Americans Speak English

[Ramone45]

I got a notice from my medical Insurance company, and there were two extra pages of translation in about 15 different languages. I think sanskrit was in there, but not German, funnily enough.
I heard a story about students from other countries having difficulty in school because the curriculum and tests were in English. Additionally, their parents have trouble participating in the education process because they can't communicate.
I think newcomers should eventually learn English to help them fully participate in American society. I'm in favor of helping through a transition, but the expectation should be for newcomers to learn English. That's my opinion.
As an American, I welcome legal immigrants and I think other cultures enhance our country. But the thing is, this is America, and it's no secret we speak English. As in most countries, I think language is a unifying factor. I'm envious of Europeans and how they usually are fluent in many languages. My MIL speaks German, French, Spanish and English, of course.

 

[sr71plt]

I got a notice from my medical Insurance company, and there were two extra pages of translation in about 15 different languages. I think sanskrit was in there, but not German, funnily enough.
I heard a story about students from other countries having difficulty in school because the curriculum and tests were in English. Additionally, their parents have trouble participating in the education process because they can't communicate.
I think newcomers should eventually learn English to help them fully participate in American society. I'm in favor of helping through a transition, but the expectation should be for newcomers to learn English. That's my opinion.
As an American, I welcome legal immigrants and I think other cultures enhance our country. But the thing is, this is America, and it's no secret we speak English. As in most countries, I think language is a unifying factor. I'm envious of Europeans and how they usually are fluent in many languages. My MIL speaks German, French, Spanish and English, of course.

As you yourself posted, you do realize that "eventually" isn't a "right now" thing, don't you? Getting clear on medical insurance isn't something that can wait for a year while you're learning to deal with technical wording in your nonnative language.

 

[Ramone45]

As you yourself posted, you do realize that "eventually" isn't a "right now" thing, don't you? Getting clear on medical insurance isn't something that can wait for a year while you're learning to deal with technical wording in your nonnative language.

Agreed. And removing language barriers for school kids is important also.But, I do hope that learning English is at least on an immigrant's "to-do list". Some might argue that a very high level of multi-lingual support delays adopting English as th common language.

 

[phrodeau]

Agreed. And removing language barriers for school kids is important also.But, I do hope that learning English is at least on an immigrant's "to-do list". Some might argue that a very high level of multi-lingual support delays adopting English as th common language.

Some might but in fact, the multilingual support improves learning in other languages. I have been learning Spanish while browsing in the grocery store.

 

[oggbashan]

There has been a debate among UK local government authorities about translation services.

Some suggest that providing information in multiple languages is essential particularly for women and children; others say that is an unnecessary expense and immigrants should already be able to access someone in their community or the wider community who can translate the information.

The discussion is continuing. How far should translation go, and how many languages should be covered? For example, for people from the Indian sub-continent should only the major languages be used, or more of a wider range of languages used?

At a now closed tourist attraction in Dover they surveyed visitors for a whole year. Apart from English they expected French to be the next most required language because France was the closest country. To their surprise they found that Dutch speakers outnumbered the French by two to one, and there were slightly more Japanese than French.

The visitors were asked whether they would want information leaflets and signs in their own language. Most of the Dutch effectively said "No thanks. We can manage with English." Most of the Japanese were also happy with English. It was the French and Spanish who wanted the translations.

The councillors considered the report and decided to provide the information in Dutch and Japanese but no others. Doh!

Edited for PS.

In Wales, of course, everything has to be in Welsh and English, especially road signs. English speaking visitors soon recognise the basics such as Araf and Dim Parkio (Slow and No Parking) but some are more complex.

We visited a museum in South Wales which had interactive screens for videos. The buttons for English didn't work, worn out. The ones in Welsh worked perfectly because they were virtually unused. Unfortunately that meant the voice over was in Welsh too.

 

[Ramone45]

There has been a debate among UK local government authorities about translation services.

Some suggest that providing information in multiple languages is essential particularly for women and children; others say that is an unnecessary expense and immigrants should already be able to access someone in their community or the wider community who can translate the information.

The discussion is continuing. How far should translation go, and how many languages should be covered? For example, for people from the Indian sub-continent should only the major languages be used, or more of a wider range of languages used?

At a now closed tourist attraction in Dover they surveyed visitors for a whole year. Apart from English they expected French to be the next most required language because France was the closest country. To their surprise they found that Dutch speakers outnumbered the French by two to one, and there were slightly more Japanese than French.

The visitors were asked whether they would want information leaflets and signs in their own language. Most of the Dutch effectively said "No thanks. We can manage with English." Most of the Japanese were also happy with English. It was the French and Spanish who wanted the translations.

The councillors considered the report and decided to provide the information in Dutch and Japanese but no others. Doh!

Edited for PS.

In Wales, of course, everything has to be in Welsh and English, especially road signs. English speaking visitors soon recognise the basics such as Araf and Dim Parkio (Slow and No Parking) but some are more complex.

We visited a museum in South Wales which had interactive screens for videos. The buttons for English didn't work, worn out. The ones in Welsh worked perfectly because they were virtually unused. Unfortunately that meant the voice over was in Welsh too.

Interesting. Do you find it funny that German was not one of the languages translated on that form I received? They had French Creole! Where I live, I can't imagine there being many people who speak French Creole.

 

[hashtag4]

I got a notice from my medical Insurance company, and there were two extra pages of translation in about 15 different languages. I think sanskrit was in there, but not German, funnily enough.
I heard a story about students from other countries having difficulty in school because the curriculum and tests were in English. Additionally, their parents have trouble participating in the education process because they can't communicate.
I think newcomers should eventually learn English to help them fully participate in American society. I'm in favor of helping through a transition, but the expectation should be for newcomers to learn English. That's my opinion.
As an American, I welcome legal immigrants and I think other cultures enhance our country. But the thing is, this is America, and it's no secret we speak English. As in most countries, I think language is a unifying factor. I'm envious of Europeans and how they usually are fluent in many languages. My MIL speaks German, French, Spanish and English, of course.

My understanding is that one isn't allowed to work or study without having passed an english test first. TOEFL or so on.

 

[sr71plt]

My understanding is that one isn't allowed to work or study without having passed an english test first. TOEFL or so on.

There are no laws in the United States about either of those. And there are colleges and universities that offer courses in other languages (mostly Spanish, I would assume).

 

[KingOrfeo]

Interesting. Do you find it funny that German was not one of the languages translated on that form I received? They had French Creole! Where I live, I can't imagine there being many people who speak French Creole.

In Miami-Dade County, Florida, all county government publications are printed in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. There are a lot of Haitians there, and their language is markedly different from French-French.

 

[Hard_Rom]

Federal government English and French, Provincial English and some provinces French, ATMs some have Chinese, private corporations English, First Nation reserves native language, French or English. Only time I have ever seen other languages is on assembly instructions from other countries. Courts will provide translation services to ensure a free trial and that accused is aware of rights. Some social agencies will provide translation services. All labelling French and English.

Waste of government money to supply services in anything other than official language(s).

Funny how Americans have their 'melting pot' yet you see this sort of thing. While we have multi-culturalism and are very strict about supplying services in official languages only. Our government is a lot poorer than the US. Probably can't afford to spend money on Haitian or Creole dialect French.

Of course speaking another language, as well as either English or French, is a great way to get a government job. But citizen has no right to demand service in their language. Any paperwork is either English or French.

You can elect to send your kids to French immersion school where French is primary language of education.

 

[hashtag4]

There are no laws in the United States about either of those. And there are colleges and universities that offer courses in other languages (mostly Spanish, I would assume).

That doesn't seem right to me. If you want to emigrate or obtain some benefit from another country, you need to at least respect their customs and learn their language.

 

[sr71plt]

That doesn't seem right to me. If you want to emigrate or obtain some benefit from another country, you need to at least respect their customs and learn their language.

What does that have to do with it being "allowed"?

 

[Iceprincess12]

I got a notice from my medical Insurance company, and there were two extra pages of translation in about 15 different languages. I think sanskrit was in there, but not German, funnily enough.
I heard a story about students from other countries having difficulty in school because the curriculum and tests were in English. Additionally, their parents have trouble participating in the education process because they can't communicate.
I think newcomers should eventually learn English to help them fully participate in American society. I'm in favor of helping through a transition, but the expectation should be for newcomers to learn English. That's my opinion.
As an American, I welcome legal immigrants and I think other cultures enhance our country. But the thing is, this is America, and it's no secret we speak English. As in most countries, I think language is a unifying factor. I'm envious of Europeans and how they usually are fluent in many languages. My MIL speaks German, French, Spanish and English, of course.

English is not the official language of the United States, we don't have one. I do get annoyed that I have to choose English or Spanish, every time at the atm. I think companies look at the financial and social impact of seeming to embrace multiple languages. It's just a standard now, like saying hi how are you, when you greet someone.

Other countries learn English because they still see us as a financial powerhouse. Doesn't matter that China practically owns us. If they want their citizens to be able to compete globally, then they need to accommodate the US. Regardless if it's right or wrong, they know we speak English and usually only English.

My favorite language joke:

What do you call someone who speaks 3 languages
~trilingual
What do you call someone who speaks 2 languages
~bilingual
What do you call someone who speaks 1 language
~American

 

[oggbashan]

English is not the official language of the United States, we don't have one. I do get annoyed that I have to choose English or Spanish, every time at the atm. I think companies look at the financial and social impact of seeming to embrace multiple languages. It's just a standard now, like saying hi how are you, when you greet someone.

...

When I buy fuel for my car in France, most automated payment systems instantly recognise that my debit card is British, and change the screen messages to English.

In The Netherlands, the system changes from Dutch to English.

In the UK? You have to press a button to get a different language. The instructions on which button to press - are in English!

 

[Hypoxia]

Many Murkans speak French or Spanish or Hindi or Amerind languages as their native tongues. Ben Franklin warned against the non-assimilationist culture of... German-speakers, who were the primary non-Anglophone community here for centuries. USA (and UK) Anglophones speak various dialects, often mutually incomprehensible.

Language is not simple. I recall a prediction that by 2050, 80% of humans will claim to speak Anglish, and 80% of those will not be able to understand each other. Even those of us sharing dialect and cultural background can't understand each other. Have fun.