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[OnyxCougar]

Originally Posted by Pie

In most places, learning 2-3 languages is the norm for literate individuals. Somehow, in the US, knowing more than the required one language is considered a bad thing -- somehow disloyal.

That's not the case at all. I haven't met one person that thinks learning a second or third or more languages is a bad thing.

My problem is that fact that people live in a country whose Primary Language is English, yet they don't take the time to learn it. It *should not* be my responsibility to pay for translators in civic departments (including health and welfare divisions) and 23 languages in voting booths, and the cost of printing things in multiple languages.

It has nothing to do with me knowing or not knowing another language. It has *everything* to do with an individual who resides in this country should have a functioning level of competency in the language used by the government.

The fact that we *do* have information and forms available in several languages is a courtesy and should not be confused with obligation.