Posted November 4, 200519 yr Here is one for all of you. Should we have a national language here in the United States? Or should we continue to cater to some groups and have a 'generally' accepted dual language system? Would it make more sense to standardize things or should we continue to welcome in all peoples including their languages, in essense adopting their languages and ways in the process. Thoughts. Questions. Comments. Concerns.
November 4, 200519 yr Keep it as it is. There is no reason to cause a language change in the U.S. other than for economic needs. However the global marketplace will cause Americans to become bilingual and even trilingual not too far in the future.
November 4, 200519 yr The United States by nature has been an English speaking nation, and it will always be that way, I believe. I see no need to adopt a dual-language system
November 4, 200519 yr Keep it as it is. There is no reason to cause a language change in the U.S. other than for economic needs. However the global marketplace will cause Americans to become bilingual and even trilingual not too far in the future. Perhaps, but then again English is considered the langauge of business. The United States by nature has been an English speaking nation, and it will always be that way, I believe. I see no need to adopt a dual-language system I think you really face a culturally different point of view. Many older immigrant groups (old European nations mostly) will have a vastly different view than the newer immigrant groups (Latin nations) They have faced vastly different experiences in their immigration movements. I am not going to touch upon immigrants from other areas, as these two areas have historically been the predominant areas for immigration in this nation's history, so to compare and contrast their experiences gives you the best idea of how you will face culturally different experiences and viewpoints.
November 6, 200519 yr Since by nature, we are a nation of inclusion, I see no reason to force all peoples to speak one language. It would be sort of like the Language Crusades. And I believe Spanish & Japanese are rapidly becoming the language of business. The times, they are a-changin'
November 6, 200519 yr Since by nature, we are a nation of inclusion, I see no reason to force all peoples to speak one language. It would be sort of like the Language Crusades. And I believe Spanish & Japanese are rapidly becoming the language of business. The times, they are a-changin' To an extent I agree with you on Japanese becoming a language of business, mainly due to the immense clout Japanese business has, especially in the consumer world. I think that Spanish except for in specific regions is still not a language of business and instead we use this as a language to cater to spanish speakers, mostly due to the high immigration levels of spanish speaking peoples into this nation. How intelligent this is can overall is an entirely different subject.
November 6, 200519 yr Since by nature, we are a nation of inclusion, I see no reason to force all peoples to speak one language. It would be sort of like the Language Crusades. And I believe Spanish & Japanese are rapidly becoming the language of business. The times, they are a-changin' I'd say Chinese is far more important than Spanish, in the business world. I'm pretty sure they'll be the #2 economy in the world very soon.
November 7, 200519 yr Actually, German is one of the bigger languages of business, too. Nein. The German economy is in the toilet and everyone in Germany (down to the bus drivers) speaks English.
November 7, 200519 yr Actually, German is one of the bigger languages of business, too. Nein. The German economy is in the toilet and everyone in Germany (down to the bus drivers) speaks English. Really? I heard anyone who is dealing in the steel industry should be somewhat fluent in German. But, this was like three or four years ago.
November 7, 200519 yr In a lot of other developing countries, kids have to learn numerous languages because its the smart things to do. Failing to grasp the reality of a global world because of foolish nationalism will be the end of us.
November 7, 200519 yr Author In a lot of other developing countries, kids have to learn numerous languages because its the smart things to do. Failing to grasp the reality of a global world because of foolish nationalism will be the end of us. This is very true. Having said that I ask you the following: Which languages do you learn in school? What language do you use to conduct official governmental business? Do you ultimately get to the point of some globally adopted language for the official business as a ways to eliminate waste and all assocated problems?
November 7, 200519 yr In a lot of other developing countries, kids have to learn numerous languages because its the smart things to do. Failing to grasp the reality of a global world because of foolish nationalism will be the end of us. This is very true. Having said that I ask you the following: Which languages do you learn in school? What language do you use to conduct official governmental business? Do you ultimately get to the point of some globally adopted language for the official business as a ways to eliminate waste and all assocated problems? Well I think a lot of developing countries are teaching their kids english. So to contradict myself, I do think english will end up becoming the global language. A lot of people I work with are students from Japan and China and other countries in the area and they speak english. So I do think official conduct language and globally adopted one should and will end up being english. That said, I think we should learn spanish and it isnt because of some super pc lets coddle the immigrants who cant learn english thing. The fact is this nation is becoming more and more hispanic everyday regardless of the illegal immigration arguments. There is nothing wrong with that. Its just how our country has developed. Also, a good degree of the western hemisphere speaks it. So I say we stick with that as being taught to kids. Other languages are pretty fractured around the world and its hard to isolate them to such a large region the way you can with spanish. Eh, just teach em latin. Thats what I learned. :mischief
November 7, 200519 yr The status quo is fine. Some people treat this like hordes of Mexicans on burros are pouring over the border and demanding that police officers, doctors, governers, and CEO's all speak Spanish. Unless you consider construction and vegetable picking your financial cieling, you aren't going anywhere in this country. English is going to around as a general lingua franca between nations for a long time as it is already institutionalized as the official language in most embassies, militaries, ect.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.