Judge sentances men to learn English

  • #21
I don't know what I'd call it, Paladin. I guess I'd call it her choice if I called it anything.

I think eggshells are a thing of the past around here!
 
  • #22
If i am in trouble with the law ever, maybe they can sentence me to learn to spell, I spelled sentence wrong in the thread title. Doh!
 
  • #23
Paladin I am not really criticizing my in-laws it's just annoying. I don't really feel the need to learn Spanish I live in America. I can speak fluent English and German because my mother is German and moved to America and taught us but made sure we learned English too. My husbands little nieces and nephews who were born in PA can't even speak English. My in laws have no problems getting welfare and other such benefits such as medicare and food stamps public housing etc etc...somehow they can figure out enough to apply for those types of things. I love my in laws and we have a good time when we are together but I do not and will not ever agree with the things they do.




I was commenting specifically on Mygirlsadie's relationship with her in-laws, not her in-law's relationship to American society. If she really wanted a relationship with her in-laws she can stop being hypocritical for a moment and learn Spanish.

Even if she gives up learning Spanish, maybe she will have gained some perspective on how difficult it is for a grown adult to pick up a new language and not criticize her in-laws.
 
  • #24
Thanks taximom but it's ok..I must of hit a nerve . I'm not one to argue so this won't get heated..promise! :)



I just think there are ways to get your point across without calling someone else hypocritical. Maybe we should concentrate on learning THAT language first.
 
  • #25
LOL, I should just learn to mind my own business! Sorry. :blowkiss: I think I've just been extra sensitive lately.
 
  • #26
Mind your own business? Heck no! That's why we are all on WS isn't it? To be all up in everybody's business? hehe..




LOL, I should just learn to mind my own business! Sorry. :blowkiss: I think I've just been extra sensitive lately.
 
  • #27
  • #28
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

If i am in trouble with the law ever, maybe they can sentence me to learn to spell, I spelled sentence wrong in the thread title. Doh!

I saw that, twosisters! But we all speak the same language on Websleuths, no? Mis-spellings and all!
 
  • #29
Kudos to this judge. I wish there were thousands more like him.
 
  • #30
I don't agree with this ruling at all. Of course it's going to help them, and I do encourage any immigrant living in the US to learn English, but I do'nt think it's the judge's place to do this. Recently something like this happened in TN. A mother was ordered by the judge if she wanted to regain custody of her daughter she would have to learn English. I don't recall if ACLU jumped all over this or what, but I remember a big stink being raised and the eventually dropped it. It happened in Wilson County several years ago.
 
  • #31
Well excuse me, but these three thugs comitted armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. They're also either in or trying to form a gang by ordering a man to stay off the streets. They deserve prison time. I don't care what language they speak. It wouldn't suprise me if they really do speak English and are just faking it. They can get a GED in prison and learn English there too if they want. Hopefully the morons will not follow through and will go on to jail where they belong.
 
  • #32
Well excuse me, but these three thugs comitted armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. They're also either in or trying to form a gang by ordering a man to stay off the streets. They deserve prison time. I don't care what language they speak. It wouldn't suprise me if they really do speak English and are just faking it. They can get a GED in prison and learn English there too if they want. Hopefully the morons will not follow through and will go on to jail where they belong.


That's an excellent point. Creative sentencing is one thing, but completely overlooking the actual crime is another. Good catch!

I think they should learn English though. They should be told that "Take me back to my country" actually means "This is a stick up".
 
  • #33
I think what the judge did was fine..

Mygirlsadie, Upon entering school those nieces and nephews will learn English.
I do not believe that your in-laws do not know English..
I believe they pretend to no know like many immigrants.
I lived in Hialeah for a few years and you can't help but pick up the language around you.
 
  • #34
I sometimes wonder if they know more then they are letting on.I can't imagine though WHY they would pretend not to know? They have everything they need where they live all the stores they go to only speak spanish, the clubs etc..there really is no need to learn it I guess. I do know that the nieces & nephews upon entering school are all in ESL classes. (english as a second language)




I think what the judge did was fine..

Mygirlsadie, Upon entering school those nieces and nephews will learn English.
I do not believe that your in-laws do not know English..
I believe they pretend to no know like many immigrants.
I lived in Hialeah for a few years and you can't help but pick up the language around you.
 
  • #35
I sometimes wonder if they know more then they are letting on.I can't imagine though WHY they would pretend not to know? They have everything they need where they live all the stores they go to only speak spanish, the clubs etc..there really is no need to learn it I guess. I do know that the nieces & nephews upon entering school are all in ESL classes. (english as a second language)

I can only speak from my experience but I have encountered that many times living in Miami.
I think its more about being comfortable speaking their first language.
And to some extent thinking "stupid Americans"
I only say that because when In Miami many people claimed to not speak English until they realized I was married to Hubby.
Heck their English was almost better then mine!

Do not get me started on what I think about ESL class!!
My daughter only spoke English but in Miami all children took ESL class and the teacher would not translate for her and then failed her ...
yeah! that went over well.
 
  • #36
2sisters,

If you double-click in the empty space on the right side of the thead title/link, it will let you edit the title name since you are the creator of the thread.

This will allow you to fix your spelling if you wish.
 
  • #37
French used the be the official language in Louisiana but I have yet to meet anyone from there who doesn't speak English and they don't complain.

It's a little different when you live here. You obviously have never met Cajuns or been in Cajun country. There they do speak French, well, not France French, Cajun French. Oh, they'll speak English if they know it but you'd be better off learning some Cajun French so you can understand them. Their accents are a little hard to understand if you don't. But many have no urge to speak English and it's only taught in schools but not spoken, esp at home. Why should they when everyone around them speaks French?

Same thing living here in the city. You'd be out of the loop if you don't know at least a smattering of French. Nothing too difficult to learn really. But it's a culture thing more than anything else. I don't see a problem with learning what others speak in their Culture. There are three distinct forms of French in our area, Cajun, Napoleonic French and Colonial or Plantation French. You'd better know some of them if you want to travel within this State.

Not to mention it's difficult to live here without knowing at least how to pronounce some French if you want to order food, find a street or converse with long time residents in certain areas. And they make no apologies about laughing at you if you don't know them. They can be a bit rude about it really. They expect you to learn it if you live here.

I don't see a huge barrage of folks saying we should change. I doubt it would be met with Oh, of course we should, let's get right on that! rofl.

We have a ton of Mexicans living here now, they are rebuilding New Orleans. I just had a crew working on my roof. They didn't speak very much English, and I speak less Spanish, but I found it rather easy to communicate with them. They have fit in rather well here on the whole.

I wonder why they seem to fit in well in some areas and not in others? And why the backlash against this particular group of people when we have folks in our own country that don't speak English, nor are they expected to?
 
  • #38
It seems like basic common sense to me that immigrants to any country should learn the language of their new home, at least to a functional degree. I do not expect perfect grammar and diction, but I do expect them to be able to carry on a rudimentary conversation. To not even make an effort to learn the national language is something I find incredibly disrespectful and selfish. If I moved somewhere where the official language were something other than English, I would demand of myself to get at least a working knowledge.
I don't like to single out specific ethnicities or nationalities, but down in the States, more than any other nationality, it's Mexicans and Miami Cubans who don't think it is necessary to bother learning the language or assimilate at all, to any degree that might impinge on their lifestyles. Up here in Canada, more than any other nationality, it's the Chinese. I don't know why, but this subject infuriates me to an unreasonable extent. I feel it's like spitting in the face of the country that just allowed you entry and citizenship.
 
  • #39
  • #40
2sisters,

If you double-click in the empty space on the right side of the thead title/link, it will let you edit the title name since you are the creator of the thread.

This will allow you to fix your spelling if you wish.
Thanks!
 

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