[weberlin]

[quote=briansd1][quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.[/quote]

IMHO, there are two mutually exclusive issues here.

First, if everyone in the US speaks English, the government has an easier(and cheaper) time communicating with the population.

Secondly, individuals are benefited from knowledge. Knowledge of language, arts, sports etc.

Put them together according to my logic and: people in the US should speak English first, and pursue a foreign language to enrich their lives.

[weberlin]

[quote=briansd1][quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.[/quote]

IMHO, there are two mutually exclusive issues here.

First, if everyone in the US speaks English, the government has an easier(and cheaper) time communicating with the population.

Secondly, individuals are benefited from knowledge. Knowledge of language, arts, sports etc.

Put them together according to my logic and: people in the US should speak English first, and pursue a foreign language to enrich their lives.

[weberlin]

[quote=briansd1][quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.[/quote]

IMHO, there are two mutually exclusive issues here.

First, if everyone in the US speaks English, the government has an easier(and cheaper) time communicating with the population.

Secondly, individuals are benefited from knowledge. Knowledge of language, arts, sports etc.

Put them together according to my logic and: people in the US should speak English first, and pursue a foreign language to enrich their lives.

[weberlin]

[quote=briansd1][quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.[/quote]

IMHO, there are two mutually exclusive issues here.

First, if everyone in the US speaks English, the government has an easier(and cheaper) time communicating with the population.

Secondly, individuals are benefited from knowledge. Knowledge of language, arts, sports etc.

Put them together according to my logic and: people in the US should speak English first, and pursue a foreign language to enrich their lives.

[weberlin]

[quote=briansd1][quote=deadzone]Again, why is being English centric a detriment? Like it or not English is the most important language in the world and is the only language necessary to be live and do business in the U.S. If Americans want to learn other languages that is great, but it is nothing but a hobby or intellectual pursuit for most.[/quote]

It’s a detriment because a foreign language is what makes a well-rounded person with an open perspective on the world.

Music, arts, literature, history, and sports also make for a well-rounded education.

I find that people who speak a foreign language are much more comfortable with themselves and don’t feel “threatened” when they hear a foreign language they don’t understand.[/quote]

IMHO, there are two mutually exclusive issues here.

First, if everyone in the US speaks English, the government has an easier(and cheaper) time communicating with the population.

Secondly, individuals are benefited from knowledge. Knowledge of language, arts, sports etc.

Put them together according to my logic and: people in the US should speak English first, and pursue a foreign language to enrich their lives.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

[quote=afx114]I’ve mentioned this before in previous discussions, but one thing natives don’t seem to realize is that assimilation can never be instant. [/quote]

Who said anything about instant assimilation (other than you)?

Immigrant assimilation in the US starts with language. Can you imagine someone moving to China without expecting to learn Chinese?

Let’s be clear about what assimilation means. It does not mean abandoning historical cultural practices or language. Assimilation means adjusting to and adopting to the established practices of the new country.

Obviously, this takes time, and will vary for older vs. younger immigrants. Regardless, anyone who immigrates to the US should make efforts to become proficient in English.

[weberlin]

As a nation, the US is benefited from a population that is proficient in communicating in English. As individual people, citizens in the US are benefited from multilingual proficiency.

I strongly believe that all immigrants to the US should be proficient in English. If not, they must attempt to learn English once they get here.

Having government forms printed in foreign languages, and government employees be proficient in foreign languages is a great tool for transitioning immigrants to life in the US. However, these transitional tools should not become a crutch and excuse to not assimilate to this nations standard language: English.

[weberlin]

As a nation, the US is benefited from a population that is proficient in communicating in English. As individual people, citizens in the US are benefited from multilingual proficiency.

I strongly believe that all immigrants to the US should be proficient in English. If not, they must attempt to learn English once they get here.

Having government forms printed in foreign languages, and government employees be proficient in foreign languages is a great tool for transitioning immigrants to life in the US. However, these transitional tools should not become a crutch and excuse to not assimilate to this nations standard language: English.

[weberlin]

As a nation, the US is benefited from a population that is proficient in communicating in English. As individual people, citizens in the US are benefited from multilingual proficiency.

I strongly believe that all immigrants to the US should be proficient in English. If not, they must attempt to learn English once they get here.

Having government forms printed in foreign languages, and government employees be proficient in foreign languages is a great tool for transitioning immigrants to life in the US. However, these transitional tools should not become a crutch and excuse to not assimilate to this nations standard language: English.

[weberlin]

As a nation, the US is benefited from a population that is proficient in communicating in English. As individual people, citizens in the US are benefited from multilingual proficiency.

I strongly believe that all immigrants to the US should be proficient in English. If not, they must attempt to learn English once they get here.

Having government forms printed in foreign languages, and government employees be proficient in foreign languages is a great tool for transitioning immigrants to life in the US. However, these transitional tools should not become a crutch and excuse to not assimilate to this nations standard language: English.

[weberlin]

As a nation, the US is benefited from a population that is proficient in communicating in English. As individual people, citizens in the US are benefited from multilingual proficiency.

I strongly believe that all immigrants to the US should be proficient in English. If not, they must attempt to learn English once they get here.

Having government forms printed in foreign languages, and government employees be proficient in foreign languages is a great tool for transitioning immigrants to life in the US. However, these transitional tools should not become a crutch and excuse to not assimilate to this nations standard language: English.

[Author]

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