What's new

This made me kinda sad today...

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/27/media/tom-brokaw-nbc-meet-the-press/index.html

Thoughts?

I think he has a point. Even if it is incomplete and poorly stated.

Ya I think he has a point too. I think that if you live here you should know how to speak English

It's great to have a bilingual people in America but one of those languages you speak should be English imo.

Same goes for if I decided to move to Mexico or Germany or whatever. I think I should learn the language of the country I live in

Why would any culture accept immigrants into their culture if the immigrants don't want to become a part if the culture they are petitioning to become a part of? That would go against a basic purpose of forming into society.

Do you all also agree that cultures change over time? If our culture is slowly becoming more accommodating of Spanish, then I don't think there is much of a point to be made. Also, it's not like Hispanic the immigrants to the US are not a hard-working group. They are just working on other things, like making money.
 
Do you all also agree that cultures change over time? If our culture is slowly becoming more accommodating of Spanish, then I don't think there is much of a point to be made. Also, it's not like Hispanic the immigrants to the US are not a hard-working group. They are just working on other things, like making money.

There is absolutely a point to be made. It’s a two way street. I meet damn near every day Hispanic immigrants that have been here for years or decades and don’t know English and isolate them selves culturally. They are coming here. And I welcome them. Good. Comeon. We need good, hard working people and families. And more culture is better for us as a nation. But they came here and as such share a fair share of the burden for assimilation.

The reason I said his stance is incomplete is that we have our part to play as well. Again a two way street. I’ll go back to an oft repeated stance of mine. Bilingual education from pre K on. Make kids learn two languages. No reason we can’t. Education is the key. (Surprising how often that’s the case).
 
Do you all also agree that cultures change over time? If our culture is slowly becoming more accommodating of Spanish, then I don't think there is much of a point to be made. Also, it's not like Hispanic the immigrants to the US are not a hard-working group. They are just working on other things, like making money.
I didn't say I have an issue with Spanish. Bilingual is awesome!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using JazzFanz mobile app
 
There is absolutely a point to be made. It’s a two way street. I meet damn near every day Hispanic immigrants that have been here for years or decades and don’t know English and isolate them selves culturally. They are coming here. And I welcome them. Good. Comeon. We need good, hard working people and families. And more culture is better for us as a nation. But they came here and as such share a fair share of the burden for assimilation.

The reason I said his stance is incomplete is that we have our part to play as well. Again a two way street. I’ll go back to an oft repeated stance of mine. Bilingual education from pre K on. Make kids learn two languages. No reason we can’t. Education is the key. (Surprising how often that’s the case).
Picking up a new language is significantly harder for an adult. Their kids will be culturally indoctrinated in our society and will speak English. So after that first generation of people who come here it's a non-issue, really.
 
Do you all also agree that cultures change over time? If our culture is slowly becoming more accommodating of Spanish, then I don't think there is much of a point to be made. Also, it's not like Hispanic the immigrants to the US are not a hard-working group. They are just working on other things, like making money.

I don't care much about this, really, but didnt care for the overreaction, "punch in the gut" and what have you, to something so basic. It seems too reactionary and in the vein of what traditionalists complain about.

For all I care about the language thing, a citizen of a free country is free to speak what ever the hell language they want. If they can get enough political support or create enough demand for society to cater to their language then good for them.
 
Picking up a new language is significantly harder for an adult. Their kids will be culturally indoctrinated in our society and will speak English. So after that first generation of people who come here it's a non-issue, really.

It is harder for adults. Granted. Still completely possible. Part of our part is offering more accessible opportunities to do so.
 
It is harder for adults. Granted. Still completely possible. Part of our part is offering more accessible opportunities to do so.
Sure. I can't imagine why a person wouldn't want to know the predominant language of the nation they live in.

Also, I think there are many encounters where someone assumes the other person only speaks Spanish, but that person understands English pretty well but is self-conscious of their English skills so they try to get by in Spanish. I mean can you imagine being articulate in one language but then have to operate in a language that makes you sound like a dumbass?
 
There is absolutely a point to be made. It’s a two way street. I meet damn near every day Hispanic immigrants that have been here for years or decades and don’t know English and isolate them selves culturally. They are coming here. And I welcome them. Good. Comeon. We need good, hard working people and families. And more culture is better for us as a nation. But they came here and as such share a fair share of the burden for assimilation.

If they want assimilation. If they are just looking to make money and retire to Mexico?
 
Sure. I can't imagine why a person wouldn't want to know the predominant language of the nation they live in.

Also, I think there are many encounters where someone assumes the other person only speaks Spanish, but that person understands English pretty well but is self-conscious of their English skills so they try to get by in Spanish. I mean can you imagine being articulate in one language but then have to operate in a language that makes you sound like a dumbass?

Actually, yes I can. I’ve been there and am often there repeatedly still. I also deal with others in that position on a daily basis.
 
Yes. If they can make the money without learning English, why is this a problem?
Cause they don't live in a vacuum. It would help them to be able to talk to the people in the country they live in and it would help the people of the country they live in to be able to talk to them.


Why is it a bad thing to learn the language of the place you live?

Also, making money isn't all that happens in a persons life. They might not need English to go to work and come home. But if they get into a car wreck they might need to know English to communicate with the other person involved in the accident.
What if they have a heart attack and need to call 911 but they can't communicate with the 911 operator. And a million other scenarios that happen throughout a long complex life where knowing how to communicate with people might be beneficial.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using JazzFanz mobile app
 
Back
Top