Inhofe and English Only

[Hometown]

So James Inhofe has time to propose legislation that would make English our official language.  I guess he might as well stir up a lot of bad feeling because it's starting to look the man can't do anything else.  I mean he's our representative in Washington but he can't bring home the bacon.  Thanks to him and his buddy Coburn Oklahoma has a bacon problem folks.  He couldn't get federal disaster assistance for a lot of Oklahoma after our deadly ice storms.  That was pitiful.  He's turning to the state now for help with the Tar Creek buyout.  Like Oklahoma has money to burn.  He presided over the gutting of Tulsa's economy with the great exodus of oil companies.  He was the man in charge when the company left the company town.  But now he has time to grandstand and showboat and play the politics of division.  I mean, are we getting our bad karma or what?

[sgrizzle]

The official language legislation comes up every year. The main issue I agree with is that currently government documents are printed literally in dozens of languages. That means IRS and other government agencies have to hire translators for tons of languages and proof and print forms in almost every language imaginable The overhead cost is bordering on ridiculous.

Most countries at least limit themselves to a handful of languages.

[Double A]

Some folks think this young knight in shining armor could slay that old burnt up dragon.



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[TheArtist]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

The official language legislation comes up every year. The main issue I agree with is that currently government documents are printed literally in dozens of languages. That means IRS and other government agencies have to hire translators for tons of languages and proof and print forms in almost every language imaginable The overhead cost is bordering on ridiculous.

Most countries at least limit themselves to a handful of languages.

That would be the case even if English was the official language.  There will still be visitors, temporary workers, exchange students, newcomers and their family members young and old, refugees, and yes illegals...All of which it is better to have them know whats what than not.

If there is an emergency, shots that need to be given, or other important health or emergency information that needs to be gotten to everyone, your not going to say only those who can read English will get that info.  That could put us all at risk. If someone can't read English, are you going to send them information on English classes in English?  Unless we pass a law that says you must be fluent in English in order to visit or before you become a citizen, then the government will have to have forms in many languages. If I moved to another country it would take me years to learn the language and I would be thankful for any help in my language during that time.

At first blush I have no problem with English being the official language. I would have assumed it already was.  Not sure what such legislation would entail though.

Heard an intersting statement on the radio today that was on a different topic.  Speaker said:  I know a lot of people around the world that speak English, but who are in no way Americans.

[South_Tulsan]

I find it entertaining to see that corporate America is far outpacing the government in the adaptation of bilingual signage and service.

Just got gas at the convenience store and the instructions on the pump were in both English and Spanish.

I see nothing wrong with this whatsoever, whether someone speaks English or not, I'd hate to see them doused with gasoline and catch on fire!

Inhofe is, as the Governer of California has already pointed out, still living in the stone age.

It is an absolute embarrassment that he is an elected representative of our state.  

[Double A]

[jamesrage]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

So James Inhofe has time to propose legislation that would make English our official language

Why should tax payers be forced to pay for bi-lingual nonsense in a English speaking country?English should be our official language it is what we speak.Heck it is even one of the requirements for citizenship in this country. If you want to live and work in this country you should speak the language of this land.If you want to speak Spanish or French then get the **** out and go to a Spanish or French speaking country.Real Americans speak English.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by TheArtist

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

The official language legislation comes up every year. The main issue I agree with is that currently government documents are printed literally in dozens of languages. That means IRS and other government agencies have to hire translators for tons of languages and proof and print forms in almost every language imaginable The overhead cost is bordering on ridiculous.

Most countries at least limit themselves to a handful of languages.

That would be the case even if English was the official language.  There will still be visitors, temporary workers, exchange students, newcomers and their family members young and old, refugees, and yes illegals...All of which it is better to have them know whats what than not.

If there is an emergency, shots that need to be given, or other important health or emergency information that needs to be gotten to everyone, your not going to say only those who can read English will get that info.  That could put us all at risk. If someone can't read English, are you going to send them information on English classes in English?  Unless we pass a law that says you must be fluent in English in order to visit or before you become a citizen, then the government will have to have forms in many languages. If I moved to another country it would take me years to learn the language and I would be thankful for any help in my language during that time.

At first blush I have no problem with English being the official language. I would have assumed it already was.  Not sure what such legislation would entail though.

We don't necessarily need 1040-greek though.

Making an official language or languages would mean that if you don't understand one of these official languages, we may not be able to provide EVERY service to you.

[cannon_fodder]

I am content with the status quo:

English is the defacto official language, but both business and government go out of their way to serve significant minority languages. In Tulsa, that means Spanish documents in the courts, bilingual government signage in some places, and interpretors where needed.  I would like to see it include some Spanish training for officers (much like soldiers receive before going in country, more 'get the job done' than conversational).

Any mandatory language would alienate parts of our immigrant community.  Mandating multiple languages would cost thousands to implement and put lots of red tape and compliance costs on the table.  As it stands, it is up to the community to either serve non-English speaking members of the community or alienate them.  Communities that serve them will attract and retain the best people to their community.

[RLitterell]

quote:jamesrage said "Why should tax payers be forced to pay for bi-lingual nonsense in a English speaking country?English should be our official language it is what we speak.Heck it is even one of the requirements for citizenship in this country. If you want to live and work in this country you should speak the language of this land.If you want to speak Spanish or French then get the **** out and go to a Spanish or French speaking country.Real Americans speak English."

I'm thinking of all of those brave souls who gave there lives so we would not be speaking German, so those in France would be able to still speak french.
Why should I have to press #1 for english?

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I am content with the status quo:

Most people are.  It's a wedge issue, nothing more.  

quote:Why should I have to press #1 for english?

Try legislating that out.  Forcing companies to be completely anti-hispanic, the wave of the future.

[MichaelC]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

We don't necessarily need 1040-greek though.

Making an official language or languages would mean that if you don't understand one of these official languages, we may not be able to provide EVERY service to you.

According to NWLC, as of September 2003, the 1040 wasn't available in Spanish or any other language than English.  Has this changed?

quote:(Washington, D.C.)  Many of the most commonly used IRS forms are not available in Spanish and other languages – including the 1040 form and its instructions -- and the National Women's Law Center (NWLC) called on the IRS to correct this serious deficiency immediately in a letter delivered today.  According to a new Department of Treasury report, 21 million U.S.residents who have a limited proficiency in English would be assisted if the IRS would translate key tax documents.  Only 16 (28%) of 58 documents identified as important in an IRS survey have been translated, according to the Treasury report.

Seems to me it would be significantly less expensive to have a Spanish 1040, rather than hiring translators.  Unless we're planning on dumping the Arabic Numerals, and coming up with our own American version of numbers.  Maybe we can use something in wingdings.

[RLitterell]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelC

quote:Originally posted by cannon_fodder

I am content with the status quo:

Most people are.  It's a wedge issue, nothing more.  

quote:Why should I have to press #1 for english?

Try legislating that out.  Forcing companies to be completely anti-hispanic, the wave of the future.

Legislating that would not be possible, we both know that. I am not suggesting that companies should be anti-hispanic. Spanish should be the option, not the rule. In other words, press #2 for Spanish.
No one has ever accused me of being politically correct, I just don't see the problem with requiring English to be the "official language".
But here's an idea. Since the roots Oklahoma, in fact the entire country, are founded in the indigenous people why not require the official language to be Muskogee or Cherokee, uh... maybe Apache or Sac and Fox. It might be a little hard to agree on which one so lets make them all the official language, teach them all in schools and require students to be proficiant in at least two of them, maybe three, in order to graduate. You know some of the first migrants to this country were Irish and Italian I think we could make a case for supporting making one or both of those the official language.

[Conan71]

I had to call the IRS just this morning due to correct an error on an SSN for a dependent on my return.  You get a welcome message in English, then Spanish, then you get your menu options.

I believe a lot of legislation is being interpreted as anti-Mexican.  It is not.  As far as languages go, it's a Pandora's box.  Next you have people wanting forms in French, Italian, German, Greek, Swahili, Cherokee, Dutch, the various 20-some odd Chinese dialects, Vietnamese, etc.  Why discriminate against EVERY other language if forms, signs, etc. are in English & Spanish only?  That's what it would eventually come down to.  Everyone will want their language represented.

As CF alluded to, it is a requirement to learn English to become a citizen.

I understand there should be some accomodation for the predominant immigrant population in America, but if you don't declare an official language and you are favoring one foreign language over all others, I believe it creates too many opportunities for sleazy ACLU attornies.

Oh and HT- It's just hateful, just hateful I tell you!

[MichaelC]

I don't necessarily "see the problem" with it being "official" either.  But I don't see what YOUR problem is, that requires English being made "official".

If nothing changes, why bother?  If you support it out of bigotry, that's a fair answer.  If you support it out of libertarianism, let's see if that holds water.  If you support it out of some kind of idea of punishment against corporations, ok, we can talk about that.

If there is no need for it, why would you support it?  What makes this a good idea?  Other than the rhetorical "press 1 for English" or "no 1040-greek" what's your case?

As far as I can tell, the best case is going to end up being "we don't like Spanish speaking people, we want to convert them to English speaking people.  An official language can be used as leverage."