... and a new RWN hero emerges. "Speak English, muthafuka!"

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

That's what she said.

(Sorry. Couldn't pass it.)

Too big for Charles anyway

[Ban Hammer 12,836]

Why? Does unintentional innuendo turn you on.

In your picture, you imply that I'm the fisherman. So it would be my fishing rod...

so you're saying it's far too large to be yours

[Ironman140 45]

God Bess Texas!! They should have remained an independent republic

[ONA 133]

Not like many of these insulted Texans can speak proper English anyway.

What do you mean by "proper English"? RP? Queen's English? General American English? What is "proper English"?

If somebody makes mistakes speaking their native language it's their problem, imo. But when you come to a different country you should care enough to learn the language, that's most widely spoken, so, I think that if you live in the States, there's nothing wrong with people asking you to speak English.

And I'm not even American.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

So then calling Texas legislators stupid is fine and dandy then. I see...

Edited June 17, 2011 by fishdude

[Zero Sum 305]

What do you mean by "proper English"? RP? Queen's English? General American English? What is "proper English"?

If somebody makes mistakes speaking their native language it's their problem, imo. But when you come to a different country you should care enough to learn the language, that's most widely spoken, so, I think that if you live in the States, there's nothing wrong with people asking you to speak English.

And I'm not even American.

Speak as in utilization, idiomatic customs, grammar, syntax, etc.

I guess you missed post #5, but there is a big difference between asking [politely, something Texans are stereotypically known for] to speak English and going off on a rant about being somehow insulted by the use of Spanish (and its translation?). In fact the second Senator in the video put the session back in order after the first one went on his rant that does not speak for all.

Interesting avoidance of the testimony itself- it was effectively translated so the silliness, as much as I agree with the need to use the lingua franca of the session (English) is that the first senator went off on what may be construed to be a resentful rant against Spanish. Quite childish.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

The man indicated he speaks English but was far more comfortable testifying in Spanish and having it translated. The Senator claiming insult was a rude moron. End of story for me.

[Zero Sum 305]

The man indicated he speaks English but was far more comfortable testifying in Spanish and having it translated. The Senator claiming insult was a rude moron. End of story for me.

For me as well, but since the name of the game is to bait/tackle the messenger here, your critique won't get any pluses (save for mine ). Add to that that the message would probably have fallen on deaf ears anyway if given by a blonde, blue eyed American speaker.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

What do you mean by "proper English"? RP? Queen's English? General American English? What is "proper English"?

If somebody makes mistakes speaking their native language it's their problem, imo. But when you come to a different country you should care enough to learn the language, that's most widely spoken, so, I think that if you live in the States, there's nothing wrong with people asking you to speak English.

And I'm not even American.

+1

Southerners and New Englanders on the other hand do not usually speak proper English, and they were born here. New Englanders don't have the letter R in their alphabet, and some southerners have had family's that have been here for generations yet they speak something closer to Ebonics than English.

We speak English here on the West Coast.

Edited June 17, 2011 by Why_Me

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But when you come to a different country you should care enough to learn the language, that's most widely spoken, so, I think that if you live in the States, there's nothing wrong with people asking you to speak English.

And I'm not even American.

Hear, hear. I really don't get it. If one lives in this country for 23 years, it's certainly not asked too much that such person addresses a legislative body of this country in the mainstream language. Until 2050 or so, that mainstream language is English. After that, who knows?

It doesn't make a good case if you want to speak about immigration issues, issues of equality and such and then won't even try to be equal but make a point of suggesting that integration hasn't been that much of a priority for you. Sorry but that doesn't sit well with me.

[Zero Sum 305]

Hear, hear. I really don't get it. If one lives in this country for 23 years, it's certainly not asked too much that such person addresses a legislative body of this country in the mainstream language. Until 2050 or so, that mainstream language is English. After that, who knows?

It doesn't make a good case if you want to speak about immigration issues, issues of equality and such and then won't even try to be equal but make a point of suggesting that integration hasn't been that much of a priority for you. Sorry but that doesn't sit well with me.

I can full well appreciate that not everyone that immigrates here as an adult can learn to express themselves in the English language as well as others. Much in the same way that not all that are born here in this country use the language they are born and raised in effectively- and I am not talking about regionalisms or differences in linguistic patterns.

The man explained, as ready4ONE stated in his post, all that needs to be said. Maybe he doesn't need English in his day to day life- as we know from many, many other individuals that live and work in the US.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I can full well appreciate that not everyone that immigrates here as an adult can learn to express themselves in the English language as well as others. Much in the same way that not all that are born here in this country use the language they are born and raised in effectively- and I am not talking about regionalisms or differences in linguistic patterns.

The man explained, as ready4ONE stated in his post, all that needs to be said. Maybe he doesn't need English in his day to day life- as we know from many, many other individuals that live and work in the US.

Excuses, excuses. The guy really doesn't look that old - if he immigrated some 23 years ago, he was in his 20's at best. Not too late to learn English for crying out loud. I've done it, my wife's done it. I know way too many people who've done it. Assimilation and integration - keys to equality for any immigrant anywhere - don't work without learning the mainstream language of your host country. The man explained? That dog don't hunt.

[Zero Sum 305]

Excuses, excuses. The guy really doesn't look that old - if he immigrated some 23 years ago, he was in his 20's at best. Not too late to learn English for crying out loud. I've done it, my wife's done it. I know way too many people who've done it. Assimilation and integration - keys to equality for any immigrant anywhere - don't work without learning the mainstream language of your host country. The man explained? That dog don't hunt.

His choices and his life.

Furthermore, you're not paying attention- he did say he spoke English. Just not too well. And in that 'not too well' group fall quite a lot of people, many I am sure having been here for that long if not longer. You may call it an excuse, others will call it reality and circumstance. The black and white routine won't work with everything.

[Zero Sum 305]

I sure hope though that people keep up with the whole thread before kneejerking.

[Vi-Jay 218]

I sure hope though that people keep up with the whole thread before kneejerking.

I don't. Kneejerks make it more funner.