Obama: Your kids should learn Spanish
posted at 7:46 am on July 9, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama addressed the issue of official languages yesterday by endorsing one: Spanish. Instead of worrying about immigrants learning English, he told an audience, America should be teaching its children Spanish. Every child should be bilingual, Obama said, but listen to the language he chooses later:
It’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe and all we can say is merci beaucoup,
Well, which is it — should we teach them Spanish or French? Maybe we should teach them Chinese, or perhaps Arabic. Immigrants come from around the world to live in America. Perhaps Obama doesn’t realize this, but they don’t all speak Spanish. If our children have to learn foreign languages so that immigrants feel at home here, then we’d better plan on keeping them in school for about 30 years.
Also, Obama’s argument here makes no sense. He’s complaining that Americans don’t speak the native language when we visit Europe, but that we don’t speak the immigrant language when people move to the United States. With that argument, shouldn’t we expect Europeans to speak English when we travel there?
I agree that everyone should learn a foreign language. I spoke French for a while, and I know a little Spanish from growing up in Southern California, and I studied Irish for several years. The study of foreign language not only broadens one’s cultural perspective, but it also helps in understanding one’s native tongue. However, to argue that Americans should learn Spanish as a higher priority than insisting that immigrants learn English is nonsense, and Obama’s argument for it is a giant non-sequitur. It carries a strong whiff of America-bashing, too.
Update: Andrew Leonard has the usual counterargument at Salon:
There’s nothing particularly exceptional about Obama’s position, unless you are an English-only partisan cowering in fear of your cultural identity being swamped by funny-looking people from strange lands. Or one of the similarly insecure patriots who believe any criticism of the U.S. is a sign of “blame-America-first” treachery. And I suppose the whole comment about “going to Europe” opens Obama up to more charges of elitism, and disconnection from the lives of those who, right now, can’t afford to even think about going to Europe.
But to most people who actually grasp the fact that we live in a complex, interconnected global economy, being able to speak more than one language just makes a lot of sense. Maybe those of us who do feel threatened by Spanish-language signs in government offices would sleep a little easier if we understood what they they were saying.
No one argues that a second language doesn’t help, but like Obama, Leonard seems to have divided the world into English and Spanish. Government offices produce literature and signs in a multitude of languages; are we to learn all of them instead of having immigrants learn English? Putting the onus of assimilation on the host is not just impractical, it’s downright rude.
If I emigrated to a country where English was not the language, I would not demand that the government produce signs and panphlets in English; I’d learn the language. My children would learn it as well if I expected them to succeed in their new land.
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When in Rome, do as the
RomansMexicans do.jgapinoy on July 9, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Obama campaigns like he’s always addressing his wealthiest donors. Those donors that do travel regularly to Europe which is one of the main constructs that keeps them wealthy. They can afford to diversify their portfolio based on geography.
Out of touch. Out of mind. Just play the stupid Hall & Oates song every time Obama speaks.
gabriel sutherland on July 9, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Beware of Liberals bearing gifts. They’re paid for by us!
newton on July 9, 2008 at 10:27 AM
The only two phrases in Spanish you need to know:
Surrender or die!
Where are the others hiding?
pseudonominus on July 9, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Firstly, the english language is the current global lingua franca – one common tongue to ease communication.
Secondly, the linguistic pressures that exist in europe simply do not exist here. Over there, you have many countries with many languages all tightly bundled together; it is simply a matter of far greater pragmatic concern to be multilingual – because movement between countries is so trivial and it is considered respectful to speak the native tongue of the country you’re located in.
Over here, we’re a large isolated nation with english-speakers to the north, and spanish-speakers to the south. Learning at least spanish is reasonable enough, but by no means necessary, to live a successful life in America.
If you wish to travel, I would suggest learning a smattering of the native tongue – for the sake of good manners, if nothing else. However, it is a waste of limited educational resources to be shoving multilingualism down our kids’ throats – they simply don’t need it. Parents should decide whether or not to encourage their kids to learn other languages through extra-curricular classes.
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Luckily out here in NC, all of the Mexican menus come with a phonetic spelling..en-cha-la-da…a tortilla wrapped around cheese with a spicy sauce…who the hell ever had an enchilada made with sliced American Cheese?
Funny, the owner understood me when I told him it was the worst “Mexican” food I had ever had.
Most of the Mexicans, who are here illegally, have at best a 6th grade education. They learn what they have to learn, how to wipe down a car, cut the grass, dig a trench, push a button, collect benefits…but they do show up for work.
right2bright on July 9, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Does he not know who he is talking to? The part of Atlanta may be black, but it is not poor. There are many homes in that part of Atlanta that are nicer than his and the owners did not use crooks to help buy them. He is also telling people who could be well educated to stay in school. There is a growing Hispanic population in Georgia. He is telling people that could be concerned about losing their jobs to Hispanics, that they should learn Spanish. If I went to a town hall by McCain and he spoke to me like that, I would not be a happy camper.
jeannie on July 9, 2008 at 10:33 AM
This is my soapbox issue. I live in Dallas where the school district has actually “imported teachers” from Mexico to accomodate it’s spanish speaking students. They laid off ESL teachers that did not speak spanish. Seems that they forget that not all of their ESL students aren’t Mexican.
Aggie85 on July 9, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Yeh, pfftt.
captivated_dem on July 9, 2008 at 10:33 AM
That’s a given, their definition of a gift is stealing from one group and giving to another. They are always willing to sacrifice your goodwill…for their purpose.
right2bright on July 9, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Remember, whatever is not English is superior. Whatever is not white is superior. Whatever is not American is superior.
Yes, those who create third-world civilizations based on poverty, crime, and death are superior to what we have here.
Grafted on July 9, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I took 5 years of Spanish in high school, then one year of Latin in my senior year. Taking a foreign language course for 2 years was the requirement in MA back then – 27 years ago. I can understand written Spanish pretty well, can’t speak it too well after all these years of non-use.
What’s that? Non-use I say? How in god’s name have I survived all these years without speaking Spanish?
How do people survive in a country where they live but refuse to speak the native language? Oh wait, that’s right, the U.S. has never actually declared that English is our native language.
My mother’s grandparents emigrated here from Sweden – the first thing they did was learn the language. Same as most every immigrant who has come here…except the Mexicans. Why do we pander to them?
KrisinNE on July 9, 2008 at 10:35 AM
It won’t be Spanish, ultimately. How about Mandarin Chinese…
eanax on July 9, 2008 at 10:35 AM
It only took me one second to change the channel last night.
I was watching the Phils (lose again) last night, when they broke for a commercial between innings. It was one of those disgusting commercials giving out information on how to avoid paying all of your taxes when the IRS comes after you for being delinquent. You guessed it. The entire commercial was in Spanish. As I often do, I yelled back at my TV saying, “I live in America, don’t talk to me in Spanish”, and immediately hit the remote.
My patience is running thin for these a-holes who want to turn our country into Northern Mexico.
fogw on July 9, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I will take Bambi’s proposal more seriously when he ummmm…..ahhhhhh…..uhhhhhhh……aaaaahhhhh…..ummmmmmmm gets a better command of the English language.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 9, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I believe this is going to backfire on him and he will have to once again “explain” himself. I have said all along that once this america hating fraud gets off the teleprompter he and his ungrateful wife will both say things that will do him in.
We are AMERICANS dammit!!! I’m sick of this elisted snob telling me and my fellow americans what we need do. No SUV’S, fast food or air conditioning to name a few.
Screw you Barack Hussien you empty suit pied piper fraud!!!!!
Winebabe on July 9, 2008 at 10:38 AM
[Babs on July 9, 2008 at 9:59 AM]
I would not expect anyone to argue there is not greater opportunities for a person when entering the job market if you live in a bilingual area! There isn’t an iota of advantage to speaking another language if you don’t need to use it, however and that is the crux of the argument.
Europe according to the Wiki page is 3.9m sq mi. The US merely 3.7m. How many languages are natively spoken there? We have one. While a majority believe it should be official here, thankfully we don’t are so xenophobic to have created a Government Dept to enforce it’s purity.
I do wonder, however, why the Europeans didn’t/don’t speak fluent African languages when they vacation there. No, they only learn the languages of their neighbors in which they have a need. What’s up with that? How many of the Spanish don’t know Polish? What’s up with that? How many French speak Greek? What’s up with that.
When I grew up, I learned two languages, English and my neighbors — Canadian. Yeah, blame me for not having a need.
All that aside, however, I would like to note that it is a big world out there, and the sky’s the limit for you to pursue your dreams. There is a direct correlation to the number of careers open to you, as you learn more languages. But you don’t need to learn it to be both successful and prosperous here at home.
Dusty on July 9, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Obama La Mancha.
Living in the floating city of Laputa.
Vote for him right after The Day of the Dead.
And be grateful.
Vaya con diablos.
profitsbeard on July 9, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Andrew Leonard gives himself away as unserious by going for the “only the haters would be against it” line of argumentation. Fortunately, I’ve seen it enough by now that I can merely point and laugh as the sign of a weak, scared mind who is incapable of actually arguing for a position.
Defense Guy on July 9, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Ask if Garden Grove California ever asked to have ESL teachers..you know the area that is called “Little Saigon”, the largest population of Vietnamese outside of Vietnam.
They would be insulted to have anyone in the schools teach them anything but English.
Speak it at home, no problem…
Ever here of ESL for the Chinese?
Polish
German’s
Dutch
Cuban’s
Korean’s
Italian’s
No, only the “Hispanic”, and read that as Mexican…
right2bright on July 9, 2008 at 10:40 AM
Immigrants will not learn English. Illegal immigrants that is. It is a requirement for legal immigrants to learn English.
Contrary to BHO philosophy, illegal immigrants will not learn English when banks, markets, government offices, etc. cater to them by speaking and providing documents in their language. Nice try, Barry. Try again.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 9, 2008 at 10:46 AM
I am glad to be able to speak 4 different languages, but I am also glad that I learned the others (English was my first) as a choice. I enjoy the freedom that this country affords me to do what “I” want to do not what B.H.O. whimsically says, from his bourgeois throne, I should do.
Messiah? dood really needs a reality boot to the “bunda*”!
(*That’s Portuguese for A$$ BTW.)
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on July 9, 2008 at 10:50 AM
…Thats pronounced “Boon-dah” BTW.
(portuguese lesson for the day! :) Er… Don’t Google it though!!! NSFW)
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on July 9, 2008 at 10:53 AM
MERDE!
VikingGoneWild on July 9, 2008 at 10:55 AM
You’ll get that with either candidate. I’m not seeing what the excitement is about. Obama amnesty is bad, but McCain amnesty is ok. Oh, because McCain doesn’t expect us to learn Spanish..that’s what makes it better. Never mind. Let me warm up my outrage..
DARN YOU TO HECK, OBAMMMMMMAAAAAA!
Awesome! OH Wow!
Like totally freak me out! I say Right ON!
John McCain is number ONE!
I’m very happy. Somebody gave me $5 yesterday toward voting for John McCain. Only $4,999,995 to go. But five bucks is worth a new cheer.
austinnelly on July 9, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Definitely Arabic. In a few decades it’ll make the inevitable state-mandated memorizations of the Koran much easier.
Blacklake on July 9, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I’m glad he brought this up.
Someone ask him if he speaks Spanish.
The answer is no.
Then ask him which second language he speaks/reads.
The answer is Arabic.
faraway on July 9, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Good point. And I’d propose Frenchmen don’t learn German to make it easier on Germans but to make it easier for themselves. Same with people all over the world. Someone here mentioned Rwanda switching from French to English. Well they are not doing it to make it easier on the English, but to make it easier for them to prosper. It’s the same reason the Chinese took down their Russian signs and among other things put their Russian menus on the shelf and made up new English signs and menus. A change in view regarding prospects for prosperity, and nothing else. And it’s why American businesses have Press 2 for Espanol.
Dusty on July 9, 2008 at 11:05 AM
That’s great, Babs. Really. Your kids will have many career opportunities.
However, as someone pointed out earlier, what we actually need in the U.S. is a greater and stronger emphasis on mathematics and the sciences. And the reason why is obvious to anyone who has been in the working world for any significant amount of time.
All of our critically important industries need qualified and competent folks with degrees in mathematics, engineering, computer science, biology, chemistry, and so on.
eanax on July 9, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Wow, that’s sooooo funny, Barack, mocking stupid Americans, and all your supporters laughing along with you! That ought to win McCain a few votes.
BTW I just got back from a week in Paris, and they love Americans and want to practice their English on us so they don’t let us speak French. I did not hear one negative word about the US, even about Le Bush!
PattyJ on July 9, 2008 at 11:10 AM
This Obama guy is funny!
I hope to catch his act someday.
carbon_footprint on July 9, 2008 at 11:10 AM
My Spanish-speaking husband has never tried to teach our kids Spanish (Hi, Honey). I teach them Spanish and Latin; they prefer Latin. Go figure.
As to the clip above:
First of all, Obama’s a terrible speaker off the cuff. I’ve avoided listening to him and was not aware that he’s not the “well-spoken” man everyone calls him.
Secondly, which debate tactic was that that he used? He completely turned the topic from “a national language” to “the ugly American tourist”.
Mrs. Happy Housewife on July 9, 2008 at 11:15 AM
A while back, I was contacted by an young entrepreneur from somewhere overseas, eager to earn my business with his company that specialized in translating English to any language I could possibly mention. By sheer coincidence, a project I was working on at the time required just such a service. So, I did my part in international trade.
See? Speaking English only creates jobs and goodwill between countries!
RushBaby on July 9, 2008 at 11:16 AM
And BTW, several people have mentioned Latin. That would be my first choice of “second language” as well.
RushBaby on July 9, 2008 at 11:18 AM
PattyJ
Such exceptional friends you have; that’s great to hear.
There must be at least a 50/50% French divide in anti/pro American sentiment to have ousted the anti- and voted in Sarkozy. There are as many facets of America as Americans, and some things, our loyalty to allies for instance, are appreciated by some. Good news heard is better than no news is good news.
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 11:18 AM
And in so doing, Obama showed his cards. Aha! This business of de-solidifying our nation via NO ENGLISH AS OUR OFFICAL LANGUAGE is something, regardless of any verbage to the contrary, that Obama will push.
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 11:21 AM
My wife came here speaking little more than Russian. For some strange reason, the government didn’t fall all over itself to provide her with bilingual signs and forms in Russian, etc. So she learned English.
As to Obama’s crack about what a disgrace it is that Europeans speak English, and “we go over to Europe and all we can say is ‘merci beaucoup,’” fine, we should learn foreign languages. That said, I get fidgety when I think that a candidate for President has some kind of inferiority complex vis-a-vis (oh la-la, another French word!) Europe.
We don’t speak French? Tant pis. The French can learn to say “thank you for saving our continent” in English.
morganfrost on July 9, 2008 at 11:22 AM
No Hablo Espanol!
America was founded on English, which all learned due to need not because of desire. Maybe Barak should go back to the country of orgin in which he came from and speak their langauge!
upinak on July 9, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Exactly. Americans already speak the dominate language. While it’s not the top native language, English is spoken in more places than any other language.
That’s why any native speaker can get free airfare, housing and a decent annual income to teach English in another country even without having a teaching background and without knowing the native language.
That said, I’d love to be multi-lingual. I’m refreshing my Spanish right now. I took 3 years in high school and 1 and a half in college but never got fluent.
If only we could all be so lucky. If I wanted condescending, knee-jerk liberal speak, I’d go to Kos or HuffPo.
So true. I waited tables for a couple years, and everyone in the kitchen at every place I worked spoke Spanish as their first language.
Unfortunately I’ve always been too embarrassed by my accent to get much use out of that and really only learned the cuss words. It’s funny though, because they’re just words to me. I don’t normally cuss in English, but it doesn’t mean anything to me in Spanish.
Esthier on July 9, 2008 at 11:26 AM
I can’t afford to go to Europe. I can barely afford to drive down to the convenience store, but when I get there you can bet English isn’t the predominant language. I live in Laredo, TX.
coldshot on July 9, 2008 at 11:30 AM
But it’s dead. I get that it can help, but it seems very impractical unless you’re going into law or medicine and even then, not so much.
Esthier on July 9, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Well its not to easy in a small town Pennsylvania town and our district has a higher starting salary than a lot of districts in this state.
becki51758 on July 9, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Laredo is still in Texas? I feel for you. You would be surprised how parts of DFW look more like Mexico than Texas.
carbon_footprint on July 9, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I do not remember Obama giving speeches in Spanish or French. What non-native tongues did he learn to speak? Hawaiin? Ebonics?
KW64 on July 9, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Frustration overlord! For all those ubertards promoting HELP for the indigent in the world, these Mexican teachers just abandoned their own needy students south of the border.
An American citizen goes through all of the ritual coursework REQUIREMENTS in order to become a certified teacher for the State of Texas, requirements set by its own union and legislated government. That citizen’s job is absconded by a non-American citizen who has NOT completed all of the legislated requirements to be certified as a public educator in Texas. This, for the love of Spanish beyond English, as though Spanish supercedes all else.
If American students were extremely literate and proficient in English, offering tutorials in other languages would make sense in after school programs–but English is NOT taught and learned well enough to go into such promotion.
Finally, equal rights are ignored, as citizens with multiple degrees in higher education and years of life experience independently teaching youth are refused employment opportunities in public education without that very certification at the lowest level. But for the non-citizen, step right into the classroom.
Aggie85, stay on that soapbox!
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 11:37 AM
Ol’ B. HUSSEIN is more right than most of you know!!! In Phoenix, if you don’t learn SPANISH in 10 years 15 at most you will not be able to do business in this city. There are already sections in this city where billboards and signs on businesses are in SPANISH. Go inside and you may have to request someone who speaks ENGLISH to transact your purchase. In some establishments they may have only one person who can translate, and if they are out or busy, you will have to wait.
pueblo1032 on July 9, 2008 at 11:37 AM
It’s the root of the romance languages, however, and a great deal of English. And while pretty useless in conversation, it forms a huge foundation for reading.
RushBaby on July 9, 2008 at 11:39 AM
So you know, we do offer instruction in Spanish and French which is a requirement to graduate from high school in PA.
All I said is it is hard to find someone willing to teach languages in a small Pa town.
I had 3 yrs of Latin and 3 of Spanish, my oldest daughter took French and my youngest Spanish…and she still cant understand Mexicans at her workplace.
becki51758 on July 9, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Cheinlet.
thebookkeeper on July 9, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Try German cuss words. For some reason they just sound meaner.
upinak on July 9, 2008 at 11:46 AM
I can vouch for Latin too. I took Spanish in HS and college so I speak Spanish and English, but I think my brother did better for himself. He chose Latin instead, partly to be different and partly cause we’re Catholic.
But he, the one who hated books and had the least vocabulary, now reads big honkin’ tomes for FUN. He credits the Latin – a huge vocabulary expander he says.
inviolet on July 9, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Don’t forget Greek now! We don’t want to be Racist!
As you and I know Latin and greek are the base for most English words.
upinak on July 9, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Obama’s personal tutor in Hawaii was a black marxist poet from Chicago who trained Berry’s speech delivery effect with an Obiwanesque affekt. Obama’s personal associates in Hawaii were haoli; he didn’t hang around anyone “poor” long enough to bother with pidgeon English. More likely, his wife Michelle would be the one speaking Ebonics against ol’ whitey cracker.
Speaking of Michelle and how kids talk while growing up, I noted with disgust how the Obamas pimp their children on camera, faux non-materialism in dressing Berry in old clothes for THAT camera shoot, TAKEN AT A FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY! WTF are the media doing at a private family birthday party? Being given exclusive interviews with Michelle’s children who adore Angelina Joli, THEIR VIP. So if Berry listens to his kids, he’ll put Angelina Joli VP on his ticket to paradise?/snark
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Yep. And if you’re Catholic, you can use it in conversation too, at the socials at church or whatever, for fun. Some will understand you (not me howevah) and the others will be amused. :)
inviolet on July 9, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Uhh Doofus, our current public education system can’t teach our own kids English, let alone a second language….
If the RNC has the balls, this is a ready made campaign spot.
Dirthead on July 9, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Latin was a requirement in Jr High here. Also it was very nice to have learned it before going to Catholic Private School and having to do Latin Mass.
As I am like your brother and can read the large and interesting words, and phrases in good old fashioned books, don’t ask me to spell these words!
upinak on July 9, 2008 at 11:52 AM
There is a lot i could say about this man but i better not .After all he is the one we have been waiting for. (God help us all)
thmcbb on July 9, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Sigh. You still don’t understand the issue here. Why do we have to pay all teachers the same? Start flashing six figures in their faces and you’ll start seeing a lot more Chinese and Arabic (and any other language) teachers in Middle ‘O Nowhere, PA. But the unions that districts back from paying crappy or less important teachers lower salaries and more important teachers higher salaries. Unions are the problem. Public schools are the problem. We need school choice and free market education now or we’ll continue to crank out kids that can’t write or speak English, much less other languages.
malan89 on July 9, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Latin increases English reading comprehension tenfold. Doubt me? Try it for yourself.
Mrs. Happy Housewife on July 9, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Learn latin – the resulting illumination is invaluable.
Then try japanese and russian to really stretch your mind.
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding?
malan89 on July 9, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Speaking of Michelle and how kids talk while growing up, I noted with disgust how the Obamas pimp their children on camera, faux non-materialism in dressing Berry in old clothes for THAT camera shoot, TAKEN AT A FAMILY BIRTHDAY PARTY! WTF are the media doing at a private family birthday party? Being given exclusive interviews with Michelle’s children who adore Angelina Joli, THEIR VIP. So if Berry listens to his kids, he’ll put Angelina Joli VP on his ticket to paradise?/snark
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 11:49 AM
As reported on MSNBC only five minutes ago, Obamalamadingdongflipflop has already called the interview which included his children “a mistake”, and one that won’t happen again.
HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Question. How many Mulligans to presidents get when conducting foreign policy or sending our troops into battle?
“I believed Amadinejad would not attack Israel and now it’s been turned into a glass parking lot. That was a mistake. I’m sorry.”
Do we really want a child for president?
fogw on July 9, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I can say “give me a beer” in 8 different languages. Does that count?
Maxx on July 9, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I love that movie!
They should make a Movie called my Big Humpfed German Wedding. Ever seen a German wedding? It makes Greek Weddings look pale in comparison sometimes.
But back on topic, Greek is incorporated just as much as Latin. Especially in correct terminoloy of animals and scientific items.
upinak on July 9, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Nothing new, there. MetroPhoenix has swallowed Hispanic communities, particularly long established places in South Mountains, also East Phx barrios where the old pioneers built the bungalows. Whites were never welcome back after leaving for new subdivisions. That you’d assert bragging rights only advertises your own desire to segregate those customers who appreciate a quality product and good service. Thanks for nothing. So you don’t want free trade unless dealing drugs. You post the warning to “Keep Out” of neighborhoods infested with high crime and nasty gangs. Illegals: NO TRESPASSING!
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 12:07 PM
I only know one phrase in spanish. “shut-up and mow the grass.”
si senor, more pesos
custer on July 9, 2008 at 12:08 PM
I see a role as international diplomat in your future.
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 12:08 PM
Actually learning Spanish will come in very handy when John McSHAME grants amnesty to those 20 million ILLEGAL immigrants who will most likely all get jobs with his new Global Warming Eradication Department. So when Jose comes up to you wanting to discuss the excessive emissions from your Hummer, you’ll be able to communicate with him. Thanks McSHAME!!!
DanKenton on July 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM
That should have read:
But the hold districts back from….
malan89 on July 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM
LOL! No, that should have read:
But the unions hold districts back from…
malan89 on July 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I doubt that learning a foreign language helps much of anything but knowing the foreign language–which is of almost no use to the average American. If someone wants to broaden their cultural horizons, I’d rule out travel. Malcolm Muggeridge was right to say “Travel, of course, narrows the mind.” Instead, I’d recommend reading with empathy and imagination–though most people don’t develop their reading skills in this manner. The key step is to remember people can live differently and to fight against conservativism greatest flaw in mass politics: the idea that people who live differently are wrong. I’m not saying that Conservatism properly understood is narrow-minded, but I am saying as a mass political ideology, it can be high-jacked by narrow-mindedness, such as the anti-gay factions in the Republican Party.
Learning a foreign langauge is even less helpful than travel. I learned French in high school and I’ll admit that I sometimes look things up in French because I can read it, but it’s rarely that helpful. I suppose when I go to France, it’s somewhat useful, but I go there about every seven years or so for about two weeks–which certainly does not justify taking the time learning to pronounce the language. I’ll be glad when French dies. I just hope it’s replaced by English and not Arabic.
While we are on this subject, let’s take the time to despise the silly Euroweenies with their EU Bureau for Lesser Used Languages. Lesser used languages just keep people in ghettos and need to be eliminated.
thuja on July 9, 2008 at 12:11 PM
English is the language of communication in Formula One. With drivers and crew coming from all parts of the world, a decision was made to have everyone communicate in one language to reduce/eliminate confusion. I think the same principle should apply to the running of a country.
I learned to speak (and think) French. I was told I would be better off speaking English if I ever went to France because my American accent butchering their language would just piss them off. I don’t know if that is true or not???
HawaiiLwyr on July 9, 2008 at 12:11 PM
How about learning Hawaiian. It’s a beautiful language and the only official language for the State of Hawai’i.
Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina I Ka Pono
Kini on July 9, 2008 at 12:15 PM
fogwa, so long as it was Amadinejad’s residence turned into the glass parking lot in Iran. That, finally, would leave Obama without his friend, Gaddafi, to cover his back with the Muslims.
I know, you’re saying Jerusalem/Israel would be Berry’s target. Maybe they’d have a deflection system against invading missiles. Seems useful enough to develop. That way, oops remains in Obama’s mouth.
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Obambi is full of caca.
How’s that for bilingual?
catmman on July 9, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Not piss them off, but certainly give some of them a cheap excuse to lazily dismiss you with a derisory ‘dumb yank’.
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Spoken Latin is not dead! See here:
http://www.latin.org
Mary in LA on July 9, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Do you really think a school can afford to pay a 6 figure salary when the tax base is largely senior citizens or low income or unemployed? Trust me,I am against the teachers union also because it makes it near impossible to fire a teacher who doesn’t perform.
Our school is lucky we have found excellent teachers and we have a top-notch curriculum. All students are required by law to be proficient in math, English, sciences and a foreign language before graduation…or they don’t graduate.
With NCLB there are too many unfunded mandates pushed on school districts, plus the cost of testing is ridiculous. Too many schools have had to abolish programs due to the cost of heating, gas for school buses, health insurance, ESL, counselors and the list goes on.
I see what your saying, but in this economy the taxes and federal funds that districts receive barely pay the bills.
becki51758 on July 9, 2008 at 12:17 PM
I live here and just registered my son for HighSchool (same one I went to, and my father went to, incidentally), and Vietnamese is offered as one of the Foreign Languages he can take for his 2-year requirement. You’re absolutely right about the rest… the culture is one of accomplishment, and is a real pleasure to be a part of. Great food too! :)
hindmost on July 9, 2008 at 12:17 PM
“Alls we’s can say is…”
-Barack Obama
WTF is that?
carbon_footprint on July 9, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I find myself running out of air when I try to speak any of the polynesian dialects.
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM
malan89 on July 9, 2008 at 12:09 PM
LOL I think I got it!
becki51758 on July 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I took a year of Latin in high school; its invaluable. I would have taken more if I hadn’t had the meanest, nastiest teacher I’ve ever had. She was a nun, of course.
I’ve written a ‘form’ letter that I send to various companies that print bi-lingual packaging. I’m going to school now and wish I had more time to send it out and engage with companies but I don’t. The letter basically says that having one language is good for everyone; that it’s pandering to one immigrant group at the expense of others; that countries that tolerate very bilingual societies end up with a generally non-integrated community. I usually get some letter back saying “Hispanics are our fastest growing customers” and some coupons. What EVER. I try to buy products that don’t have bilingual packaging as much as I can.
Like many people here, I’m second generation American (dad’s side) third on my mothers. My father moved back to Ukraine when he was young and when he returned, didn’t speak English, but he learned and except for a small accent on a few words, you’d never know he didn’t grow up here. He loved America and respected it; knew how lucky he was to live here instead of under communism. Perhaps that’s the rub; if you don’t really appreciate how wonderful a country it is… if you only see it in terms of what it can give you, then you don’t care a whit about the language or culture.
linlithgow on July 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM
English as the official language is such an incredibly popular notion that it makes one wonder why Barry dives into these empty pools… but keep it up, Doofus.
T J Green on July 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM
HawaiiLwyr on July 9, 2008 at 12:11 PM
That’s the word on the street.
Funny/frustrating, about the English as universal language in science and technology, because the idiots in China hack instructions accompanying their products, purposefully as much as by “ignorance”. Pick a mechanically chosen English word, any word chosen by your crappy Chinese/English software dictionary, insert, and frustrate your customer into hating your product even before using it, swearing never to buy from you again.
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 12:19 PM
oh and I agree….the teachers union sucks.
becki51758 on July 9, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Just keepin track of the new posters…and why they decided to join.
Let me see, 48 total posts and 33 pertain to McCain, or at least have his name or McShame in the post.
Gee, will we hear from DanKenton after the election…I don’t think so…
Here is a blast from the past, seeing as his past is not very “past”.
right2bright on July 9, 2008 at 12:23 PM
Same here. And for what it’s worth, I’m a first generation immigrant.
RushBaby on July 9, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Wait, you went to Paris, France, right? Are you sure?
Darksean on July 9, 2008 at 12:24 PM
pueblo1032,
Gee…
Where my immigrant grandparents lived most of the signs were in Italian because they and just about everyone else who lived there still used Italian as their first language. Guess what? They made sure that all of their children understood English even if they did not. Perhaps it was because they understood that they were not in Italy anymore and did not expect the rest of the country to kiss their a$$.
Nahanni on July 9, 2008 at 12:26 PM
I, of course, speak english, and encourage my fellow Americans to join me ;-P
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Barry and the other liberals are clueless turds. America is about the size of Europe. If, in America, we had regions that spoke different languages, then by necessity we’d all be bilingual or trilingual. The Europeans don’t know several languages because they want to broaden their cultural horizons. They do it because they live in a part of the world where many different languages are spoken. They have to speak different languages to function.
Why should I learn to speak french or german when I might go visit those countries for a few weeks once every 10 or 20 years? Yes, Barry is displaying the elitist position once again.
Mallard T. Drake on July 9, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I agree that Latin should be taught/learned in elementary school alongside English through middle school. That way the classics get exposed. Other languages should be taught in highschool alongside English. But having Latin first, even English makes more sense, reading comprehension would improve, as would the facility to grasp other related languages quickly (and non-related languages simply because STRUCTURE is understood, differentiations all the more clear).
maverick muse on July 9, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Same one as Steve Martin?
Vietnamese is an interesting language, they use our alphabet (couple of changes) to spell, and not the typical Chinese style characters. They also rely on voice inflection. I was once talking to a customer, they stopped me and asked, “Why are Americans always so angry”, our inflections are so different, I alway thought the same of them.
right2bright on July 9, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Once upon a time, speaking multiple languages was a sign of wealth and/or sophistication. The same was true for being fat.
Contemporary liberals are not necessarily more sophisticated as anyone else, but they certainly love to affect an air of sophistication by talking loftily about such things.
The liberal veneer is laughably thin.
LimeyGeek on July 9, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Hey Not2bright, don’t worry I’ll be here because I’m sure after Obama’s victory in November you and the other Hypos will be pushing hard for more jeebus-friendly programs like ID and faith-based taxpayer money. See, there’s always work to do.
DanKenton on July 9, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I certainly don’t disagree with any of you. Sorry if you got the impression that I was being critical of Latin. I just meant that it’s not as useful for communication.
Reading bigger words is nice, but it’s not something everyone can do even in America. Latin can expand your own mind, but it won’t necessarily help you converse with a broader range of people the way other, currently spoken languages will.
Everything in German sounds meaner. Though I don’t know a single German cuss word. Maybe you can teach us.
Esthier on July 9, 2008 at 12:36 PM
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