I'm back (sorta)

[leah]

besides which, let's not forget the fact that our country got its start as a big mishmosh of other languages and cultures. the english language wouldn't be here if it weren't for influence from all sorts of languages--including spanish, french, german, etc. etc.

if we started out as a combining and meshing of other cultures and languages, who are we to say that that should end? just a thought.

[Ouchyfish]

What about the poor souls who escaped Mexico via car dashboard who need to call someone to schedule something. Maybe you are a receptionist for a school that teaches ESL. Might need to know spanish then, eh?

Yeah and you might need to know advanced atomic physics if you plan on working on an atomic project, but I wouldn't want advanced physics rammed down my throat every time I turn on the television or go to the damn store.

If your job requires it, go for it. For the rest of massive majority of this country, we don't. Nor should we -have- to.

If you want to go better yourself and learn 40 languages, more power to you. If you don't, you shouldn't have it in your face every 5 minutes.

[Darcler]

Just going to throw a suggestion out here.

Turn the T.V. channel off? Change to another radio station? Tell the babbling Mexican "I donto understando" and walk off?

Other languages dont have to be in your face all the time. I live in a Mexican neighborhood. Other than the blaring music coming out of a passing car, we dont have anything shoved in our face. From high school, I do know enough Spanish to tell someone My Spanish is bad, I dont understand, and they will switch to broken English or will smile and walk away.

[Ouchyfish]

[quote="Darcler"]Just going to throw a suggestion out here.

Turn the T.V. channel off? Change to another radio station? Tell the babbling Mexican "I donto understando" and walk off?[quote]

I am referring to educational television mostly. Try to get through 5 minutes of Nickelodian, Noggin, or PBS with that fucking shit being stuck in.

[Darcler]

Sesame Street is how little spic babies learn English.

You got me with the kids channels though. But I still think being bilingual is good.

[Ouchyfish]

I agree, there can be no harm in it. However when I'm trying to teach my kid words and this god damn mumbo jumbo language is being used it kinda fucks shit up. Kid starts counting in spanglish and looks like a fuckin retard.

Makes my job twice as hard.

And before anyone tries the "spend some time with the kid instead of letting them watch tv"---YOU try telling him he can't watch Maisy or Blues Clues.

Blues Clues fuckin rocks btw..through a song on there I taught my son the 9 planets hehe.."Oh the sun's a hot star-mercury's hot too-venus is the brightest planet-earth's home to me and you-etcetc..."

[Darcler]

Might be her age, or it might be she has nerdy parents, but Hailey wont watch kids shows. She watches CSI and Star Trek. Only shows she will sit still for.

Commercials, she will stop for that SUV commercial with Dust in the Wind in it and the Food Network commercial where is shows what's coming on next.

I tried to get her to watch Sesame Street with me, she will watch only if Grover or Elmo is on, because they are the most colorful.

I wouldnt mind letting Hailey learn Spanish early. Where we live, it's important if you want to communicate with everyone and it's good for a job later on.

[Ouchyfish]

I have read that it is easier to learn a second (or more?) language at the early ages. I'd just prefer they save that for when he can choose it in school rather than force it. Even in circumstances where it isn't called for. It's like they have a hispanic quota they have to meet.