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Learn Our Language
This is a headline story right here! It has to be one of the top issues in the country today. I am referring to the "Press two for Spanish" issue. Why is this even an option? If someone wants to become an American badly enough, they should take the initiative to learn the language that is spoken here: English. I mean, does the government not know that by allowing a language barrier to exist inside our country, they are potenially limiting the progression of the country. There should not be a need for any type of translator in our country. How can we be called the top country in the world if the citizens within it are not able to communicate freely? "Press two for Spanish" is also one of the most annoying statements that can be uttered over the phone. Spanish is not the only problem either. It is all the gibberish and nonsense that has to be endured before actually having the opportunity to speak to a customer service officer or telephone operator. I believe that Americans need to keep it simple. Diversity is grand, but when it pertains to the language, there is a problem. I have a simple solution that will unify our country and tear down the language barrier: Learn our language or go home!
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This article has 201 comments.
"... by allowing a language barrier to exist inside our country, they are potentially limiting the progression of the country."
While I agree that a language barrier can impede progress, there's one hitch in your position. Why should everyone learn English? Or rather, why just English? How many people do you know who were born in English-speaking households that can speak a second language? I've been to a school in France where they start learning a second language at the age of ten, and I stayed with an Austrian family for five days and spent time with a fourteen and a fifteen year old who spoke English as well as I do, and better than half the people you see on the internet. Why does the solution have to be that everyone else must conform to our standards? America is supposed to be the Melting Pot. We blend together bits of every culture in our music and our art, and English itself is made up of bits and pieces from other languages (Which, by the way, is what makes it hard to learn.) Why can't we try to meet the rest of the world halfway, instead of cutting ourselves off by insisting that everyone speak English?
I must add one more point as well - from your article, it sounds like the only reason you brought up the issue is because customer service recordings and telephone operators have options for other languages. The thought that it inhibits progress seems to come second to that. Just so you know, if two is Spanish, one is probably English. Just press the button.
You ask how America can be called the top country in the world if the citizens within it are not able to communicate freely. Would not allowing Latinos to speak their language be going against the vary thing you ask?
And you seem to be specifically speaking about Latinos, but I ask you this: what about the deaf? the mute? the mentally disabled that cannot speak English? Should they leave the country as well?
Personally, I disagree with you. I believe that the blending of all aspects of culture is what America represents. I agree that learning English would be good, but what about Americans? I think we ought to have some initiative to make an effort and learn other languages. Most countries teach their children to be billingual from birth. Is America too good to be billingual?
And if you think about it, the more Americans that speak Spanish, the more we can communicate with other countries and the more we can help those immigrants learn English.
And while I disagree with your points, I understand and respect your point of view. However, if you are going to write an article about the subject, I think it needs to be better written. You don't actually show any evidence to prove your claims, and you seem to be specifically targeting a certain group. Or have you never listened to an entire phone recording? Because I've heard 'Press one for English', 'Press two for Spanish', 'Press three for French'. But you're not addressing the issue that way. You seem to be treating it as an issue merely between Latinos and Americans.
And has it ever occurred to you that maybe the business asking the question does business in places other than the USA?