Someone who has lived in the USA for 23 years still doesn't speak English.

[DairyFarmer 1]

Function and communicate? Well, as we have discovered, that's rather a wide remit isn't it?

Really, aboriginals aren't migrants, I wish I'd known that before I asked the question...

You are kidding me, right?

Nope the Aboriginals were there first.

I would imagine there is some external pressure on aboriginals to abandon their way of life and assume the dominant culture... To some extent this must have already happened as the majority of the aboriginal population live in urban areas - and suffer pretty much all the same problems that apply to poverty-stricken urban populations in other countries.

The poverty-stricken urban populations don't just refer to aboriginals and to think so would be a little short sighted.

In recent years there has been a return by quite a few aboriginies to the land, trying to create a life with both modern and traditional elements. And like the Native Americans in the US there has been quite a lot of reclaimed land.

However, some Aboriginal languages have been 'lost' for lack of a better word. There are programs in place and continually being developed to encourage native languages.

Edited August 1, 2008 by DairyFarmer

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The poverty-stricken urban populations don't just refer to aboriginals and to think so would be a little short sighted.

In recent years there has been a return by quite a few aboriginies to the land, trying to create a life with both modern and traditional elements. And like the Native Americans in the US there has been quite a lot of reclaimed land.

However, some Aboriginal languages have been 'lost' for lack of a better word. There are programs in place and continually being developed to encourage native languages.

Well yes I know that... I take that as a given really...

But I don't think it can be denied that as is the case with some minority groups in the US (specifically blacks and native americans), if you're aborigine - you have a greater likelihood of living in poverty, having a drug problem, a lower life-expectancy or a criminal record. Quite simply - if you're from that particular community you're more likely to experience these problems.

[Peikko 1,575]

Function and communicate? Well, as we have discovered, that's rather a wide remit isn't it?

Really, aboriginals aren't migrants, I wish I'd known that before I asked the question...

You are kidding me, right?

Nope the Aboriginals were there first.

I would imagine there is some external pressure on aboriginals to abandon their way of life and assume the dominant culture... To some extent this must have already happened as the majority of the aboriginal population live in urban areas - and suffer pretty much all the same problems that apply to poverty-stricken urban populations in other countries.

The poverty-stricken urban populations don't just refer to aboriginals and to think so would be a little short sighted.

In recent years there has been a return by quite a few aboriginies to the land, trying to create a life with both modern and traditional elements. And like the Native Americans in the US there has been quite a lot of reclaimed land.

However, some Aboriginal languages have been 'lost' for lack of a better word. There are programs in place and continually being developed to encourage native languages.

*Note to self* Sarcasm and irony need to be made more transparant so everyone can get it.

[Steve Y Jessica 1]

i dont thinks she was referring to the accent regarding 'broken english'. but i agree with you, an accent doesnt make a person illiterate, or that they can't speak a language 'properly'

and nothing against panamania, she is a dear friend of mine ; but the whole assault on people's right to speak whatever the flying fukc they want as long as they manage to live decent lives is just too upsetting. I cannot see the day when a pendejo will tell me I cannot speak Spanish, of French, or Italian. Land of the free my assss it would be.

I really do not care what language someone speaks.

My problem is when they get a job where they have to interact with the public, and they do not speak english.

I went to McDonalds one day and the person taking orders did not speak english very well. Also, at a store, the cashier did not speak english very well. This made things very difficult.

Like I said, I do not care what language people speak. BUT it pisses me off when I go to a store or McDonalds and the freaking person who is supposed to be helping me cannot speak the M FN language of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited August 1, 2008 by Steve Y Jessica

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

i dont thinks she was referring to the accent regarding 'broken english'. but i agree with you, an accent doesnt make a person illiterate, or that they can't speak a language 'properly'

and nothing against panamania, she is a dear friend of mine ; but the whole assault on people's right to speak whatever the flying fukc they want as long as they manage to live decent lives is just too upsetting. I cannot see the day when a pendejo will tell me I cannot speak Spanish, of French, or Italian. Land of the free my assss it would be.

I really do not care what language someone speaks.

My problem is when they get a job where they have to interact with the public, and they do not speak english.

I went to McDonalds one day and the person taking orders did not speak english very well. Also, at a store, the cashier did not speak english very well. This made things very difficult.

Like I said, I do not care what language people speak. BUT I pisses me off when I go to a store or McDonalds and the freaking person who is supposed to be helping me cannot speak the M FN language of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be fair - the English-speaking people who work in those places are often just as bad. I have an middle-class English Accent (not cockney or Essex - AKA Jason Statham-speak) and the people in the drive-through window generally can't understand me, muck up my order and spell my name wrong.

I even get that in Starbucks.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

i dont thinks she was referring to the accent regarding 'broken english'. but i agree with you, an accent doesnt make a person illiterate, or that they can't speak a language 'properly'

and nothing against panamania, she is a dear friend of mine ; but the whole assault on people's right to speak whatever the flying fukc they want as long as they manage to live decent lives is just too upsetting. I cannot see the day when a pendejo will tell me I cannot speak Spanish, of French, or Italian. Land of the free my assss it would be.

I really do not care what language someone speaks.

My problem is when they get a job where they have to interact with the public, and they do not speak english.

I went to McDonalds one day and the person taking orders did not speak english very well. Also, at a store, the cashier did not speak english very well. This made things very difficult.

Like I said, I do not care what language people speak. BUT I pisses me off when I go to a store or McDonalds and the freaking person who is supposed to be helping me cannot speak the M FN language of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be fair - the English-speaking people who work in those places are often just as bad. I have an middle-class English Accent (not cockney or Essex - AKA Jason Statham-speak) and the people in the drive-through window generally can't understand me, muck up my order and spell my name wrong.

I even get that in Starbucks.

The real sad thing Seis... is that you go to Starbucks

[pedroh 21]

i dont thinks she was referring to the accent regarding 'broken english'. but i agree with you, an accent doesnt make a person illiterate, or that they can't speak a language 'properly'

and nothing against panamania, she is a dear friend of mine ; but the whole assault on people's right to speak whatever the flying fukc they want as long as they manage to live decent lives is just too upsetting. I cannot see the day when a pendejo will tell me I cannot speak Spanish, of French, or Italian. Land of the free my assss it would be.

I really do not care what language someone speaks.

My problem is when they get a job where they have to interact with the public, and they do not speak english.

I went to McDonalds one day and the person taking orders did not speak english very well. Also, at a store, the cashier did not speak english very well. This made things very difficult.

Like I said, I do not care what language people speak. BUT I pisses me off when I go to a store or McDonalds and the freaking person who is supposed to be helping me cannot speak the M FN language of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be fair - the English-speaking people who work in those places are often just as bad. I have an middle-class English Accent (not cockney or Essex - AKA Jason Statham-speak) and the people in the drive-through window generally can't understand me, muck up my order and spell my name wrong.

I even get that in Starbucks.

the understandeable jason statham of the american produced movies? or the original lock stock and 2 smoking barrels one? rofl

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You have no idea how much I need coffee on a daily basis

[Steve Y Jessica 1]

i dont thinks she was referring to the accent regarding 'broken english'. but i agree with you, an accent doesnt make a person illiterate, or that they can't speak a language 'properly'

and nothing against panamania, she is a dear friend of mine ; but the whole assault on people's right to speak whatever the flying fukc they want as long as they manage to live decent lives is just too upsetting. I cannot see the day when a pendejo will tell me I cannot speak Spanish, of French, or Italian. Land of the free my assss it would be.

I really do not care what language someone speaks.

My problem is when they get a job where they have to interact with the public, and they do not speak english.

I went to McDonalds one day and the person taking orders did not speak english very well. Also, at a store, the cashier did not speak english very well. This made things very difficult.

Like I said, I do not care what language people speak. BUT I pisses me off when I go to a store or McDonalds and the freaking person who is supposed to be helping me cannot speak the M FN language of this country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be fair - the English-speaking people who work in those places are often just as bad. I have an middle-class English Accent (not cockney or Essex - AKA Jason Statham-speak) and the people in the drive-through window generally can't understand me, muck up my order and spell my name wrong.

I even get that in Starbucks.

And having an accent is something much different than being in a public service job and not taking the time to learn the efn language of the country you live in. I have no issues with accents. The US is full of people from different countries. I hope my wife never looses her accent, I love it!!! But, If you are going to be in a job where you have to interact with the public, get off of your lazy azz and learn the efn language!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think the onus there is more on the employer - if the person can't interact with people (and in a customer service job this is essential) they shouldn't hire them. And if the person really wanted that sort of job they'd have the motivation to expand their horizons.

[Steve Y Jessica 1]

I think the onus there is more on the employer - if the person can't interact with people (and in a customer service job this is essential) they shouldn't hire them. And if the person really wanted that sort of job they'd have the motivation to expand their horizons.

You would think!

I spent a year in Buenos Aires. When I went there, I did not speak any Spanish. But, since I was there and had to to to the store and stuff. I studied the language. I am by no means perfect, I can probably speak spanish about 75%. But at least I was trying to learn the language of the place I was living. And i am still learning spanish so It is easier for me to talk with my wife's family.

[Peikko 1,575]

I do agree that when people work in a situation where communication is fundamental to the execution of that job their communication skills should be at the very least adequate. Annoying customers because it's not is a poor do and reflects badly on that company.

[HAL 9000 96]

Tis amazing how store management hasn't quite caught on to the needs of their particular consumers' languages.

I do agree with the complaint that one should learn the lingua franca of a said domain when actually living in said locale.

6... Jason Statham...

kick down any doors lately?

[t0+ 1]

Aficionado should change his name. This is Amercia dammit, his name should be Devotee, not some adopted word from the Spanish language. While were at, I think he should change his picture too. That guy he has on there can't speak English worth a #######. I can't understand half of what he says, and how did he ever get to be the governor of my state? He speaks broken English with a thick accent, he probably can't even read the laws and measures he's signing LOL

BTW, anyone who thinks Arnold is a Republican is living in denial. That "R" next to his name might as well be a "D". That's coming froma lifetime California resident.

[/sarcasm]

[Staashi 371]

There are of course plenty of Americans who struggle with basic English. Perhaps they haven't assimilated properly and should be sent to Cuba. Or jail.

My husband is Argentine, knows 8 languages - also speaks, reads, and writes fluent English. You know what gets him - the African Americans who he works with speak very poor English and write even worse. He says listening to them and to many Americans in general, is like listening to someone speak with a potato in their mouth.

I'm not coming down on the AAs in this country, but I think that Americans have a lot of explaining to do when they're trying to convince everyone that it should be English-Only, when most of our own people (American born, raised and educated!) can't even speak English. It makes me want to say, "Be thou not a sinner to cast the first stone."