While we all sit around working on ways for US citizens to pay for the deficit it amazes me that no one is looking into other smarter avenues. I have never seen so much time, energy and money go into a service that isn't even in the best interests for US citizens, yet we are forced to pay for it every day... Translation and interpretation services. Can't we just say no more duplicating every document, ever phone tree service, every ATM into 2 or more languages? Does it come to a point were we say no more, learn the language or pay for your own translation/interpretation. Can’t we see that school/parks/Health and many other services are needed more than providing translation for someone that is choosing to live in this country without making the effort to speak it's primary language. Just think for a moment how much a small business spends on translation, then the bigger business, then the local government, then the state, then the federal level. I bet you can start to see how to save millions if not billions on a service that isn't required for a US citizens survival. We can't provide for everyone!

quote:

Originally posted by graceusguide:
While we all sit around working on ways for US citizens to pay for the deficit it amazes me that no one is looking into other smarter avenues. I have never seen so much time, energy and money go into a service that isn't even in the best interests for US citizens, yet we are forced to pay for it every day... Translation and interpretation services. Can't we just say no more duplicating every document, ever phone tree service, every ATM into 2 or more languages? Does it come to a point were we say no more, learn the language or pay for your own translation/interpretation. Can’t we see that school/parks/Health and many other services are needed more than providing translation for someone that is choosing to live in this country without making the effort to speak it's primary language. Just think for a moment how much a small business spends on translation, then the bigger business, then the local government, then the state, then the federal level. I bet you can start to see how to save millions if not billions on a service that isn't required for a US citizens survival. We can't provide for everyone!

In 1976 Germans were the largest immigrant group in the United States. They did not whine and cry about having all their documents translated for them. They went out and learned the language. My mom had to do it.

Why do we bend over backwards for a group of people who simply will not take the time to become part of our society and insist on our society making changes to accomodate them. I wonder what it costs to print all those doucments in three, four or five different languages. I remember when it was pointed out that this was unsustainable when it became law.

In Defense of English

President Theodore Roosevelt once said, "We have but one language here, and that is the English language and the ultimate way to bring this nation to ruin would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities."

Alexis deTocqueville once said, "Language is perhaps the strongest, perhaps the most enduring link which unites men."

President William McKinley once said "The mission of the United States is one of benevolent assimilation."

United States Senator Hayakawa, a native of Hawaii once said, "English is the key to full participation in the opportunities of American life." The Senator was explaining to a news reporter how his understanding of English at an early age enabled him to succeed.

Philosopher Ayn Rand noted, "A country must have one official language, if men are to understand each other."

We must all recognizes the excessive costs and terrible problems associated with the use of multiple languages. Multiple languages result in higher taxes as government and schools are forced to print publications and provide services in multiple languages. New York City schools have curriculum requirements in over ten languages. We all pay for this in the form of taxes.

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I remember when it was pointed out that this was unsustainable when it became law.

The objective of Socialists is to overwhelm a targeted nation to cause its collapse. This is just one more slash at America's stability - and they are MAKING US PAY FOR IT!

Recently I was in the DMV in Vallejo and saw a table full of handbooks and brochures printed in English, Spanish, Tagalog and several Asian languages. There was a plentiful supply of books in every language except English. When I spoke to a clerk she said "Oh, everybody takes the English books--I don't why they even print those other ones!" My sentiments exactly.

Not to mention that it is against our state constitution to promote other languages:

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA


SEC. 6. (a) Purpose.
English is the common language of the people of the United States
of America and the State of California. This section is intended to
preserve, protect and strengthen the English language, and not to
supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the people by this
Constitution.
(b) English as the Official Language of California.
English is the official language of the State of California.
(c) Enforcement.
The Legislature shall enforce this section by appropriate
legislation. The Legislature and officials of the State of
California shall take all steps necessary to insure that the role of
English as the common language of the State of California is
preserved and enhanced. The Legislature shall make no law which
diminishes or ignores the role of English as the common language of
the State of California.
(d) Personal Right of Action and Jurisdiction of Courts.
Any person who is a resident of or doing business in the State of
California shall have standing to sue the State of California to
enforce this section, and the Courts of record of the State of
California shall have jurisdiction to hear cases brought to enforce
this section. The Legislature may provide reasonable and appropriate
limitations on the time and manner of suits brought under this
section.

A common lanquage unites and that is a good thing.

quote:

Originally posted by graceusguide:
While we all sit around working on ways for US citizens to pay for the deficit it amazes me that no one is looking into other smarter avenues. I have never seen so much time, energy and money go into a service that isn't even in the best interests for US citizens, yet we are forced to pay for it every day... Translation and interpretation services. Can't we just say no more duplicating every document, ever phone tree service, every ATM into 2 or more languages? Does it come to a point were we say no more, learn the language or pay for your own translation/interpretation. Can’t we see that school/parks/Health and many other services are needed more than providing translation for someone that is choosing to live in this country without making the effort to speak it's primary language. Just think for a moment how much a small business spends on translation, then the bigger business, then the local government, then the state, then the federal level. I bet you can start to see how to save millions if not billions on a service that isn't required for a US citizens survival. We can't provide for everyone!

ATMs are typically owned by private companies (well maybe there are exceptions in the last several months). If they have multiple languages, they probably do it because they think they will benefit from it or that it will benefit their customers. When I am in Europe, I certainly appreciate having some things in English. It really helps.

With regard to government services I don't think the government should have to make an extreme effort to offer non-essential services in foreign languages if it costs much. But in some cases doing so may be to our advantage.

Could you point to some examples that are not private institutions?

My high school was half Mexican and didn't have anything offered in Spanish...

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Originally posted by Speak2Truth:

Boycott ClearChannel!

Sorry guys, I agree with nice guy on this one.
It's purely a practical thing. Your argument is that we're spending an enormous amount of money on translation for people wh should learn English and you probably think that nobody should speak Spanish ever right?Aren't you the same guys who demand that people speak to you English in Mexico and Taiwan?
I've been in Taiwan for the last 7 months and there is precious little English on signs or anywhere else. Would I like things to be in English? You bet I would!I am also not part of a huge minority that comprises over 15 % of the poluation. Heck, I hardly ever see another countriman. Now, on the one hand, I'm not going complain about the lack of English because the people here are basically monolingual and that's the way it is. They aren't that way by choice and will gladly learn other languages despite the monumental challenge presented by the obvious difference between Mandarin and English.The schools here, public and private are bilingual and you won't find people complaining about it.
European school are also bilingual and the locals will never complain about it because they recognize the rather obvious benefits.
While some of you will undoubtedly jump on the opportunity to unfairly criticize Peruvian schools,I have lived and worked in Peru for a while(I still do) and I can tell you that the scools are all bilingual. The system is dominated by good private schools and the country is bilingual Quechua-Spanish.
Any vestages of Spanish only laws, if they ever did exist, disappeared in the 17th century.
Maybe it's time for the US to stop denying that we are a bilingual country.

I come back from vacation and its the same old sh*t for topics here. I believe the majority of posters are trying to say there are those from south of the border who live in america who refuse to learn the native language and insist that television, newspapers, radio, government services, etc. be provided in their own language. This is america, learn the language and its customs. If I moved to a foreign county, legally or illegally, I would expect to learn the native language and customs. I would never dream of entering a foreign country and demand that I be spoken to in english and be provided english speaking media.
I work in the social service sector, and I refuse to provide alternate language literature to service recipients as it only enables them to not assimilate and learn english. It may not seem like I'm doing them a favor, but once forced to learn english, it will lead to a more stable and prosperous time here as more doors are opened for work and education.

quote:

Originally posted by allusive:
Could you point to some examples that are not private institutions?

My high school was half Mexican and didn't have anything offered in Spanish...

Every public school in California. Every single one. The California voting guide.

Comprende?

One day out of curiosity I was browsing through the Help Wanted Ads & was totally shocked at the number where "Must be Bilingual" was listed as one of the minimum requirements.

I find it horribly wrong that millions of people desperately looking for work are placed at such a disadvantage by being considered "underqualified" for the job simply because they don't speak a foreign language in their own country.

I'm not wanting to cause a fire storm of racial/cultural anger here, but these posts reveal several glaring misconceptions.
One is that people, children and the elderly for instance,can instantly learn the language apon arrival in the US. Do you also think that all those who prefer their own language do so only because they speak no English?(Wrong!)
Do you also have the misconception that Americans have to learn the languages of the other counties where they reside?
I am in Taiwan right now listening to CNN in English and I have access to all kinds of English services.I actually wish there were more.
What would you do if you were a teacher in Santa Rosa (you aren't)and your whole class spoke no English? You would, of course, teach them English, but you'd be a fool to think that you wouldn't need to know some Spanish.Or, would you all just yell at them in the hopes that they would understand?(Probably)
The US has always been multilingual.There are many Native American groups and the first public schools in the US were conducted in German.
Hawaiian and Samoan are both comming back as native languages as are Tewa, Papago, Ute, Hopi, Seminole, Cherokee,Sioux and Apache languages.
The US is the leading Spanish speaking country in the world with over 40 million speakers.Do not expect them to drop their language and culture for your convenience.No offense, but it's time for you all to hit the language books!