Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ilsanman]

Yeah, so if we give them say in it, the official language will be Spanish. *beep* all you English speakers.

Not racist one bit. The country was built under the wing of English speakers, and made great by the same people.

[Newbie]

Why don't they just get it over with and declare "American" as their official language

[Moldy Rutabaga]

There may be racists who are trying to use the language issue to intimidate the Latinos, but making an official language isn't racist in itself because, as someone's pointed out, language and race aren't the same. An Anglo-Saxon can be brought up as a native Spanish speaker.

Futile, maybe. Countries always seem to enact these measures when their national languages are under threat, and it never works. Charlemagne tried to prop up Latin; the modern French try to keep out the English with 'academies'; many in the early USA tried vainly to keep German as the national language!

Ken:>

[Nowhere Man]

It's not racist; it's linguist.

Seriously, I said no.

But, to echo other posters, I believe the impetus for this at this time is largely racist.

It's an isolationist policy.

[ddeubel]

I don't think it is racist -- bigoted is the right word.

A slap in the face to all the Hispanics, who have been there longer than any English speaking person, historically speaking (and which make up a large % of America). Same with native Americans. A slap in the face to America's rich past of immigration.

There is just NO need for this and it is pure politics, as Octavius I think, pointed out. Bigoted politics, like making abortion, gay marriage and all those other "morality" issues - part of a political platform. Meant to divide not bring forth serious debate on how the country should be run.

DD

[Ya-ta Boy]

I think the motivation behind declaring a national language is based on fear, in this case, fear of Spanish speakers.

While many immigrants don't learn to speak English, by the third generation, their descendants do. It's just a practical necessity. We've always had pockets of ethnic groups who maintain the language of their home of origin, but it isn't a real problem. Immigrants encourage their kids to learn English. English is the gateway to jobs and a future in an English-speaking country.

We don't need laws and amendments to enforce a natural process. And we especially don't need laws created in a climate of fear.

[Octavius Hite]

In the end it doesn't matter because despite all the hate of these bigoted people soon enough demographics will win the war and hispanics will take up their huge role in government and society, lol.

[desultude]

The issue itself might not be (entirely) racist, but it is so effectively.

As TB pointed out, it is a symbolic issue, and the conservatives are trotting out all the old symbolic issues to get the emotional vote- "official language", flag burning, same sex marriage, immigration in general, etc.

As a symbolic issue, the official language issues hits several emotional cords- race is one of them. There is also fear- of "invasion" ("invasion" is a term used a lot in pro U.S. English, anti-immigration rhetoric) and of outsiders in general, and brown skinned outsiders in particular. People fear for their own economic futures, and the language issue is inextricably bound up with the immigration issue and immigrants "taking American's jobs".

This issue is not new- it has cycled through the States, along with immigration issues, with the ebb and flow of the economy and with wars. The last time it was a big issue was the late 80's and early 90's- then it just kind of went off the radar during the booming 90's (Clinton not only had a great economy, but no wars). Now it is back, as they say, with a vengence.

[desultude]

[cubanlord]

call me crazy, but, i think a country's "official" language should be the language that is most frequently used throughout the nation. Hence, English would be the one for the U.S.A.

Is this to say one cannot change the labeling in 20 years if the predominant language becomes something other than English, no. It should be amendable.

[canuckistan]

Not racist. Just myopic and provincial.

[desultude]

[dulouz]

I'd don't mind bi-lingual education as long as its a language worth learning like French, German, Japanese, Chinese and even perhaps even korean but Latin American Spanish should be avoided like the plauge. I'd don't feel like assimilating into the perpetaul train wreck known as Latin American "culture".

I have lived next to the Mexicans for a long time now I live with them and I have now have cause and no hesitation about making blanket statements. They are bad people, perhaps not all but most, that is over 50% . The language issue isn't about language, its about the "re"conquest.

Meixcan lie cheat and steal everyday in this country? Why should anyone be nice to them? Bilingualism in this regard is just succumbing to intimdation. Its called Dhimmitude.

[ddeubel]

[Octavius Hite]

I think my Mexican co-worker at this public school might disagree with you.