Well, of course our armed forces should be bilingual among other things. IF we are going to send them into other countries they should know a little about the languages. But, you know that we allow foreigners to join the military to earn their citizenship. This has been standard practice for quite some time.
I had no idea the ads were coming out in Spanish now. And Shellly, I had no idea that foreigners joined the military, to earn citizenship.. "learn something new everyday" =)
The military has to put their ads in spanish becuase there is a large population of hispanics that live in the US and refuse to learn English. If I lived in Mexico or Spain I would learn their language to making living there easier. However, the spanish speaking people here in the US don't want to blend into our country they want to turn our country into theirs and expect us to learn their language.
Actually there have been Spanish language military commercials and ads for some time. Hispanics and African Americans have a high enlistment numbers.
As for "foreigners" joining the service just to get their citizenship....with family members and friends who have gained their citizenship while in the military (all of them have made the military their careers. My cousin, born and raised in Jamaica, has been in the military for 25 years), many have done it for the educational and job opportunities the military is supposed to offer-- also the same reason why many Americans join the military today.
why not we have young men and women fighting there who are not citizens. We have given some citizenship after they died fighting in Iraq. The military in all wars has always had this practice.
I didn't know, but I think that they should know a number of languages especially if they are to go to other countries. I personally think the ads should be in English because they are in America and that is the language.
Oh, I don't have point. I thought it was new. I don't need to have a point. I have found the comments to my articles are always so much better than my article. You're all so fascinating.
Military ads have been coming out for years...on Spanish radio and television stations and in their' magazines and newspapers. I'm sure they put ads in other languages, also.
Puerto Rico is bilingual and ads are always run in both languages, depending on the station...there are about 40 English speaking stations to 7 Spanish speaking stations. In New York the military reaches out to people in all the newspapers...Jewish, Italian, German, etc. They want to reach the widest possible audience.
Elaine, I can sympathize with you on every point you just stated about your current situation. I too am American born (Brooklyn baby and love it). I too don't have health care benefits and barely had them when I was working in corporate America. Like you I don't understand how some can reap the benefits of the system while others are left to struggle.
As for putting words in your mouth, my apologies. I am just basing my response on yours.
Elaine, I don't think Felix is trying to force you to say anything of that nature. Actually think our differing view (Felix and I happen to live in the same area) may have to do with the fact that we do live in a different region than you do and thus have a different experience when it comes to dealing with a foreign component in the community. For example, everyone in my neighborhood speaks English, but they also speak French, Spanish, Yiddish, Chinese, Italian, Portugese, Kreyol, Ebo and more. They stress to their kids the importance of speaking English (and speaking it properly-- my mom is a stickler for grammar). People take pride in their distinct cultures, but everyone here considers themselves American.
Melinda, interesting point. In the age of a more globalized economy, I think we should be open to other languages. Before I get chewed to bits, I am not saying that we need to give up English as the official unofficial official language (confused? The US does not have an official language, though some individual states have adopted English as their official language. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_in_the_United_States), but we do need to realize that we are not an country in isolation and as a global power interacting with non-English speaking countries on a regular basis, we should be proficient in something else.
I didn't realize some States adopted English. I don't know why it wasn't decided at a national level. Are we the only Nation that doesn't have an official National language?
I wish Congress would give our Country a name, also, while we're at it.
I normally don't either Melinda, but this was one of the few places that offered a concise statement of what I was trying to say. Here's a better reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_language#United_States.
LOL Peter...I never thought about the name United States in that way before.
As for national languages...I think we have to differentiate between national and official language before we can answer the question about who else doesn't have an official national language.
Brazil is also a United States ... of (South) America
We'd have to be the United States of North America. But we don't have to, really. Since everybody else has a real name, you can just call us U.S. or America and everybody knows it's us.
At any rate, as has been mentioned already, a person joining the military must have some command of English. That's one of the reasons I don't really understand advertising in Spanish. Are they just assuming they cannot read English?
Many who serve do gain full citizenship after doing so.
Not long ago a story occurred about just such a military person. He was killed in Iraq, and was awarded citizenship posthumously. His wife was about to be deported, but at the last minute was given permission to stay, thank goodness.
This country DOES indeed require new citizens to learn English. Many learn only what they need to pass the requirements. They then refuse to learn or use English. Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would wish to live surrounded with people speaking English and be "left out" all of the time!
My Father's side of the family came to this country in the 1740's. Down to our generation no one speaks German anymore. But, we are very proud of our heritage, and proudly keep some of the old customs. Perhaps due to German marriage all the way to today. My Grandmother was the last who spoke German, but as a child. At old age, she remembered very little of it. She had no accent.
How do you live in any country and not assimilate? It just doesn't make any sense to me. Not only that, but someone who is bilingual has an advantage, in my humble opinion. Who says you must lose your culture by speaking a new language?
If I moved to another country, I'd want to learn the language ASAP. If I moved to another country I would want to respect my new chosen country. You cannot live with a foot in two countries. If you want citizenship, why would you reject being an American in the fullest possible way?
Success is very subjective and defined differently by everyone.
Felix me haces me rio. Soy una latinegra (mi madre es de Venezuela y mi padre es uno cubano via Jamaica). It's amazing that you can do soooo much. Who would of thunk it?
Obviously what I said is misunderstood. I re-read my post, and don't see how. But:
I never said not speaking English is less American! I discussed learning a second language as an advantage, and never in any way said to forget the old language! I am simply saying that to refuse to learn the language of your chosen country altogether, is not right.
Melinda - according to that theory, we should mostly be speaking German by now (gosh so many immigrants came here from Germany - even into Mexico, giving them beer and that musical om-pah-pah style!)
I think the immigrant's kids will speak mostly English. And English will prevail -since that's how it's been for all of U.S. history.
There were a few of the first California soliders to die in the Iraq War that weren't US citizens. They were made citizens after the fact. I believe but can't say for sure that they were hispanic. It's a sad situation when to become a citizen you have to die in the war but you don't need to be one to fight in it.
Well we have multilingual armed forces already. I know when my husband was in there were many people who served who grew up elsewhere. There was an enlisted man from the Phillipines who had his master's degree. But he was very limited as to what he had access to because of where he was from. He was also good friends at OCS with a british gentleman who had been born in New York City.
Picture this: Drill Sergeant knowing he has a new OC from England goes up to him and in a very gruff voice barks "Where are you from son?" To which this young man standing at attention, eyes straight forward bellows back in a heavy English accent "New York City sir!"
I know at that time they also would do a type of foreign exchange program too. Another country would send some of their personell to spend so many months on his ship and we would do the same.
I think it is also important to remember that sometimes people may speak their primary language because of comfort. There are many people here who speak English also but amongst family, friends, and in times of crisis will use their native tongue. This is why I told my daughter who wants to take an EMT course in high school (in Texas) that she needs to take Spanish and not German. I told her that if she wants to put herself as a first response provider that she would serve people better if she spoke even the most basics of the more widely used second language for this area.
A non-citizen can enlist in the military. However, federal law prohibits non-citizens from becoming commission or warrant officers. In order for a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he/she must first be a legal immigrant (with a green card), permamently residing in the United States. It's important to note that the military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. One must immigrate first, using normal immigration quotas and procedures, and -- once they've established an address in the United States -- they can find a recruiter's office and apply for enlistment This hopefully dispells any idea that we are helping people ilegally sneak into the country and then granting them the golden goose just because they join the military.
Dawn G. - That is a very acute view on people who speak spanish in the US. I live in an area that has a lot of hispanics and most of them also speak English. Some better than others and the children are very fluent in both. I wish I could say that the US was better at teaching foreign languages at younger ages. That is the prime time to do so. To be bilingual or multilingual is a skill set that is a great thing. There is a reason that many companies want to hire people with these skills. I worked for a company that had offices all over the world and it was vital to be able to communicate.
Eliane - It is still America. As listed above it isn't like we are taking in illegal aliens to do this. We are expanding the market. Think about our first armed forces. They weren't American, they were colonist, and French, and African American slaves who were signed over by their owners to fight in their place. And they were granted their freedom (if they served a set amount of time) and pay. So it isn't exactly unprecedented.
Melinda - If you seriously want to know about a part time job that offers benefits check into UPS, Fed EX and the like (off topic but a large protion of their employees work less than 30 hours a week and get great benefits, they can suck your soul out too but you know).
As for an official language. Do we need Congress actually spending time and money on this right now. There was a state level congressman in Oklahoma not to long ago who introduced a bill to make English not only the official language of Oklahoma but to declare that nothing else would be used....like the word OKLAHOMA being native american. What a goof? Besides what does declaring an official language accomplish? Does it make it illegal to speak, read, write or advertise in other languages? When you study about other countries, or at least back when I was in school, they would say the most commonly used language is....
I have been to parts of Europe, Mexico and several Caribbean islands. Language was never a barrier and it is because THEY made the effort to speak English. They accepted that we had come into their country and did not speak their language. Everyone was friendly and all was well. The only time we ran into someone who did not speak English was a restaraunt in Sicily. The menus were in Italian, the waiter maybe knew a handful of words in English and we did not speak any Italian. We did our best and he did his best and we had a great time and the food was wonderful. Everywhere I have gone the people have been kind, helpful, and genuine. Not arrogant.
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Comments: 60
And Shellly, I had no idea that foreigners joined the military, to earn citizenship..
"learn something new everyday" =)
Have a wonderful weekend ya'll ~
It use to be America!
go home or get with it.
As for "foreigners" joining the service just to get their citizenship....with family members and friends who have gained their citizenship while in the military (all of them have made the military their careers. My cousin, born and raised in Jamaica, has been in the military for 25 years), many have done it for the educational and job opportunities the military is supposed to offer-- also the same reason why many Americans join the military today.
More facts about getting your citizenship while in the military can be found here: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/a/citizenship.htm
(yeah right -ha ha)
My Swedish and German fore-fathers didn't know English. It's always the kids of immigrants that know it.
But my Swedish and German fore-fathers weren't going to get in the army that way, for sure.
I know I'm fascinating. Thank you very much!
Yes, you are ALL fascinating!
PS They speak English in Jamaica (former British colony until 1962).
And I love cheese popcorn so we have a cosmic psychic link
As for putting words in your mouth, my apologies. I am just basing my response on yours.
I can say "Ma Ma Mia" but I don't know what that will get me.
I wish Congress would give our Country a name, also, while we're at it.
LOL Peter...I never thought about the name United States in that way before.
As for national languages...I think we have to differentiate between national and official language before we can answer the question about who else doesn't have an official national language.
We'd have to be the United States of North America. But we don't have to, really. Since everybody else has a real name, you can just call us U.S. or America and everybody knows it's us.
At any rate, as has been mentioned already, a person joining the military must have some command of English. That's one of the reasons I don't really understand advertising in Spanish. Are they just assuming they cannot read English?
Many who serve do gain full citizenship after doing so.
Not long ago a story occurred about just such a military person. He was killed in Iraq, and was awarded citizenship posthumously. His wife was about to be deported, but at the last minute was given permission to stay, thank goodness.
This country DOES indeed require new citizens to learn English. Many learn only what they need to pass the requirements. They then refuse to learn or use English. Frankly, I don't understand why anyone would wish to live surrounded with people speaking English and be "left out" all of the time!
My Father's side of the family came to this country in the 1740's. Down to our generation no one speaks German anymore. But, we are very proud of our heritage, and proudly keep some of the old customs. Perhaps due to German marriage all the way to today. My Grandmother was the last who spoke German, but as a child. At old age, she remembered very little of it. She had no accent.
How do you live in any country and not assimilate? It just doesn't make any sense to me. Not only that, but someone who is bilingual has an advantage, in my humble opinion. Who says you must lose your culture by speaking a new language?
Success is very subjective and defined differently by everyone.
Should Americans speak English: Yes
I never said not speaking English is less American! I discussed learning a second language as an advantage, and never in any way said to forget the old language! I am simply saying that to refuse to learn the language of your chosen country altogether, is not right.
I think the immigrant's kids will speak mostly English. And English will prevail -since that's how it's been for all of U.S. history.
Picture this: Drill Sergeant knowing he has a new OC from England goes up to him and in a very gruff voice barks "Where are you from son?" To which this young man standing at attention, eyes straight forward bellows back in a heavy English accent "New York City sir!"
I know at that time they also would do a type of foreign exchange program too. Another country would send some of their personell to spend so many months on his ship and we would do the same.
I think it is also important to remember that sometimes people may speak their primary language because of comfort. There are many people here who speak English also but amongst family, friends, and in times of crisis will use their native tongue. This is why I told my daughter who wants to take an EMT course in high school (in Texas) that she needs to take Spanish and not German. I told her that if she wants to put herself as a first response provider that she would serve people better if she spoke even the most basics of the more widely used second language for this area.
In order for a non-citizen to enlist in the military, he/she must first be a legal immigrant (with a green card), permamently residing in the United States. It's important to note that the military cannot and will not assist in the immigration process. One must immigrate first, using normal immigration quotas and procedures, and -- once they've established an address in the United States -- they can find a recruiter's office and apply for enlistment This hopefully dispells any idea that we are helping people ilegally sneak into the country and then granting them the golden goose just because they join the military.
Dawn G. - That is a very acute view on people who speak spanish in the US. I live in an area that has a lot of hispanics and most of them also speak English. Some better than others and the children are very fluent in both. I wish I could say that the US was better at teaching foreign languages at younger ages. That is the prime time to do so. To be bilingual or multilingual is a skill set that is a great thing. There is a reason that many companies want to hire people with these skills. I worked for a company that had offices all over the world and it was vital to be able to communicate.
Eliane - It is still America. As listed above it isn't like we are taking in illegal aliens to do this. We are expanding the market. Think about our first armed forces. They weren't American, they were colonist, and French, and African American slaves who were signed over by their owners to fight in their place. And they were granted their freedom (if they served a set amount of time) and pay. So it isn't exactly unprecedented.
Melinda - If you seriously want to know about a part time job that offers benefits check into UPS, Fed EX and the like (off topic but a large protion of their employees work less than 30 hours a week and get great benefits, they can suck your soul out too but you know).
As for an official language. Do we need Congress actually spending time and money on this right now. There was a state level congressman in Oklahoma not to long ago who introduced a bill to make English not only the official language of Oklahoma but to declare that nothing else would be used....like the word OKLAHOMA being native american. What a goof? Besides what does declaring an official language accomplish? Does it make it illegal to speak, read, write or advertise in other languages? When you study about other countries, or at least back when I was in school, they would say the most commonly used language is....
I have been to parts of Europe, Mexico and several Caribbean islands. Language was never a barrier and it is because THEY made the effort to speak English. They accepted that we had come into their country and did not speak their language. Everyone was friendly and all was well. The only time we ran into someone who did not speak English was a restaraunt in Sicily. The menus were in Italian, the waiter maybe knew a handful of words in English and we did not speak any Italian. We did our best and he did his best and we had a great time and the food was wonderful. Everywhere I have gone the people have been kind, helpful, and genuine. Not arrogant.