Republicans back bill allowing employers to require English only

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I live in America. English is the language of choice. I didn't expect Russia to change their signs for me. I needed to change for them! I understood, I'm in Russia I need to read Russian. It should be the same here.

As others have said, an airport is quite different and a whole different debate. If someone wants to live and work here, learn English.

i dont understand why people here are so bothered by having things written in english as well as another language...how does that truly affect your life? is it harming you in some terrible way? i think that people just need to get over it

[mawilson 2,133]

Maybe they were hired to count beans, and the language doesn't matter, because when you write '10,001' anyone can understand it.

Not really. Not if they write 10.001,50 instead of 10,000.50 like they do in some countries.

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

i agree that one should learn to speak the language of the country one is visiting or living in...which is why it frustrates me that many americans expect people in other countries to cater to them, and get angry when people in other countries dont speak english...i studied in italy, and lived in a house with 15 other american students...how many of them learned to say anything in italian? i think its quite hypocrital to expect one thing of foreigners while abroad (ie: expect them to speak english), but when others come here, we wont provide the same service to them

and yes, i love visiting countries just to see the terminal

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I'm with you 100%

Agreed brother Kazan . Let them try and tell me what language(s) I can speak in. I conduct business in English just like the next person; but my multilingual abilities are definitely an asset, not a nuisance AND if they don't like it, they can shove it (in any language they prefer).

I've said it before: being monolingual is nothing to be extremely proud of in a multicultural world like this one.

[Peikko 1,575]

They do?

Now I have learned something new.

[tmma 467]

....being monolingual is nothing to be extremely proud of in a multicultural world like this one.

Very true

When I lived and worked in Germany, I had to take my driving test in German, there was no provision by the Germans for me to take it in English....and I had to speak German at work.

There are no roadsigns, etc in the Netherlands in English ( not that I have seen, anyway); same goes for the not touristy areas of Austria and Italy and Greece( in my experience from living there).

There were no posters or leaflets in the post offices, banks and government buildings of any of the countries I have listed in any other language but their own ( with the exception of some forms of arabic in the Netherlands).

Like I said -from my experience of living there/visiting extensively away from the touristy areas.

Just my experience and opinion ( of course).

[no name 1]

I've said it before: being monolingual is nothing to be extremely proud of in a multicultural world like this one.

Thanks for that! I feel like a second class USC for being a monolinguist.

Edited December 13, 2007 by devilette

[mawilson 2,133]

They do?

Now I have learned something new.

Yes.

One thousand twenty-five and seven tenths is written as 1,025.7 in the US and 1.025,7 in Germany.

[BabyBlueSusie 1]

They do?

Now I have learned something new.

what are you referring to?

nevermind

Edited December 13, 2007 by babybluesusie

[no name 1]

They do?

Now I have learned something new.

Yes.

One thousand twenty-five and seven tenths is written as 1,025.7 in the US and 1.025,7 in Germany.

and many other Euro countries.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well if it does, it will get challenged quickly. I know many folks that call loved ones and speak in their native language at work.

Naturally. That's why its important to be clear on what this new law actually does before throwing whole-hearted support behind it.

[Brian & Kathy 0]

My point remains.

This is something anyone competent in counting beans could learn.

Maybe they were hired to count beans, and the language doesn't matter, because when you write '10,001' anyone can understand it.

Not really. Not if they write 10.001,50 instead of 10,000.50 like they do in some countries.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I've said it before: being monolingual is nothing to be extremely proud of in a multicultural world like this one.

It isn't - and if my high-school foreign language curriculum was half-way decent I should have been a fluent Spanish speaker after 5 years tuition.

Compare that to my mate in Germany, who learned fluent English in his public high-school, and through his German father and Chilean mother already spoke fluent German and Spanish.

That's amazing to me.

[Peikko 1,575]

Ah but, English is a great stick to beat the ignorant with, don't take it away from the Republicans!

[mawilson 2,133]

Compare that to my mate in Germany, who learned fluent English in his public high-school, and through his German father and Chilean mother already spoke fluent German and Spanish.

That's amazing to me.

Yeah, don't you just hate those people?