If you want to live in this country...

[Geeky1]

...you've got to learn the language.

What's your opinion on that statement?

Personally, I think some level of fluency in English should be a requirement for immigration into the country. I'm not saying that potential immigrants should be expected to speak the language flawlessly, or even close to it -god knows enough native-born Americans have difficulty with that *rolls eyes*- but I think that requiring a reasonable grasp of the language makes sense.

If you're in a situation where you have to deal with the police- anything from being pulled over to being arrested for something- being able to communicate with the officer(s) is important.

Beyond that though, it's important for day-to-day interactions with society as a whole. From finding a specific product in a store that you're not familiar with, to keeping up with local news, to working with people at your job. It's especially important if you're in customer service of some kind- e.g. as a waiter or a waitress, but even with a desk job, being able to understand what your boss is telling you is generally a good thing.

Like I said, I'm not saying that they should be completely fluent in the language, but they should be able to speak it well enough that other people can understand them. If I wanted to move to Germany, I'd learn German before I did... It just makes sense that if you want to live somewhere, you need to have some grasp of the native language of that country.

Opinions?

 

[MrktMkr1986]

My opinion... to tell someone that is wrong. However, it is my belief that in order to function/live in a different country that speaks a language different from your native language you have to learn it in order to communicate effectively. It's not like you can walk around with a human translator 24/7.

 

[emad]

I have had way too many professors who can barely speak english. I'm still amazed at how some of these people manage to get jobs where they are supposed to teach students in a language they themselves can barely grasp. It pisses me off considering that I'm the one paying for this person's expertise and the administration can't seem to find people that can speak the language.

That said, I do feel that if you're going to immigrate to a country, you should have a good grasp of the language you will be speaking there. Otherwise your first few years will go to waste learning the language.

 

[a6m5]

Actually, the United States doesn't have an official language. It's ridiculous, I know.

I agree with you though. The way you put it, "to learn" english, would be very reasonable and also useful, IMO.

 

[Solid Fro]

You guys wouldn't believe how many people come up to me and try to order something. The first thing out of their mouths is "habla español?"



It is ridiculous.

 

[Ghost C]

Oooooo, I hate people who can't speak English. They're everywhere in the Triad area of NC, and most of them are illegally here. The worst part is, they seem to be drawn like magnets to food jobs that don't require anything but the ability to breathe, I can't count the number of times I've had some non-English speaking ass on the other side of the counter.

 

[Joey D]

I really hate it when you know that the Asian people are talking about you and they just go on and on in their language. I mean sure I can understand if they are here on vacation then I don't expect them to know the language, but if you live here make an attempt. I don't care if it's broken english.

When I was in Germany for a few weeks, I spoke the German I knew. Sure they could tell I was an American by my accent, but they could still understand me even though I messed up a few words. And look I wasn't even living there.

Also the United States my not have it down on paper what the offical language is, but everyone knows its English...err rather American since we don't go around saying "Eh mate lets go down to the pub for a pint and if you don't your a bleeding bastard."

 

[Famine]

I really hate it when you know that the Asian people are talking about you and they just go on and on in their language.

If two Chinese people are talking to each other, regardless of the country they're in, why should they not be allowed to speak in Chinese? Should they only speak in English so that you can eavesdrop on their conversation?

Presumably they don't want you to hear what they're saying. So by speaking in a language they don't think you can speak, they're actually respecting your feelings - if they are talking about you, you can't understand it to get offended.

 

[Mark T]

If I go on holiday to a foreign country, I usually don't even attempt to speak the language. There are usually people that speak English so I don't have to make the effort.

BlazinXtreme- I bet when you were in Germany speaking to a friend, I'm sure you didn't speak German to them. It's the same situation as the two Asians you mentioned. If your a tourist your not going to speak to relatives in the language the country speaks, your going to speak in your first language.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I really hate it when you know that the Asian people are talking about you and they just go on and on in their language. I mean sure I can understand if they are here on vacation then I don't expect them to know the language, but if you live here make an attempt. I don't care if it's broken english.

Come to my school. A lot of the teachers speak Welsh pretty much fluently and it is realy annoying when they start talking when you might be the only other person in the room (Going to a teachers office etc). But to be honest most the time it is just amusing to see how much you can pick up, or if you can't pick up anything you just imagine what they could be saying

If anyone came to this country and made no effort to speak or learn English (it might not have been possible where they previously lived) then I generally get annoyed. But aslong as they make an attempt, even when talking to me, I don't mind.

 

[vladimir]

i guess you cannot force someone to learn the language, but in order to take part in society, most people probably want to learn the language.

on contrary it should be enforced in schools, because there is really no point in havingg pupils sittin in the class who don't understand a word.
our hesse government recently introduced a rule that children have to do a language test before they can go to school and those who fail in the test will take part in courses to learn the language and enter school one year later.

 

[Duke]

That makes sense. Bilingual is good, but wrong-lingual is bad.

In all honesty, if I expected to move to a country, I would expect myself to know enough of the native language to survive, and I would intend to use it to the greatest extent possible outside the home or in the presence of natives.

It's only common courtesy.

 

[Danoff]

I do not think it should be a requirement for immigration. I do, however, think that we should not be spending tax dollars to teach kids an uncommon language in the US.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I'm sure it's cheaper to pay for a teacher to teach a class than it is to have a translator follow them round or have to pay their benfeits because they can't get a decent job...

But no doubt you'll prove me wrong.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

I do not think it should be a requirement for immigration.

I agree.

I do, however, think that we should not be spending tax dollars to teach kids an uncommon language in the US.

I disagree. Students should have the opportunity to learn new languages -- in case they ever decide to work for the UN, CIA etc...

 

[Danoff]

I disagree. Students should have the opportunity to learn new languages -- in case they ever decide to work for the UN, CIA etc

Sorry that came out kinda wrong.

I don't think we should be spending tax dollars teaching kids at all.

But we should certainly not be spending tax dollars to teach kids other subjects (like math and science) in languages other than english. I'm ok with the idea of teaching kids other languages for the purpose of learning other languages.

I realize that's not really what I said, but I'm being more accurate now.

I'm sure it's cheaper to pay for a teacher to teach a class than it is to have a translator follow them round or have to pay their benfeits because they can't get a decent job...

But no doubt you'll prove me wrong.

No need to send a translator, they'll learn english eventually if they have to... and we should certainly not be spending tax dollars on benefits if they can't get a decent job.

 

[PS]

You people should think about something before this. In an official immigration policy, there is a points system. You have to get 150 or 200 or 530 or something like that. Each little skill or or attribute you have will help you with the points to get into the country.
For example, you speak fluent english: 25 points.
You already have an apartment set up: 10 points.
You have family here to help you settle : 15 points.
You have over $10,000 to help yourself settle: 20 points.
You are between the ages of 20 and 45: 10 points.
*Not exact figures.

That kind of thing. So speaking English is not necessary, but it will definately go a long way to getting you accepted into the country. And this is just Canada's. Apparently the USA's immigration policy is quite a bit stricter, so I don't see what you're all complaining about.

Hell, the percentage of english-speaking people in Vancouver officially fell below 50% back in 2004. That's LESS than HALF the city who speaks english. It's just ridiculous. And sine we're an official bi-lingual country, we not only have to inlcude english on signs/information, but also french too, and in Vancouver english, french, and chinese.

 

[smellysocks12]

If you can't speak the language of the country, one of the most basic things to be able to function in society, then you shouldn't live there. It's simple like that.

 

[PS]

Oh, you're not a fascist.

 

[Danoff]

If you can't speak the language of the country, one of the most basic things to be able to function in society, then you shouldn't live there. It's simple like that.

What about terri schaivo? She wasn't able to speak the language.

Ok that wasn't fair.

How about someone who comes here wanting to learn how to speak english? He intends to get a job and work his way up - build himself a life and learn to speak the language.

What kind of english competency are you requiring.

I don't see any reason why people who come here need to be able to read write or talk at all, let alone in a particular language. That being said I'm not paying for traffic signs in five languages so that people can be lazy and not LEARN english after they get here either.

 

[smellysocks12]

Especially English can easily be learned in foreign countries. Many sources are available to learn it in their own country. Only if people are threatened by death and had to flee their country, that should make an exception to the rule. Though I still think other countries next to their home country should be applied first to migrate to.


Someone who intends to get a job should know the country's language, otherwise he can't function properly at work. They can't read the contract, read warning signs, understand instructions, etcetera. So you'll be paying for their food stamps / welfare.


I don't think anyone should migrate to another country for economic reasons anyway. If everyone with a little education runs away from his home country then the situation there won't improve either.

 

[PS]

Especially English can easily be learned in foreign countries. Many sources are available to learn it in their own country. Only if people are threatened by death and had to flee their country, that should make an exception to the rule. Though I still think other countries next to their home country should be applied first to migrate to.

Wat if a war breaks out genius? Did you ever happen to think that when your ****ing home is being bombed that going to school and spending 6 months learning english isn't exactly a priority?!

Someone who intends to get a job should know the country's language, otherwise he can't function properly at work. They can't read the contract, read warning signs, understand instructions, etcetera. So you'll be paying for their food stamps / welfare.

They should, maybe, but they're within their rights and they are not obligated to do so. And if you can't read a great big red octagon at the end of the street, then how did you get into the country? If you could work at home then you could work here, you just won't be able to communicate as well.

I don't think anyone should migrate to another country for economic reasons anyway. If everyone with a little education runs away from his home country then the situation there won't improve either.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here, but did it ever occur to you that people don't exactly want be poor for the rest of their lives, moving on day to day, week by week, month by month, from penny to penny? And if the situation won't improve then anyone in their right mind would want to get out of there. Jesus...duh.

*smack*

 

[smellysocks12]

Wat if a war breaks out genius? Did you ever happen to think that when your ****ing home is being bombed that going to school and spending 6 months learning english isn't exactly a priority?!

In the part that you quoted I already mentioned that there should be an exception for this. Refugee immigrants should also return back home once the heat is over. That should be made clear to them before they enter the country, so they can't get children and say "oooh, our kids grew up here and are used to this country, we can't leave".

I'm not sure what you're trying to say here, but did it ever occur to you that people don't exactly want be poor for the rest of their lives, moving on day to day, week by week, month by month, from penny to penny? And if the situation won't improve then anyone in their right mind would want to get out of there. Jesus...duh.

The USA is often seen as a paradise, yet once immigrants get there it turns out to be a disappointment. If they don't know the language then they won't find jobs at all, they'll be living poor in the USA.... which isn't good either.

Moving people to richer countries to make them more wealthy won't solve poverty. They should stay in their own country and build up a decent living there, like I said before. That's what I meant there. Only the higher educated people in development countries can consider migrating to a richer country. That way only uneducated people will stay in development countries, while the higher educated should build up opportunities to improve the situation in their country, not running away and building up a 'good' life elsewhere cleaning an American's toilet while he could have been a doctor in his own country.

*smack*

Smack what?


Read my post next time you reply, most of the things you mentioned I already explained in the post you quoted. When reading your posts I can tell how you got awarded your avatar.

 

[Sage]

I don't expect anybody to know English when they first move here, but by all means they have to make an effort to learn it once they're here (extra cookies points if they start learning before they move). What bothers me are the people who live here for decades and never learn a bit of English.

BTW, that's also a pet peeve of my mom, since she's an immigrant, and has taken great pains to learn English (not just English, but proper English, and she's even dropped her accent – you'd think she was born in the States).

 

[Solid Lifters]

You guys wouldn't believe how many people come up to me and try to order something. The first thing out of their mouths is "habla español?"



It is ridiculous.

Since you live in California, I say I'd believe with whatever number you come up with.

Here, in SoCal, it's just ridiculous. And it doesn't help that the teachers speak only in Spanish to the younger children in our schools, too. I am glad to see the Mexican Rights Groups are finally offering free English lesson to immigrants, which oddly they protested doing just 6 or 7 years ago when it was suggested they do so. But, in some cities, you can't become a cop or a teacher unless you can speak Spanish and English. It might seem rude, but most immigrants refuse to even try to speak to you in broken English, and I say just ignore them. "What? Refuse to speak English, or even try to speak it? Good-bye, then."

 

[a6m5]

I wish the Americans would try to set the official language. Not only it would make things easier for everybody, it should help unite the country more, IMO.

 

[Geeky1]

I wish the Americans would try to set the official language. Not only it would make things easier for everybody, it should help unite the country more, IMO.

Yes, well good luck with that... Try that and the extreme left will throw a hissy fit about how we're discriminating against everyone whose first language isn't English, it'll be all over the news, they'll get all sorts of nitwits that can't think for themselves to say "oh, that's terrible", and the politicians will back down for fear of not being reelected.

A lot of the problems this country has could be solved if our politicians would grow some balls (something that many of them seem to be lacking...).

 

[a6m5]

Yes, well good luck with that... Try that and the extreme left will throw a hissy fit about how we're discriminating against everyone whose first language isn't English, it'll be all over the news, they'll get all sorts of nitwits that can't think for themselves to say "oh, that's terrible", and the politicians will back down for fear of not being reelected.

A lot of the problems this country has could be solved if our politicians would grow some balls (something that many of them seem to be lacking...).

Good point. I think speaking one language as a nation would unite the nation more in a long run, but it will divide them first for sure. I still think they should go for it.

 

[Solid Fro]

the extreme left will throw a hissy fit...

The Liberals throw a fit on just about everything.

Waaah!

 

[Geeky1]

this is true...