Si van hablar el lenguaje indigino, apredan hablar el lenguaje de los nativos. (If you’re going to a speak a indigenous language, learn to speak the language of the natives.) Now if you know your history, Native Americans were here first.
The Norman conquerors of England left traces of their language among the locals following 1066, but eventually (true, it was a good long while) they ended up speaking English in their manors.
As long as the indigenous population remains the majority, there’s a good chance their language will survive colonization. Even in India, the number of Indians who speak English is dropping, and I don’t think there are (or ever were) many who speak ONLY English.
Xenophobia. There are many nations in the world with more than one language spoken in different regions, and I’m not only talking about post-Imperial constructs like Yugoslavia.
What if Puerto Rico ultimately becomes a state? (And frankly, I think they should; either that, or grant them independence.) Are we going to insist they all start speaking English?
Anyway, as this strip has made clear on many occasions, most 2nd-generation immigrants are perfectly conversant in English, and if they also retain enough of their parents’ language to speak it among themselves, how is that a threat? Or does it just piss you off that you overhear conversations that you can’t understand? Do you think they’re talking about YOU?
arye uygur about 14 years ago
“No Ifs ands or buts” sounds more picturesque than “No se permiten excuses.”
Constantinepaleologos about 14 years ago
Ellos estan en una casa hispano - hablan espanol! (You’re in a Hispanic house - speak Spanish!)
quinones.felix about 14 years ago
Si van hablar el lenguaje indigino, apredan hablar el lenguaje de los nativos. (If you’re going to a speak a indigenous language, learn to speak the language of the natives.) Now if you know your history, Native Americans were here first.
fritzoid Premium Member about 14 years ago
If you’re in Pennsylvania, speak German!
223 years ago, they didn’t see any need to establish a National Language. I still don’t.
Joe_Minotaur about 14 years ago
English? O.k. but just try ordering at Taco Bell, Olive Garden, Benihana, etc…
Smiley Rmom about 14 years ago
The language is usually determined by the conquerors, not the conquered.
jkoskov about 14 years ago
In reply to comments above…
Your on my planet! SHARE BOTH! That’s how we learn from each other!
ChukLitl Premium Member about 14 years ago
Makes me think of Cheech Marin singing about Mexican Americans taking Spanish & getting a “B.”
Robert Wilson Premium Member about 14 years ago
Not always. In Burundi and Rwanda the Tutsi (15% of the population) adopted the language of the conquered Hutu (85% percent of the population).
fritzoid Premium Member about 14 years ago
The Norman conquerors of England left traces of their language among the locals following 1066, but eventually (true, it was a good long while) they ended up speaking English in their manors.
As long as the indigenous population remains the majority, there’s a good chance their language will survive colonization. Even in India, the number of Indians who speak English is dropping, and I don’t think there are (or ever were) many who speak ONLY English.
fritzoid Premium Member about 14 years ago
Xenophobia. There are many nations in the world with more than one language spoken in different regions, and I’m not only talking about post-Imperial constructs like Yugoslavia.
What if Puerto Rico ultimately becomes a state? (And frankly, I think they should; either that, or grant them independence.) Are we going to insist they all start speaking English?
Anyway, as this strip has made clear on many occasions, most 2nd-generation immigrants are perfectly conversant in English, and if they also retain enough of their parents’ language to speak it among themselves, how is that a threat? Or does it just piss you off that you overhear conversations that you can’t understand? Do you think they’re talking about YOU?