Topic: Everyone in the USA Read this your country is at stake

[Age]

I know that around here, in North Carolina, they are having real difficulty finding translators for our courts. Large groups of Spanish speaking people moving into this area has only happened in the last few years. People have spoken French in Canada for centuries.

Large areas in the US are segregated by language. When you arent exposed to a people on a regular basis, it breeds suspicion. People tend to stay in areas where they are comfortable. When new immigrants move here they tend to stay in areas where their native language is spoken. Once they learn the dominant language, they move out of those areas and become integrated.

People have spoken French in Canada for centuries.

This is true but after a few years not many of us do  and I only know about 5 to 6 % of it.Where I live on the west coast the second language is Chinese next to Indian and now Islamic or Iranian.

I agree. Im very much against illegal immigration, whether from Mexico, Canada, or any other country.

I doubt you would see any Canadians cross into the US illegally and why would they.

Originally Posted by Kapitän Kieran

Yes, because every white American can spell every word in the English language correctly.

No you don't as you spell it honor as it is honour or color as it is colour as in Oxford dictionary not Websters.I am part English after all.

[Bonk]

I know that around here, in North Carolina, they are having real difficulty finding translators for our courts. Large groups of Spanish speaking people moving into this area has only happened in the last few years. People have spoken French in Canada for centuries.

On further rumination of this point... come to think of it the French were here in Canada before the British (Port Royal). And before them the Norse, and before them the Mi'kmaq, Beotuk, Inuit...  BUT there simply are not enough Norwegian or Native language speakers here in Canada to merit inclusion as an official language. (With Nunavut as a special case) So really, it is not a question of the length of time here, but the proportion of the population that makes including a second (or third) official language worthwhile for efficiency and cultural health.

My wife is Bilingual.. I speak english only..

Thanks for sharing that Pestalence, an illuminating story, it sounds like you're a lucky guy!    (Bilingual wife...)

I agree. Im very much against illegal immigration, whether from Mexico, Canada, or any other country.

I doubt you would see any Canadians cross into the US illegally and why would they.

Right you are Age... in fact the opposite is more likely in my view. But that is neither here nor there...

So, I take it the main objection/issue with Spanish as an official second language in the US is that it is tightly tied to illegal immigration in people's minds so much so that the issue cannot be separated?

Just for the sake of argument, lets pretend that all Mexican immigrants are completely legit, they can all speak enough English to get by, yet all still have Spanish as a first language. Would the majority of Americans still object to including Spanish in the official Languages of the United states? (In such a scenario it would still increase efficiency and probably save money in the long run and enrich the American culture)

Of all the biblical myths, the story of the Tower of Babel always rang true to me. the others being the "pain of childbirth" and being "made in his image", unified in language and free of borders, no doubt we would rival the power of our creator.

Lol, here's a good idea, deport illegal Mexican immigrants to Canada! We'll take them! Somehow I think that might not be what they had in mind but I bet most would be happy here once they got used to the winter. Birth rates are an issue in Canada, we must maintain immigration rates to survive.

Actually check this out:

In Canada, official languages is a matter of service to the public and employees within institutions subject to the Official Languages Act;it's also a matter of language of work.

The Official Languages Branch is responsible for overseeing that federal institutions serve Canadians in the official language of their choice, create and maintain a work environment conducive to the effective use of both official languages, and provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to English-speaking and French-speaking Canadians within the Public Service.

The Official Languages Branch also supports the work of Canadian Heritage to enhance the vitality of the official language minority communities and supporting and assisting their development; and fostering the full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.

http://www.psagency-agencefp.gc.ca/ollo/index-sm_e.asp

So the official line matches my interpretation. I just read that now after posting my views above, reinforcing the logic. I think a key point to note is the obligation of a nation to protect the culture of its minorities ultimately to the benefit to the nation as a whole. I just have a really hard time to see it any other way.

Just found this link...:
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/lo-ol/biling/hist_e.cfm

1969 - New Brunswick enacts its first Official Languages Act , making it Canada 's first, and only, officially bilingual province.

Not Quebec, most interesting...

And the current provincial act:
http://www.gnb.ca/acts/acts/o-00-5.htm

So that's how it plays out in detail for those interested. Not so bad at all.

You know what's funny? As a kid I learned a lot of French from bilingual packaging of products, I always read both sides of the cereal box...  (and the ingredients in both languages too being good little geek...)

[KOTH-KieranXC, Ret.]

Originally Posted by Kapitän Kieran

Yes, because every white American can spell every word in the English language correctly.

No you don't as you spell it honor as it is honour or color as it is colour as in Oxford dictionary not Websters.I am part English after all.

Um, well, in America that is the correct spelling. American English is different from British English, and just because we spell a few words differently doesn't make it wrong. I don't tell you you spell honor and color incorrectly, so spare me.

[Grand Master of Shadows NCC37385]

I doubt you would see any Canadians cross into the US illegally and why would they.

This is a few years old and from a Canadian source.

In addition to Mexico, six countries had more than 100,000 unauthorized
residents in the United States in January 2000 --El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, Honduras,
China, and Ecuador. In its 1996 estimates of illegal immigrants, Canadians ranked 4th with an
estimated figure of 120,000 persons behind Mexico, El Salvador and Guatemala but ahead of
ahead of Haiti, Philippines and Honduras.

http://www.acs-aec.ca/oldsite/Polls/Poll29.pdf