The whole "English Only" thing..

[Locut0s]

So the local free community rag had this on the front page today:

http://www.canada.com/northsho...4f09-8de5-33628f2db7f6

I know many people here are going to agree with this decision but personally I find such views insulting and semi fascist. There have been many similar stories in the US. Note that they aren't talking about staff talking to patients but use of any foreign language at any time.

 

[IronWing]

In an institutional setting I can see sticking to one language for all formal communication among staff so that all have a common understanding. Staff shooting the breeze should follow the rule the US military used to have, that they have to use a language all present understand (if two Inuit/english speakers and an english-only speaker are in the break room, then english should be spoken). With patients, the language used should be which ever one works to convey the needed information to the patient.

 

[imported_Imp]

That goes a bit too far. Obviously, it's impolite to do so. Sometimes I use my second language cause it feels more casual, and I can connect better with people who suck at English. Other times, I use it cause it's easier to express something in that language. Then other times, I use it to exclude others while I call them effing assholes to their face.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Cannot be fascist. It's not a government mandate, just a business owner decision.

When you run a business, you want everyone on the same page with no language barriers. Things just work better that way. I cannot see how it's insulting, just common sense. If you are insulted then you have an inferiority complex or chip on your shoulder.

 

[Lenine]

I think it's very unprofessional to speak any language but English (and French in QC) at work. It tends to exclude people and should have no benefits as staff should understand English. The exception would be clients/customers/patients who don't speak English.

 

[LS8]

The way I see it, an employer hires you to do a job and specifies how they want that job done done which may include the language that it is completed in. If you can't follow that, well, find a new job.

 

[Xylitol]

well if the patient doesn't understand english well (newly legally immigrated), i can understand
however, i find that at any other time, only english should be used

i hate when i go to my friend's mom's subway and the employees there speak spanish in front of my face

 

[Jumpem]

I agree with the thought. When I am out and about and someone speaks a foreign language I will utter "English please." to them.

 

[GeekDrew]

I may be a democrat, but my opinion on this isn't at all democratic or accepting -- I think that English should be the one and only world language. Failing English being declared as the one and only world language, pick or develop *SOME* language and mandate that all others start being immediately phased out. It's not as important to me that English be the language as it is that there only be one language. Yes, it would put tremendous numbers of interpreters out of work (long term; in the short term, that would get really busy). Yes, it would alienate and piss off tremendous numbers of people who don't agree with that. Do I care? Not so much.

(and yes, I read the article, and know that this opinion is out of place in this thread)

 

[LS8]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
I may be a democrat, but my opinion on this isn't at all democratic or accepting -- I think that English should be the one and only world language. Failing English being declared as the one and only world language, pick or develop *SOME* language and mandate that all others start being immediately phased out. It's not as important to me that English be the language as it is that there only be one language. Yes, it would put tremendous numbers of interpreters out of work (long term; in the short term, that would get really busy). Yes, it would alienate and piss off tremendous numbers of people who don't agree with that. Do I care? Not so much.

(and yes, I read the article, and know that this opinion is out of place in this thread)

No offense but this is typical Democrat thinking IMO. A blanket solution applied to everyone through government mandate is about as Democrat as you can get.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I know it annoys me when people around me hold conversations in other languages. Always makes me wonder if they are contemplating "kill whitey"

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: GeekDrew
I may be a democrat, but my opinion on this isn't at all democratic or accepting -- I think that English should be the one and only world language. Failing English being declared as the one and only world language, pick or develop *SOME* language and mandate that all others start being immediately phased out. It's not as important to me that English be the language as it is that there only be one language. Yes, it would put tremendous numbers of interpreters out of work (long term; in the short term, that would get really busy). Yes, it would alienate and piss off tremendous numbers of people who don't agree with that. Do I care? Not so much.

(and yes, I read the article, and know that this opinion is out of place in this thread)

considering English is the business language of the world, it very much would be the best candidate for a world language. I too think we should all start speaking English around the world, because, is there really any reason to continue to speak different languages? It's an old style of living that comes from people living in one area and never branching out, like when you had people living in different countries and they never interacted together. Now, with the entire world at times working with people everywhere, it just makes sense to move past one nagging hurdle - problems with disconnects between people due to language discrepancies. If we all spoke the same language, a lot more could get done. The problem is people just don't care, and nobody wants to really have to ditch their language that they know so well in and out. That, and they would think its ditching their ethnic history. I don't blame them for the first part, as having to learn another language to the point that you can use it successfully in every situation is a nightmare.

edit:
I say this, only for the idea of future civilization. In truth, it's not necessary now, not by any stretch of the imagination. However, if we ever look to unifying under a common limited government and share a vision of a unified species, we'll all need to sacrifice a little and share a common ground on things, especially something like language, as sharing a common ground through communications will help everything else move faster, as it would encourage people from other ethnic backgrounds to communicate with each other since it would be readily possible.

 

[destrekor]

oops

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: RadiclDreamer
I know it annoys me when people around me hold conversations in other languages. Always makes me wonder if they are contemplating "kill whitey"

Hence the military's rule I mentioned above.