U.S. citizens should speak English, but this is too far

I have no problem with his demand for them to speak English - that's as it should be - but to demand for them to change their names and by extension their identity...I find that a bit ridiculous.

i'm all for Larry ......wanna speak your native lang. do it in your own home !!!
an yes, welcome to America !!! speak english or go back to your own country

I come from German Irish ancestors.We don't ask for everything to be written in those languages.The bottom line is this
is The United States Of America where
English is the language of our people.
If you want to live here learn it or leave.

Yes, please speak English.

Please respect the country you chose to live in. Speak the language.

i like how this article is meant to make people pitty these persons but instead it angers its funny

On the other hand, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, so while English may be the preferred language, we can't force people to speak it.

You no speeka engrish...how you cash welfare check.....

LuLu wrote:

On the other hand, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, so while English may be the preferred language, we can't force people to speak it.

Sure we can...by doing things like this owner...guy's a hero!

Freedom of speech is different than freedom of language.

my grandparents on my mother side came to this country from Lithuania just prior to the 1st World War. I remember my mother used to tell me that when she was at home in Billerica my mothers family would speak Lithuanian in the house but when they were out side they were told to ONLY SPEAK ENGLISH!!! My mother said my Grandfather was a stickler about that. More than once he would rather sternly remind them that the language here is ENGLISH. We need to go back to that.

LuLu wrote:

On the other hand, the First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech, so while English may be the preferred language, we can't force people to speak it.

Freedom of speech says that you can say whatever you want, not speak any language you want.

Can't force people to speak it? How about making English a precondition to citizenship? I lived in China for 3 years and they didn't change their primary language for me. I had to learn to speak their language, which wasn't easy. But, when in Rome do as the Romans do. No one's asking them to stop speaking their own language. Just learn to speak ours if you plan on living in OUR country and we can all co-exist.

I wouldn't have been so disrespectful as to expect them to change anything for me. The only real problem that I have with those that come here from other countries is that they should learn the language so that we can speak with them and they can speak with us. ALso, If they are here "illegally" make it right and make themself legal.

Not just that, if you don't speak the language and need to call 9-1-1 or otherwise require life saving assistance then shame on you for expecting anyone to change their ways to accomodate you. Because, it can even cost you your life.

I'll never understand why:

IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.

IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.

IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER, YOU GET SHOT.

IF YOU CROSS THE TURKEY BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN PRISON!

BUT, IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET:
A DRIVERS LICENSE
A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
WELFARE
FOOD STAMPS
AND, FREE HEALTH CARE?

Whether or not you speak the language and you can even demand that they speak your language in the US. Whether you are legal or not.

Ehh, I could go either way on this, leaning against it mostly. If I was employed by Larry and he made me change my name to whatever, I'd refer to him as Lawrence; it's only fair. He should have asked them if they like to be called by a nickname of some sort.

Blah Blah wrote:

<quoted text>
Freedom of speech says that you can say whatever you want, not speak any language you want.
Can't force people to speak it? How about making English a precondition to citizenship? I lived in China for 3 years and they didn't change their primary language for me. I had to learn to speak their language, which wasn't easy. But, when in Rome do as the Romans do. No one's asking them to stop speaking their own language. Just learn to speak ours if you plan on living in OUR country and we can all co-exist.
I wouldn't have been so disrespectful as to expect them to change anything for me. The only real problem that I have with those that come here from other countries is that they should learn the language so that we can speak with them and they can speak with us. ALso, If they are here "illegally" make it right and make themself legal.
Not just that, if you don't speak the language and need to call 9-1-1 or otherwise require life saving assistance then shame on you for expecting anyone to change their ways to accomodate you. Because, it can even cost you your life.
I'll never understand why:
IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR.
IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY.
IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER, YOU GET SHOT.
IF YOU CROSS THE TURKEY BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN PRISON!
BUT, IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET:
A DRIVERS LICENSE
A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
WELFARE
FOOD STAMPS
AND, FREE HEALTH CARE?
Whether or not you speak the language and you can even demand that they speak your language in the US. Whether you are legal or not.

Well Said!!!!!!!!!!

I hate going to a fast food place where all they speak is spanish , most temp agencies are using non citizens whom dont speak english with fake soc-security numbers .

sounds like someone is jealous that they do not have the balls to tell it like it is as Mike Hayden does

I find it pretty irritating that when I want to use my debit card it tells me to choose a language...English is my language...Im in America, I shouldnt have to choose...Learn to speak English or go home! I for one am sick of being accomodating.

One Flag.
One Allegiance.
One Language.

Lowellian Standard wrote:

I have no problem with his demand for them to speak English - that's as it should be - but to demand for them to change their names and by extension their identity...I find that a bit ridiculous.

It's not CHANGING THEIR NAMES< it's simply putting it, TRANSLATED to ENGLISH and I am all for it!!! We should all be demanding that all the people speak in a language that we ALL understand, wouldn't you agree? I don't know how half of them became citizens when you say something to them and they REPLY, " NO CONPRONDE " HMM Go Figure.

breil8 wrote:

I come from German Irish ancestors.We don't ask for everything to be written in those languages.The bottom line is this
is The United States Of America where
English is the language of our people.
If you want to live here learn it or leave.

Apparently you don't know your own ancestors' history. Germans came to America in large numbers throughout the nineteenth century and for a hundred years several generations spoke only German. There were entire communities, mostly from Texas to Minnesota, where even the schooling and textbooks were in German. This ended during World War I, when German textbooks were banned, the language was banned, and thousands were interned. Greeks in Lowell had their own newspaper, churches, and coffeehouses (with signs in Greek) and spoke Greek all day. Their children learned English. This myth that immigrants of the past learned English in like a day is completely false. It often took and takes a generation.

Obviously wrote:

<quoted text>
Sure we can...by doing things like this owner...guy's a hero!
Freedom of speech is different than freedom of language.

You are joking, right?! That is hysterical!!!!!!!!