simple solution , learn English; the exam for citizenship is in English, ballots are in English, laws are written in English, the Constitution of the United States in English that the Common law of England is adopted(the English Statute of Frauds, 1600's specified that the English interpretation be the official one only(first attempt at a code of laws since the Magna Carta).

Amen, I worked as a paramedic for 30 years and I'd get people on 911 who couldn't even tell us what was wrong and their child was in cardiac arrest. Its not just for our conveniance that you learn, its for your own safety. I got to that call and all the mother could say was the baby in spanish. Lucky for her child and me I speak spanish but when you can't even tell the police, ems or fire that you need help and what's wrong then you will suffer so learn the language people.

When I lived in Los Angeles, there was a vote on continuing bilingual education in schools. First it is only bilingual if you speak Spanish. The argument to continue it was that the kids wouldn't be able to learn otherwise, well what about all the other immigrants? Their kids were able to learn. Anything to do with the government should be conducted in English, period. I lived in Germany for a few years and guess what, I learned German. You learn a language very quickly when you have no choice.

SlurpyBoy

At "your communications center" you have interpreters. Guess who is paying for that. That is why lots of cities and states are going bankrupt because of those types of frivolous luxuries, such as having interpreters, when everybody coming to this country should learn basic English

This subject always gets people of different primary languages, tearing at each other.

However, their wrath should be directed at the Congress of the US, for never instituting a official language.

Whether their inaction was from fear or lassitude, both are unforgivable. For they are paid to legislate on matters such as this.

I agree Cindy. If you cannot learn the language of the country you are living in, then it is YOUR responsibility to get someone to interpret for you. Our government cannot sustain the cost of interpretors or the burden of it from an organizational standpoint. This isn't prejuduce, this is practical common sense. If you go to a city council meeting in China--they will not give you an Englsh interpretor-the idea would be preposterous. The same concept applies here. If you do not speak English-find a way to adapt.

Totally agree...we speak English here and evry other "American" has had to learn and speak it.

By the way, Walnut Creek must be unique..."According to the 2010 U.S. census, Asians represented about 64 percent of Walnut's population. Caucasians accounted for 24 percent, Hispanics for 19 percent and Africans for 3 percent. The remaining 6 percent were of other races or ethnicities."

I count a population of 110%, perhaps this is another example of NBC reporting and fact-checking.

Simple solution if someone wants to speak at council meetings they either speak English, bring their own interpreter or the city can have interpreters available for them but they (not the city pays). The interpreters only get paid if the person not the city hire them. What's the city suppose to do hire one person for each Chinese dialect, One Vietmamese, one Hmong, one Spanish, etc etc etc the cost is ridiculous. You could end up with more interpreters than citizens at the meetings.

Three of the five members of the Council are Asian. 66% of the population of the community is Asian.

So, if the proposal is passed, it's not as if the Asians did not have a vote. Matter of fact, it will take the vote of at least one Asian to pass this proposal.

Hard to argue the Council is violating the civil rights of Asians, if the Asians on the Council vote for this provision.

Aw screw it. Continue paying for multi-language documents, interpreters and every other crutch so no immigrant has to learn how to become an American Citizen that can contribute without draining the Government for the extra services that they require. I mean go ahead and spend, spend, spend until every city in California file for Chapter 9. It does not make a lick on sense to keep the spending within the budget.

We are soooo screwed.

CPO Sharkey,There you go again,using logic. Shame on you,(sarc)

My great grandparents came to this country in 1907, and while they may have spoken French at home, when they were out in public they spoke English. They considered it their duty to learn the language of their adopted country and very bad manners to speak another language that others could not understand in public. Not only did they learn the language, they also studied and became citizens of this country so they could participate in government. They were honored to do so, unlike the immigrants today who think that we owe them something.

Cindy-3585930

There is no way for the council to conduct the meeting in every language of the people living in the town. It should be conducted in one language and if this group wants it "interpreted," they should pay for it.

If English only is a problem, and certain individuals feel uncomfortable with that, they should leave and never come back. From Boston to Bakersfield surveys and opinion polls have shown the majority of Americans want English as the official language.

For a very long time immigrants stood on their own two feet, spoke their native language and recognized English as the official language, unofficially of course. They all did quite well. Now newer immigrants are whinning about not being held by the hand every inch of the way.

Sadly this feeds into certain individual's notions that these newer immigrants are genetically inferior, lazy, and just here for a free meal.

Yes, if you move to Denmark we have you go to a language class and learn danish. Its mandatory. I never understood why the USA looks out for the interests of everyone but themselves. Immigrants can learn english, they just don't want to and why should they if they can force you to learn their language or pay for interpreters. Just stupid.

When I had to serve for jury duty I was informed that I needed to be a US Cituizen and in order to be one I need to understand and speak ENGLISH So if they do not understand or speak english they are not US citizens so what in the hell do they think that they can dictate any policy. Hello What are the rest of us(US Citizens) allowing foreigners to duicatate policy . Who is running this country Foreigners or US Citizens. Thjere is no discrimination here at all !!!!!!!!!!

J.camp-1109014

Really! While I don't agree that this is the reason that lot's of cities are going bankrupt I will say it isn't helping the situation. If government spent money on only one language worth of forms, intructional documents, tests, etc... and then did not have to pay for interpreters, can you imagine the amount of money they would save and could use toward other programs. This is pretty simple to me, we need to pick a standardized language just like we have a standardized currency and have everyone speak it. I agree with color-in-fusion that if you are forced to learn the language you will at least pick up a rudementary rough speaking ability, at least, in a fairly short amount of time.

They can vote for any language they choose. Our country has no official language. I have officiated soccer games in Walnut and everyone that I dealt with in that town seemed to understand English. It is my understanding that English is the most popular second language in the world. I for one am very partial to English because it is the only language that I speak.

If you are going to live in a country you need to learn the language. If I moved to France or Portugal, would it be right for me to expect everyone there to learn english? Of course not! Common sense sounds the same in every language!

Seriously?

"Daisy Duan, 27, a graduate student at the University of Southern California who speaks limited English, said in Chinese that the proposal would "definitely" affect her ability to participate in local politics."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In GRADUATE school and speaks "limited English"? She'd better learn it pretty quickly. It's bad enough that we have to get a "qualified" interpreter for every LEP patient at a hospital, but at City Council, too? As others here have said, YOU came to live here, so YOU need to learn the language or bear the burden of getting your own interpreter. If I (or anyone else here) went to a foreign country and didn't speak the language, we'd be S.O.L!

The United States of America was founded as a English speaking nation and all its laws and its Constitution and Bill of Rights were writen in English, The Mayflower Compact was in English. To become acitizen you are required to know English.

We should stop offering any documents in any language except English. If you do not know English you should not be driving, voting collecting unemployment, welfare or expect to perticipate in political meetings or hearings. If you were living in any other country you would be expected to kown the local language the same should apply here.

Lets get our act together and quit trying to further divid the country and get everyone on the same page and the same language. If you do not want to learn English then move somewhere thats speaks what you want to speak.

ENGLISH ONLY IS THE WAY TO GO! Why did the article mention there were asians on the city council? There are probably german-americans and french-americans on the council too. I don't think anyone is concerned about providing a german or french interpreter for them.

This is a perfect example of how the promoting of multi-culturalism is counter-productive to an america where people are united. This only serves to further divide americans which is exactly what the liberal democratic party wants! What happpened to america; the melting pot?

I have friends from various places in Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Thailand, and other places - and every one of those people learned English and use it. The majority of them knew English before entering into the country. Some of them said they learned it in school, and others learned it specifically when they decided to immigrate. My great grandparents learned English when they came here from Germany in the 1800's. I don't think it's too much to ask that someone who is going to live in a country learn it's predominant language. If they want to speak whatever language they speak at home, that's fine, but either learn the language or bring an interpreter with you. Most of the people who complain about having to speak English are one group - I'm not prejudiced but if you're going to come here - legal or not, you need to do what every other ethnic group is doing - learning to speak English.

My ancestors learned english when they came here. (They also became citizens ASAP.) And were proud to do it. When I went to Greece one summer in college, I HAD to learn some Greek. I didn't expect everyone to know english there. If I were to move to another country, I'd learn their language.

As far as schools go, I do like bilingual (and trilingual) educations. That's one way other nations are beating the crap out of the US in education. Heck, I wish I had a choice from elementary school on to learn spanish and japanese, for example. But, every country has an 'official' language. In the USA, it's english. Get used to it.

Sorry if this sounds racist, but the fact remains; if I go to Mexico, or France, or Japan, or almost anywhere, and plan to LIVE there; I have to learn their language.

Before: Me come to America speeking no engliz very little. They tell me gold street on it so I hooked american girl who bring me to america. Me now happy and quick learn engliz.

Now: After a few years on the streets of USA and a few businesses in a couple of states, I must say my English have improved even without going to school. Then I went to US college. I must admit English is more fun than Physics and Math and immigrants should learn it if they were to conduct their affairs efficiently. If I could learn it, so every immigrant.

The first little book I ever read (1984) and finished was the Revised and Updated Edition "The Constitution of the United States" by Floyd Cullop. It is the most amazing agreement between people and government. Everyone ought to learn. When I scored near 97% on my citizenship test, I was not very happy. I needed 110%.

Words by Theodore Roosevelt

"In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here
does in good faith become an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall
be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to
discriminate against any such man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But
this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing
but an American.

"If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated
from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American.

"We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the
red flag which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization just as
much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile. We
have room for but one language here and that is the English language, for we
intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, and American
nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house; and we have room
for but one sole loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people."

"This is a nation -- not a polyglot boarding house. There is not room in
the country for any 50-50 American, nor can there be but one loyalty --to the
Stars and Stripes."

"Let us say to the immigrant not that we hope he will learn English, but
that he has got to learn it. Let the immigrant who does not learn it go back.
He has got to consider the interest of the United States or he should not stay
here. He must be made to see that his opportunities in this country depend upon
his knowing English and observing American standards. The employer cannot be
permitted to regard him only as an industrial asset."

Let's see, Walnut is made up of Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic, African and "other". That mix could encompass multiple dialects of Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, German, Swedish, Bosnian, Spanish, Colombian, Peruvian, Mexican, Moroccan, Egyptian, Somalian, Sudanese, Polynesian, and who knows what else! Providing interpretation for any or all of these would be nonsense. I worked at a DMV office for several years. Many immigrants would come in with a son, daughter, or a neighbor who spoke English to interpret for them. In fact, we came to know one such boy who came in for many of his neighbors. When my great-great-grandparents came here from Germany, they insisted that their children speak English only. It was their way of being truly American, and a source of great pride. And they didn't have all the tools and classes available to them as today's immigrants have but refuse to utilize. Not for all, but for some, their source of pride is to remain a citizen of their mother country. That's offensive.

...who fear the move would violate civil rights and unfairly disadvantage a portion of the population.

All of this political correctness is becoming the downfall of this country. It's time that we start passing laws and ordinances that first and foremost protect the interst of the USA. Anyone who makes the effort to immigrate to take advantage of what this country has to offer should be required to make an effort to speak English. Period.

Sorry foreigners but with the benefits of coming to the US, you also have a responsibility to at least learn the language. Do you think that Mexico will provide an interpreter for you, or China, or Russia if you move there? If you plan on living in a country that has a native tongue different than yours, you learn it or you are SooL.

Time for people to step up to their responsibilities of being in the US, not just taking the benefits and demanding the US change to accommodate their laziness.

First, Imperial, I congratulate you. You not only learned, you benefited from what used to be the American way of life. Sadly, progressivism and pandering to special interests has gotten to the point that documents like the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are considered outdated and inconvenient. Beyond tragic is that we have a progressive sitting in the Supreme Court who thinks the Constitution (which she is to uphold) is not a very good thing.

There is no way that any government can accommodate all the languages of the world, impossible. There is even a tale in the Bible about this, the Tower of Babel. Babble, to speak incoherently, comes from that and if every language was accommodated for, you would indeed have only babble. If a person in America wishes or needs to address a governing counsel then it should be in their best interests to provide a translator rather than demanding that the counsel accommodate one person at the expense of all the other people.

AGAIN all you LIBERAL DEMOCRATS , you should be proficient in ENGLISH to become a citizen of the USA and tough cra9 if you don't !!! America is behind the Republicans on this common sense law !!!!!!

You come into my home...You speak my language. If not , I give you the international sign language..\

The MIDDLE FINGER

press one for english ===== thats bull$hit

Excellent post, truer words were never spoken!

When i go to other countries i am on the hook for having a transator or knowing the language so why shouldn't that be the case here? I also have never been to a fast food franchise overseas where i could not point to a item on a menu and order it. Of course the one time i went to Wendy's in Japan and wound up with curry fries instead of chilli fries kinda sucked but that was my problem.

Que?

In California? English only debate? get out! The same people that bad mouthed Arizona for it's immigration stance? Really,Get Out!

There are many words in the English language that originate from other languages, but they are still part of the English language.... So a Taco, in English, is still a Taco. Remember this, a country with multiple languages is a nightmare.....just ask Canada.

I would have to say, just based on the comments I'm reading here, at least 80% of people in this country think that English should be our official language and immigrants should learn to speak it. So, this begs the question then, why are politicians so afraid to make it so? I guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease. However, if you have time to come to this site and complain, you surely have time to go to senate.gov or whitehouse.gov and make your voice heard. If you do not, you have no right to complain here or anywhere else.

As is almost always the case, Chris (#1.36) nailed it. One thing is to make every effort to get immigrants to speak English -- it only makes sense and it is better for all of us. But there is a sickening, blatant double standard in the way some people treat these issues, fist-pumping and shouting "Liberty!" and "Constitution!" with one hand, and finger-pointing and reprimanding anyone who exercises their Constitution-given liberty to speak in whatever language they please with the other hand.

Yes, government business should all be conducted in English. That has been the case for hundreds of years and it has to continue being the case. But that's about it. The government can't dictate people which language to conduct THEIR private business (call it commerce, call it private lives) in. And that's what some people want to impose (ironically and hypocritically, the ones who invoke the Constitution and the Bill of Rights most often). The beauty of this country is that it's so welcoming that immigrants assimilate to its culture because they WANT to assimilate to it, not because they are forced to do so. That's what separates us from every other first-world nation, and that's what makes us the greatest, friendliest country on the planet. Let's not change that.

Plus, the overwhelming majority of people who don't speak English well don't fail to speak it well because they don't want to, but because the older you are, the harder it is to learn a new language. This is a scientifically proven fact.

Learn to judge on a case-by-case basis. That's what separates an irrational bigot from a rational skeptic.

Chris-749391; nothing you said is truthful and you are only making up YOUR opinions based on bias

1) latin is a dead language and most current languages have latin roots so your point about latin has no relevance as you have no understanding of latin or linguistics in general. to say somehow we would get rid of long traditional words is insane and ignorant.

2)you again have no clue to what you are talking about. a national language does not force a private club or any private entity to speak only english. churches can preach in any language they want.

3)foreign words? what are you talking about? a national language does not prevent people from speaking nor teaching another language, it forces the government to only accept english as a standard for all americans so we wont have to pay for multilingual documents and other services.

4) what does the courts have to do with this? of course if you are a non-english speaker you would be afforded the same rights as a english speaker within a court of law. the difference with a national language is that the non-english speaker need to provide their own interpreter instead of the tax-payers paying for it.

your opinions are not based on reality and your points make no sense. your little story sounds cute but i would call BS on that and even if true would not mean anything without context, which you didnt provide.

as a tax-payer, a veteran and a slaves descendant, i will not pay for people who choose not to learn the common language of the country they choose to be in.

p.s. english is the most accepted language in the world and without english we would never be were we are as a world, most languages have such stark differences in dialect that communications between them without a commonality would be most difficult and thats were english comes in.

Gee...no one provided Russian-speaking interpreters for my great-grandparents..why are we bending over to accomodate only people who speak Spanish? Are latinos incapable of learning another language? I never hear "Press two for German"!

....and this is not just limited to government affairs, my English-speaking friends; just recently a friend of ours was stuck in Miami International Airport late in the evening due to a missed connection. She said (and she is an emigre herself, I might add; a quite attractive Russian woman) that she couldn't find ONE person who spoke English to help her out - and when she finally did (after over an hour wait) he started hitting on her!

She was livid, and promised to contact the arline in question - an American Airline comany, BTW - and give them a LARGE piece of her mind.

This is getting intolerable....

America the melting pot has become America the stew pot where individual groups feel they must be special or they are not included. Thanks progressive liberals for giving the whiney a voice where people from other countries (not even citizens of the US ) can tell us how we should treat these lawbreakers. So what if it costs taxpayers more money.... NO BENEFITS FOR ILLEGALS SEND THEM HOME! Want to be a citizen? Fine fill out the paperwork and wait in line. NO AMNESTY FOR LAW BREAKERS.

Yes I know several people who will not fly through Miami for that VERY reason. They say it is like going to a foreign country. Let this slide and we will be just like Canada and you see the problems thy have with two languages.

Our national language is English - if you have an issue with that, leave. America has welcomed immigrants and they have always embraced America. My experience with immigrants is they are excited to learn English and work hard to become an American. Somehow those who want it all without the hard work want to change America as well...

A celebrated Democratic president once said, " Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your county. " Immigrants need to learn the dominant language of the county to which they chose to move and live. In France , government meeting should be conducted in French ; in Germany , such meetings should be conducted in German ; in Japan , the meetings should be in Japanese. And , so it should go , mutatis mutandis , in each country across the globe.

Who would be so arrogant as to move to a foreign country and demand they accommodate their refusal to learn the indigenous language? These people moved here so the least they could do is learn English. If they keep getting pandered to, they will never have any motivation to learn the language.

I am an immigrant myself and I and all for English only. USA #1, America forever.

I don't agree with the people saying that if someone moves here, they HAVE to learn English. If they want to move here and live in a community that speaks some other language, I'm fine with that. But they can't then expect a publicly-provided interpreter to aid them when they venture outside of that community. If you don't understand the language spoken at a public meeting, then either learn the language that is used or don't bother going to the meeting. It's as simple as that. No one said living here would be perfect and easy, or if they did say it, they were lying. Take care of yourself, learn what you need to learn, and stop complaining about how hard life is here. You can always move back where you came from, you know.

If you want to speak Chinese, there's a simple way to do it: Go back to China.

But seriously, folks...I remember a story ere where some elderly Chinese people got sick and needed their grown children to interpret for them at the hospital. When I demanded to know how the patients DARED to come to America if they needed their children as interpreters, another poster informed me told that that was part of their culture. Fine, then they can practice their culture back in China, too.

In Asia the ASEAN countries are requiring their people to learn ENGLISH...

Except for China, who thinks everyone should learn Mandarin. More of the - 'We are the largest Country, 'Do what we say & accept what we do'...

6Dogs, That's right you grow up speaking what you are taught! So that would make it the parents fault and responsibility, not the US Governments problem! You come here, you demand that the rules are bent to your advantage in regard to immigration and all the while taking all the handouts you can get. Wouldn't you say it would be somewhat of an insult not to even bother to have your kids speak English? My neighbor has 3 kids all adults, if you talked to them you would swear they just moved here from Mexico,I have to speak some Spanish in order to converse with them. Fact is they have never been to Mexico they were born here! Their mother who speaks fluent English( This I know because I heard her arguing with a city building inspector one day and I almost $hit!) but never took the time to teach her children English, it's as if she dispised this country. Her husband retired from Caterpillar and they took off back to Mexico,with his pension and the rent income from their 3 unit bldg. Her kids did well in school because,as they said," if I did bad on a test,cause I didn't study for it, I just tell'm I didn't understand the questions and they'd let me retake it,but by then I already had the answers to the test"! Yeah we're not born with a language,we also wore diapers,had no teeth and were spoon fed. But we grew up and we got smart and that is what's happening in Walnut California and they should be commended.

When my ancestors came to America they had to learn to speak English they did not have special classes for those who did not speak English. It was plain and simple years ago you come to America and you become an American why do the people who come here now think they are more special? They did not start this country and build it, come here learn English or go back to the land of the language you want to speak period!!!!!

Lets just all learn pig latin ! Everyone in the whole @!$%#in world !! What a bunch of bull@!$%# this whole stupid thread ...this is America damn it speak the language or go @!$%#in home !!

Ms. Toy's solution, while appearing somewhat draconian on its face, considering the infrequency of community members addressing the Council in another language, could also be solved by those same community members. Quoting the article: "Nearly two-thirds of Walnut's residents and three of the five council members are Asian."

Why couldn't a civic-minded member of that pool of residents who is fluent in English volunteer to serve in the capacity of interpreter as a public service to his/her community, both as a benefit to its foreign-speaking and English-speaking members?

Problem solved. Conflict defused. Back to the people's business and their ability to participate in their governance.

When my great grandparents came her around 1900 they were expected to learn english. If I move to a nonenglish speaking country I'm expected to learn the language. No one anywhere else in the world including the countries these people come from will cater to someone who can't or won't learn to speak the language and still live there. You can't get a job overseas unless you speak the language. Learn English.

Time to stop kissing minority ass. It's gotten out of hand. We need to make English the official law of the land.

Maybe these turkeys should move to Iran or North Korea, get elected to a government position, then DEMAND THEY ALL SPEAK IN YOUR FOREIGN LANGUAGE at their meetings.

Yeah, see how far that would go.

Daisy Duan, 27, a graduate student at the University of Southern California who speaks limited English, said in Chinese that the proposal would "definitely" affect her ability to participate in local politics.

Whaaaat ? A "graduate student at USC who speaks limited English" ? Wow, Daisy must have taken all her classes spoken in Chinese. Way to go, USC.

local residents, who fear the move would violate civil rights and unfairly disadvantage a portion of the population

This is America you dumb bastards who come here and don't want to learn the language.

Easy solution, get the fu.k out or learn the language, ENGLISH, that is. Tired of supporting these parasites.

Scar-481986This subject always gets people of different primary languages, tearing at each other

.

not if we use english, lmao

This is America you dumb bastards who come here and don't want to learn the language.

Perhaps you're the one that needs to figure out a bit about this country... like what's the very first thing our founding fathers wanted to guarantee? Right, the freedom of speech, that includes the freedom to speak foreign languages. Just because you're too ignorant to learn multiple languages yourself doesn't make you better than others... in fact if you want to talk about parasites, you should be required to hold a mirror in front of yourself while you do.

Between you and them, I'd prefer you to get the @!$%# out.

Mygirl....et al....it is not a sign of progressivism- this attempt at bending over backwards to try to be accommodating to every immigrant who speaks some other language than English- frankly it is rather a means of isolating these folks and stagnating them, thus keeping them out of the upper income jobs market where they would be required to communicate in english to get a job that pays more than minimum wage imo.

The USA is a english speaking country period, therefore all those who immigrate to these shores should either speak english upon landing or learn it once they are here.

It is what is required of people who immigrate to other countries to work, i.e. was admitted on a work visa or a work permit. If the person does not know the language of that country then, then they are required to do a language course prior to taking up employment, or starting their job. Well that is what I found when I worked overseas.

The problem in the USA is that not knowing english limits the immigrant to a life of lower paying wages where a knowledge of english may not be necessary. But even in these lower paying jobs it is actually necessary for the person's safety to be able to read warning labels and many a person have died or injured, or have been exposed to toxic chemicals and fumes because they were unable to read the label/warning. These folks may not and often times do not know the cummulitive effects over time of the toxic materials that they may be handling, and then when they do get sick they may not know what caused their illness.

So it is all about capitalism and making money off of these folks who do not know english. It is about finding the cheapest labor or paying the cheapest wages even when the employee may be put in danger. Oddly enough it is doubtful if these employers are held liable for these injuries especially when the employee may be a day laborer.

Noted a very offensive smell while driving and saw a young man spraying/spreading some sort of pesticide or other material while doing landscape work. The young man was not wearing a mask much less protective clothing or gloves. Oftentimes you see these folks working with high decibel landscaping equipment without even earplugs. Most times they do not speak english. Makes one wonder if they even know the danger they are putting themselves in for that minimum wage.

That is just the people/immigrants one can see. There are many other that we do not see as they slave away in the shadows and held hostage by their inability to speak english in the USA.

So there is nothing progressive about keeping another person from reaching their full potential. By not requiring these folks - whose native language is not english - to learn english and by supplying them with an interpreter on occasion is doing them no good in the long term as the person does not go about their daily lives with an interpreter at their side imo.

In some places here they do have or used to have magnet schools where the emphysis is on (foreign)languages, and where various subjects were or are taught in the various other languages. This needs to happen more often all over the USA and not only at some particular schools either.

It is time that English only be instituted period. There may even be folks who have been living in the USA for years and do qualify for citizenship but may not know they are or may not apply because they do not know english. That would be the thing that is keeping them from really participating in our system whether political or otherwise.

We may be a nation of immigrants but we are supposed to be a nation of one people i.e. Americans. If that immigrant do not want to be assimilated and rather want to keep their other nationality as primary, why should the USA accommodate them or facilitate them in their apartness?

On the other hand the USA is a capitalistic country, so somebody is making a lot of money off of these various govt materials/doccuments in so many different languages. LOL

Peace.....

As Per the article. How does one get to be a graduate student at the University of California and not be able to speak english?

The USA is a english speaking country period,

Except that it isn't and never was centered around your language.

Except that it isn't and never was centered around your language.

Then why are you typing in English? Why aren't you typing in Chinese instead?

Clue.

Clue.

Dead Eagle: When you quote me. Quote in full context.

This subject always gets people of different primary languages, tearing at each other.

However, their wrath should be directed at the Congress of the US, for never instituting a official language.

Whether their inaction was from fear or lassitude, both are unforgivable. For they are paid to legislate on matters such as this.

Want to point out the law that made English a official language?? I'd vote for it. But it is not there.

Lawmakers are to blame for it.

Ernest King - The difference between companies in Europe and companies in the US requiring that personnel being multilingual is that companies in Europe have a VERY limited market if the only cater to people in their own country, that is NOT the case for US companies as the state of Texas alone is larger than the country of France and the state of California has a larger economy than most European countries. The UK has less population than the State of California and many European countries have populations smaller than the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Hence a need for multilingual employees. The problem is the number of NON English speaking people who simply refuse to learn the language, no matter how long they live here. There should be no obligation for a company in the US to use any language other than English unless doing business with someone IN a foreign country. BTW I've been offered executive level positions in eastern Europe AND India because of my foreign language knowledge. I didn't want to leave the US for a country that wouldn't allow for my gun collection. At one job, I provided customer service in Russian routinely and on occasion Spanish as well. Spanish speakers were a dime a dozen, but I was the only one who spoke any Russian in the place.

Polka14 - I guess that isn't English that the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution is written in then huh?

Then why are you typing in English? Why aren't you typing in Chinese instead?

Even if I knew Mandarin, I don't know how to type non-Latin characters on the computer. And I think the vine has a policy against it or something...

Anyway, the US isn't centered around YOUR language!!!

Whaaaat ? A "graduate student at USC who speaks limited English" ? Wow, Daisy must have taken all her classes spoken in Chinese. Way to go, USC.

Yeah, that did look a little strange. I suspect if Daisy DID go to USC, she knows English just fine.

This is really more a politically-correct you (white) people need to kiss my minority ass because I'm 'entitled' to it sort of thing. A legacy of the fukked-up educational system in Kalifornika.

Somebody needs to tell Daisy to fukk-off and jump off a cliff...

Even if I knew Mandarin, I don't know how to type non-Latin characters on the computer. And I think the vine has a policy against it or something...

I didn't think so, since it explains the hypocrisy (or ignorance) of your earlier statement.

Anyway, the US isn't centered around YOUR language!!!

Yes it is. Only now it needs to be codified into law.

But if you don't like it, I suggest you center your universe around another language and stay away from English-centric boards.

Think you can do that?

;)

You talk about ignorance, yet you don't know that this country wasn't founded on language and that the founding fathers even guaranteed all the right to speak any language they want to.

Granted, they should provide their own interpreters... but that's beside the point.

Why immigrate to a country that speaks a different language if you have no plans to learn a new way of talking?

Yes it is. Only now it needs to be codified into law.

That would be unjust. I would cease speaking English out of protest.

But if you don't like it, I suggest you center your universe around another language and stay away from English-centric boards.

I would do so if they codified your language as the language of our nation.

Unlike many who are posting here--I'm guessing--I have experience living in a country that actually has an official language (unlike the US). Even though the proportion of people who do not speak that official language is far smaller than the proportion who do not speak English in the US, government officials make the effort to become functional in the three most prevalent of those languages (in order, [Mandarin] Chinese, Korean, and English) simply because if they cannot communicate in those languages they cannot do their jobs. This does not mean that every government official is quadralingual, but it does mean that almost all government offices have at least one person who can function officially in at least one of those "foreign" languages.

The US has never not had substantial non-English-dominant communities, and it is only the understandable (but nevertheless repulsive) arrogance of the people in power that prevents adequate and humane treatment of members of those communities.

That would be unjust. I would cease speaking English out of protest.

Good! Then we wouldn't have to listen to you anymore.

lol...

I would do so if they codified your language as the language of our nation.

Well, don't let the door slam you in the ass on the way out...

Zip... there is freedom of speech and no one is denying anyone the freedom to speak in any other language they wish. All legal doccuments and court filing etc are written in English in the USA.

You do not go to court in the USA and find where the judge etc is speaking in some other foreign language during a trial etc. The sentence handed down from the bench is done in english.

To work in any govt/public sector job english is required. In hospitals the hospital staff speaks in english.

To gain one's citizenship one must read and write english if I am not mistaken.

Putting it bluntly english is the language of govt and commerce etc here in the USA.

It is one thing to be multicultural, multilingual etc but there has to be a national language which we all communicate in.

In which ever foreign country, the world over, they have a national language period. This does not stop folks from speaking in any other language or dialect that they should chose, but in all things legal/business etc the national language of that country is what is used to voice or doccument same. A certain standard communication i.e. language that is common to all is necessary, as this is to make sure there is no misunderstandings or mis-interpetations and to maintain order and for safety for all.

What would happen if some disaster is happening and a warning must be sent out over the radio or tv including giving the directions of where to congregate or meet, or about which road is out or bridge down etc ? By the time the persons giving the warning is done going through all the various languages, those folks who only speak some language starting in Z would be out of luck ie dead.

In the small city where I live the mayor's office/emergency folks sends out mass warning etc via the phone. Should they waste time chosing which language they should put out the mass calls in, first? And say it was already decided that they would put it out in english first, because it is presumed that the majority of residents speak/understand english, what happens to those other residents who do not know english? Do the emergency, serve and protect etc folks mass telephone list have the language spoken by each telephone number? And even if they did not, and made the mass call to all residents in english first, with the same warning also stated in the various other languages spoken, don't you think that by time the recording is halfway done some group or other of people who do not understand english or the other languages would be out of luck? By the way our warnings are in English... even though our city is like the united nations.

Why not let us have a free for all and have everyone do their own thing on the roads? Let drivers do what ever they please, drive on which ever side of the road they should chose according to the country they immigrated from. Let street signs be in the many many languages and dialets. Think there would be big enough street signs to encompass all those languages and dialets, or would anyone be able to get where they are going in the first place, after having to wade through all those languages etc to find the relevent language/dialect ? Would they even survive the pileups outside their driveway....

Sometimes a choice has to be made and there has to be one common national language for/of communication for a society to function in an orderly and safe fashion imo. The USA is the only country that cannot seem to get its act together and cannot simply declare what that one national language of communication written or spoken will be.

It is time that it is determined and officially declared that English or Americaan or American English or even Hiphopeze or Whatever Hybrid will be our national language period.

Enough already. Just chose 1 national language like every other country on the planet and be done with it period.

But, every country has an 'official' language. In the USA, it's english. Get used to it.

No. Not every country has an official language. Some, like (gasp) the U.S. have NO official language. Others, such as Canada and Switzerland have MORE than one official language. Perhaps you need to get out more.

Excuse me was Walnut annexed to China?? Those who who wants the rest to learn Mandarin or understand Mandarin better take note this is the United States of America, Fisrt of all we didn't invite you to come and don't make us to adapt to your culture or language. you are welcome to stay and learn our culture and language it's your obligation. If you don't like what we do here you are welcome to leave that's your greatest right in this world. Main reason you don't speak or understand English is you like to babble in your own language everywhere everyday and neglect to learn your adopted country language, read English text newspaper/books, converse in english not your country origin language, is not our fault that you are not proficient in English, that's your own problem. Don't shutter your self from your neighbors, communicate even if your english is broken. Next time you want to address the meeting bring credit /debit card so you can pay for translator services. In China the services are not free so don't expect tranlating services is part of city's obligation The city can hire a translator and bill that person thru credit/debit card. no money no talking. Google have free translation service and here it is and one wonder what happen in case of citywide emergency will they be the first one to run?:

對不起，我是核桃所附的中國？誰的誰希望休息，學習普通話或不懂普通話者更好地注意到這是美利堅合眾國，所有我們沒有邀請你來最前一頁，不要讓我們去適應你的文化或語言。歡迎你留下來，了解我們的文化和語言，這是你的義務。如果你不喜歡我們在這裡做什麼，歡迎您離開，是你在這個世界上最大的權利。你不說或能聽懂英語的主要原因是你想在自己的語言嘮叨無處不在日常生活和學習通過了國家語言的忽視，閱讀英文文本報紙/書籍，英語不是你的國家起源的語言交談，是不是我們的錯你是不是在精通英語，這是你自己的問題。不要從你的鄰居你的自我快門，即使你的英語溝通被打破。下一次你要在會議上發言，把信用卡/借記卡，所以你可以支付翻譯服務。在中國的服務是不是免費的，所以不要指望tranlating服務是城市的義務，這個城市的一部分，可以聘請一名翻譯和法案，人通過信用卡/借記卡。沒有錢沒有說話。谷歌有免費的翻譯服務，並在這裡它是一個不知道什麼發生在全市範圍內緊急情況下，他們將是第一個跑？

you are welcome to stay and learn our culture and language it's your obligation.

You want others to learn your language and culture??? Maybe leave people alone. They are not obligated to act and speak like YOU!!!

My comment that questioned whether ASL would be outlawed was collapsed. I guess the "koolaid" on this comment list is to trash non-english-speaking persons.

My other comment humorously stated that Spanish should be required in California since California was founded by Spanish-speakers. That too was collapsed.

Whats the story here? All kinds of vile things can be said about people with limited language skills - but nothing against the haters?

Polka14: Just because you're too ignorant to learn multiple languages yourself...

Are the non-English speakers "too ignorant to learn multiple languages"?

Polka14: You want others to learn your language and culture??? Maybe leave people alone. They are not obligated to act and speak like YOU!!!

When some English-speaking United States citizens go to other countries and demonstrate an attitude that those countries should adapt to the American culture and language, they are often called "ugly Americans". What should people who move to the U.S. and expect it to adapt to their culture and language be called?

So immigrants are supposed to learn the language of the land, eh? Shouldn't we all be speaking Cherokee then?

Slurpyboy I'd like to stick my foot up your ass. I speak 3 languages, 2 fluently. When I'm under stress I'm still conscious enough to speak the language people around me can understand, you goddamn dimwit. What a condescending buffoon. People who have to speak another language when under stress probably don't speak English too well anyway. If you've ever had an argument with a Chinese cashier lady, you'll know damn well that "stress" doesn't prevent them from telling you to f*ck off (in English) as best as they can. Please save your liberal, condescending excuses for people dumb enough to buy it.

If they can't speak ENGLISH, they shouldn't be allowed to drive.

All STOP signs are in ENGLISH.......RIGHT?

This whole article is ridiculous!!!! I was actually having a conversation about a similar point last night with a friend of mine who is an English teacher (I live in Italy- but I speak Italian and don't expect people to speak to me in English (preferably while saying oy vey every once and a while cause I'm from Long Island)... we were talking about the fact that EVERYBODY is learning English here because compared to five or six years ago when only the Multinational companies would only consider English speaking candidates- now everyone from the CEO to the grocery clerk is required to speak english...in a country where English isn't even an official language!

Why is this even a discussion! Especially in good ol' pretty much bankrupt CA!?!

1) If you live here, it's wise to learn English.

2) This country has no official language, and every legal immigrant has the right to participate in local politics - whether they are deaf, mute, blind, speak pig latin, whatever.

Although it's up to the state to provide facilities so the handicapped can participate, it's not up to the state to provide for language translations. Why, in this majority Asian community, can they not find people willing to volunteer? Is there nobody in the chambers capable of just standing up and doing the translation for the person speaking?

Just because someone doesn't speak English, doesn't mean that it's right or just to demand they stay silent. They should have a voice as well. But hiring a translator? Doesn't seem necessary. Maybe make a friend that will translate for you, or write a letter and have that translated and read by the council.... no good reason to burden the state with your inability to speak English.

Learn English, and in the mean time - make due. It's not up to the state to provide anything more than an open forum, you must make yourself heard.

All STOP signs are in ENGLISH.......RIGHT?

Are you saying you shouldn't be allowed to drive in Mexico then? Because that big red octogon at the intersection that says "ALTO" is too hard to understand?

Requirements for U.S. Naturalization:

...."

Applicants for naturalization must also be able to read, write, and speak the English language. Persons who are physically unable to comply due to a permanent physical or developmental disability, or permanent mental impairment are exempt from the literacy requirements. In addition, applicants who are more than 50 years of age and have been permanent residents of the United States for more than 20 years, or are more than 55 years of age and have been permanent residents of the United States for more than 15 years, as of the date of filing the application, may be examined in their native language rather than English.

All applicants are required to pass an oral test on the history and government of the United States. From a standardized list of approximately ninety-five (95) questions, ten (10) questions are asked, and the applicant must answer at least six (6) correctly. "

Council members voted 5-0 this week to postpone a decision on a proposal that would ask non-English speakers to provide their own interpreters for all Council proceedings, which would be conducted only in English.

I have no problem with this, but in America, we need to establish English as the official language all across the nation. Right now, English is only presumed to be the official language, but we really do not have one. If you cannot speak or wright English, then I do not think or believe that the American taxpayers should be flipping the bill for ones English/Spanish interpreters.

When one immigrates to America, they should have already learned the English language as Americans learn other languages when they travel or move to another country, or they hire an interpreter/guide to assist them.

America needs to get off its azz and vote on an official language for this country. If we don't and we have more foreign people here, and they will vote for their language to be the official language in this country.

jussayin-

Remember, in America, the American flag flies above all others. Not the other way around.

Actually, I was under the impression that English was our national language..guess not. Does this mean that now...every student has to learn ALL forms of language from all other countries just to do business in the USA ? Our real problem is that we have elected politicans who have their own agenda's..that have nothing to do with this nation as a whole...if our congress was doing their jobs..their approval ratings would not be where they are today. We have a two party system that is broken...and corrupt....accepting funds from whoever for votes on bills that help that particular business or person...the real question then becomes...when will the voters of this nation wake up..and tell congress to do their jobs..or vote them all our and start over.

Well it sure didn't take those new immigrants long to become a whiny, entitled bunch! Someone feels like they are "being cheated out of their tax money" because they cannot address the city council in English, but only in Mandarin? How exactly are they being cheated?

There is no law that says you must learn English. In a community like that, where nearly 2/3 of the population is Asian, it might be possible to live out the rest of your life speaking only your native Mandarin and learning very little English. Fine, that is your right and your choice.

But if you want to participate in the political process, including being heard at city council meetings and having your comments entered into the official minutes, well sorry but in this country all legal and political proceedings are conducted in English. Want to participate? Learn the language.

Otherwise stay out of politics and get on with living your life.

"I feel like English is still very difficult," Duan said. "I know many first-generation immigrants who, when they came to America, could not speak even a single word ... It's not fair."

Sorry. My ancestors and millions of others had to learn English and much more before they were even given citizenship.

The true nature of the situation is that the city can not afford to keep on staff people who speak the over 100 different languages that most immigrants speak.

For good or ill, the language of the United States is American English. If you want to immigrate to the US, you do need to speak the language. Millions of people, from many different countries and languages have, for over 200 years, learned to speak American English. Even immigrants from England learn to speak that peculiar version of the language prevalent within the contiguous United States.

There is no lack of equal protection, since everyone must do the same.

You want others to learn your language and culture??? Maybe leave people alone. They are not obligated to act and speak like YOU!!!

Yes they are. And you're doing it right now as you speak. Hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Want people to be left alone? Then stop demanding the taxpayer supply interpreters for them. Let them wallow in ignorance.

Didn't you say you weren't going to speak English anymore and remain silent?

lol...

Chris in his #1.37 post was trying to make some point that English should not be our official language in the USA but either he has difficulty putting his thoughts to words or some other issue...he goes on to state when he was in Canada and tried to order a big mac meal, the teenager behind the counter kept shaking his head and finally said the order in French. If Chris had not said what he was ordering I for one would have had no clue what that was since I SPEAK ENGLISH. They were obviously in a French speakng providence of Canada. Hence the worker wanted the order in French. If we do not get a grip on this problem of immigrants coming here (whether leagally of illegally) and not wanting to learn English, we could have a very big problem in the very near future. (Besides just spending unneccessary funds for translators that could be used elsewhere) . Just suppose in a few years you visit Walnut California and want to order that BigMac Meal, but the worker behind the counter only speaks Mandarian? It is happening today in Miami and has been for 30+ years. Several friends of mine moved from Miami. They had been born and spent the first 20 years of their lives there. But when it got so bad that they could not go to a Publix Bakery and order a birthday cake in English they decided they had enough and moved.

It truly is ridiculous that we are even having this debate. Our country was settled and civilized by our English Founding Fore Fathers. There is no other country that you could move to and expect them to cater to your language barrier. If people coming here will not learn English they need to go back to the country they came from. Enghlish IS the official language of the USA...its just time our laws are written to reflect that.

It is indeed time for an official decision to be made regarding an official language for the USA. So far American English has been used forever throughout all the states. American english is also spoken in many of our commonwealth countries and territories.

Many countries citizens also speak english as well as their own national and official languages, as it seems to be the language of commerce these days.

Has anyone noticed that programming on the radio and in other media that english is the language used and has been used forever on the national channels?

The USA is a huge country and there are many states, many dialects, languages, many accents many slangs regional and otherwise etc. So imagine if all of these should be declared our official languages? Talk about a tower of Babel.....

Anyhoo, if I was going to give advice to immigrants who do not speak english.... then it would be 1. Learn to speak english as soon as possible, and try to assimmilate. Go to places like libraries, shopping malls, the local church, movies, popular entertainment etc.

2. Listen, observe, learn. E.g. watch children's programming and try reading children's books etc and graduate to other programming on say...PBS. You will need a working knowledge of english or American english if you really want to get ahead/progress/ integrate. Also turn on the close capitoning on your tv. Listen while trying to read or match up the written words on the screen with the spoken word.

3. Try to speak it as much as possible, as often as possible even if your pronounciation is not all that great. Plus don't be offended if your pronounciation is corrected. Just remember that there is also a difference between American english and British english... in some pronouniations. eg garrege and garage... same thing just different pronounciations.

4. Just accept that learning english is not going to be easy and then learn it anyway. It is not going to be easy because in english , words may have the same sound but different spelling and thus different meanings. e.e. their and there, and also the meaning of a word may be dependent on how it is used in a sentence eg... mine and mine and mine to mention a couple. LOL

5. Remember you are not alone, the person you may not be talking to, may have had to learn english also, and may be just as concerned about his/her language skills too. A Good ice breaker is to comment on the weather, whether you care about the weather or not..LOL. eg... it is so hot isn't it, or great weather we are having.... all this rain is good for the gardens etc....

By the way if you have read this and understand it, then you already know how to read english... now go practice speaking it, if you have not been doing so.... LOL

Peace....

cannonballer

Surprising this is coming out of SoCal

.........Ummm, if this is SoCal,

http://www.mapquest.com/

then where the hell is Northern California?

I am an Alaska native. Specifically I am a Tlingit indian. American Indian's and Alaska Natives make up 1% of the U.S. population and are vastly outnumbered by the hispanic population. It is like a cruel joke that I am fluent in English partly because earlier generations of Tlingits were punished by having soap put in their mouths and whacked on the hands for speaking our native tongue. I have discussed this problem with other native americans that I've met because I am a tribal leader and I meet many American Indian/Alaska native people. A lot of them complain about racial profiling and being suspected of being an 'illegal alien' because in someone's view we look hispanic to them. I don't think they believe I'm Alaska native/American Indian because I wasn't dressed up in regalia and didn't fit the stereotype.

Please be assured that I am the most law abiding American citizen you will find. I don't have any police record whatsoever and our family always answers the call to serve our country. My nephew who was on his 3d tour in Iraq with the 101st airborn division lost his legs to an I.U.D. I know people are people but sometimes I get a little downhearted when I am simply walking to a gate at an airport and am the target of hate stares, not many mind you but there are some.

In my little town Alaska native's make up about 1 out of 5 in our community of roughly 10,000 people and tourists walk up my little street because there is a Russian princess buried at the end of the street. I have had tourists I've tried to engage in a friendly conversation with respond to me with a frown. "How long have you lived up here?" I tell them born and raised here! But they don't seem convinced and when that happens I sometimes get down because I want to be accepted as a descent citizen and person. I probably care too much about what people think.

worn out - great post.

Chris - you are carrying things a little far. It is doubtful that people will sue someone for saying "taco". If someone did sue for that then they should have their rear-end kicked for being stupid. An "English only law" would more than likely be written to exclude those kinds of things. However, we are spending a LARGE fortune in providing: driver's tests, applications, public signs, ATMs and just about everything you can think of in multiple languages. If you need further clarification read worn out's post. That is the American way. It is about this country not the hundreds of countries that all the immigrants came from.

Why bother making ANY language an official language. From what I have seen, three quarters of the people on the Internet (including this thread) cannot even write English correctly, and these are the same people so adamant about immigrants learning it? You need to learn it YOURSELVES first!

And all this outrage about non-English speaking Americans is just another way of showing your prejudice tendencies. Psychologically, people are basically afraid of other people that are different than themselves, which add a dash of anger turns into bigotry.

Collapsing comments is just another form of prejudice, if someone appears to have an opposite viewpoint (whether valid or not) you just pretend it's not there. It also seems that collapsing posts go against the American values you all hold so dear. Freedom of speech, the right to have your own opinion without persecution, equality....any of this ring a bell? Go ahead collapse my post and prove me right: America is more about keeping things WHITE than keeping things FREE.

"Daisy Duan, 27, a graduate student at the University of Southern California who speaks limited English, said in Chinese that the proposal would "definitely" affect her ability to participate in local politics."

She has no expectations to participate in local politics if she is not a US Citizen. How did she become a US Citizen if she can not speak english. But she could like many other chinese girls earn her citizenship another way.

Not really a problem here folks! Whomever wants to go to a council mtg, THEY bring a friend, family member, or neighbor who is willing to spend their time explaining the mtg to them. When they run out of people willing to spend all their time re-gurging the mtg they will either learn the language themselves or stop going to the mtgs. And really, IS this such a problem? Are there that many people out there who don't speak English AND attend all the mtgs? Maybe, maybe not? How many people are we talking about having to accomodate here? Common sense got up & left the building a long, long time ago!

And, if my post offends you, I'm kiiiinnnnddd of sorry. My parents raised us to be responsible for ourselves. I'd take that America back any day! This America is really falling to all the whiny arses from all over the world. If you immigrate to this great nation (used to be), then appreciate it instead of just trying to take it down for your own sakes!

This is rediculous!! I cannot believe this is even an issue. These people come to our country, collect welfare and make us pay for them to eat, sleep, live, be clothed, have children, etc., etc. and they can't even do so much as to learn the language so that now we also have to conform to that as well. This is America and these are the reasons I can't stand "new-aged" immigrants. We need to close our boarders and keep these mongrals out. I wonder what whould happen if I went to China and just expected the Chinese government to pay for my home, pay for my food, pay for my cigs, pay for my boose, pay for my surgery, pay for my medicine, pay for my car, pay for my children, and pay for me to speak English...oh thats right, they'd laugh in my face and either kill me on spot, throw me in prison, or tell me to get the f*ck out of the country. Why are we, as Americans, so damned concerned with conforming to the world and making sure we don't offend anyone? If the Council, even with 3 Asians on board, votes for English-only, it is certain that the racist card will be played by someone and the decision will probably be overturned; this is America today. This is just absurd and it absolutey floors me! This is a real no-brainer...we officially speak English ...NOTHING else; learn it or get the hell out of this country!!!!!!!!

America- Speak English that is our language.

It is sad to see our students having to take 3 years of Spanish to graduate from high school. My son can't

take the college prep classes he would like to take because of the policy our high school has to have three years of Spanish. I see so many students here that graduate from high shool and can't speak English. When is our country going to wake up. I am a nurse and am being tole I need to learn Spanish so my license would not be in jeopardy when I have Spanish speaking patients. What a crock!

When some English-speaking United States citizens go to other countries and demonstrate an attitude that those countries should adapt to the American culture and language, they are often called "ugly Americans". What should people who move to the U.S. and expect it to adapt to their culture and language be called?

This "American culture" you speak of is imaginary. And those that come and add their culture to the great American multicultural society would be called immigrants.

Polka14 - I've been reading your posts and they are starting to make me physically ill. I have a hard time believing you are an American... and if you truly are, you have a deep-seeded hate for your country. How dare you say that people born here have no culture ... "American culture is imaginary". You've gone too far. You are the bigot you hate, you house the prejudice you apparently despise, you are the problem with no solution other than leaving this country. Love it or leave it...but stop being so anti-American and pushing your bullying attitude. The attitude you and others like you have... where you think we should adapt to the culture of immigrants - be them legal or illegal -- and that they do not have to assimulate into our society at all ---- that attitude is offensive to earlier immigrants that wanted to become apart of this country - they wanted to adopt our culture - they wanted to contribute... they did not want to make this country into the same one they just left. These are the people that helped build this country and I am grateful to them. They did not have this entitled attitude that so many people immigrating to this country now have ---- it is offensive and if they do not want to become Americans - speaking English and honoring our ways ---- flying the USA flag --- then go back to your country of origin. No one is stopping you - and most of us would even help you pack.

To the person who said we should all be speaking Cherokee - in a way I agree, but the fact is very few Cherokee speak Cherokee.

Okay, Kimmy from NC,here is my rebuttal to your nonsense. You have been reading my posts. That is good but you don't see my main point. This nation has wronged many but is it a good nation? I don't really know so I can't really say I 'hate' it. In regards to this culture, your speak of your own culture. Everyone that desires it will create their own culture in their head that responds with them. There is no actual "American" culture you can point to somewhere. That would be false and misleading to many that have come here. The US is a mix of most if not all world cultures and ethnic differences. It is truly like a melting pot. All pieces are different and unique but belong together. The idea of assimilating is truly anti-American in my point of view. The cultures brought with immigrants are valuable as any culture that has come before. To force them to speak one foreign language (English) over others (Spanish, Mandarin) is not acceptable where all are treated equally through law. That is most offensive to me and I think that means someone doesn't respect the US and its ideals if they do not hate it.

so what ...it is still the United States...not Mexico. The citizenship swear in is in English.

Once upon a time................... The Earth Belonged to Worms Too !

Who cares, They lost the war and are not in charge any longer.

...and BEFORE the Spanish arrived and imposed their language on the natives in what is now California what language was spoken? Go conduct business in Mexico and you are guaranteed Not to get an interpreter provided by the state.

American Indian native languages were spoken in California long before that Spaniards came and no language was spoken before the American Indians arrived. So maybe no language is a better choice.

In Colorado it is difficult to get employment in some professions if you do not speak Spanish. It is annoying when they ask you during interview how much Spanish you speak and how well you can communicate with the Spanish speaking community members.

Will Haas

American Indian native languages were spoken in California long before that Spaniards came and no language was spoken before the American Indians arrived. So maybe no language is a better choice.

I disagree. Long ago there was another language called geez and rune.

And long long long before 'Spanish', California was the land of the Native American's...You're point was stupid, ignorant and not very well thought out.

Oops, I looked up and saw your post Will Haas...awesome that someone else recognizes that European influences are fairly new to this continent. Most people are too damn myopic, especially when it comes to issues of race.

I'd like to point out that the language of Business conducted in this country is English (I know someone else will say 'dollars' or 'Chinese'), but if you step into board meetings, CEO offices, the higher echelons of business, you're not going to find 'other' language spoken. Even when they are conducting business with foreigners...

If spanish was spoken in Cali., before Americans took over, why didn't we leave it to the spaniards ??

Another looser aquisition

Unless you are Mormon. LDS believe that Christ ministered to the Indians in Aramaic and Arabic and that many American Indian words still reflect those roots. Just saying .......

This discussion isn't news! Its ancient history, in the US. Actually, most immigrants to this country were minorities at home, in some regard, and came here precisely so that they could be free to follow what they pleased (which turned out to be exactly what they had been doing, at home, secretly!) Its true that a few immigrant parents insisted that their kids learn english, but that may also have been a concession to reality (the kids were going to learn the language of the street, no matter what the parents did or thought.) We have a long history of "Little Italys", and "China Towns", etc. in all our major cities. We "Real Americans" can probably settle down on this, with not too much worry. Immigrants come here to practice what they loved back home, and the older ones may never change completely, but time moves on. The children ALL (every single one!) learn English. Perhaps haltingly at first, but better, as time goes on. Their kids will barely have an accent. And, they will make their changes to our language, and our way of life. Just as every other immigrant group always does, here. Our kids, and theirs will think all of us are quaint, for arguing about such a trivial matter. Or, maybe it will be the spark that starts Americans moving beyond just calling each other vile names like "traitor", and "America Hater", and gets us actually killing each other, on a grand scale, if we don't calm down a little.

In Colorado it is difficult to get employment in some professions if you do not speak Spanish. It is annoying when they ask you during interview how much Spanish you speak and how well you can communicate with the Spanish speaking community members.

In Continental Europe, Latin America, and Asia, it is difficult to get employment in MOST professions if you do not speak English. And here's the inside scoop: none of those nations use English as their official language, or even as their first language. What exempts YOU from the WORLDWIDE trend toward multilingualism?

Your complaint is tantamount to, ten years ago, complaining that interviewers ask you how proficient you are using a computer. Is it really so baffling that they want to hire the most competitive, knowledgeable, and versatile candidate, the one who can communicate with the most people?

Here's a friendly tip: don't want to learn Spanish? Fine, don't learn it. No one's forcing you to. But no one's forcing employers to hire under-qualified candidates, either. No one's forcing you to know math, either. Don't want to know how to multiply or divide numbers? Fine. It's your problem, not the company's. They'll find someone who can do everything you can do AND speak Spanish. And/or Mandarin. And/or Portuguese.

I detest it when my European friends belittle my great country, ridiculing us Americans for not being bilingual or trilingual or centilingual. But I detest it even more when my American compatriots prove them right by expressing indignation at the idea that they should, for the sake of competitiveness, learn at least one foreign language.

I say learn English and that will be the end of the discussion. Do you really think that you can go to any other country in the world and the people will go out of their way to speak your language?

No- they will expect you to adapt.

Hey justred...

Just wait they will be swore in in Spanish before you know it...

Spanish was spoken in California long before English was.

Yeah and they lost. Too bad. Tough. Get over it.

Yeah, we beat the British in the Revolutionary War - so why are we still speaking Engllish?

To paraphrase many others on this Comment list, ""if you want to speak English, go back to England!"

Ernest J. King: ...I detest it even more when my American compatriots prove them right by expressing indignation at the idea that they should, for the sake of competitiveness, learn at least one foreign language.

It's the reason why English speakers are told they should learn another language that causes indignation. It's not to make them competitive, it's to make it easier for the non-English speakers to remain so.

Ernest- I understand what youre saying as I live in Europe myself...however, there is an important point to think about- If I were to fly 6 hours north of where I am now (Rome, IT)- I would (well, I'd be in the middle of an ocean...lets make that 2 hours)- I'd be in a country where the native language is Spanish or German or French or Flemish. If I were to fly 6 hours west from my native state (NY)- I would still be in a place where English is the primary language. Europeans speak more languages- especially english- because they need to if they have any intention of ever leaving their immediate area. Or better, they don't NEED to, but it does make their lives easier- especially when looking at "minor" European languages (ie- not French or German).

I feel like my life has been enriched by having learned a second language- but outside of living in Italy or being able to say, help someone in spanish on the street find something (because of the linguistic similarities and I studied spanish in high school)- there is no actual reason for me to have ever learned more than English...

Its absurd to say "natives" of California did not speak English. It was not California then. Wasnt California until it was settled by the immigrants who came here. Those that spoke English. geez. And Bill Crane since you detest anything and everything about what makes America great perhaps you would be happier living in some third world country instead of trying to change America. Get the fluck out pal.

Escaped —

Well, I only have to drive twenty minutes to the south of where I live and I'll be surrounded by Vietnamese. A further 30 minutes Northeast and I'll be surrounded by Salvadorians. A four-hour drive to the East and it's all Francophones. In my company, we have to communicate with people who speak all kinds of languages, and I don't exactly work in Liechtenstein. If I were to hire a worker, why would I not choose the one who, ceteris paribus, speaks another language, especially Spanish, a language spoken by millions in my metropolitan area?

It's not to make them competitive, it's to make it easier for the non-English speakers to remain so.

Given the immense disparity between the number of non-English speakers who DO speak English and the number of English speakers who speak another language, your argument is so ridiculous it borders on childish.

First of all- I fail to see how my argument is childish- I think its a pragmatic view of what I've seen here- which yes, supports your point that languages are useful. The point is- yes, millions of people in the states speak spanish, but you can also accomplish 99.9% of things you need to do everyday by only speaking English in the states. In my job here, half of what I do is Italian and the other half is in English- which is fine for me because I speak both as a psuedo native language (I grew up speaking Italian as well)- but means that my colleagues NEEDED to learn at least english if not German as well to do their jobs (we work for a Swiss company and there are small sections of Italy that speak German primarily- namely Alto Adige/Sud Tirol).

Communicating with non native english speakers (something I do every day) is more than words though- its also about gestures, tone of voice, speed (which is probably a principle reason why its "hard to understand" some people) and accents- heck, I was in Cork, Ireland last week after meetings in Dublin and found it hard to understand their english. Just saying- if you want to learn every language spoken by people in the US have fun (maybe this last part was childish- but the argument is rational).

It`s not about learn every language, the main language in USA is English. If you decided to move outside of your country than learn to speak that language also. If I was able to learn so should those free loaders.

Switzerland seems to do a pretty good job with four official languages ... just sayin' ...

Switzerland seems to do a pretty good job with four official languages ... just sayin' ...

... because they probably all speak English

My parents urged us kids to read,write and speak English,not only that is the language of our new country,but it was how the systems operated. We became Americans that happened to come from Italy,NOT ITALIANS THAT HAPPENED TO LIVE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lou Padula

My parents urged us kids to read,write and speak English,not only that is the language of our new country,but it was how the systems operated. We became Americans that happened to come from Italy,NOT ITALIANS THAT HAPPENED TO LIVE IN AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right. Two of my grandparents came from Italy and I don't recall them celebrating Garibaldi Day or ever encouraging me to learn Italian. Ditto for French immgrants celebrating Bastile Day or German immigrants celebrating German Unification Day et cetera.

Well, Well, Well, what a discussion? Why are we wasting our time to discuss this issue and giving credence to these people. I am first generation immigrant in this country. My way of thinking is I came in this country on my accord and no body invited me here. It is my responsibility to learn the language and day to day manners and assimilate with the locals. This is the same thing happening in Australia. I agree with the PM of Australia that if you do not want to learn the language then you do not belong here, go back to where you came from. I agree completely with this statement.

... because they probably all speak English

Exactly. Get it? They speak English, even though it's not their official language. They have no problems with multilingualism. And that doesn't interfere with their love for their culture and traditions.

If that's what you're endorsing, then yes, you're right. Good for the Swiss for speaking English on top of German and French and Italian.

Earnest don't be disingenuous. The fact is if you moved to Switzerland you would learn German and would not, or should not, expect the Swiss government to cowtow to your language. If they happen to speak it well great but having interpreters on hand...Please that's ridiculous. It is at least as ridiculous as having to find someone who speaks English in the Miami airport. We do not need to have gov forms in 16 languages or even 2. The cost to maintain this and all the other liberal multicultural BS is insane. Proud of you culture FINE! As long as you speak English in America. Continue to stand for nothing and watch where it takes us.

... because they probably all speak English

Oh, please. Get over your ignorance and arrogance.

The fact is if you moved to Switzerland you would learn German

Depends upon WHERE in Switzerland you moved to.

Earnest don't be disingenuous.

If we're defending the use of the English language, then let's use it well. It's Ernest, not Earnest.

The fact is if you moved to Switzerland you would learn German and would not, or should not, expect the Swiss government to cowtow to your language.

Your entire argument is reft to pieces by the fact that Switzerland has four official languages, one of which is spoken by less of 1% of its population. As a functional, effective direct democracy (ours is a representative democracy, ironically, because the Founding Fathers thought a direct democracy was detrimental to the rights of minorities), they have forced their government to accommodate to the needs of all minorities who don't speak German. I don't support doing the same here in the U.S., given that we're a much bigger country and English is already the world's lingua franca, but again, if you're going to use Switzerland as an example for anything, you should know that they strongly favor multilingualism, so the word "Switzerland" has no place in a pro-English-only case.

Romansch is actually quite a cool sounding language ... only got to hear it a few times. Kind of too bad it's gone out of standard usage.

In actuality, while Switzerland has four OFFICIAL languages ... there are many more spoken there and even the spoken "German" is "Switzerditsch" and it's different not only from German but between cantons. For multilingualism -- Switzerland is the place to be! And while the younger people do speak English, many of the middle aged and older Swiss do not.

welcome to America. we speak

Lakato, Navajo, Mohawk etc.

should you want to stay and communicate with us you should at least learn the language.....just like any other country treats their new citizens.

If the Lakato, Navajo, Mohawk, etc. had invented gunpowder like the Chinese, things might be different.....but they're not. So, learn English.

If the Lakota, Navajo, Mohawk, etc. practiced genocide like the English speaking immigrants, things may have turned out differently as well.

Bill, the Native Americans (who were actually Mongolian immigrants) did their best to fight off the European settlers. They were not helpless victims and it is insulting to pretend that they were.

Cassandra: it is insulting and incorrect to call Native Americans "Mongolian immigrants." From my understanding of both Native American immigration and the history of the steppe region north of China, tribes that could be called "Mongols" were not around during the great immigration periods across the Bering land bridge to North America (+12,000 years ago). The Native American tribes were outnumbered, outgunned and obliterated by both the U.S. Army and the settlers who simply moved in on their land. No, they weren't helpless, but they were victims and really didn't have chance to defend their families and their land that they lived on for centuries.

We live in an an english speaking nation. Anyone coming here should be prepared to learn english, or learn to live without a lot! It is not safe to drive, where you can't read the road signs. Same with 911 calls. Operators can't be expected to learn every dialect in the world! To not assimilate is selfish!

It is not safe to drive, where you can't read the road signs

While there may be some good arguments for English as an official language, that one isn't. You don't have to speak English to read the road signs in the U.S. any more than you have to speak German to read them in Germany; Italian to read them in Italy, etc. Road signs, for the most part, are international. Learn a few extra words and no problem.

But then, if you've never been out of the country ...

Beth: ...if you've never been out of the country ...

Your point?

Beth - hem-hem, that may be correct if you consider that they actually learned out alphabet....

JR -- the point SHOULD be obvious to those with a clue. If you haven't got one, not my problem.

MWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! What is the point of your comment?

It is not my responsibility to understand you or anyone else Andrew.

Why should a new immigrant (illegal or not) be a force in government anyway? A legal immigrant learns English. So what you are REALLY saying is illegals should be allowed the ability to be involved in politics, and we should pay for their interpreter....NO SIR, This is why illegals need to be removed from this country. Give a mouse a cookie.......

What Andrew is really saying is in plain English. Obviously, none of the three responses above to Andrew are from people who can adequately understand English. Maybe they should hire an interpreter?

Bill, you are assuming way too much and being a bit of an jerk while doing it. Might I remind you... you propose that the above people hire an interpreter ... AND you did not suggest the gov't do it for them; therefore, you must agree that providing an interpreter IS NOT the responsibility of the gov't but up to the individual. Thanks for sharing our views.

I agree with you but, you are a liar. Your just stupid and anyone can see right through you. I don't even need to explain. Lying isn't a good method for anything.

You know Midnight I was with you until your last two paragraphs. First of all Bobby Jindal, the Governor of Louisiana, was born in Baton Rogue, not India. Your insinuation that a person of Chinese descent is a "Chinese Mayor" or someone of Hispanic descent is a "Mexican Mayor" is just patently wrong.

Assimilation and learning English has absolutely nothing to do with a persons ethnic origin.

I know this is a problem, but are you saying this because San Franciso, Oakland , LA have representatives that are not the norm that they can't communicate in English. So shallow thinking

t

Ok, guys, it seems like a few of you did not understand what I was trying to say.
But I’ll try again. Because people feel confident that their leaders are going
to keep providing “interpretation and translation” services for the “community”
then they will elect public officials from their own race. In San Francisco,
for instance, Chinatown is a very powerful community, so from now on they will
keep trying to elect Chinese supervisors and Mayors for as long as they can.
Why? Because they are guaranteed that the new immigrants don’t have to bother
to learn English, why should they do it if the city provides interpreters and
translators for everyone.

Has anyone reading this post been to Los Angeles lately? In some businesses there
is a sign outside that reads “English Spoken”. Isn’t that funny, here in the
USA? Well, you know the Hispanic community in LA is gigantic, so they will keep
electing latino officials because, nowadays, at least unofficially, Spanish is
becoming the official language in LA.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being bilingual or multilingual, personally, I
would not have any problem communicating in a couple of languages, including
Spanish, Russian, French and English. But if we are living in the United States
of America everything has to be conducted in English. Period.

Not nuts, Asians. Their city council should be MORE than willing to address the needs of their MAJORITY POPULUS.

numis: Indeed, by making sure classes to learn English are readily available. When you move to a new country, one of your first tasks is to learn enough of its language to be functional. Duh. If just visiting, carry a phrasebook.

It does not matter what country they came from, The law specifically states to become a CITIZEN that person is legally bound to learn and understand the ENGLISH language and become fluent to take the citizenship test in ENGLISH and Has 5 years to do so. If at the end of 5 years you have not learned enough to pass this test on American laws and government you really dont have any buisness complaining about things that are done in an American ENGLISH speaking community. And furthermore why should you even consider trying to change things to the way your government did when as a CITIZEN YOU swear allegiance to the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Either - or, not both as a citizen of the USA it is your responsibility to promote AMERICANISM and be patriotic to our country of PREDOMINATELY ENGLISH speaking CITIZENS.

They have no incentive to learn English. They know we will give them everything they need and then some! I challenge people to go to any social services building and see who are in the waiting rooms. ANY free service provided is gobbled up by people who have no rights in this country. And if someone points that out, then he/she is called a racist. It's really sad.

Mexico does not let me vote in English

So, are you in the U.S., or Mexico?

One should also have a basic understanding of the English words too. Don't you think?

agree!!!

When we recently traveled to France no-one would speak English to us... At least at the important places like our HOTEL!!!! Although, it was very annoying at the time I still concede that they had a point. Furthermore, my family was immigrants from Bulgaria and our grandmother refused to speak Bulgarian or teach it to the children because being an American was most important to her....

Very true. But I think "assimilation" would be a better word.

@treys11 They're Americans, plain and simple. This hyphenated American crap needs to stop. You live in this country, you're an American.

Excuse you??? What country are we in again. Let's get real, okay? If you want to live and (hopefully) work in this country, learn English. Plain & simple.

I wish any president/congress would make english the official language of the U.S. It can only save the tax payers billions of dollars. What other reason do you need? I guess votes are more precious than tax payers money. If a president/congress do not have the balls, at the very least leave it up to the people to vote on it.

We did vote it in in California, Prop. 227, the people of this state have tried and tried to get a handle on our illegal population, to no avail. Most people who cared have left this state like as fast as they could. The courts, and not just the lousy 9th Circuit (the most overturned court in our country), overruled us. The only people left are those of welfare, state/government employees and illegals....California now has more people TAKING a check from the government, than paying taxes.

This is the U.S.A, and no one provided my grandparents an interpreter when they immigrated here. Aside from that....how is Ms. Duan a grad student at U.S.C. when she speaks "limited English."

p.s. I live close to Walnut and cannot find many businesses because their signs are in Asian characters. Therefore I cannot do business there.

this is America---we speak English. that is our official language. not Chinese, Spanish, french, etc. we speak English. learn our language. if you speak your native language in our country that's fine but you really need to speak our language BEFORE you come here. if not then get out and go away. this is our way of life. i don't like the idea that people ask me if i don't speak Spanish and they are in America.

English is not our language. Perhaps it is yours but it is not mine so you can only speak for yourself. An American that doesn't hate freedom wouldn't say that another person should leave the US because they don't speak YOUR language. How ENTITLED have people become that they must force all others to conform to their expectations on how we should live????

我的天！

China..my understanding there is no such thing as civil rights there.

good stay their and make junk that breaks in no time..

KaiEr "My God" back at you

如果你不能说英语，你应该学会

Has ANYONE actually counted all those percents that they are listing, "

According to the 2010 U.S. census, Asians represented about 64 percent of Walnut's population. Caucasians accounted for 24 percent, Hispanics for 19 percent and Africans for 3 percent. The remaining 6 percent were of other races or ethnicities." If you add this up that totals 116%, so they can't speak english and they can't count either!!!!!! Welcome to the (un educated) USA

Kaier - well said.

English is not required to become a citizen. If it is- the law is not being enforced. When a new non-English speaking citizen wants to sign up for subsidized housing, food stamps, Medicaid, free cell phones, etc. - the taxpayers have to pay for an interpreter for them so they can access all the "benefits" of being an American. Isn't it wonderful?

I'm amazed that this is AMERICA, and people come to our country to live, why because they had it so great in their country? The wages, education the civil liberties the freedom and ALL that America stands for is why their here. In return they want to turn our country into theirs? No one forced you here. You don't want to learn our language and abide by our laws, there is noyhing stopping you fom going back to your own country!! I fought for this great nation not for foreigners to come here and deplete our social services and complain how bad they have it here. Go back! Let us live without your stupid changes to accomodate your self serving ways. We don't go to China of to the Latin countries and tell them to change their language and laws and religions. So you don't like it here LEAVE!

Gus,

English is not our national language. In fact we have many languages spoken in this country; English, Spanish, and French are the most common and taught in most public and private schools but there are also many others like Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Italian and many others that are more likely to be spoken in first generation immigrant homes.

I agree though that they should at least learn intermediate English (at the very least basic) in order to be able to understand and communicate during functions like city hall meetings.

English most certainly IS our national language. I believe that you confuse "national" with "official"? Many languages are spoken here, yes, but our Constitution, laws, histories, literature, etc. have, for over 200 years, been expressed and written in English. Had history been different, our national language could very well have been Spanish or French, but it is English, the language that binds us to our collective past and to each other AS CITIZENS.

Nikolaus,

Actually had history been different German would be the most commonly used language.

Official and National are synonymous by the way. They both imply that the language is placed ahead of others via a law or amendment; not by majority use. There are no laws claiming English as our national nor official language, it just happens to be what the majority of the country uses but that does not mean that it is our national/official language.

America has no national language just as it has no national religion.

Geowil,

You may be technically right in that there is no law proclaiming English as the National language, however, it has been heavily implied and by seeing the responses here, very accepted that it is.

The politicians are fearful that if they vote to make it an official language, they will lose votes or

be scrutinized for not being PC. This is the society we live in now.

I don't think anyone from the US would really go to some country like Germany and demand to see their law pertaining to their "National Language". If I moved to Germany, I would be expected to speak German if I wanted to participate in German government.

All these fools who think the population adds up to 110% don't have an ounce of reasoning. Those population groups are not exclusive. You can't just add them up. But then again, I can't blame them given their crappy education.