If you want to live in this country...

[Geeky1]

Either attempt to communicate in English or we cannot help you.

Makes sense to me...

 

[boombexus]

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?

Agreed, it's easier for them to converse in that way.

Should they only speak in English so that you can eavesdrop on their conversation?

If it's a delicate conversation, then it should be held in private. Just like two people who speak the native language would do.

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.

Really? Do you truely think that?

What if I was talking about you in a very disrespecful manner in a language that you couldn't understand. Does that make it less offensive to you even if you can't understand it?
Are you telling me that even if you don't understand the language, you can't tell inflection on speech or see peering eyes upon you when you are being talked about?
Certainly you can pick up on this even though you don't speak the language.

What if you can pick out bits and pieces of the conversation and you positively know that they are talking about you.
You may hear, "blaaah, blaaah, blaaah, beeeedddeeee, beeeeeedddeee, Famine, beeeeeddddeeee, beeeedeeee, blaaahhhaaa, blaaaaaahhhaaa, blaaaha.
Now how does that make you feel?
I can tell you how I feel about it. I feel very, compromised. I feel that I've lost an ability to explain/defend myself. I've lost my ability to react.

Now tell me, how would you like to feel like that every day? How about you, sitting in your office. and hearing nothing but a foerign language for two+ hours straight?

Honestly, it creates a rift between those who speak the native language and those who do not.

Not a very condusive environment for work now is it?

I don't think that speaking the native language should be a requiremet for immigration, however, I do think that learning the native tongue should be a priority. Maybe conversational language should be a requirement when one is persuing residency or a social security card.
And if you're too lazy to learn the native language, you get shipped back to wherever you came from.

 

[Famine]

Really? Do you truely think that?

What if I was talking about you in a very disrespecful manner in a language that you couldn't understand. Does that make it less offensive to you even if you can't understand it?
Are you telling me that even if you don't understand the language, you can't tell inflection on speech or see peering eyes upon you when you are being talked about?
Certainly you can pick up on this even though you don't speak the language.

What if you can pick out bits and pieces of the conversation and you positively know that they are talking about you.
You may hear, "blaaah, blaaah, blaaah, beeeedddeeee, beeeeeedddeee, Famine, beeeeeddddeeee, beeeedeeee, blaaahhhaaa, blaaaaaahhhaaa, blaaaha.
Now how does that make you feel?
I can tell you how I feel about it. I feel very, compromised. I feel that I've lost an ability to explain/defend myself. I've lost my ability to react.

Now tell me, how would you like to feel like that every day? How about you, sitting in your office. and hearing nothing but a foerign language for two+ hours straight?

Honestly, it creates a rift between those who speak the native language and those who do not.

Not a very condusive environment for work now is it?

I don't think that speaking the native language should be a requiremet for immigration, however, I do think that learning the native tongue should be a priority. Maybe conversational language should be a requirement when one is persuing residency or a social security card.
And if you're too lazy to learn the native language, you get shipped back to wherever you came from.

If I were to hear that, three possibilities for the conversation spring to mind.

First, they're saying "Oooh, he's great that Famine. I want his kids".

Secondly, they're saying "I really hate Famine , he stinks".

Thirdly they could be saying "Quick, here comes Famine. Let's talk about him and make him paranoid!"

But in any case they're holding the conversation so that I can't hear it, so I don't particularly care what they're saying.


And all that aside, if two people are talking sotto voce so that all you can hear is "psst psst psssst psst psst Famine psssst psst psssst psst", they could well be speaking English. Why should I be more or less offended if they're doing it in Swahili? Is it only foreign co-workers who have a common language who can talk about you behind your back, or can English-speaking ones do it too?

 

[Blackbird.]

Should they only speak in English so that you can eavesdrop on their conversation?

Well that works both ways they can also speak in their language talking behind our backs literally right infront of our faces. But really they should know English along with the language they were brought up to know. For their own sake really, not necessarily things like your scenario.

 

[ledhed]

Ignore everyone then it wont matter.

 

[Blackbird.]

Ignore everyone then it wont matter.

Even if you do, you do know it happens.

 

[smellysocks12]

Anyone working at a job working with tourists should know at least 2 or 3 languages though. You can't expect a Mexican tourist to speak English to you just because he's visiting your country for a week. Though, if they are going to live in the country they will have to learn it since not everyone in the USA should be able to speak Spanish.

 

[Famine]

Well that works both ways they can also speak in their language talking behind our backs literally right infront of our faces. But really they should know English along with the language they were brought up to know. For their own sake really, not necessarily things like your scenario.

Indeed - but that doesn't change the point that people can whisper about you, in your presence, in English. Getting offended because two people who share a common language other than your own choose to converse in that language is silly.

 

[a6m5]

Getting offended because two people who share a common language other than your own choose to converse in that language is silly.

I think it's an misunderstanding most of the time. It doens't happen much anymore, but I used to speak Japanese to someone while surrounded by English speaking people. Sometimes, I'd glance around, peek at people around to see if they can hear us or if they are looking at us. It wasn't because I was talking about them, but it was awkward speaking in foreign language in front of them and I was (very)little embarrassed.

 

[Blackbird.]

Indeed - but that doesn't change the point that people can whisper about you, in your presence, in English. Getting offended because two people who share a common language other than your own choose to converse in that language is silly.

Well no one should be talking behind someones back but that's impossible. Human beings just act that way.

 

[sideslider]

some people don't have the choice to enroll in a class or go to the bookstore and buy a book to learn another language......some people were busy doing stupid things like fleeing a war to save their lives......(ment to be sarcastic for those of you on your period...fleeng a war is not a stupid thing)

...also i've noticed that a lot of people i've meet from different parts of Europe....usually speak more than one language....but i have noticed that a lot of native english speaking americans generally dont bother to learn another language and can hardly speak english.....

..my favorite example is how people will pretend to speak spanish by putting an e (ay) on the end of all there words......ie.....burritoe (burritoay) or they throw in their choice toco bell (fast food taco place in the states...not real mexican food) menu word....

..i also think some people don't want to use an unatural language because they dont want other people judging their ability to speak that language..... 👍

and this might be a little off topic but in regards to the skyline list in gt4.....do Japenese people love these cars more than anything......because if so id imagine that they hear others complaining about the car bais and say why don't they learn how to drive one before they buy the game..

..ok i'll agree that was a horrible example and i will never use it again...

 

[a6m5]

some people don't have the choice to enroll in a class or go to the bookstore and buy a book to learn another language......some people were busy doing stupid things like fleeing a war to save their lives......(ment to be sarcastic for those of you on your period...fleeng a war is not a stupid thing)

...also i've noticed that a lot of people i've meet from different parts of Europe....usually speak more than one language....but i have noticed that a lot of native english speaking americans generally dont bother to learn another language and can hardly speak english.....

..my favorite example is how people will pretend to speak spanish by putting an e (ay) on the end of all there words......ie.....burritoe (burritoay) or they throw in their choice toco bell (fast food taco place in the states...not real mexican food) menu word....

..i also think some people don't want to use an unatural language because they dont want other people judging their ability to speak that language..... 👍

and this might be a little off topic but in regards to the skyline list in gt4.....do Japenese people love these cars more than anything......because if so id imagine that they hear others complaining about the car bais and say why don't they learn how to drive one before they buy the game..

..ok i'll agree that was a horrible example and i will never use it again...

.....Yeah, the Skyline thing was kinda confusing.

I do understand what you're saying. Some immigrants(maybe, most immigrants) doesn't get a chance to learn English before arriving to the states. Which is totally fine. What most of us in this thread is saying is, once they start living in the states, they should learn basic English. Also, at least make an effort to communicate in English.

What you say about the Americans, not willing to learn foreign language is true, at least most of the time, IMO. But we are not talking about Americans living in other countries here. We are talking about immigrants living in America. Communication is very important.

P.S. I like your spelling of Oregon. 👍

 

[wheellift]

No shoes..No shirt..No english...NO SERVICE......

 

[ledhed]

The national language has been changed to " sign language " to make it fair to everyone .
This finger is my contribution .

 

[ND4SPD]

In Canada, if the beer is too strong for you....GET OUT!

 

[Firebird]

In Canada, if the beer is too strong for you....GET OUT!

Until the United States declares an official language I don't see any reason why immigrants should have to oblige to any American's demand that they "speak the language".

 

[PS]

My mom was just talking about how much she hates talking to foreigners on the phone, as she continuosly makes fun of them. She goes on about how they pronounce something or repeat something and gets so pissed off, it makes me mad. She's incredibly narrowminded, I can't stand it.

 

[a6m5]

My mom was just talking about how much she hates talking to foreigners on the phone, as she continuosly makes fun of them. She goes on about how they pronounce something or repeat something and gets so pissed off, it makes me mad. She's incredibly narrowminded, I can't stand it.

I'm for immigrants having to learn English, but I do agree with you there. Some'll laugh at you for trying to speak English, but will get mad at you if you don't try.

 

[ledhed]

When I get a person on the phone speaking swahilli or whatever..I imediately turn into " Cornholio " and ask for TP for my bunghole ...do you have tp ? My bunghole it go's brrrrrrrrrrrp .

 

[sideslider]

i remember in school they were saying stuff like if you learn more than one language it will help you get a better job....i guess this could apply to what is being said......although sometimes it's even troublesome to communicate to people with ordinary jobs..

...for example i was filling my truck up on propane at a local gas station and when the guy (maybe from a middle eastern country) was done he noticed a little leaking out...which usually is no big deal and can be fixed by attaching the hose back up and giving it a little puff of propane to reseat the seal.....

...but as he reached for a screwdriver i warned him that it was a bad idea...but he was speaking broken english mixed with a language i couldnt place..and he couldnt understand my warning and POOFF!!.

...a big propane blast to the face...it fixed the leak... and luckly he covered his face with his hand in time resulting in a small burn on his hand.....but had the language barrier been less of a problem it would have been avoided..

 

[Danoff]

...a big propane blast to the face...it fixed the leak... and luckly he covered his face with his hand in time resulting in a small burn on his hand.....but had the language barrier been less of a problem it would have been avoided..

So we're to change legislation now in order to prevent someone from getting burned? Should it be illegal for this guy to not speak english? Or is it just a good idea for him to?

Until the United States declares an official language I don't see any reason why immigrants should have to oblige to any American's demand that they "speak the language".

Even after the US declares an official language, I still don't see any reason why immigrants should be obliged to speak english.

Can't read road signs? Can't get a driver's license. Can't get a job? Can't stay in the country.

 

[Blackbird.]

So we're to change legislation now in order to prevent someone from getting burned? Should it be illegal for this guy to not speak english? Or is it just a good idea for him to?



Even after the US declares an official language, I still don't see any reason why immigrants should be obliged to speak english.

Can't read road signs? Can't get a driver's license. Can't get a job? Can't stay in the country.

It's a good idea he does for his own sake. Since most people here do speak english he or she would be able to communicate much better.

Well if it were their choice then we would not be able to communicate very well and then it would make frustration. Now we have to learn spanish in school and I dislike it. I don't feel like learning another language. I'm quite fine with english, thank you.

 

[ledhed]

When speaking with a person who speaks little english or no english at all , I find that creating my own gibberish language works best. Although they seem to get a bit odd at the time and make funny faces and sometimes run screaming into the arms of a police officer ..in the long run its better for them .

 

[Blackbird.]

Made up sign language? Well that could work but wouldn't it be better if we spoke all one language?