'No Habla Espagnol'--A potential discrimination suit

[rpm]

We have a large hispanic population here. About 95% are bilingual to some extent. I speak enough Spanish to hold a basic conversation with a customer. None of the rest of my anglo employees and a couple of my hispanic employees speak no Spanish at all.

We are lazy and arrogant as Americans. We should be teaching our children at least 2 languages. Most of the rest of the world is multilingual.

[Debonair]

u r saying there r fewer cunning linguists in teh US than a broad?

[storch]

Originally posted by rpm

We are lazy and arrogant as Americans. We should be teaching our children at least 2 languages. Most of the rest of the world is multilingual.

hear hear. my kids don't speak spanish at home.  my wife (who is American from new jersey) and I are both fluent in three languages but english is what we speak at home.  both of our daughters are now fairly fluent in spanish, the needs of the market have dictated they learn.  my 16yr old son is now starting to grasp the importance of bilingualism.  it won't be too long before he is bilingual as well.  While english is the dominant business language today the importance of being fluent in spanish in the U.S. economy cannot be denied.  those that are able to communicate well in both languages are much more competetive in the job market.

[nirvana]

Excuse my ignorance, but why are we so weak that we have to succumb to spanish or some other language in our own country, a country that speaks english predominantly?  Why is it a necesity?  Why can't immigrants learn english like good Americans? I speak english, some spanish, a little german, and a little french.  I wouldn't call myself multilingual, or even bilingual.

[Neubob]

Originally posted by nirvana
Why can't immigrants learn english like good Americans?

Most do. In fact, most do before they even come here.

Personally, I don't think of it as 'succumbing' to foreign languages. As mentioned, of the Spanish-speaking population, a vast majority has at least some mastery of English. I seriously doubt that speaking Spanish will become a necessity any time soon. In business, in personal affairs, English will most likely remain the go-to language for generations to come (and if not, it will be replaced, if anything, by Chinese). And although having the ability to communicate with immigrants in their native language does have its advantages (if you're in sales it builds trust, compensates for shortcomings in their English abilities, allows for more fluid conversation), I cannot forsee a situation where living in the US will simply require a working mastery of Spanish or any other language.  

Being bil-lingual is important for other reasons. First and foremost, I think, is that it implies a greater total cache of knowledge. It's a good workout for the brain and, finally, knowing a second or third language will actually improve your ability to speak your native language.

[Mr Big]

I think everyone who migrates to the US should learn to speak English because it opens doors for them. English should be declared the official language of the US.

I think posting  the sign was just dumb and was meant to provoke, not help anyone.

What's the big deal if somone tries to order in any other language than English? What's the worst thing that can happen? The guy actually gets pissed about that and would turn away business based on that?

[AlGorithm]

The funniest thing about this is, Geno's has their own language for ordering. Fortunately, you can learn it from the guys in front of you while you're in line.

As I remember there's "regular, with", "large, without", "small, no onions, with", etc..

What's with the "with" and "without"? Well, it's all about the Whiz. With Whiz, without Whiz, etc..

That's Cheese Whiz by the way, or something that kinda looks like cheeze whiz.

Yo, ant-knee, got any more whiz?

[nirvana]

Pfft that's just splitting hairs with dialect Algore

[eagl]

ASTAC,

That rude country...  You're talking about the UK right?




--->Beetle *poke poke*

[Debonair]

Last summer i was on a morning flight out of Boston to West Palm Beach with a Philly layover.
Before leaving Boston i purchased a grinder for lunch during the layover.
Upon arriving in Philly, did the grinder become a hoagie?
I asked this question to one of the Philly airport police & was told quite authoratatively "There are no grinders in Philadelphia."
My reply was to ask if he was suggesting that some pinhead in Boston could make a hoagie...



...and then I said "Is there a problem officers?".

[Nash]

lol!

[ASTAC]

Originally posted by eagl
ASTAC,

That rude country...  You're talking about the UK right?




--->Beetle *poke poke*

No..but they do have a language that is similar to ours..but sometimes hard to understand.

[dmf]

Originally posted by ASTAC
I have been all over the world with the Navy.

We don't always stop at tourist ports or resorts. I do not expect the local businesses to speak english..

as our businessses should not be expected to speak any other language.

I'm so sick of this "you can't offend anybody" crap.
It makes us all victims and slaves to a few groups of people.

I may make a bid for office one day just to publicly not be "PC"
Not with any expectation to win, but just to make a point.

I think it should go both ways, if you go to another country, don't expect them to understand your language or to learn in just to accomidate you, if they come here the same thing should be expected.

[Maverick]

It's kind of funny. I've been to Mexico more than a few times. Every time I go there the signs are in Spanish as is the paper work for vehicle registration and the temporary "visa" for visiting Sonora. The language the Officials speak is Spanish and there really isn't much done in the way to make sure there is an English speaker on duty for the foriegners to deal with. Some of the folks on duty may speak a few words but they are far from fluent. They really don't apologize about it either.

I don't sweat it much. I have a hispanic background but I am not Mexican, I'm American. I'll speak as much Spanish as I can in their country and I expect them to do the same in speaking English in this country. It's  really a bit funny as I can get along with the Mexicans in their country better than I can get along with the "hispanics" in this country who seem to have a chip on their shoulder all the time. Sad.

[rpm]

Originally posted by nirvana
Excuse my ignorance, but why are we so weak that we have to succumb to spanish or some other language in our own country, a country that speaks english predominantly?  Why is it a necesity?  Why can't immigrants learn english like good Americans? I speak english, some spanish, a little german, and a little french.  I wouldn't call myself multilingual, or even bilingual.

Because it is a tool. You can use it  to your advantage as I do. Isn't it ignorant not to take an edge over your opponent that you have at your disposal?

I attract more of the hispanic population in my community because I can interact with them. They find it funny that I stumble thru with my broken spanish, we strike up a conversation and bang, I have a new repeat customer. They tell their friends "hey the guy at IGA speaks spanish, he can answer your questions" and they come to me. It's more money in my pocket. That adds up fast in my business.