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Bilingualism
In Canada, there are two official languages: English and French. This means amoung other things, that all packaging must say everything in French that it says in English (in the same size font), that government services must be provided in both language, and that French courses at a high school level is mandatory for a high school diploma (in some provinces, like Ontario.)
Do you think the US should adopt a similar approach to Spanish?
Do you think the US should adopt a similar approach to Spanish?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sara Nipples on -
Ever tried to understand Southerners? Yeesh!
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Permalink Reply by Christine Syrad on -
Interesting. Switzerland has four official languages, it seems to work for them here. We have to watch films with two sets of subtitles, that is the only annoying thing I have encountered as a result of it.
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Permalink Reply by margie wong on -
2 sets of subtitiles! wow thats so hardcore!
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Permalink Reply by Ms Sunshine on -
Well, I would say it's still LESS annoying than the German or French cinemas, where all movies are dubbed ;)
(sorry, just had to mention it, i moved from switzerland to Germany and miss it soooo mush!)
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Permalink Reply by Kim on -
i love films & i can deal with subtitles but the thought of 2 sets of subtitles makes me feel a little bit nervous haha.
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Permalink Reply by Erin McCarthy on -
I live in DC and signs down at the Target, the announcements on the bus, as well as at our soccer stadium are already in Spanish/English. I don't think I would want to live in another US city that didn't provide these common curiosities to their citizens.
A very good friend of mine lives in Toronto and event though she has to study french from a very early age, and see it every day, she still can't speak it. My point is, even if you are a xenophobe, (which she is not) your life can go on untainted even as you passively are helping other people get around town.
What is there really to complain about?
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Permalink Reply by Sweeney on -
This issue inspires a lot of unfortunate hostility. In college I did a number of research projects on bilingual schools, and volunteered at a bilingual education center. Honestly, I think it's a really good idea, but the anti-hispanic sentiment in this country is still pretty high right now. Maybe down the road something like this could be possible, but not now.
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Permalink Reply by Orion 'Nips' Swift on -
Again, this is where the United States is behind the curve. Back in Barcelona, signs are in Castilian and Catalan. I personally think it would be amazing and openminded if signs were also in Spanish.
However, there are those who want to keep America 'pure.' To them, I say then that the pure America is actually Native American, and then there would be many official languages.
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Permalink Reply by k-money on -
Personally, I love reading French on cereal boxes, instructions, ingredients lists...It reminds me that I still got it...Sorta.
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Permalink Reply by leilani on -
I absolutely think so. If only because, as you said, it would really make daily life e.g. reading signs/labels far easier for many members of the United States' population.
not to mention, having Spanish labels on everything would have made me learn Spanish much sooner... spending time in Canada as a youngster made me begin learning French! ever the narcissist, I really would have appreciated that heads-up. hah
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Permalink Reply by Tom on -
I don't see the problem in it to be honest - if there's a call for it, why not? I quite like seeing signs in Welsh or, in London, in Urdu and Arabic. Makes me feel like part of a bigger, more varied picture.
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