I voted today, in how many languages?

[Zealot]

On the Armstrong - Getty talk show today, November 8th., they gave their listeners 20 seconds to talk about the elections here in California. One lady called, madder than a hornet, and told of the sticker she got that says, "I voted today." What made her mad was the fact that the sticker was written in multiple languages. "What's going on here" she said, "soon the sticker will cover my whole damn chest." Of course the the next comment by the boys was, "How big is your chest?"

Another caller said, her union told her that she could opt out of her dues going to places she didn't approve of, IF, she had her dues paid one year in advance.

You got funny our ridiculous stories about election day, let's hear them right here.

Zealot

[Boetie]

I have a funny. Elections from now on out is a pure joke. Everyone running this country are millionaires running roughshod over the poor, elderly and needy. The politicians are nothing more than sycophants of the top ten percent and corporations. There used to be a country that truly practiced, "We the People."

[Nono]

"If the King's English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for the children of Texas!"

- Governor Miram A. Ferguson

[Sonart]

LOL, Nono. I recalled that quote from some time ago and was desprately looking for it about a month. Bless you!!

.

[Chris]

Quote by: Zealot On the Armstrong - Getty talk show today, November 8th., they gave their listeners 20 seconds to talk about the elections here in California. One lady called, madder than a hornet, and told of the sticker she got that says, "I voted today." What made her mad was the fact that the sticker was written in multiple languages. "What's going on here" she said, "soon the sticker will cover my whole damn chest." Of course the the next comment by the boys was, "How big is your chest?" Another caller said, her union told her that she could opt out of her dues going to places she didn't approve of, IF, she had her dues paid one year in advance. You got funny our ridiculous stories about election day, let's hear them right here. Zealot

Its a freakin sticker for gods sake!

in MA the voting translations were avail in 3 languages, English, Spanish & Portuguese.

[Scribbler1]

Anyone up on how many OTHER countries have multilingual ballots? I suspect we are not alone and it is "shocking" only because we are catching up with much of the rest of the world.

Personally, I have always though speaking and understanding English should be a requirement for citizenship but apparently there are more people out there who don't see it my way.

[Zealot]

Quote by: Scribbler1 Anyone up on how many OTHER countries have multilingual ballots? I suspect we are not alone and it is "shocking" only because we are catching up with much of the rest of the world. Personally, I have always though speaking and understanding English should be a requirement for citizenship but apparently there are more people out there who don't see it my way.

People in foreign countries want to speak english so they can come to America. People who don't want to speak English here want to move their whole country here. THey should be sent back till they appreciate America.

Zealot

[bishop]

people in other countries are TAUGHT english from very young ages. they don't exactly choose it - their governments do. more chinese citizens can speak english than americans for a reason.

[Zealot]

Quote by: bishop people in other countries are TAUGHT english from very young ages. they don't exactly choose it - their governments do. more chinese citizens can speak english than americans for a reason.

I agree, but why should we pay for them if they don't want to speak English?

Zealot

[Compugasm]

Zealot, that's being covered in the Immigration thread.

[Zealot]

Quote by: Compugasm Zealot, that's being covered in the Immigration thread.

No Comp, we are talking about putting the foreign langauges on the ballots. If they can't read and speak english they should not vote, right?

Zealot

[Chris]

Quote by: Zealot People in foreign countries want to speak english so they can come to America. People who don't want to speak English here want to move their whole country here. THey should be sent back till they appreciate America. Zealot

And in transit, they should be placed in camps.
:rolleyes:

[Chris]

Quote by: Zealot I agree, but why should we pay for them if they don't want to speak English? Zealot

What do you mean pay for them?

[Nono]

I do agree with Scribbler about being able to understand English. How can you exercise your rights and perform your duties as a citizen if you don't speak the language?
Trouble is, I don't think the US has an official language. Maybe it should adopt one (Lao? Icelandic? Ebonix?).

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Nono I do agree with Scribbler about being able to understand English. How can you exercise your rights and perform your duties as a citizen if you don't speak the language? Trouble is, I don't think the US has an official language. Maybe it should adopt one (Lao? Icelandic? Ebonix?).

English is NOT the "official" national language. That was actually tried some years ago in the Southewest, I think. Texas, maybe. The upshot was that the whole idea was defeated by PC types who didn't like the idea that, as a nation of immigrants we were putting undue hardship on people who wanted to come here but wouldn't, or couldn't learn the language.

[Nono]

Quote by: Scribs English is NOT the "official" national language.

I said, "maybe it should adopt one". Lots of countries have them.

Of course, making prospective citizens learn the national language isn't undue hardship. (That argument is PC run amok.) Moving to other countries and learning other languages is hard, as I can attest. But it's part of seeking a better life and all that stuff.
And nobody would be obliged to learn the language -- only those seeking actual citizenship.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Nono I said, "maybe it should adopt one". Lots of countries have them. Of course, making prospective citizens learn the national language isn't undue hardship. (That argument is PC run amok.) Moving to other countries and learning other languages is hard, as I can attest. But it's part of seeking a better life and all that stuff. And nobody would be obliged to learn the language -- only those seeking actual citizenship.

Agreed. And it wouldn't just NOT be a hardship but an important benefit to living here. Of course it depends on where you are. I was in San Juan, Puerto Rico many years ago. The only thing I knew was "Cervesa" but since I was in a bar it was all I needed. But if I had wanted a sandwich too I would have been screwed.

[Zealot]

Quote by: |Chris| What do you mean pay for them?

Who prints the ballots and pays for them Chris? You and me right? If the ballots call for additional languages, will they not cost more? That is what I mean.

Zealot

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: Zealot Who prints the ballots and pays for them Chris? You and me right? If the ballots call for additional languages, will they not cost more? That is what I mean. Zealot

It's not cost, it's a simple reprogramming of the voting machine or a little extra ink on the cards. It's street signs, warning labels and such that I want them to be able to read.

[CoffeeSaint]

Quote by: Scribbler1 It's not cost, it's a simple reprogramming of the voting machine or a little extra ink on the cards. It's street signs, warning labels and such that I want them to be able to read.

No, it isn't. I taught ESL to immigrant children in San Diego; they came to the class, fresh from other countries (mostly, but not entirely, Mexico) already able to recognize certain simple phrases and such. You didn't just know "cerveza," you also knew "Hablo Espanol" and "burrito." You would also recognize it if a cop held up his hand, palm out to you, and said, "Alto!" Or saw a sign with a cigarette and a line through it that said "Prohibido fumar." And you might have known "Puto" or "Chinga tu madre."

Street signs are basically pictographs, once you get a little bit of training in the code: red octagon means "Stop;" forget the word. Then there are warning labels: how much does one need to know besides, "Danger!" If we want people to understand phrases like, "Do not ingest," that's a whole other level of fluency above street signs.
Besides, even tourists are in danger from things that require warning labels; will we require a basic English course before you travel to the U.S.? How much English do you need to see the Grand Canyon? (Actually, that's not tongue in cheek; think about how much you really would have to be able to say, or understand.)

Then there's enough English to have conversations, so you can stop getting Americans who look like Anton LaVey snarling at you to speak frigging English or go the hell home (cough)Belial!(cough!). That takes about a year -- shorter if all you want is, like "Born in East L.A.," to say "Wha's sappenin'? Go Raiders!"

Then there is enough English to understand basic documents, like job applications, DMV tests, and so on. Takes about three years of school, for most people. After this, you have about enough English to understand as much of the ballot as most Americans do, but you are still at a disadvantage: people at this level of fluency still have trouble with people who talk fast, and/or use complex language like technical jargon, and/or speak about things taken out of context -- like Mom and apple pie, the Second Amendment, etc. So they will not be able to follow commercials or TV debates.

There there is enough English to really read, and understand, the language of laws on ballots. That takes a minimum of 5-8 years of schooling; it can't realistically be learned on your own. You also must be literate at an approximately equal level in your native language, or you have to learn the concepts behind the language as well -- add another 2-3 years of school.

So how long should someone have to live here before they can vote? How long before they can be citizens? And let's remember as well that Americans have no requirement of literacy to vote; why should naturalized citizens have fewer rights? In other words, if someone can speak and understand English, do they need to be able to read in English to vote?

And shall we turn this into another thread, or was this actually the intention of this thread, and not to spread funny election stories?