Bilingualism is a bad thing in America

[Djamila]

I'm curious about something. I understand the debate about illegal immigration in the United States, and all that involves...

But why are towns passing laws making English the official language and, in some cases, making it illegal to speak another language in service industries?

It's been proven 10,000 times over than bilingual people have higher IQ's and are generally more intelligent, trilingual people even more so. They've known for years that certain languages bring about development in certain areas of the brain that others do not, therefore learning two or more languages more fully develops your brain - provided the languages are learned before puberty.

So why would Americans want to pass laws that make people stupid? Okay, I'm not Fox News, let me rephase the question.

Why would they want to declare English the official language? Why is speaking two or more languages such a bad thing?

 

[Capt. Haddock]

I think the argument is that speaking other languages discourages the immigrants from learning English, and this prevents them integrating into the mainstream and promotes their isolation/ghettoization.

I think it's great that people speak different languages, as long as there is one that we can all communicate in.

 

[standing_alone]

These laws aren't passed to make people stupid. They are passed because the English-speaking majority fears the Spanish-speaking (growing) minority because they don't understand or speak the Spanish language. English-speaking Americans expect all services to be provided by people speaking English and many don't like the idea of things being in English and then having Spanish included, either. I think alot of it has to do with wanting Spanish-speaking (and others, too) immigrants to assimilate into "American culture."

 

[Wandered Off]

It's not that cities are saying, "bilingualism is a bad thing." Cities do not make any attempt to limit the number of languages citizens speak for private matters. In part, it's an attempt to streamline publication and processing of city business by not having to maintain several different versions of the same form, for example.

Yes, it is also an attempt to encourage people to learn the dominant language. I would feel safer driving if I knew all other drivers were able to read road signs, for example.

One city in Texas voted to make Spanish the official language of city documents, but that hasn't gotten as much publicity.

 

[kiwimac]

Here in NZ we have three official languages, English, Maori, NZ Sign language.
I see no sign of the English speakers suddenly disappearing.

 

[Radio Frequency X]

Why would they want to declare English the official language? Why is speaking two or more languages such a bad thing?

It fosters ethnic/cultural segregation.

 

[!Fluffy!]

The statement "Bilingualism is a bad thing in America" is just a silly baseless accusation.

The English as the Official Language laws you have heard about actually promote bilingualism if English isn't your native language, as living here would be more difficult than need be otherwise.

We've gotten along quite well this long speaking English, and most see no need to over-accommodate those who wish to live here yet have an aversion to our language.

It's a pretty simple concept really.

 

[Katzpur]

I'm curious about something. I understand the debate about illegal immigration in the United States, and all that involves...

But why are towns passing laws making English the official language and, in some cases, making it illegal to speak another language in service industries?

It's been proven 10,000 times over than bilingual people have higher IQ's and are generally more intelligent, trilingual people even more so. They've known for years that certain languages bring about development in certain areas of the brain that others do not, therefore learning two or more languages more fully develops your brain - provided the languages are learned before puberty.

So why would Americans want to pass laws that make people stupid? Okay, I'm not Fox News, let me rephase the question.

Why would they want to declare English the official language? Why is speaking two or more languages such a bad thing?

Salt Lake City is one of a handful of cities in the U.S. to which numerous political refugees from around the world are relocated by several different groups assisting in their immigration. Consequently, for a city its size, we have disproportionately large populations of people for whom English is not their native tongue. There are several schools in Salt Lake where letters, etc. sent home to parents must be translated into literally dozens (I am not exaggerating) of foreign languages. I am all in favor of people learning to speak as many languages as possible. As a matter of fact, I believe there should be a much stronger emphasis in American schools on the study of foreign languages. But I don't believe we should have to cater to the linguistic needs of every conceivable population group. I'm totally in favor of making English be our official language.

 

[klubbhead024]

Illegal immigrants want to come over here and take our jobs, take our homes, take our money, take our health care, while doing everything possible to make their new illegal American home as much as the old country. If people can't speak english, they should not even be considered for ajob where they need to interact with the public. Also, I'm not sure if anyone has heard about this, but at hospitals in Arizona a group of ILLEGAL mexicans is sueing them because the hospitals could not provide a translator. Invoking a bilinguistic natured society would only encourage more illegals to cmoe over. It's sad when people that have no business being in this country get treated then the people who were born and raised her. The only right illegal immigrants should have is the right to remain silent while we deport them!

 

[Djamila]

Salt Lake City is one of a handful of cities in the U.S. to which numerous political refugees from around the world are relocated by several different groups assisting in their immigration. Consequently, for a city its size, we have disproportionately large populations of people for whom English is not their native tongue. There are several schools in Salt Lake where letters, etc. sent home to parents must be translated into literally dozens (I am not exaggerating) of foreign languages. I am all in favor of people learning to speak as many languages as possible. As a matter of fact, I believe there should be a much stronger emphasis in American schools on the study of foreign languages. But I don't believe we should have to cater to the linguistic needs of every conceivable population group. I'm totally in favor of making English be our official language.

Well, I see nothing wrong with that. Why is being presented so differently in the media?

 

[!Fluffy!]

Well, I see nothing wrong with that. Why is being presented so differently in the media?

For the same reason people want to believe Americans are stupid, bad, immoral, etc.

It's called pre*ju*dice:
Prejudice is, as the name implies, the process of "pre-judging" something. It implies coming to a judgment on a subject before learning where the preponderance of evidence actually lies, or forming a judgment without direct experience.

 

[Sunstone]

I'm all for people speaking as many languages as they can, but I don't want to see a permanent Spanish Only underclass develop in this country comprised of people who speak only Spanish and thus do not have access to the best jobs or standard of living.

 

[KingNothing]

If the King's English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me. lol

 

[Djamila]

If the King's English was good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me. lol

Hahaha. Xox

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

I think the entire world should just speak latin, but since I can't force them to then every country needs solidarity in a language. We can't have a babel syndrome going on, people need to be able accel instead of stagnate. I remember something about australia having a second speaking language of the maori from earlier. How many maori are migrating into your country every day? How many maori aren't spending the money in your country that they earned illegally in your country. Well the fact of the matter is that these guys are smart, they realize they can have a better life in america and can benefit off of our social security, welfare, and medicad. Our country was built on immigration but this isn't immigration its exploitation and thats why americans are acting this way. They can become citizens, vote, become the majority and change the entire country hell thats a healthy democracy and they could pay TAXES.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

So why would Americans want to pass laws that make people stupid?

It's not designed to prevent people from learning languages.

I do believe that our leaders want to keep Americans stupid, but only the lower class folk so they can uncritically be used as soldiers. This may be a good idea, but I don't like that only the lower-class are groomed for this from birth. That is, our public education system is so pathetic that it can only be designed for its traditional purpose: to produce a generation of young people who are healthy enough to fight and just learned enough to know that their country is the best. I'd perfer that naturally stupid people be forced to fight rather than people who aren't even given a chance.

Why would they want to declare English the official language?

It's to prevent illegal aliens from working.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

So why would Americans want to pass laws that make people stupid?

Because people like me only want to invest the time into learning another language they want to learn.

 

[kiwimac]

I think the entire world should just speak latin, but since I can't force them to then every country needs solidarity in a language. We can't have a babel syndrome going on, people need to be able accel instead of stagnate. I remember something about australia having a second speaking language of the maori from earlier. How many maori are migrating into your country every day? How many maori aren't spending the money in your country that they earned illegally in your country. Well the fact of the matter is that these guys are smart, they realize they can have a better life in america and can benefit off of our social security, welfare, and medicad. Our country was built on immigration but this isn't immigration its exploitation and thats why americans are acting this way. They can become citizens, vote, become the majority and change the entire country hell thats a healthy democracy and they could pay TAXES.

Actually, Friend

The Maori are the Native race here in NZ. They have more right to be here than anyone else. As for Australia, the Maori who live there speak English and Maori. Is there some kind of a problem with Americans actually learning a foreign language or do you somehow think it will reomve your 'specialness?'

Kiwimac

 

[MaddLlama]

It isn't about making people stupid, or not allowing people to be bilingual, but rather it is encouraging (or, forcing) immagrants to learn english. Most of them speak only spanish and don't bother to learn english because they can "get by" without it. In the service industry where these people work, they can't understand you. It would be as if in Bosnia everyone who worked as a clerk in a store spoke only Chineese, and didn't want to make the effort to speak the native language. So, in order to get what you want, you have to learn Chineese.

Why shouldn't any immigrant to any country be forced to learn the native language?

 

[Fluffy]

I work in a charity shop and we get quite a few people through the doors who are unable to speak English. I have no trouble dealing with their queries so why do so many people have so much difficulty? Just do the best you can. These people aren't stupid. They realise that you can't understand them just as they can't understand you. Treat them as reasonable fellow human beings and they will respond as such.

I know it is uncomfortable but nobody is being forced to buy goods from shops where the shop owners do not speak English. I assume that since there are apparently so many of these places, the customer base who don't care or is able to, either through choice or lack of choice, overcome their limited comfort zone is rather large as well.