to see my Cheerios with both English and Spanish on the box like they are in English and French in Canada.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/21/2006 05:38:16 PM · #58

Originally posted by chaimelle:

As for learning a second language, why not an Asian language as there are certainly large numbers of Asian immigrants.

Because Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language in the US ?
In some states it is already recognised as one the of the official state languages.

Asian languages are not spoken by such a large % of the population of that country.

Some reasons 'English only' isn't a great choice

Message edited by author 2006-04-21 17:42:02.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/21/2006 05:41:32 PM · #59

To me, history is part of culture, and if nothing else our history of being an English speaking nation would be lost. Having Spanish as the common language of the US would hold it together, but it would take at least a couple of generations. I didn't like history and don't remember much, but is there any society that willingly gave up its culture and language? What about immigrants of other nationalities? Why are Mexicans (and other Latinos) being allowed to change us so much more than any other group?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/21/2006 05:43:07 PM · #60

Most varieties of Spanish has a relatively logical spelling and pronunciation structure (see my earlier post).

04/21/2006 05:43:45 PM · #61

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

It hasn't gotten to the Cheerios boxes yet, but many other products already have it. Does your loss of culture truly not bother you?

04/21/2006 05:45:43 PM · #62

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Most varieties of Spanish has a relatively logical spelling and pronunciation structure (see my earlier post).

If I remember correctly (high school was a long time ago!), German has logical spelling and pronunciation structure also.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

04/21/2006 05:52:31 PM · #63

Originally posted by chaimelle:

It hasn't gotten to the Cheerios boxes yet, but many other products already have it. Does your loss of culture truly not bother you?

What goes around, comes around ?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/21/2006 07:03:48 PM · #64

Originally posted by chaimelle:

It hasn't gotten to the Cheerios boxes yet, but many other products already have it. Does your loss of culture truly not bother you?

Naw, I doubt it is going to dominate culture. You talked about the melting pot and that's what it is. My culture is Mennonite. I can enjoy that even though I doubt 5 Americans in 100 could describe Mennonite beyond using "quaker" as a synonym.

We keep culture that's worth keeping and lose culture that isn't. The only thing certain in life is change.

LoudDog

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/21/2006 07:20:26 PM · #65

About illegals getting paid so little, the going rate in Arizona to hire someone for the day off the street, for landscaping, concrete, painting, whatever... is $10/hour. When you consider they are not paying taxes or social security, that's about the take home pay for a normal american making $15/hour. Average pay at temp agencies for legal americans for similar work done legally is $7-8/hour and they still have to pay taxes out of that.