Apr 28, 2010
“This is Alabama; we speak English. If you want to live here, learn it.” – Is he serious?
Like this post?
He says that maybe it’s the businessman in him that motivates him to dislike offering drivers license tests in multiple languages.
But we all know it’s actually the ______ in him.
You fill in the blank.
* * * * *
jerk-wad
We live in America. We speak American. We realiZe that elevators do more than just lift. ;-)
He says that maybe it’s the businessman in him that motivates him to dislike offering drivers license tests in multiple languages.
But we all know it’s actually the “Astuteness” in him.
wow. wow… um, wow. Is he also a part of the KKK?
Asshole.
Arizona Native?
Regional Political Opportunist
I appreciated the dramatic pause and introspective look at the end.
A highly-paid consultant told him that would make him look sincere and humble.
nothing says “I’m-not-really-a-bigoted-jerk” like a thoughtful pause.
This is Alabama, a state named for the local Alibamu Indian tribe. All road signs are in Alibamu. Learn it.
LOL
Oh, and here’s some good old-fashioned help being mean if creative invectives aren’t your strong suit.
I like fen-sucked
prick? douche-bag? moron?
also, is that REALLY the big issue in alabama that’s going to win him the votes for governor?
I am starting to wonder; Do you have Yahoo for you home page? I only ask because the last two post have matched up with what Yahoo has on its front page.
No, I don’t, but that’s funny. I guess Awesome and its cousin Awful just know how to make the rounds.
This is the best response I could think of:
http://xkcd.com/84/
I like that.
ding ding ding … we have a winner!
gorbellied, knotty-pated assbag
Bahahaha!
Why do Southerners insist on using two or more syllables to say words such as Dog,egg, and Four?
We speak proper English in the South. If you want to continue to live here, learn to pronounce it correctly and use proper grammar.
When I am elected governor of the South, I’ll provide accent reduction classes, and remedial grammar classes.
Maybe its the elitist in me, but we’ll be able to understand you better, and we’ll all be happier, and be less prone to call you ignorant crackers.
It makes sense to me. Does it to you?
Geez. On behalf of the rational part of the south, I apologize.
lol…governor of the South. Can’t stop giggling.
=) I moved to Raleigh 3 years ago, and I’m still trying to understand some accents. And my poor husband… he lived in eastern Europe until he was 26. It’s extra hard for him sometimes.
So… being elitist about language: not cool. Making fun of people’s accents: totally cool.
We think you talk funny too.
here here!
thats cool. I never knew Californians had accents until I moved here. A year later I was talking with my friends in the Bay Area and realized that there is a west coast accent. And mine is blurring with sourthern accents.
My thoughts exactly JMH. Somehow Charity’s comment is OK but not that video?
If you disagree with the video you can’t turn right around and make fun of the way the guy talks, that’s a bit hypocritical.
BTW, I live in Alabama and we put videos like this out every once in a while just so people won’t get any bright ideas and move down here. We don’t want you to discover how awesome it is because then you might stay.
One more thing, have you heard people up north talk? You act like southerners are the only ones with accents.
Oh, man. We know we got an accent up here in MN, dontcha know.
I imitate it so often, that some people probably think it’s how I actually talk.
Oh no….maybe it is how I actually talk.
I have at least 22 words I can fill in that blank…
…John Birch Society Member…
Better to have people who can drive to English classes than people who cause crashes because they are learning English and how to drive from American movies.
One speaks no English, the other learned English from watching “The Wide World of Sports.” So you tell me… Which is better, speaking no English at all, or speaking Howard Cosell?
Nathan, you just made my day!
“BETTER OFF DEAD!!!!” “The Once great champion….” Great movie.
I wonder why there are people in this country who don’t know the language and can get a driver’s license. It seems to me that if you really wanted to be an american you would do your best to try to assimilate to the culture. Knowing the English language is actually required if you want to be a US citizen and even taught to citizen applicants by the government. I don’t know of any other country that would allow you citizenship if you didn’t want to conform to their way of life, Communication is at the heart of that.
There really is no excuse for not learning the english language, unless of course you are here illegally.
So the the good man is mearly trying to keep criminals out of his state. Hats off.
Thank you Jon. I was thinking the same thing.
Along with the commenter above, I would also like to apologize on behalf of the “rational part of the south”; however, I know too many who share such elitist views (sadly).
To the commenter who linked to the Shakespearean insults site – thank you! Hilarious! To another: I also like the Alibamu reference.
I think this could potentially help him win. Right, Wrong, indifferent. Alabama is pretty country, just go somewhere that’s not in Birmingham or Mobile and you will see how country it is. Hes a jerk, but a decent politician. He is giving the people in his area what they want.
A good argument can be made for having one national language and for people who are living here to learn English… but this isn’t it.
I think he said something after “we’re only giving that test in english, if I’m…” but I couldn’t recognize the word…
Gubnuh? Gumnah?
Sorry dude, learn some English and re-record that video…
Or do it in Spanish, I could probably understand that as well.
mammering, folly-fallen horn-beast.
Isn’t English fun!
Shouldn’t you end that with a question mark!
am i detecting punctuation humor! i hope so?
Yes! I want to only insult people in Shakespearean English now because it’s so much more delightfully descriptive. Come on, someone make me mad…
Perhaps “politician” is the best thing to put in the blank.
It’s funny, but Americans can take a similar attitude overseas as well:
“Hey, I came here, why don’t you speak English?”
I just want to weigh in as someone from Alabama. I know the James family. I despise this commercial. I do think it will earn James support from the xenophobes, but it will hurt him in the long run. Unfortunately, politics continues to show the most distasteful side of our state. (But isn’t that true just about everywhere? Anyone out there from Illinois?) I’d also like to remind all of you that, although we may have accents, our state has produced some deft wordsmiths (Harper Lee, Emmylou Harris, and Walker Percy to name a few).
Don’t worry, I’m not connecting this dude to your state at large.
3 cheers for Alabama!
As a member of a southern-(ok, I will admit it-Alabama)-family, I was just emailing friends as to where I can move until our election is over! Where can I go where the government is progressive and they have their act together? Please say Hawaii, ’cause I really want to spend a few months there. (And, no, we don’t fly the confederate flag anymore… And we do wear shoes and have indoor plumbing!)
Amen and amen from a born-Alabamian/Chicago transplant. Politics: the armpit of a nation.
I don’t agree with what he is saying. But, some of these comments reveal attitudes that are just as wrong as the ad. Come on!
Abraham, I going to have to take you off my reader. I don’t see how you can call it “constructive criticism”. You can do better.
I agree, Mark.
I going to have to point out your typo…
Sorry. I couldn’t help it. I just fit in so well with said video.
You’re taking Abraham’s blog off your reader because of comments his readers made?
He’s just sharing a silly video. With no disrespect intended: Don’t take things so seriously!
I don’t know what people are talking about. This blog isn’t judgmental, “snarky,” or anything of the sort.
Keep your posts coming, Abraham. You have a view of life that is unique, witty, and creative. I enjoy your insights — and I think I’m in the majority opinion when I say that.
Don’t let ‘em getcha down!
I have to agree with Mark too.
The fill in the blank coupled with the Shakespearean insult generator leads me to believe that AP intended to let this comment line drift ‘south’ (if you take my meaning). I’m disappointed. I expect better here.
Having said that, I’m not going to stop reading 22 Words or Downhill. Mr. Piper’s writing is far too enjoyable to let a few things that appear to be errors in judgment ruin what is predominately an excellent, enjoyable and edifying read.
(After reading further, I appreciate the balance provided by your excellent wife, and many of your readers who rose above the [snarky -> offensive] start to make their points more graciously.)
Finally someone focusing on the important issues!
Hopefully his next task is getting the confederate flag displayed on every street corner in Alabama. After all, it boldly reminds us of…what was it? Oh yeah, state’s rights. That was it.
Wait. Did you say deft or deaf? #HelenKeller
In what language are traffic & street signs written?
Which countries of the world DON’T require immigrants to speak the language?
Really? Elitist? Douche-bag? Asshole?
Interesting points of view. I’m none of those things, yet I agree that the US should have English as their National language. Just as other countries have their national languages. You will not find an English translation on any paperwork you are required to fill out in Mexico in order to maintain legal status. And while some countries do have English versions of documentation, it is because English is one of their official languages – if only in specific regions.
I also believe that America used to be a melting pot, where everyone who came here became Americans. They assimilated to the values and traditions of this nation. We blended and melded together to become one people – one nation. And we were strong.
Now we are just a collective of people from different countries who don’t want to leave their traditions behind, or meld them into the fold of American traditions. They don’t want to become just an American.
So, while you may not agree with the way he says it, I don’t believe any of you have been given any special dispensation from God to judge him.
And for you of the Alibamu tribe, walk a mile in his moccasin before judging a man.
I’m just sayin’…
QFT
White prick jackass
Lovely words, there Nick.
Sorry you don’t approve. That guy has issues, though. I’ve traveled too much and been in too many different cultures to be fine with the way he is speaking. It’s ridiculous.
Why so much anger about this? This fill in the blank post brings out the worst in people.
Why is it “the worst in people” to say that he’s a jerk or an ass? I don’t feel like that was my worst:) That ad was ridiculous and more ridiculous.
This post is just an excuse for feeling self-righteous.
At the risk of being called the same foul and filthy names many of these so called Americans used, I for one agree with him. Get over it. (Sorry Eagles) Learn English and get over it. Lean to read words instead of pictures – get over it.
I don’t know him nor anything about him, but dare say he doesn’t deserve the foul names for stating a principle.
What’s the principle he is stating? Have you ever tried to learn a new language? Or learn how to live in a new culture? If you haven’t, then let me tell you its freakin hard.
You seriously think they should wait until they can read and write in English in an advanced level before getting a driver’s license?
As I think about some of the patients and families I work with, many of them are immigrants who have learned English quite proficiently for everyday conversation. This is totally different, however, from learning English to a mastery level, which is required for *testing* or any other more technical usage.
I can imagine many of the people I’m thinking of (who don’t require an interpreter for our speech therapy sessions) opting for a test in their own language, just because they would be more comfortable in their native language for technical questions and such.
Refusing to offer it because “people should learn English” is just short-sighted to me. Even with a long-term commitment to learning English (which many immigrants have), learning technical language would come much later.
Now there’s a good response.
Clearly I’m the emotional one in this relationship, getting all fired up.
Then you come along with perfect reason and clear it all up.
I’m glad after reacting in our different ways, we still agree. :)
Anyway, point is, you’re dang smart.
You know that this blog is supposed to be a comedy blog, right? Kind of like the show Frasier, trying to be funny while maintaining a level of intellectual superiority. Responding with thoughtful consideration kind of ruins it for the rest of us…
Sorry Kev.
It’s cool.
Molly,
I tend to agree with you. My husband’s first language is Russian and while he is totally bilingual, and can talk trash as well as the rest of us (since this post is bringing out the best trash talking in us, including myself), he prefers to read and sometimes, when he can, conduct business in Russian. He feels its faster for him. He reads Piper in Russian and then discusses it in English with people. He’d prefer to take any of the tests we have to take here in Russian, becuase he knows he wont second guess anything technical. But that doesn’t mean he’s a disloyal American citizen. I interpret it as his desire to fully partcipate in American life as much as he can, and if switching back to Russian helps him do that, then more power to him.
But ask him what he thinks about people who just refuse to learn English or immigrants who trash talk America, and you better look out.
I don’t know what drivers’ license tests are like in Minnesota, but in North Carolina, it was about 15 short questions like, “On ice, what gear do you start in – high gear or low gear?”
I’m not opposed to offering a test in another language, but saying these tests are too technical for immigrants to study for isn’t very convincing (at least to me), especially when the DMV gives out free manuals for people to use to study for these tests.
I guess I’m thinking more broadly than memorizing a DMV manual. Language mastery takes years, period, especially if you’re learning another language as an adult. To refuse to accommodate people while they’re in process seems kind of mean.
If you were in a foreign country (even living there for a number of years) and a family member got hurt you might know how to ask where the bathroom at the hospital was, but could in no way understand what the surgeons were about to do to your wife or child. That takes mastery. And you would be very happy that someone was available to help you in your ignorance of that level of the language.
Yeah, I wasn’t saying nobody should have access to a translator in a hospital. I’m not even opposed to multingual drivers’ tests. And I’m not definitely not seconding Video Guy’s smugness. I just don’t know that they’re necessary – I’ve never met an immigrant (and I’ve known quite a few) who had trouble getting a driver’s license, whether the test was offered in their language or not.
People are usually smarter than we give them credit for. If they’ve moved halfway round the world, chances are they can deal with a 15-question test.
There are many assumptions and, seemingly, a lot of ignorance in your reply to Molly.
Many of the people that live here in our City (Minneapolis) didn’t come here by choice. They aren’t educated Europeans. Many of them were forced out of their country because of war, death, and extreme poverty.
Oh and I would like to know where you live. 15 question test? I’ve never seen a license test that was 15 short questions. And there are many tough ideas and complicated language in a test like this.
Spending a year in a foreign country has given me a new perspective on this. Learning a foreign language on a functional level can be incredibly difficult, and getting upset about immigrants not learning english is incredibly insensitive – especially considering how few Americans can even speak a foreign language on a more than ordering-a-taco level. Besides, we don’t speak Cherokee, Navajo, or Siouan-Catawban, so I don’t think we have the right to talk.
We are a nation founded on the fact that we are ALL IMMIGRANTS. THAT’S why this is ignorant nonsense. I wouldn’t call this candidate foul names, I think that’s just as bad, but still. We call ourselves the land of opportunity, and we’re proud of it. That’s why it’s best for everyone to help immigrants integrate by makings processes available in their mother language. Yes, they should be expected to learn English on a fundamental level, but we should help them be able to integrate smoothly. Besides, the multiple cultures and languages that make up the ancestries of Americans are beautiful and should be cherished, not stamped out in the name of integration. I LOVE hearing people speak foreign languages in public. It makes me remember how colorful and complex the world is and keeps me in perspective. The viewpoint of this candidate I think would be working in the opposite direction.
Yes!
Are they trying to make sure these people can drive or understand Shakespeare? What does English have to do with driving?
As for the fill-in-the blank… is “xenophobic, poorly-reasoned windbag” a word?
I think that works.
And good question re: driving.
I’ve lived in Brazil for three years. Although most consider me fluent in Portuguese, I still clam up when I need to “perform” formally in Portuguese. When I took my driving test, the part that left me sleepless the night before was worry over not understanding technical language and failing as a result. Had the test been offered in English I would have jumped at the chance. I moved here and I learned the language, yet I still would have happily accepted a test in English as a kind gesture!
Just to add to my previous comment, I don’t care what anyone says, this guy has smugness all over his face.
Well, I don’t like this ad at all, from the “issue” he chose to deal with to the way he looks away from the camera at the end.
However… Alabama does have an official language, according to Amendment 509 of its constitution. It’s English.
It’s not a good reason for not offering the test in other languages (as stated by others above), but I see why he’d reason that way. It’s something to think about.
Filling in the blank: “modern-day George Wallace”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Wallace
(Molly’s a speech pathologist so she responds that way… I’m a history major so I make a history reference.)
It takes all kinds…you’re accepted here. :)
I moved to spain a year or so ago and everything for my visa was in english. However once in spain every document I had to sign for work or my apartment or to drive was in spanish. further, i took a scuba course while there and while it was harder to take the certification test in spanish, I managed. After 6 months of living in a country and speaking their language you should be able to take simple tests in it.
I’m sorry, but, the attitude that English (the language you conveniently know fluently) should be the only language, no exceptions, has more of an air of self-righteousness, than any amount of frustration over that claim does.
Saving money is a poor reason to reduce the number of languages a driver’s test is offered in. But what about safety? Are the driver and police officer safer when they can communicate with each other? Maybe increasing the number of official languages future officers should speak is a better option than reducing the number of driving test languages.
“Learn English” is almost completely a nonstarter for me. Immigrant families nearly-inevitably *do* learn English, and the assimilation takes one or two generations after immigration.
To grossly simplify: The older folks may never speak fluent English, their kids–who grow up speaking the family language at home and English at school, etc–are bilingual and may speak with an accent, and their kids in turn are native English speakers.
Here in SW MN, that’s how it worked for Germans and Swedes in 1910, and it’s how it’s working for Mexicans, East Africans, and Burmese now.
This still leaves real, complex, and sometimes costly questions of how much and what kind of accommodations and services to offer during the transition.
But demanding, “Learn English”? That’s purely and only a message of fear for English-speaking constituents. It says nothing to immigrants. They don’t need to be told; they *are* learning English.
I live in Alabama, and I can tell you that this was not received well here either. My apologies on behalf of all non-Jamesian Alabamians.
“We’ll save money on printing costs if people learnt English.”
That seems like very sensible policy to me.
*checks notes*
Does it to you?
What’s the Spanish word for douche-bag?
El douche-bag.
Even though I disagree with his stance on this, the name-calling and comments about Southerners’ misuse of the English language just reek of hypocrisy. Being on the politically correct side of the issue, doesn’t make you right.
And as for the political message he was sending, I don’t think it really has anything to do with languages or driving. It was meant to energize a conservative base, and I have no doubt that it will work.
And labeling this as constructive criticism? I would have to disagree. It seems to be going along with the snarky, judgmental tone that most of these posts have held to lately. Generally a big fan, but the recent changes have been disappointing.
Well-said, Jenny.
I would disagree vehemently with anyone who said Southerners misuse English. I haven’t heard that, though.
Regarding the rest of your comment, I’m sorry to disappoint. Most the time when I label a post “constructive criticism” it’s meant at least in part to be ironic.
But I suppose that might be the snark that’s bothering you.
…also feeling disappointed, Jenny.
…count me with Lauren and Jenny. Also, the general tone of the responses who find this ad offensive/annoying, etc can be described as __________. Hmmmmmm.
Oh, wow. My sister was talking about this yesterday.
Please don’t let this skew your view of Alabamians; northerners dislike us enough already. xD I solidly disagree with him.
We also usually don’t have those outrrrrrrAAAGEous accents.
It is really the IMMIGRANT GENERATIONS REMOVED in Him.
My how quickly we forget our history.
I am proud of the USA for not declaring an official language. I am, however, curious to see how much longer it will be able to stick to such a “lack of language policy.”
I admire the USA for that, too.
As do I. And I fear the thought of us declaring an official language. If nothing else, for how that would affect the Deaf community.
my seminary friend from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary reacted to my facebook news status:
“Kevin, how would your classes be going if you didn’t speak English?”
Anyone want to apologize on the behalf of SBTS? Ahh, I regret moving down to the South…
“But we all know it’s actually the RACIST in him.”
It’s unfortunate that one of his platforms in his run for governor is getting the official language of the driving license exam to be English.
There really must not be a lot going on in ‘Bama this year other than college football.
I agree. It’s the racist in him. That’s not snark, it’s a fact.
If most people really thought about it, I think they’d agree that it’s better to have drivers who truly understand the laws of the road than those who just memorized a set of answers. You get the latter situation with the English-only option.
Well said Laura. Since when is it snarky to call out racism when we see it? I am grateful that Abraham has used this blog to draw attention to the disgrace of such nonsense. We cannot be “haters” ourselves in the process of criticizing it…but use accurate words of correction. This is racism and ethnocentrism. And it is very divisive and cruel to tolerate it.
Tim James actually came in my office the other day to introduce himself. Fortunately (or unfortunately, I’m starting to think), I wasn’t there to shake his hand and show off my clear diction. We did have an employee hide in the back so he wouldn’t have to meet him, though.
Also fortunate: James doesn’t nearly have the support needed to win the race.
I’m a bit appalled by the crass comments that are being left here. One stat I heard for Alabama is that accidents that have been caused by people’s inability to read the road signs have increased by 74% over the last 10 years. Some of this may be due to peoples inability to read, but after having lived in FL for awhile and gone to counties where NO ONE spoke English and everything, including billboards was written in Spanish, I felt like I was the one living in a foreign country.
The blank could be filled with:
“Christian in need of repentance”
Which is the same phrase that should be applied to all of the above people who’ve sinfully judged that this dude is harboring racism in his heart.
Advocating English as an official language is not, of necessity, racism. Those who insist that it is do more to promote strife than peace and love.
I hope this site is not populated with those judgmental, narrow minded Christians!
I’m with you, Augustino. I don’t understand how you can excuse the most disgusting terms (some of which my unsaved friends even find offensive) applied to a man these people have never met as okay, while deploring him for his belief in a national language.
I don’t know if I’ll ever read comments again, Abraham, if d***bag and p*** and a**hole are the common adjectives for those who disagree with us. Isn’t very sanctifying for my morning coffee time.
Passive racism is one of the greatest sins of the church. The power of the gospel is reconciliation, Ephesians makes this clear. Even if advocating English as an official is not born of racism it is born of prejudice of some sort and likely fear.
Writing a blog that people actually read must be hard. Fortunately(?) I’ll probably never know for sure.
So to Charity I say, if you wanted to get a drivers license in your husband’s
Eastern European country of Russia, would your test be in English?
Augustino is right on! Just because someone wants people to speak English in the US where it is the native language, that makes them a racist? I see the indoctrination of the younger generation here loud and clear. One World everything! Kudos to those of you who have experienced this on the other side and have had no such accomodations in other countries, for your input.
I have taught ESL for 8 years. The only people who have NO English skills are very old. Every country in the world save a few crazy dictatorships have English as a class and they learn fundamental English. The “technical” language of driving (whichi by the way is not so technical at all) is taught in the very early levels of ESL class. Yes I understand it feels more comfortable to have it in your native tongue, but get over it, you live in the USA.
So who exactly do you think he is being racist about? What race? Did they give the tests in Swedish, Dutch, German, Italian, Polish, or Portuguese when that is where our immigrants were coming from? A BIG FAT NO! So I say, no to Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Irdu, Mandrian,Farsi etc. LEARN ENGLISH. And by the way, learning English is FREE! Paid for by you and me.
Tracey,
I am a pastor and also happen to teach ESL…and I gotta say I am so glad that none of my struggling students have to have you for a teacher…you just don’t seem very nice.
Do those of you who are using such language and utterly derogatory and childish banter make you RIGHT on the matter? I think not.
But, I hope you all feel better.
Seems like those who are most “offended” by the notion that English is our language (the horror!) are the ones who are struggling themselves with the language because they can’t find anything worthwhile to say. Instead, they feel like swearing and name-calling will help them advance their viewpoint.
Pathetic.
Challenge: Befriend an immigrant family so you can put some names and faces to the “issue.” Then let’s talk.
Great read: The Middle of Everywhere by Mary Pipher
I’ve lived in France for the past 18 years and I got my drivers license there less than 6 months after arriving in the country. The test was in French – both the written and the driving test. But in both cases there was a translator present in case I had a question. In neither case did I need her – and that was after 5 months of studying beginning French. For the driving part it doesn’t take much work to be able to understand “Tournez à droite… continuez tout droit… garez vous ici…” The inspector throws in a hand signal and voilà. I had my license in hand.
He walks up to the camera 4 times in 30 seconds. Weird.
This post and the comments leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Two points:
#1 Just because other countries don’t offer their drivers tests in English isn’t a reason for the USA not to. Poor logic there.
#2 Just because you are having a hard time learning the language doesn’t mean the nation has to accommodate you. There are many important signs on the road that require fluency, and how impossible would it be to have 2 or 3 translations of each traffic warning (my city has electronic boards over the highway)?
#3 Compassion for those new to our country should be the hallmark of our (Christians) interaction with them–the “learn it or leave” mentality is just wrong.
Good topic for discussion, but kinda exposed the arrogance in all of us, no?
Kathleen
Okay, 3 points. oops.
Can’t read all the responses so sorry if someone has already said this, but the test – even when it’s given in another language – still requires you to read the road signs in English, am I right?
So you still can’t pass a driving test without being able to drive, right?
We aren’t talking about citizenship or become American. We’re talking about the right to operate a motor vehicle. I don’t see that it matters what language you speak as long as you can read enough English to know what the signs mean. They don’t translate the signs on the driver’s test, they are all in English. Someone on an extended work visa might need a driver’s license even if they plan on going back to their own country in a year. This isn’t a question of citizenship, just one of safety and mobility.
[/end two cents]
For the record, I do think that being conversational (I did not say fluent) in English should be a requirement for citizenship, and that’s not elitism. If I want to become a Chinese citizen I have to learn Chinese. If I want to become a Russian citizen I have to learn Russian. If I want to identify myself as a member of an organization, I speak their language. When I was in ROTC in college, we didn’t go back to our “rooms” we went back to our “holes.” We didn’t eat “dinner” we ate “chow.” We didn’t ask people to “please move” we asked them to “make a hole.” If someone didn’t assimilate this linguistic variant – not quite a pidgin – they weren’t a part of the group, they never really belonged. That’s just a micro example. If you want to be a citizen you should speak English if for no other cultural reason than because it shows solidarity with our country. I’m not talking extended visas here, I’m talking CITIZEN, which is, again, not at all what this post is talking about so it doesn’t apply in this context at all – just a thought.
Oh, and for the record, if this were 300 years ago, I’d be saying we all need to learn Cherokee or Zuni or whatever local language was the main language. But it’s not 300 years ago.