English First/English Only in Tennessee *EDIT

[ilazria]

Surprise, surprise, I'm against this concept. For those not familiar with it, basically someone is trying to pass a law making it illegal to provide translation services and documents to people who don't speak English in Davidson County (Nashville's county.) They say it is wasting taxpayer money, and is promoting divisiveness, due to lack of common language. Supposedly, this is going to encourage non-English speaking citizens to learn English. It has been fought and thrown out before, but through petitions has been brought to a special election.



How's that for a waste of taxpayer money?



Anyways, the whole concept is ignorant. First off, what are non-English speaking citizens supposed to do in the interim, while they are learning the language? English is not an easy language to learn! As I help my 5 year old learn how to read, it becomes more apparent just how convoluted our language is. There are words that are spelled exactly the same, but are pronounced differently, and/or mean different things. There are tons of exceptions to the general rules on spelling and reading words. Like "i before e, except after c." Unless it is the word weird, which has no "c" in it at all. Maybe it was some linguists sick joke. I mean, it's weird how weird doesn't follow the rules. Haha, ha, *cough,* *blush.* Then there are the myriad ways that vowels interact in words. I won't even bother listing, just think about it, and take a couple of aspirin. Then there is my all time, most loathed word, "enough." Just looking at it makes me want to punch my monitor. If you knew nothing of English, and tried to sound that word out, using the basic rules, you would probably pronounce it E-naw'-gu-hu.



The way some people have talked about this law, and why they think it is a good idea, you would think that just by passing this law, all non-English speaking citizens will just "poof" suddenly speak English. Some even act like they think some N.E.C.s are holding out on us, deliberately not using English even though they can speak and understand it. If they are, I don't blame them. If I were faced with some of these pathetic excuses for human beings, I would want to pretend I don't understand a word they are saying either.



What is going to happen to the 65 year old , who just moved to this country seeking asylum from somewhere else? It is a proven fact that as we age it becomes harder to learn new things. While this person is adjusting to a new country and a new way of life, as well as dealing with the daily struggles of being 65, they now have to learn English, and learn it fast, or be screwed?



If they truly want to encourage people to learn English, why don't they stop wasting their time on this ignorant amendment, and start working something more positive? To me, I would think it would be more effective to volunteer or donate to English as a Second Language classes. They could make pamphlets, with money donated to them as a private, non-profit organization, that could be passed out at all government buildings, offering free child care, free rides, free tutoring, and a list of places that offer ESL classes. Instead of force feeding N.E.C.s this "do it or die" agenda, they could instead reach out a helping hand. If they would take the time to understand and help these people, instead of telling them how horrible they are, and essentially stripping them of so many rights, they could go a lot farther towards their supposed goal.



They vote on this tomorrow. I'm sure I won't be the only one hoping and dreading the outcome.


Seriously, so many comments about how you should just come here and learn it. Well, there is still an interim period before you learn it. Just what is someone supposed to do in the mean time? What if someone wants help getting a drivers license, or help from human services? Or what if they end up in court? Even if the person committed a crime, does that mean they should have no clue what is going on in the court room? How would YOU feel, if you went to a foreign country, and maybe had a traffic violation, because you weren't used to driving on the opposite side of the street, or there was some law that you hadn't known about, and you are facing a minor court hearing? Well, while you're standing there wondering what the judge is saying, how you can fulfill your sentence, or even what the sentence is, I'm sure you'll feel so comforted by knowing people around you are thinking, "tough $4!7, you should have learned the language."

[emf6874]

Jan. 22, 2009 at 8:53 AM

Ummmm, I lived in Tennessee for a year & could barely understand the "English"  speaking people! LOL! Seriously, I used to wonder how these people made it through school without being able to pronounce words correctly!...& they're trying this crap...PLLLLEASE!

[Redteux]

Jan. 22, 2009 at 9:07 AM

I have to disagree.  I live in east TN now, and am originally from Houston, TX.  The influx of other languages (not just Spanish) is beginning to make many things difficult.  Education, commerce, social services, health care - it's across the spectrum.  There are multiple options to learn English here - from classes in the local schools and individual tutoring, to ESL classes for adults, numerous seminars throughout the year, private tutoring, and translators in most of the local businesses and all of the hospitals.

The opportunities to learn English are ample and available.  I wholeheartedly agree, English is a very difficult language to learn.  No argument there.  But the fact remains that this is a country where the standard language is English.  I wouldn't dream of moving to France without at least learning the fundamentals of French.  Or Spain.  Or Russia.  Or Japan.  Or any other country, for that matter.  The people who immigrate here CHOOSE to be here.  Therefore, choose to learn the language in which most business is conducted.  English.  I don't expect perfection, but it is courteous and respectful to at least attempt the language.

And I have to agree with Emf6874 - native-born citizens need to learn proper mastery of our native tongue as well.  CM has been quite an education on our country's education . . . . .

[Della529]

Jan. 22, 2009 at 3:50 PM

I agree with Redteux.

[ilazria]

Jan. 22, 2009 at 8:22 PM Yes, learning the language should be a priority. What many fail to consider is that some of the people who come to this country don't exactly have some time to prepare, or they come from places and economies that don't afford them the luxury of learning the language before hand. What would YOU do, if you found yourself having to escape the country with little time to prepare? Not everyone gets to sit down with their family, have a long discussion, and prepare to move to America in say, 6 months or so. Sometimes, a family finds themselves given an opportunity to run, and if they are lucky, they have a couple of days to prepare.

Here's another thing I realized. By the verbiage of the amendment proposal, it will also be illegal to provide interpreters for the deaf, or braille documents for the blind.

(Original Poster)

[Della529]

Jan. 22, 2009 at 9:52 PM

Two points to ponder:

1) Early immigrants managed to come through Ellis Island, find employment, create businesses and learn the English language without the many benefits provided to today's immigrants (My grandparents came to America in the late 1800's from Syria).

2) Under the newer laws, entry to the U.S. has become a long process (That is, if it done through proper legal channels).  http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/immigrants_1340.html

2)

[bamamom99]

Jan. 29, 2009 at 12:53 AM

I tend to agree that if you choose to come to the U.S. you should learn to speak the English language.  When you come over and go through the legal channels you can learn the English language.  With that said, yes, the English language is hard to learn but if you want to be part of this country bad enough you put in the effort to learn it.  I have been to Honduras and Iraq and believe me, very few can speak any English.  I had to put in an effort to learn the basics to get directions, etc.