Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/07/20/navarrette/index.html
I went to a one week conference in Bratislava, Slovak Republic of all places. I bothered to learn enough Slovak that I could ask what time it was, ask for a drink and menu, ask for the check after a meal, say please and thank you. If I were going to mover there (of any other country) and expected to vote, i'd sure as hell learn enough of the language to be able to participate in daily conversation and read the news papers to learn about the candidates.
I went all over that city and I hardly ever saw another language. The hotel restaraunt had a smaller german language menu and that's it. Austria is a 20 minute car ride away and they didn't feel like they needed to cater to people that spoke another language. The entire country felt that if you wanted to enjoy your stay in the Slovak Republic and expected to be treated kindly, you should at least learn a little bit of the language.
Further more, most companies pay lots of money to print bills, signage, and develop marketing in other languages which in turn makes the cost of the their goods more expensive. The moment they are able to only work in the english in the united states those costs disappear.
this isn't elitist or even natavist, it's more about convenience and respect. If you want to come here and have the opportunity you dream of, then learn the culture and the language. America should not have to pander to and facilitate those who want to come here, make a living but not change anything about their lives.
posted by B @ 11:19 AM
1 comments
1 Comments:
True! It's not only about respect, it's also about your brain and the new connections it makes when we learn a new language.
I live in London and half of its population is made of imigrants. I'm one as well. But, hey, I love the english language and devote a few hours everyday to improve my communication. The result is, I live well here, everyone respects me and kind of understand me better.
It took me a year to get used to it thou. It wasn't easy, but that's what I choose for my self. evolution.
Most communities live in isolation in London, mostly hating each other. I think some of them are just lazy, but I understand them cos it was quite hard for me to get used to the english way, but well worth, and I still have my own way to do things, but don't feel so alienated.
On a tourist level, I would say it's impossible to really "feel" a country if we don't explore its language and culture. It's easy to get a double room with a view somewhere nice, but you won't really be there if you don't explore. I know a few people who have been around the world and never really been anywhere, really.
Well done for your effort.
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