Quote:
Originally posted by Djinn Raffo:
Quote:
Originally posted by Cloudbringer:
Of course it is, Djinn, but think for a minute here. What languages do you NOT speak and would you like to be left out of several possibly interesting threads because you couldn't follow them? It happens that English is the biggest common denominator language-wise, that's all. 
Cloudy
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I'm not sure what your talking about...I was talking about signs in other languages not threads.
On signs: i'm pro for...at least in my country and i would think the US too because its inclusion policies seem to be pretty similar AFAIK...We all live here...we all speak different languages...if you want a sign in a language other than english its my loss for not being able to read it IMHO...I am not going to demand you write it in english. Will i also demand you speak only english to me?...or condemn you for not knowing english in a country that is made up of citzens from the world over regardless of language, race, etc.?
As far as threads in other languages...I don't really care either way...who am I to tell someone what they can and cannot post.
But i do think that due to moderating issues they should probably be in one language...
Does that work with signs too?...To a certain degree i suppose. I know that
in Quebec language on signs is a big issue and caused a lot of debates...some
of which i've gotten into only to regret it. I think that there is a committee that acts as a watchdog to make sure the signs are bi-lingual. I know that if you have a sign in english and it has no french on it you can get fined.
I read an article that said one restauranteur was fined three times for having
the word EXIT on his door in english only. If he did not add the french equivalent he would be facing jail time. Is that not ridiculous? Preservation of francophone culture and language demands that EXIT say 'sortie'
(is that right?) If a chinese store owner in a predominantly chinese neighbourhood has a sign on his door that says 'exit' in chinese only will you fine him? It's a hazy line that needs to be drawn for sure...Sorry for the rant.
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I think I understand what you are saying, but I completely disagree with you. You are right to an extent. The US is made up of many different races and cultures and that is part of what makes our country as great as it is. That has nothing to do with the fact that our national language is english. All of our street signs are in english. If you go to a store, the chances are that the person helping will be speaking...yup you guessed it, english. We are not quite as diverse of language as you are up in canada. From what I understand, province to province you have different languages as the norm, right? Out here, the norm is english. I get frustrated when I'm driving around in my "native" country and I can't understand what things are. You could argue conversely "how do you think they feel not understanding english". I would suggest they learn it because it would make their lives much easier. If I moved somewhere where there was a different language spoken, I would learn it as soon as I could. I wouldn't try and convert the populace to speaking my language just because I don't feel like learning.
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"The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his."
-General George Patton (1885-1945)
Member of CLAN HADB