Are We An English-Speaking Country......or Not?

What about Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, and French? Aren't those also the single greatest advantage any person in this world could be given?

- - - Updated - - -

Technically it is true you ignoramus. If whites can use the argument why can't Native Americans?

 

That isn't what this thread is about. Maybe you need to improve your English.

 

While speaking multiple languages could only be an advantage, speaking Russian, for instance, is only advantageous if one's need is to work in Russia, or with Russians. English is taught in the vast majority of industrialized nations as a second language, and has become the defacto standard language of business and finance worldwide.

 

Please read the OP and the link. This is about public school classrooms.

 

I have two comments about this:

First - the principal was wrong to make the decree the way she did. Her job is to TEACH not preach. She should have an assembly in which she talked to students about the advantages of being fluent in English AND Spanish - not only here in the USA but around the world. She should have told them that, by speaking on English on campus, it would help them provide a better future for themselves.

Second - Any nation that does not have a national language is leading itself to fracturing and weakness as shown by various countries throughout the world. We have major conflicts, not only based upon religion, but by cultural differences. What more reflects the culture of a country other than its language.

This needs to be approached as a unifying matter. Not a "you against me" one.

 

Which countries exactly? I can't think of any countries with major problems that can be traced back to the lack of a national language (de-facto or official).

Anyway, like many nations, the USA might not have an official documented national language (or languages, as it would inevitably need to be) but for all practical purposes it is English.

 

I agree. And since we haven't actually heard her "announcement," we don't know exactly what she said or how she said it. Press has used words like "banned." But I doubt she used that word. The Superintendent, who was the Principal's boss, supported her at first---until the pressure became too strong. The Superintendent is Hispanic. What happened was that political activists groups like LULAC came in to involve themselves and to make it a political issue, threatening lawsuits. Now those who might have spoken up are afraid to speak up. It's a bullying tactic. And it's a shame.

 

From the OP. Your commentary in the OP.

You now say you don't knwo exactly what she said, but earlier she stated quite clearly that she is losing her job due to her telling students to speak English on the campus.

Isn't it amazing that when the OP was written, you were certain of what the principal said, and now there seems to be some, well, adjustment in the certainty of what she said?

 

No, it is about public school CAMPUS, not classrooms.

This is the usual exaggeration of a clear issue into falsehood to create a phony issue for the "patriots" to get hysterical about.

I don't think a single poster has talked in favor of allowing students to randomly use Spanish in a CLASSROOM, or that a tudent be able to only talk to the administration in Spanish!

The issue is banning Spanish on a PUBLIC school CAMPUS, which is utterly wrong in every regard. People's private conversations with fellow students can be in any language they like. In reality, it is likely this principle is some insecure whackdoodle who thinks that when anyone laughs, they are laughing at her! So she want to be able to have her spies eavesdrop on these "troublemaking brown kids" and report back to her!

 

You don't need to point to legislation to know that English is, and should be, the official language.

But you know that already, I have no doubt.

Look up the word 'amoral' if you're ever feeling kind of dissatisfied with your life. .

 

There is no "official" language for the United States, although some individual states list English as their official language. If you would like the United States or your state to adopt an official language, you should contact your elected officials. http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

The federal government is currently required to provide access to federal programs and federally assisted programs for people with limited English proficiency. To access more information about this topic, please visit the Limited English Proficiency website. http://www.lep.gov/

This is just pathetic but true. In most cases illegal aliens have more rights than the citizens do. Thanks to the two party scam.

 

I can't let this pass.

The original name of the fast food shop opened up in the Southern California area was Maria's Tacos. Taco is Mexican for a light snack. The guy who opened it was Glen Bell who opened his first drive in in San Bernardino. It didn't do well so he sold it and, a couple of years later opened one called Taco Tia, selling that and later opening another as El Taco. He finally settled on Bell's Tacos, quickly changing to Taco Bell and started franchising which worked well. I remember one in Redlands - an El Taxi, where we bought them for 29 cents each.

 

I still don't understand why it bothers conservatives that "hispanic" people speak spanish on their own free time.

- - - Updated - - -

Asians are extremely successful, and 73% of them voted for Obama in the last election. Damn, that must hurt.

 

Well, perhaps you can tell me about Belgium. If I'm not mistaken they are split in Flemish and Dutch areas with a bit of discord between the two.

And there is Canada where separatists still make noises about separating the French speaking provinces from the English speaking ones.

Do both of these countries lack any kind of discord - overt or covert?

 

There are still states in the US that have English as their official Language. Its also not legally required to speak another language besides English in govt offices or to provide documents in foreign languages. imjusayin

- - - Updated - - -

Always have been, always will be. We accommodate foreign languages, nothing more.

 

I bet you're the sort of American who gets outraged that people in the foreign country he visits don't speak Amerenglish.

 

...and then there are the welsh Nationalists who insist only Welsh is spoken in Wales, and routinely rip down the English language sign posts in Wales to (*)(*)(*)(*) us off! There aren't many of them, frankly, and Britain continues, untroubled. For some Americans it would appear that speaking a foreign language in their country is the new Apocalypse.

 

Have you got some PROOF that her announcement said what you are claiming it did? Because I haven't seen the actual text of the announcement have you? Some news stories are claiming she said, "class." Other are claiming she used the word "ban." Others are saying "the entire school grounds." So.......which is it?

 

Let me see if I can help you out, TFM. I said what I did because that is EXACTLY what was said in the article I used. SINCE then.....others have said it was just about the classroom; some have claimed she used the term "ban," and an 8th grade student claimed he was told he'd be punished if he used in on campus...by whom, he didn't say. Unless we can get the actual words of the actual announcement....no one really knows for sure right? Since the activists got involved it's no telling what is fact and what is fiction anymore. BUT if YOU know something for sure....if you have located a copy of the actual Announcement, please DO share it with us.

 

We are descriptively, though not prescriptively, a -primarily- English-speaking country.

I also wouldn't expect this to change anytime soon, though the Hispanic situation is an increasingly interesting one in this regard.

 

None of that is caused by language, let alone the lack of national languages (which they both have anyway, albeit more than one). The disputes are regional/cultural/political, the linguistic differences are consequential, not causal.

 

No - you attempt to but aren't very good at it.

 

Help me out? Interesting. I am not the one saying two different things.

 

Well...I DID find some more details on this Hempstead Middle School that might add some FACTS to this evolving issue.

First---Hempstead Middle School, grades 6-8, has 317 students.
The demographics are: 27.8% black; 22.1% white; and 49.5% Hispanic (2010)
71.9% of the students are considered "Economically Disadvantaged."
59% of the students are considered "at risk" as an academic factor.
17% of the students are "Limited English Proficiency," meaning all but 17% speak English quite well.

Academically, the Middle School performs WELL BELOW STATE AVERAGES in passing TAKS scores.
Less than 1/2 are on track for being prepared for college in English, Language Arts, and Math.

Staff:
20% has 11-20 years experience
11.5% has 6-10 years experience
42.1% has 1-5 years experience

Spending:
$6,136/per student for academics
$8.252/per student for all school funds

My impression....based on what we do know....is that this principal was trying to help the students. A friend of the principal said.....that she thought Lacey was only trying to help the students because they are being taught in English, state testing will be done in English, and all tests say you will answer in English.

http://www.texastribune.org/public-ed/explore/hempstead-isd/hempstead-middle-school/#demographics

It's no wonder so many people don't want to teach anymore.......groups like LULAC come in and try to make everything political. But LULAC isn't really helping these student at all. They will only help to "keep 'em down."

 

A majority of Hispanics are white.