Iowa Aviation Weather...en Espanol

"Hamish Reid" wrote

In what sense is Spanish a foreign language in the US? It's the dominant
language in the part of the US I live in...

Just because it is so, does not make it correct.

The United States was made great because of the immigrants moving here, and
the US becoming the "melting pot."

Although there were neighborhoods of native language speakers in large
cities, for the most part, people all learned English, to advance themselves
in our common culture.

Now it does not seem to be fashionable to do so, and is enabled by our
government. Sad.

Youngsters coming into school should be taught English, ONLY, until they are
able to communicate within the classroom setting. Night classes for adults
should be set up, and incentives set out for attending, and becoming English
speakers.

Perhaps no handouts after 6 months, without being functional English
speakers and readers? That would be a start.

There need to be some reversals on policy, soon. I don't see it, though.
--
Jim in NC

C J Campbell wrote:
The US has never had an 'official' language and it does not need one
now. I don't need some government regulator telling me what language
to speak.

While I would agree with that general sentiment, the FARs require that you
be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language before
you can be issued a pilot certificate.

Tony writes:

Interesting point. Is there evidence to support the statement that
those here who only speak Spanish can't read that language?

The studies I saw supported it very well, and it does make logical sense.

--
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Hamish Reid writes:

In what sense is Spanish a foreign language in the US?

In just about every sense. It's the language of the mainstream, of success,
of society, of the media. You can't really participate in American society
without it.

--
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In article ,
"Morgans" wrote:

"Hamish Reid" wrote

In what sense is Spanish a foreign language in the US? It's the dominant
language in the part of the US I live in...

Just because it is so, does not make it correct.

The United States was made great because of the immigrants moving here, and
the US becoming the "melting pot."

Although there were neighborhoods of native language speakers in large
cities, for the most part, people all learned English, to advance themselves
in our common culture.

Now it does not seem to be fashionable to do so, and is enabled by our
government. Sad.

Youngsters coming into school should be taught English, ONLY, until they are
able to communicate within the classroom setting. Night classes for adults
should be set up, and incentives set out for attending, and becoming English
speakers.

Perhaps no handouts after 6 months, without being functional English
speakers and readers? That would be a start.

There need to be some reversals on policy, soon. I don't see it, though.

None of that really answers the question: in what sense is Spanish a
foreign language in the US? As several people have pointed out, it
predates English in these parts by a long way, and has been spoken
continuously 'round here by immigrants and native-born citizens alike
for all of that time.

Would you call Lakota a foreign language in the US?

Hamish

"Hamish Reid" wrote

None of that really answers the question: in what sense is Spanish a
foreign language in the US? As several people have pointed out, it
predates English in these parts by a long way, and has been spoken
continuously 'round here by immigrants and native-born citizens alike
for all of that time.

Now you are being silly. English is the official language in the US, and is
the only language of record. That says it all.

Now, it those who refuse to speak it want to sit back in the corner and be
quiet, fine with me.
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:

Now you are being silly. English is the official language in the US, and
is the only language of record. That says it all.

hmm, care to quote the chapter and verse of the relevant CFR where this
is stated? (you can get all the CFRs, not just 14, he gpoaccess.gov
-- ok, there is something about it in 8 CFR, but that's about
naturalization; frankly I haven't read all of them, so you might very
well be right); I don't see it in the constitution however.

as for the 'only language of record', have a look at your US passport
if you have one, and tell us what language or languages it is written
in?

--Sylvain

Jay Honeck wrote:
Does anyone else find it disturbing that the National Weather Service
in the United States is paying out taxpayer money to a government
employee to create a foreign-language web page?

Tla. Ayv a-da-nv-te-s-gv na-s-gi o-s-dv.

Matt Roberds

(The above is an automated translation into a language I am not very
familiar with and may contain errors.)

Hamish Reid writes:

None of that really answers the question: in what sense is Spanish a
foreign language in the US? As several people have pointed out, it
predates English in these parts by a long way, and has been spoken
continuously 'round here by immigrants and native-born citizens alike
for all of that time.

It is not the predominant language in the U.S., irrespective of any historical
or minority use.

Would you call Lakota a foreign language in the US?

Yes.

--
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Sylvain writes:

as for the 'only language of record', have a look at your US passport
if you have one, and tell us what language or languages it is written
in?

Passports are specifically intended for use abroad. Mine is in English and
French.

--
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