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Hugabear

(10,340 posts)

36. English-as-national-language is a bigoted, right-wing meme

Reply to Snake Alchemist (Original post)

Fri Jan 27, 2012, 12:30 PM

Jan 2012

As others have pointed out, the US does not have the same homogenized cultural history that many other countries do. Our country is still a relatively new one, and is made up of immigrants from all over the globe. Each group brings their language, culture, traditions, etc. This is what makes the United States such a rich and diverse nation, this ability to take a little bit from each and combine it into one vibrant, ever-changing society. We have always been a nation of change.

To clamp down and say that we must be "English-only" is short-sighted and bigoted. It places one culture (white Anglo-Saxon) above others. This is a sentiment normally held by right-wing teabagger types, the ones who typically want to round up all "illegals" and deport them back to where they came from.

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Would a national language be unifying / disunifying? [View all] Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 OP

We're already multi-lingual. We have been since the beginning. Deal with it. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #1

Having a national language does not eliminate the ability to be multi-lingual. nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #4

It's more of a world-wide language, but we're still a multi-lingual country. HopeHoops Jan 2012 #57

Very true. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #61

It is amazing .... oldhippie Jan 2012 #69

Oh, really - try telling that to us German descendant who were forced to stop speaking it. As to jwirr Jan 2012 #99

The government forced you to stop speaking German? nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #104

There was no law but in case you did not know it there was great pressure from non-Germans in this jwirr Jan 2012 #105

And my grandparents would not let the kids speak anything but English in household Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #106

That is my point. I wish I had learned more as a child. jwirr Jan 2012 #109

Always has been, and always will be... fascisthunter Jan 2012 #89

You're giving undue weight to a national COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #2

True, but it is one factor. nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #5

Absolutely. COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #101

There is a lot of regionalism and conflict in India surrounding ethic differences. limpyhobbler Jan 2012 #114

Perhaps. But COLGATE4 Jan 2012 #118

Japan in particular, and Germany as well... RevStPatrick Jan 2012 #3

And the question is whether moving to a more homogenous society, is good/bad/neutral. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #9

Low population(relative to resources) describes Japan!??? Saving Hawaii Jan 2012 #16

Japan does break the mold a bit in regards to population density, but Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #19

That's because they were xenophobic isolationists until relatively recently. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2012 #27

+1 BumRushDaShow Jan 2012 #24

Boring..... Tikki Jan 2012 #6

. Nuclear Unicorn Jan 2012 #7

We have no need for an official language. MineralMan Jan 2012 #8

It would seem that our citizens have a responsibility to speak the de facto language. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #11

And they do. But, we also have many recent immigrants MineralMan Jan 2012 #12

Isn't there a language test to become a citizen? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #13

It's a very simple one. It doesn't require actual fluency. MineralMan Jan 2012 #66

You have it backwards. A country serves its citizens. (nt) jeff47 Jan 2012 #15

Ask not what you country can do for you....nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #20

Kennedy was talking about morality. I'm talking about legality. jeff47 Jan 2012 #25

You think taking pride in your country is a legal issue? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #26

Creating a national language makes it a legal issue. jeff47 Jan 2012 #29

Is there not an English exam to become a citizen? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #32

It is still a requirement oldhippie Jan 2012 #59

Thank you for clearing that up. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #62

Apparently you're having trouble with your own language jeff47 Jan 2012 #77

What exactly are you quoting? nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #78

My post that you responded to jeff47 Jan 2012 #81

You're quoting your own post. I thought you were quoting me. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #85

You do realize you're failing your own test here? jeff47 Jan 2012 #88

Still not sure what I missed. You made a quote and I thought you were quoting me. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #91

Here's the entire post: jeff47 Jan 2012 #107

What indicates that you're not quoting me? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #108

that seems to be saying that people should not speak other languages, either at home, or in public. niyad Jan 2012 #22

No, that's not saying that al all. nt Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #23

that is certainly what it sounds like. english is the de facto language of this country--why this niyad Jan 2012 #35

For safety alone. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #38

oh wow, SAFETY? that is the best you can do now? niyad Jan 2012 #43

I would hope that language testing would be sufficient in grade school. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #45

right, and that is why so listening to so many people is so painful. niyad Jan 2012 #49

That's a whole other issue. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #51

There are some european countries newspeak Jan 2012 #76

And yet Germany is a place I would like to live, but for a whole host of other reasons. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #79

I agree Johonny Jan 2012 #14

It's an opportunity to "tell people what to do," when we don't have to. immoderate Jan 2012 #10

It would probably be unifying if it were Klingon hootinholler Jan 2012 #17

That is not the issue for me. A National Language freezes it in time. Loudmxr Jan 2012 #18

French is an example of a language that doesn't grow. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #21

really? and just who would be the ones deeming it necessary? who do you envision being the niyad Jan 2012 #33

Merriam Webster seem like good candidates. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #34

you are truly amusing. niyad Jan 2012 #39

To what specific purpose? LanternWaste Jan 2012 #42

I'm actually starting to wonder that myself, I think as long as there is sufficient language testing Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #44

Are not most traffic signs printed with symbols LanternWaste Jan 2012 #48

Most. But I have seen signs that say things like "open manhole cover" and "highway ends in 1/4 mile" Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #50

Symbology is much, much better for safety signs jeff47 Jan 2012 #82

Totally agree. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #84

Are you kidding? Langauge in essence is always changing. vaberella Jan 2012 #95

US is certainly not unique in number of languages or cultures... even amonf large nations. LanternWaste Jan 2012 #28

That is very true. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #30

Right after we pick an official PIE. JoePhilly Jan 2012 #31

Pumpkin Son of Gob Jan 2012 #96

Blasphemer!!! JoePhilly Jan 2012 #98

English-as-national-language is a bigoted, right-wing meme Hugabear Jan 2012 #36

English as national language does not mean "English-only" Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #40

Seems ProSense Jan 2012 #53

I am beginning to agree. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #56

How about English and???? Skidmore Jan 2012 #47

We are devolving into a nation of losely affiliated regions. The language issue is cursory Romulox Jan 2012 #37

I'd have to agree with that. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #41

Yes and my suggestion is Latin. CJCRANE Jan 2012 #46

Et tu, Brute? pinboy3niner Jan 2012 #54

E pluribus unum! CJCRANE Jan 2012 #64

This isn't going to last much longer. Your agenda is showing. Ikonoklast Jan 2012 #52

Please explain my agenda. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #55

I think it's self-explanatory. Ikonoklast Jan 2012 #71

Apparently not. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #72

Unnecessary, because we already have one. LeftinOH Jan 2012 #58

Yes, de facto seems to be effective. Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #60

The US is also many times LARGER than Germany and Japan charlie and algernon Jan 2012 #63

the fighting about it is definitely disunifying eShirl Jan 2012 #65

I used to think it was bad JustAnotherGen Jan 2012 #67

We already have one. Profanity. Popular with all and extremely useful when talking politics. Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2012 #68

As a practical matter, declaring a national language, would make no difference in the real world, trackfan Jan 2012 #70

Declaring a national language means government documents and forms will only be in that language jeff47 Jan 2012 #83

Which, by the way, would take jobs away from translators. Capitalocracy Jan 2012 #121

Is unity a virtue? n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2012 #73

Double plus correct, Citizen Lumberjack Bruce Wayne Jan 2012 #75

America's not that unique in its diversity--Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, India Bruce Wayne Jan 2012 #74

I don't think a strong ohheckyeah Jan 2012 #80

They spoke Spanish in this country before they did English. . B Calm Jan 2012 #86

Not in my home state, they didn't .... oldhippie Jan 2012 #87

What state you from? B Calm Jan 2012 #90

New York oldhippie Jan 2012 #102

You are right. The French explorers were in that part of the country. B Calm Jan 2012 #110

(Sigh) ...... oldhippie Jan 2012 #111

(Sigh) ...... B Calm Jan 2012 #120

That's relative it depends on your state. n/t vaberella Jan 2012 #94

Also depends on what you call "this country" ... oldhippie Jan 2012 #103

No they didn't. Definitely. They spoke varying different Native American tongues. vaberella Jan 2012 #93

Not in Michigan. French. nt Romulox Jan 2012 #97

There is a de-facto language of the US and that's English. vaberella Jan 2012 #92

Fine then, we all have to learn Cherokee. alphafemale Jan 2012 #100

This push for English to be a national language is nothing more than right-wing nationalism. white_wolf Jan 2012 #112

Ever been to Quebec? aquart Jan 2012 #113

You do know that Quebec has an official language, right? Snake Alchemist Jan 2012 #117

I think it should be Quechua. n/t rucky Jan 2012 #115

English is the world's second language FarCenter Jan 2012 #116

I don't see how adopting an official language would serve any Proles Jan 2012 #119