Yeah! I thought so.

[Jerrymac]

Just imagine how wonderful a world it would be if everyone showed up at a gathering everyone spoke a different language and no one knew what the other was talking about.

We are not discussing the UN here

[buzzbee]

Perfect example Jerry
God loveya Jerry!   It is okay to say that here isn't it?

[Jerrymac]

OK what did I miss?

[Brian D. Bray]

Se Espanol? 
Anamok Turke?
Wawa Chinook?
Nippongo deska? (Nippongo is the langugage, Nipponging is the people)
Sprekenze Duetche?
Parlevous France?

Knowing more than 1 language is important and a courtesy.  Americans are the only people in the world who demand that anyone coming to their country learn English, they also demand that when they go to other countries the natives speak English as well.  It's called the Ugly American Syndrome. 

Everyone I've ever talked to throughout the world would like to be an American because of the freedoms.  That said, they think Americans are egotistical bigots.  If you want to be treated like royalty in a foriegn country speak a little of their language, it doesn't have to be perfect--just the fact that you try marks you as a very uncommon American.

When I was managing a restuarant I had a couple from Burnaby, BC, Canada come in with 2 exchange students.  1 was obviously oriental, the other middle eastern.  While The BC couple were explaining to me that the girls were exchange students and had trouble speaking English, I asked the 1 "Anata Niipponging?"  She answered, "Hai, Doitasimatsu."  I then asked the other "San Turke?" when she said yes in English I then greeted her with "Marahuba."
The 2 girls insisted on having there picture taken with me as I was the only person they had meant in either Canada or the USA that could talk to them in their native languages.  I spent the next hour giving them a lesson in how to say certain things in each others language.

If a person who can speak several languages is multi-lingual, a person who speacks 3 languages is called tri-lingual, and a person who can speak 2 languages is called bi-lingual, what is a person called who can only speak 1 language?

An American!

The mixture and diversity of ethnicity and languages is what has made America great.  I do resent people insisting on retaining their native Soverignty once they set about becoming an American but I have no problem with them retaining an ethic heritage or language. 

What I get out of this discussion so far is that most contributors seem to thing soverignty and heritage are the same thing.

[kathyp]

speaking more than one language is a great thing.  when i travel, i try to learn at least enough of the language of the country to get by.  directions, food, bathrooms, please and thank you....and enough of the customs to not be thought of as "the ugly american". 

that said, i don't think i should have to learn another language to communicate in my own country.  i do not think that someone who comes here to live should expect my tax dollars to pay for them not taking the time to learn english.  retain your language and customs.  learn english and american.  you can do both.

i have to disagree with the egotistical bigot part.  the french have to corner on that market.  there are plenty of people who have a negative view of americans, but if you ask them where they get their opinions, it is not from the americans they meet.  it is from the press.  both ours and theirs.  this is especially true in parts of europe.  i read quite a bit of foreign press and the stories they tell about us would be funny if they were not so appallingly wrong most of the time.

they are also upset that we have things like the death penalty and that we do not have universal health  care..  some are upset that we don't provide free housing and college education.   they consider us to be a bit barbaric and it disturbs them that we do not conform to what they consider to be international norms.  it upsets them that we do not pay more in taxes so that our government can do more for us. 

most of the world countries have become socialist nations.  they do not understand the concept of individual responsibility or individual drive for success.  they consider wealth to be a sin.

in europe especially they look at americans as upstarts that have just learned to walk upright.  as my english brother in law said, i really distresses many europeans that such primitive people could be so successful 

i had to come back and amend this because i had forgotten one other thing that really drives the europeans crazy..GUNS.  private gun ownership is another proof of our lack of culture and assimilation into the international collective.

[qa33010]

    Learning a language is not a skill everyone has.  While taking spanish in school I loved it.  But about a fourth of the class, try as they might, couldn't get past Buenos dias, tardes or noches.  They wanted to so bad, they spent extra time during study halls, but couldn't.

    While in the service I tried to learn as much of each country's language as I could.  This included more than ordering a drink, a meal and getting my face slapped (usually me UNINTENTIONALLY saying something wrong, other times not so ).  I had a roomate in West Germany, on the economy, that couldn't get german down to save his life.  His German girlfriend who later became his wife tried to help him but it was useless.  He tried High German and local dialect.  Granted I have run into the 'ugly american' while overseas and have had a few words with them but it was a brick wall.  One example was Oktoberfest in Munich.  There was a bunch of us from different countries having a great time and most of us couldn't understand each other, and didn't care.  An american couple was sitting behind us and a buddy of mine asked the man for a light.  The guy said sure and lit his cigarette.  My buddy thanked him and then asked were in the states they were from and the lady answered loud and slow "WE ARE FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!"  My buddy said "No s---".  Now where are you from in the states?"  The man apologized and looked strickened.  He spoke a little german and had a language dictionary with him.  Yeah, there are folks that think the whole world is the USA and can't think any other way.

      But when I sat down with who ever I'm sharing a table with or a seat and we get to talking  The most I got was, "... you aren't like what we were taught.  I can speak to you and you listen."  Just one example.   I was also stopped after the shuttle Columbia launched for the first time.  We were in the middle of terrorist bombings and activities by the Red Army Faction and other groups when this happened.  I had a pit in my gut and was searching for options when I was hugged and clapped on the back by German citizens and told congratulations USA is on top again.  When ever I got out of the tourist areas I get to really see where I am. 

     I also appreciate this country we have more because we are different, THANKFULLY, than the rest of the world.  We have our faults yes.  But they are ours and we will work them out OURSELVES.  We were not, that I remember, founded on the nobility (state) taking care of my needs, but it is up to me to succeed or fail with no one to blame but me.  We all have obstacles (not challenges) in our way that need to be overcome.  They are of various types and sizes and not easy.  But that is what makes our progress that we earned all the sweeter and more appreciated.  This also sets an example for the future.  If I'm considered narrow minded, so be it.  I believe a person should be looked at by what they are inside and not what others want to accuse me of looking at.

Yeah the French are the most stuck up.  But that's another story.

[Brian D. Bray]

>>There was a bunch of us from different countries having a great time and most of us couldn't understand each other, and didn't care.

That's the point. On a 1 to 1 basis you'll find very little bigotry or bias, it's when we let the generalities get in the way that things start to become slanted.  I agree with KathyP that I shouldn't have to speak a foriegn language in my own country--now apply that to ourselves when we're overseas. 

I will fully accept a Hispanic, African, Russian, etc., that comes to our country and wants to become an American--those should be (and usually are) willing to adapt.  What I object to is those who come to this country and remain a Mexican, Russian, or Iranian living in American.  Conersely the same is true in reverse.