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This is America, please order in English
Since 2005, a Philadelphia based cheese-steak bistro owner has been defending a signpost in his shop that said: "This is America, please order in English." Not surprisingly, he was taken to court on grounds of discrimination, equating it to derogatory signs like "Whites Only". No ruling has been given yet.I wrote a post earlier about how surprising I found it that people barely speak English in a big, cosmopolitan capital city like Madrid. It triggered a debate over whether it's necessary for big cities (where English isn't the first language) to have basic knowledge of English, or not.
I think it is relative. In non-English speaking metropolises, as long as the tourists put in some effort, lack of basic English may not be an important day-to-day communication hindrance, but it is definitely a disadvantage in the larger scope of things. For example: Madrid is bidding to host the 2016 Olympics -- surely the knowledge of English would play an important role there. How is China tackling that issue for next year's games? Anyway, I digress.
What do you do in an English-speaking country when your customers don't speak English? Do you put up a sign like our friend did? Hmmm, I don't think so -- it's quite an insult. The sign reminded me of when the English ruled India and the "No Indians or Dogs" sign was not uncommon. Couldn't they just be offered picture menus where they could point out what they wanted? Or what about bilingual menus?
There is an online poll on the article asking whether people approve this sign post. At this moment, of the 115,732 people who voted, 92% of them approve. Call me overly sensitive but I'm kinda shocked to see the response.
What do you think? Are signs like that acceptable?
| Yes! | |
|---|---|
| No | |
| ˇSí! |
Filed under: Activism, Food and Drink, North America, United States, News
Reader Comments (Page 27 of 30)
Elaine1975 Dec 23rd 2007 7:52PM
I try VERY HARD not to discriminate against any group of people, however, I agree that if you're in AMERICA - speak ENGLISH! My father came here from Lithuania -- and my grandparents on my mom's side came here from the Ukraine -- they HAD to prove that they could be an asset to the United States - not a liability - before they could enter the U.S. from Ellis Island (or wherever). I have no compassion for ILLEGAL aliens, especially when they feel they have no reason to learn English. You want the benefits of being a U.S. citizen? EARN THEM!
Elaine
Teri Dec 23rd 2007 7:53PM
I personally LOVE this sign. I cannot tell you all the people that I have spoken to at my job that are OFFENDED by the constant question we are asked whenever we call any business.
"For english press 1, for spanish press 2"
This is America, and up until recently, all the LEGAL immigrants ,including my own relatives learned to speak ENGLISH !!!
whatever Dec 23rd 2007 7:54PM
Americans are often very ignorant when it comes to it.
I am an immigrant and on a daily basis I speak half my day in my native language and half the day in English, reluctantly.
Americans need to understand the US has always been a melting pot of many different countries and cultures.
When the owners sign says, this is America, order in english, he should be slapped
America was conquered by SPANISH. The natives were INDIANS. So the official language should maybe native indian or maybe even Spanish.
In fact, since nothing lasts forever...and shear numbers rule....I suggest he study a second language and quickly become fluent.
MAS Dec 23rd 2007 7:57PM
I don't mind the sign IF the primary customers are people who have become residents. If they are travelers, that's one thing. But, residents...legal or otherwise?
They have the responsibility to learn to communicate clearly, just as I have. I took college-level classes in communication! It was a degree REQUIREMENT.
No one is forcing them to learn English. But, folks can reap what they sow. Don't want to communicate clearly to the wait staff? No problem. Go eat somewhere else.
I don't think we should cater to non-English by having a picture of everything on the menu. That's called "dumbing down." I don't want to live in a dumbed down America.
The schools are dumbed down enough, thank you, just because of this reason.
These people don't want English forced down their throats, so to speak. They want their rights protected. Well, THAT works BOTH ways.
JP Dec 23rd 2007 7:56PM
Bravo! I'm so glad some Americans are making it more difficult for lazy, self-righteous immigrants to rest on their laurels by moving here and a) not working, and b) not bothering to learn the language spoken here. I wish we had stronger border patrols to keep illegal immigrants out of this country. I am glad by the time white Americans become a minority in the United States, I will be dead and buried. Whew!
Luise Dec 23rd 2007 7:55PM
In America , now we have a great problem with Immigration: many emigrants legal or not and especially Hispanic dotn even try to speak english at all.
This is an English speaking country: if one wants to live here, speak
ENGLISH ,for Gods Sake. Learn as I had to when I came over here. It has nothing to do with Racism which is on overated word now.
Slaughteer Dec 23rd 2007 7:55PM
There are things that should just be and speaking the language of your country is prime amoung the things our forefathers fought for. I grew up with kids whose grandparents came from another country and low and behold to the sibling that didn't speak the language of their new home.
I am also tired of calling my insurance company, pharmacy, courthouse, you name it and having to "press one" for English, the same goes for all federal and state governments. have you ever had an accident with one of these pimples on our society? If they don't speak english, how did they get a licence?
SPEAK ENGLISH OR STAY/GO BACK TO YOUR OWN HOMELAND!
Evelyn Dec 23rd 2007 7:57PM
We live in the United States OF AMERICA ~ not AMERICA! America encompasses Canada, the USA, Mexico, all of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. While English is the official language of the USA, there are many languages spoken in the Americas. There are many kinds of people in the USA and almost without exception the second generation easily learns English. Don't any of you out there have a grandpa, relative, friend or parent of a friend who still speaks little or heavily accented English? I do. We need to stop being so hard on new Americans.
I heard a joke during the Olympics and this conversation made me think of it... What do you call a person who speaks two languages? ....
Bilingual.... What do you call a person who only speaks one language?.... American
Smarten up people and soften your hearts while you're at it!
Neil Kuchinsky Dec 23rd 2007 7:58PM
I am in the process of adding a new voicemail message to my office telephone lines: "Press 1 for English. Press 2 for a list of local community colleges where you can learn to speak English".
Ashley Dec 23rd 2007 7:58PM
As a 3 year student in college and have taken 3 foreign language classes, I honestly think the sign is perfect! The first thing you learn in foreign language classes as an American student (well at least I have) is if you were to travel overseas, that culture would find it disrespectful to not even try to speak their language. I think America should be the same way! If you're going to live here then respect OUR culture and learn English!
DANNY Dec 23rd 2007 7:58PM
I can understand if you are just visiting America for awhile, try to learn english to get around.But if you are going to make this country your home,YOU MUST LEARN THE LANGUAGE!
Jack Dec 23rd 2007 7:59PM
If you come to America for GOD's Sake learn the language or go back to what ever 3rd world peice of crap shi t hole country you came from so once again
this is America be Proud of it and Please Speak English
joan carr Dec 23rd 2007 8:03PM
3 CHEERS FOR THE SIGN. YESTERDAY I WAS SHOPPING AT PENNYS STORE AND ABOUT 8 MEXICANS WALKED BEHIND ME AND CONSTANTLY SPOKE THEIR LANGUAGE . THEY WANT TO LIVE HERE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL OUR BENIFITS BUT NOT LEARN OUR LANGUAGE. OUR CONGRESS AND SENATE ARE TO LAX TO MAKE ENGLISH THE NO. 1 LANGUAGE LIKE PRESS A NUMBER FOR ENGLISH SHOULD BE PRESS A NO. FOR SPANISH. SHIP THEM ALL BACK TO MEXICO, KOREA OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN COUNTRY. ALSO CANCEL ALL PRODUCTS MADE IN CHINA THEY WILL CONTROL US ONE OF THESE DAYS. I AM 77 AND REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN NOTHING LIKE THIS WAS HAPPENING. AND FOR GODS SAKE KEEP GOD ON EVERYTHING.
ken ross Dec 23rd 2007 8:03PM
who cares what other countries do??? we make our rules for our country, besides, what other country had so many "freeloading immigrants?? english or be gone! god bless this guy for being a real american!!
Racheal Dec 23rd 2007 8:02PM
I would love to see the United States with signs in multiple languages, picture menus and people from different backgrounds in one place. I would love for every American to study and learn at least two languages other than English, at least Spanish and French to accommodate our nearest neighbors. I would love to see the U.S. stand for the ideals our country was founded on: equality for all, opportunity for all.
As it is, English is the new Latin. Anyone with an education in any part of the world knows some English.
I have also traveled and lived abroad. People in Mexico and France automatically spoke to me in English. I had to insist on speaking in their native tongue.
Kady Dec 30th 2007 12:40AM
'America' does not have a National Languge. Don't go to Wikipedia and try to prove me wrong. People can go to Wikipedia and edit it to what ever they want it to say. Maybe English is spoken alot, but its not offical.
Stephen Dec 23rd 2007 8:03PM
It's true that people should learn to order their food in English. I don't think that's necessarily the issue here. In the past, most immigrants to the USA were expected to "adapt" to life in America and that meant giving up or hiding their cultures and identities. What was created was a country of people with an identity based on what English-speaking Christians of European descent defined as American. A lot of people claim to be American but they are often diluted versions of the "founding fathers". Maybe that's why African-Americans, Italian-Americans, German-Americans, Irish-Americans, etc. are so anxious to defend the club, but hey have all given up a great deal to join. The anger and rage exhibited here has a lot to do with racism and xenophobia. Let's face it: if you're not white or dress "funny" or speak with an accent then your American identity is questionable. Although the USA has been a haven for refugees and immigrants it has almost always treated them as second-class at the onset. Sadly, fitting in has often been at the expense of one's original language and culture. The English language and American popular culture are not automatically the best in the world. This is a fabulous country of almost unlimited opportunity but entrance to the club need not be at the expense of one's intrinsic identity. I came here to escape the language police and unjust language laws of Quebec in Canada. Please, people, a little tolerance.
TRUE American Dec 23rd 2007 8:04PM
WE LIVE IN AMERICA EITHER LEARN OUR LANGUAGE OR GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM!!!!
the reason we have sooo many illegals in our country is because of people like you who don't want to offend anyone and allow millions of people to live in our country without knowing our language!!!
English is our national language NOT SPANISH!!!!!
Shoney Dec 23rd 2007 8:05PM
I say go for it, if you can't learn English, then go back where you came from. I tired of molycloddling these people.
Luise Dec 23rd 2007 8:04PM
I put down a comment: which is very important to me.If one wants to come to America for whatever reasons they mayb hav, they should learn to speak english: when they have tp pass a citizen exam, and raise their hand to Pledge alliagiance to the Flag, that hat to said In English: why can this be understood? and who cares about what we should do about other languages anyway: that is another question.