English only - Page 3

DanaC · 10-03-2007, 03:54 AM

Quote:

I think it is a great idea. No other nation cow tows like this.

In the UK official literature and signs in council buildings are in multiple languages.

Undertoad · 10-03-2007, 07:37 AM

Canada is 100% bilingual and 90% proud of it.

10-03-2007, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Canada is 100% bilingual and 90% proud of it.

So if I go to an English speaking area of Canada and tell them that they must deal with me in Spanish they will?

Undertoad · 10-03-2007, 03:59 PM

No, but if you tell them that they must deal with you in French, they will.

10-03-2007, 04:42 PM

Anywhere in that nation? Really, I was unaware, shame.
I did not know all Canadians were bilingual.

Cloud · 10-03-2007, 04:48 PM

I actually thought it was only in the eastern provinces, like Quebec.

piercehawkeye45 · 10-03-2007, 05:09 PM

I think Switzerland has four languages and they seem to not be torn apart.

Undertoad · 10-03-2007, 05:14 PM

There is still resistance... to French in the Western provinces, and to English in Quebec. But basically every Canuck child is publically educated to be bilingual. It seems to work OK.. they are generally patriotic about it, any Canucks currently on board?

Aliantha · 10-03-2007, 05:46 PM

Seriously, if you go anywhere in Europe, you'll find most people speak at least two languages, sometimes more.

People in western, EFL cultures are really just a bit colonial in their outlook to other languages.

I really don't see why there is such a problem embracing new/alternative languages.

Cloud · 10-03-2007, 05:51 PM

but the Founding Fathers meant us to be pure!

[sarcasm]

Aliantha · 10-03-2007, 05:53 PM

ahuh...well, I'd say the US is just as much a mongrel dog as anywhere else in the western world.

I guess you've all let your daddies down.

SamIam · 10-03-2007, 07:06 PM

I live right on the boundary of the Navajo Nation or the Rez as some folks call it. There are oodles of people speaking Navajo around here, and everyone seems to survive the experience. I disagree with Bruce's scenario of the Spanish speaking dog doing its number on an English speaking yard. Being polite can work wonders with the language barrier. For example, I was in the local Walmart this morning, and got distracted trying to figure out what steering fluid I needed to buy for my car. There I was, lost in rapt contemplation of the automotive products, inadvertantly blocking the aisle with my cart. An ancient Navajo lady brought me back to the world when she gently tapped my cart, and said, "You move, please," followed by something in Navajo. I quickly moved aside for her and apologized in English. She nodded, smiled, and I don't beleive they're planning on any war councils in Shiprock tonight.

Live and let live. There's lots worse things than having part of our population speak Spanish. Its a beautiful language, and I love the poetry of Pablo Naruda in the original Spanish. I think if the US went bi-lingual it would add more to our culture than detract from it.

DanaC · 10-03-2007, 07:14 PM

Most areas of the UK are at the very least bi-lingual in terms of communication between the system and citizens. The signs are usually done with two or three translations, government forms are available usually in at least 5 or 6 languages, someone being interviewed by a local government office can request interpreters for several languages.

As far as I can tell it makes precious little difference to my life. I go to the Council tax office and wait in line to speak to an assistant, does it really matter that the sign on the wall, warning against aggressive behaviour to staff, has the same warning written in four languages, one after another? Does it really matter that when I grab a form off the counter there's a pile of forms in Urdu next to the pile of english forms? Or that on the back of the form I've picked up is an address I could write to to acquire that same form in one of 6 different languages, or braille?

We have several settled immigrant communities and their children are usually bi-lingual by the time they start school. BY the time they leave they will usually have done at least a few years in French and possibly another language on top. We're not great on languages compared to most euro nations. The indigenous population are far less likely to be bi-lingual than the immigrant population.

Aliantha · 10-03-2007, 07:17 PM

In these modern times of the internet and computers, there's really no argument for having to print extra forms in different languages anyway. If the forms are stored on a hard drive, you simply print out the language that suits you and ignore the rest.

DanaC · 10-03-2007, 07:22 PM

I suspect that's why some of the less common languages are available on request, rather than as standard. Usually the two or three languages that are prevalent in an area are the ones you'll routinely find in public offices. Also, you have to take into account, thata lot of official forms have to be printed, they can't be run off as a download.

In Wales of course, all signs are in English and Welsh.

10-03-2007, 04:48 PM	#36
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	I actually thought it was only in the eastern provinces, like Quebec. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-03-2007, 05:46 PM	#39
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Seriously, if you go anywhere in Europe, you'll find most people speak at least two languages, sometimes more. People in western, EFL cultures are really just a bit colonial in their outlook to other languages. I really don't see why there is such a problem embracing new/alternative languages. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-03-2007, 05:51 PM	#40
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	but the Founding Fathers meant us to be pure! [sarcasm] __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-03-2007, 05:53 PM	#41
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	ahuh...well, I'd say the US is just as much a mongrel dog as anywhere else in the western world. I guess you've all let your daddies down. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-03-2007, 07:06 PM	#42
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	I live right on the boundary of the Navajo Nation or the Rez as some folks call it. There are oodles of people speaking Navajo around here, and everyone seems to survive the experience. I disagree with Bruce's scenario of the Spanish speaking dog doing its number on an English speaking yard. Being polite can work wonders with the language barrier. For example, I was in the local Walmart this morning, and got distracted trying to figure out what steering fluid I needed to buy for my car. There I was, lost in rapt contemplation of the automotive products, inadvertantly blocking the aisle with my cart. An ancient Navajo lady brought me back to the world when she gently tapped my cart, and said, "You move, please," followed by something in Navajo. I quickly moved aside for her and apologized in English. She nodded, smiled, and I don't beleive they're planning on any war councils in Shiprock tonight. Live and let live. There's lots worse things than having part of our population speak Spanish. Its a beautiful language, and I love the poetry of Pablo Naruda in the original Spanish. I think if the US went bi-lingual it would add more to our culture than detract from it. Last edited by SamIam; 10-03-2007 at 07:23 PM.

10-03-2007, 07:37 AM	#32
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Canada is 100% bilingual and 90% proud of it.

10-03-2007, 03:59 PM	#34
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	No, but if you tell them that they must deal with you in French, they will.

10-03-2007, 04:42 PM	#35
rkzenrage Guest Posts: n/a	Anywhere in that nation? Really, I was unaware, shame. I did not know all Canadians were bilingual.

10-03-2007, 05:09 PM	#37
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	I think Switzerland has four languages and they seem to not be torn apart.

10-03-2007, 05:14 PM	#38
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	There is still resistance... to French in the Western provinces, and to English in Quebec. But basically every Canuck child is publically educated to be bilingual. It seems to work OK.. they are generally patriotic about it, any Canucks currently on board?

10-03-2007, 07:14 PM	#43
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	Most areas of the UK are at the very least bi-lingual in terms of communication between the system and citizens. The signs are usually done with two or three translations, government forms are available usually in at least 5 or 6 languages, someone being interviewed by a local government office can request interpreters for several languages. As far as I can tell it makes precious little difference to my life. I go to the Council tax office and wait in line to speak to an assistant, does it really matter that the sign on the wall, warning against aggressive behaviour to staff, has the same warning written in four languages, one after another? Does it really matter that when I grab a form off the counter there's a pile of forms in Urdu next to the pile of english forms? Or that on the back of the form I've picked up is an address I could write to to acquire that same form in one of 6 different languages, or braille? We have several settled immigrant communities and their children are usually bi-lingual by the time they start school. BY the time they leave they will usually have done at least a few years in French and possibly another language on top. We're not great on languages compared to most euro nations. The indigenous population are far less likely to be bi-lingual than the immigrant population.

10-03-2007, 07:17 PM	#44
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	In these modern times of the internet and computers, there's really no argument for having to print extra forms in different languages anyway. If the forms are stored on a hard drive, you simply print out the language that suits you and ignore the rest. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

10-03-2007, 07:22 PM	#45
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I suspect that's why some of the less common languages are available on request, rather than as standard. Usually the two or three languages that are prevalent in an area are the ones you'll routinely find in public offices. Also, you have to take into account, thata lot of official forms have to be printed, they can't be run off as a download. In Wales of course, all signs are in English and Welsh.

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