Think it's racist to say...?

[FredK]

Yes. People who live in America should speak American. J/k.

[Addissimo]

I do love the Canadian language...

[FredK]

Jay, you're just expanding the discussion to stump about your own POV on cultural assimilation. The point of the post was not to say, forget the the ideals, beliefs, and identity of your culture and start thinking you're a regular assed American or Canadian. The point was much closer to what Lee said.

If you are an American, you won't get very far in many countries speaking English and spitting on sidewalks. That might get you caned.

Are you going to drop yourself in Japan or Korea, or another ethnically pure country and start talking about how awesome Canada is, and refuse to speak anything but Canadian? I don't think so.

[1991 318is]

What is the "culture" of the US? Is it the one brought here by the English religious fanatics, pardoned debtors prison inmates, etc. Maybe the one of the Native Americans. The "culture" of America is the culture of former African slaves. White kids in the suburbs are listening to rap and hip hop.
Should the Pilgrims have been required to learn the language of the Indians? We've only been here a little over 200 years. What will your position be when Hispanics are the majority? Spain, Belgium, the former Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, China, Canada, India, and others (and that's also the majority of the people on the planet) have more than one language within a nation state.
English as the "official" language is motivated by racism against Hispanics. The arguments always start with, "when they come here...." and they are Hispanic.

[Mystikal]

Please elaborate for the sake of everyone.

Forcing everyone to assimilate has never worked historically. For modern examples, just ask France, the Netherlands, hell even a non-jaded American.

It does not work. You cannot force people to become what is "dominant" culture. You are implying a power relation, one which is based on false pretenses. The EXACT country you are all claiming to be YOURS was just "acquired" a few centuries ago. That is not a long time, and just because you FORCE an existing population to the periphery does not make the damn place yours.

I doubt anyone here will agree with me, you're all brainwashed by your culture. I'll just say that from outside that little box you all reside in, your views look very silly.

Jay

[uofom3]

Germany now requires immigrants to be fluent or pass some level of test to ascertain their language skills to be able to become citizens. If people want to legally immigrate that is fine - but they should be expected to learn the language. I wouldn't try and move to another nation and expect them to accomodate my language; it's their country not mine.

[SpasticDwarf]

I believe that if no matter who you are or what country you move to you should make an effort to assimilate into that country's culture and learn their language. At least if you plan to live there for a long period of time. Otherwise it's considered disrespectful.

Furthermore, I don't care if I sound racist but I think the biggest problem we American's have with illegal hispanic immigrants is that they make no effort to assimilate into our culture and a majority of them are just trashy people who leach off everything. At least it's this way in TN. Go to any Walmart on Sunday and how many of you know when you spot a car or truck a mexican owns it?

I guarantee you if hispanics came to America as tasteful, independant, people with lots of integrity to show most of us would be more willing to look the other way.

Seriously. Its absolutly terrible.

If I went to mexico and refused to learn spanish, should I expect their government to adapt THEIR country for ME when im not even LEGALLY there?
fuck no.

[Hon2BMW]

lol, the views you guys have are messed the fuck up.

Assimilation is stupid.

Jay

Please elaborate for the sake of everyone.

[trashcop 80s 80s]

Almost every day at work someone will come in and ask if there is anyone there to speak spanish. I have taken three spanish classes in college and I know hundreds of car parts and thousands of words in spanish. I could easily help them, but I always tell them that I don't speak spanish and nobody at the stores does either. Pick up a fucking english/spanish dictionary and learn the five words you need to buy a car part.

[PiercedE30]

lesse' le bon temps roulette!

[Mystikal]

lol, the views you guys have are messed the fuck up.

Assimilation is stupid.

Jay

[sticksdaman]

yea its just respectful to learn the hosting country's language. english is the ONE exception to the rule because the majority of business transactions are done in english.

live in the country learn the language simple as that

[Massive Lee]

Canada has developped 30 years ago a concept called multi-culturalism that basically recognizes everyone's background. Which in itself is an great idea but has started backfiring lately. Recognizing multi-culturalism also separates people as being non-Canadians, and gives them special rights that others don't have. As in other countries, everyone is a citizen at the same level, whatever your origins. Recognizing specifically every immigrant's background has allowed certain ethnies to fight some of Canada's constitutional, civil and legal rights.

1- Sikhs want to be allowed to bring a Kirpan at school, whihc is a religious symbol... and a knife.
2- Jews (from any country) oppose Christmas trees in public places as they say it is a religious sign. Also, even though it is legal in summer to sunbath in public parks in bikinis, some local Hassidic Jews have fought to ban women in bikinis in some local public parks. Also, a local WMCA had some gym classes where people could see thru huge windows, and a nearby Hassidic school populated by male teenagers requested that the WMCA blocks those windows as it "tempts" the young Hassidic boys and they can have bad thoughts...
3- Muslim organizations want the right for women to walk around with a veil or a Burka on their face, while it is a criminal act in Canada's law to publicly show up while hiding your face.

So, to sum up my point of view, every country has their own "ways" and when somebody immigrates then he shall try to follow all local customs, but should be free not to forget his own roots. Learn the language of the hosting country, but speak whatever you want at home or with friends. It is not being racist. It is only about making sure that everyone follows the same rules. No preferential treatment for a community or another.

[8atman]

I agree but there is always nothing wrong with learning more then one language. That is why I stated it would be cool if at an early age the school systems encouraged different languages. In countries like Japan it is customary to take English classes at an early age and in Europe many countries speak the languages of there next door countries. Many of my GF's little cousins speak English, Vietnamese, little Spanish and sign language. You can never learn to much and as a child your brain soaks things up like language very fast and easy. Unlike when your 24 in Spanish class like me wondering WTF is this hahaha.

[Garageaholic]

A quick Adjunct for this discussion in today's world by the terminator himself...

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/6/14/111248.shtml

George, by the way, I agree with Teddy...