To properly function in a variety of situations in the United States, it is necessary to learn English. Many U.S. citizens are monolingual and are unable to communicate with a person who does not speak English. In order to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S., you should be required to take a proficiency test for speaking, writing comprehending, and reading English. Passing this test would provide the relative amount of English necessary to communicate and function properly in the U.S. would help people in many different ways, one being something as simple as an individual’s day-to-day lifestyle. If someone who did not speak English needed a taxi, he or she would not be able to give the driver a destination. English is a crucial aspect in the U.S. just about everywhere you turn. Something as simple as needing a quick bite to eat from a drive through becomes quite difficult when an individual does not know how to say what they would like in English. These examples, that could happen in any one persons daily live, sound like they are not big problems, but not being able to speak English can be much more crucial. The safety of an individual, as well as the individuals that are encountered can be a major problem when not being able to speak English in the U.S. For example, if “caution tape” was around a dangerous area and an individual did not understand the words meaning, they could potentially put them selves and anyone who attempted to help them after in danger. Everyday, millions of people rush to work and aren’t paying attention to the hazardous conditions that are around them. Being able to speak English is very critical at certain times. For example, if an individual were to find someone having a heart attack, he or she would not know how to get the appropriate medical attention needed in the short amount of time allowed. Having a required proficiency test for speaking English would also help incoming students and teachers. Having a required proficiency test would eliminate language barriers in the education field, providing teachers with more time to focus on their required materials that need to be taught. Teachers have a certain amount of time to get through their required materials they need to teach. Students who do not know how to speak proper English are going to need more time learning the material, which ultimately burns the teachers’ time, as well at the other students. With English being such a common language everywhere you go, speaking English is a necessity. The Population reference bureau gives support to this with saying The idea that speaking languages other than English hinders full participation of U.S. citizenship has substantial public support. The United States primary language is English. Citizens who do not speak a countries primary language cause difficulties for themselves, as well as the people around them. Having a required proficiency test for writing, comprehending, speaking, and reading English would eliminate the difficulties caused by language barriers and possible dangerous situations that could occur.
English in the U.S is a crucial aspect in a single persons life. I agree with what my partner said about knowing some English in the U.S in order to function. But English as a single language, makes everything boring. If everyone were to speak English, it would make everyone just like the next. I believe that anyone who lives in the U.S. that is from another country should know English, as a second language. Culture and heritage is a key part of the world now because it makes every single person individual and unique. Today, white is no longer the only color of skin we see out on the streets. The cab drivers, the fast food restaurant workers, and even politics have mixed people from all backgrounds. In a few years, it won’t matter what nationality you are or where you came from because people will have mixed up the nationalities through reproducing. What will matter is how you portray your heritage and how you show your true colors. Yes, I am American, but I am also Thai, German, Italian and English. Does that make me less of an American because I have other nationalities in me? Yes I speak English, but I want to learn Thai.
Knowing other languages other than English can help a person because if an American wants to travel abroad, and the other country doesn’t know English, well then were screwed because we cannot communicate. Communication is key in surviving, and there is no such thing as a single language. Nearly 47 million people -- about 1-in-5 U.S. residents -- age 5 and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000, according to the Census Bureau. The figures represented an increase of 15 million people since the 1990 census. We as people want to know how to speak other languages because we want to know culture, we want to know heritage, and we want to know history. Why would we teach Spanish in school if we wanted only English in America? We don’t.
The new trend now is to know more languages so we can communicate better with every nationality. With programs like Rosetta Stone and Muzzy for children, we are encouraging more and more people to learn and speak other languages because English is not the only language in the world. Today, in order to get a job, many employers look to see what makes a person exceptional, and usually they look to see how many languages they speak. There is an abundant amount of technology out today that can translate any language to another and with that said, if someone were in trouble or in need of help, they are capable of translating to someone who can help them. Mostly every country knows danger protocols and what warnings look like. Anyone who knows common sense is able to figure out if something is dangerous or whether which side is the men’s bathroom. All in all, if we wanted English to be the only language in the U.S., then why would we have so many options for someone who does not speak English?
I am arguing in order to properly function in a variety of situations in the United States, it is necessary to learn English. The response to my argument was “English as a single language makes everything boring”. I do not believe that every person who speaks one language is boring. According to the Metropolitan Census of 2000, 21% of Americans can speak more than one language. So you are stating that 79% of Americans are boring? You go on to say that you believe that anyone who lives in the U.S., who is from another country, should know English as a second language. This statement agrees with my argument. Again, I am arguing that if proper functionality in the U.S. is to occur, Americans should have a decent understanding of English, which would be tested by a proficiency test. I believe that anyone who lives in the United States should indeed, know English. You argument goes on to say that “Culture and heritage is a key part of the world because it makes every single person individual and unique”. You follow that statement up with “in a few years it wont matter what nationality you are or where you came from because people will have mixed up the nationalities through reproducing”. You just contradicted yourself by stating that culture is important and then preceded to say that nationalities will not matter in a few years.
I never argued that U.S. citizens should only speak one language, which is why I am a bit confused to your statement of “Knowing other languages other than English can help a person because if an American wants to travel abroad, and the other country doesn’t know English, well then were screwed because we cannot communicate”. If I am not mistaken, I believe you are stating that one should know the majority of a countries language otherwise were “screwed”. If an individual is traveling and doesn’t know the spoken language, he is, indeed, “screwed”. This not only supports my argument, but expands it by saying if your visiting a country, you should know that language. Having a reasonable knowledge of the English language would only benefit an individual who is living the United States. It will not take away their nationality or individuality.
Towards the end of your argument you say “Mostly every country knows danger protocols and what warning look like”. “Mostly every country” does not mean every country, so are you saying the few countries and people who cannot make out what a danger sign means, don’t matter? How many people would have to be in “harms way” for it to matter? You then proceed to say that “Anyone who knows common sense is able to figure out if something is dangerous”. Why then, is it required by law to print warning signs in both English and Spanish? Are you saying that people who only speak Spanish lack common sense?
In summation, my argument is in order to properly function in a variety of situations in the United States, it is necessary to learn English. Understanding and speaking English will benefit one through safety and their daily activities. Without the proper understanding of English in the United States, a person may be able to live out of harms way, but can we accept the burden of not doing everything that is possible to help these people.
My argument is that English should not be the only language in the US. When I said speaking one language is boring, I am right because then 79% of Americans are mediocre and have no desire to stand out and be different then the next person. So then yes, Americans are boring because we are capable of any thing, and instead, they waste their time being just like the next John Doe. Yes, some people do expand their abilities by being a surgeon or the president of the United States, but that doesn’t make them able to communicate with everyone. I’m saying that English should not be the only language in America, but it can be one of them that people use. When I said that nationalities were mixing, I was going along the lines of how important it is to know where you come from and to know the history, heritage and the meaning behind that nationality. Yes they will intermix within the next years, but that also means that it’s more important to know where you come from and how you got there today. The whole world evolves every single day, and things change to accommodate everyone who is within the world. Today, we accept multiple languages to be spoken within the U.S because it gives us diversity. Different languages give us so much more then just communication. So many Americans pride themselves on knowing how to speak other languages and Americans have even made it their permanent career. There are so many different versions on English anyway, how do we know which one should be permanent and which to throw away? We don’t choose, we keep them all and embrace even more. A person from California speaks different English then a person from Louisiana, so which English would you choose? They are both English, just different versions. This goes along the intermixing. People move, and even if they speak English it can still be misunderstood between people. There are country folk, city folk, suburb folk, and don’t forget the folks who grew up in a small town who have there own versions of English. If there is more than one form of English, then what should be the main one used in America? I don’t think you thought through my thought when I said mostly every country has danger protocols. You’re not thinking about the underdeveloped countries, also known as 3rd world countries. Its not that they do not matter, because they do, but it is just that they are not as advanced as the rest of the world and that is an entirely different subject, which is not my purpose to try and show you. No one in the world lacks common sense, and I never said that. Everything in the world is now required by law to be printed in at least 5 different languages, which proves my point that English is not the main language anymore in the U.S. We have accepted that diversity is apart of the states and no one can make it one dominant language. But with the common sense, symbols and signs are used for danger protocol. We are using more symbols then words now a days because not everyone chooses to speak English. How is it a burden that other people do not accept to speak English? Are you saying that people who choose to live they were raised are a nuisance because they refuse to follow everyone? People chose to live the way they want to, no one can influence them any different. People can make their own choices and are accepting of the consequences.
In the end, I was given the topic to state that English should not be the only language in America. There is so much that comes from different languages other then communication such as: history, heritage, and it gives some meaning to people who are not fully American. So by accepting other languages, we are accepting so much more into this world and that is what makes the world so interesting. I say we let other languages be accepted in the U.S. because it gives us some uniqueness so we are not like every one else but are individuals.
I agree with Blair when it comes to America not only being English but also other languages. I agree with Blair because the US is made up of all immigrants and immigrant decendents. I say America needs to keep the different cultures of many people to keep America the way it is suppose to be. America is suppose to be the country of freedom of religion, rights, and different cultures. Having different languages in America gives us a taste of what is like back in the old country for those who never been out of the US. Without the different languages, I believe the towns of China Town, Greek Town, and Little Italy will not be the same without a big part of their cutlure if the US forced English to be the number one language in America. But, I disagree when Blair says that those who only spak English are boring because not every decendent or immigrant is from a different speaking country but they come from a English speaking country such as England and Ireland. I agree with John when it comes to immigrants knowing English is very important. I feel that English doesn't have to be their number one language but they should know the very important parts as being able to talk to be people when there is an emergency. I also like the idea on the English test to make sure they know enough for them to be able to communicate with those only speak English in America. In conclusion,I believe it is important to keep the other languages in America because it is important to contain the different cultures and where everyone came from. I also find it important for those who come from a different speaking country should know the basic language of English so they can communicate with the english speaking people.
This debate had many strong points. The use of facts and statistics supported their comments a lot. This was a good use of logos. Another part of this debate was their level of harshness. They were harsh on each other without being too harsh, if that makes sense. In my opinion they were the right amount of harsh to get their point across. An example of this was by John saying Blaire contradicted herself, he said it very nicely. One thing that could have been improved on was the use of hypothetical questions. They were used a lot. In Blair’s last argument, her first paragraph sounds a little demanding. She makes it sound like only her opinion is right and doesn’t take John’s argument into account (The “people who only speak English are boring” comment). Also, at one point in her last argument she says John didn’t think her comments through. That could be taken as being too harsh. She does make a great last argument, though. She said, “There is so much that comes from different languages other than communication.” She shows the importance of knowing more than one language which supports her side of the argument.
This debate had both negative and positive aspects to it. First, John made a good argument in the first post by pointing out the safety and everyday communication of those who do not speak English. It was, though, a bit redundant. In the next post, Blair had a lot of good points and statistics such as “Nearly 47 million people – about 1 in 5 U.S. residents --age 5 and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000, according to the Census Bureau.” The only advice I would give would be to be careful not to mix up those who speak a different language to those with a different ethnicity. John made a good point that Blair made comments that supported his argument. Just be careful to not attack the writer. Blair also did some attacking when saying 79% of Americans were boring. Overall, though, I think this argument had a lot of good points and was effective.
John, your initial argument was well organized and logical but lacked credibility. Pathos would have improved this, but you explained each example well. This made it seem that you knew what you were talking about, no matter how outrageous your claim might seem to the opposition. Your rebuttal uses statistics for logos but you still have no element of pathos. Therefore, your attack on the opposition loses its effectiveness. I also dislike the way that both sides are asking the other questions at the end of their comments. Blair did a great job connecting to the argument and the reader. The use of pathos established credibility when you talked about your nationality and repeatedly used “we”. You incorporated statistics for logos but your argument was weakened when it wasn’t clearly separated from the opposition. Your rebuttal came across too snappy. I appreciate that you tried clearing up confusion and you brought up something new to consider. Unfortunately, you did not sell me on your ideas about dialect or peoples’ choice. Overall, this debate strengthened my previous knowledge of this topic.
To properly function in a variety of situations in the United States, it is necessary to learn English. Many U.S. citizens are monolingual and are unable to communicate with a person who does not speak English. In order to become a naturalized citizen of the U.S., you should be required to take a proficiency test for speaking, writing comprehending, and reading English. Passing this test would provide the relative amount of English necessary to communicate and function properly in the U.S. would help people in many different ways, one being something as simple as an individual’s day-to-day lifestyle. If someone who did not speak English needed a taxi, he or she would not be able to give the driver a destination. English is a crucial aspect in the U.S. just about everywhere you turn. Something as simple as needing a quick bite to eat from a drive through becomes quite difficult when an individual does not know how to say what they would like in English. These examples, that could happen in any one persons daily live, sound like they are not big problems, but not being able to speak English can be much more crucial. The safety of an individual, as well as the individuals that are encountered can be a major problem when not being able to speak English in the U.S. For example, if “caution tape” was around a dangerous area and an individual did not understand the words meaning, they could potentially put them selves and anyone who attempted to help them after in danger. Everyday, millions of people rush to work and aren’t paying attention to the hazardous conditions that are around them. Being able to speak English is very critical at certain times. For example, if an individual were to find someone having a heart attack, he or she would not know how to get the appropriate medical attention needed in the short amount of time allowed. Having a required proficiency test for speaking English would also help incoming students and teachers. Having a required proficiency test would eliminate language barriers in the education field, providing teachers with more time to focus on their required materials that need to be taught. Teachers have a certain amount of time to get through their required materials they need to teach. Students who do not know how to speak proper English are going to need more time learning the material, which ultimately burns the teachers’ time, as well at the other students. With English being such a common language everywhere you go, speaking English is a necessity. The Population reference bureau gives support to this with saying The idea that speaking languages other than English hinders full participation of U.S. citizenship has substantial public support. The United States primary language is English. Citizens who do not speak a countries primary language cause difficulties for themselves, as well as the people around them. Having a required proficiency test for writing, comprehending, speaking, and reading English would eliminate the difficulties caused by language barriers and possible dangerous situations that could occur.
ReplyDeleteEnglish in the U.S is a crucial aspect in a single persons life. I agree with what my partner said about knowing some English in the U.S in order to function. But English as a single language, makes everything boring. If everyone were to speak English, it would make everyone just like the next. I believe that anyone who lives in the U.S. that is from another country should know English, as a second language. Culture and heritage is a key part of the world now because it makes every single person individual and unique. Today, white is no longer the only color of skin we see out on the streets. The cab drivers, the fast food restaurant workers, and even politics have mixed people from all backgrounds. In a few years, it won’t matter what nationality you are or where you came from because people will have mixed up the nationalities through reproducing. What will matter is how you portray your heritage and how you show your true colors. Yes, I am American, but I am also Thai, German, Italian and English. Does that make me less of an American because I have other nationalities in me? Yes I speak English, but I want to learn Thai.
ReplyDeleteKnowing other languages other than English can help a person because if an American wants to travel abroad, and the other country doesn’t know English, well then were screwed because we cannot communicate. Communication is key in surviving, and there is no such thing as a single language. Nearly 47 million people -- about 1-in-5 U.S. residents -- age 5 and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000, according to the Census Bureau. The figures represented an increase of 15 million people since the 1990 census. We as people want to know how to speak other languages because we want to know culture, we want to know heritage, and we want to know history. Why would we teach Spanish in school if we wanted only English in America? We don’t.
The new trend now is to know more languages so we can communicate better with every nationality. With programs like Rosetta Stone and Muzzy for children, we are encouraging more and more people to learn and speak other languages because English is not the only language in the world. Today, in order to get a job, many employers look to see what makes a person exceptional, and usually they look to see how many languages they speak. There is an abundant amount of technology out today that can translate any language to another and with that said, if someone were in trouble or in need of help, they are capable of translating to someone who can help them. Mostly every country knows danger protocols and what warnings look like. Anyone who knows common sense is able to figure out if something is dangerous or whether which side is the men’s bathroom. All in all, if we wanted English to be the only language in the U.S., then why would we have so many options for someone who does not speak English?
I am arguing in order to properly function in a variety of situations in the United States, it is necessary to learn English. The response to my argument was “English as a single language makes everything boring”. I do not believe that every person who speaks one language is boring. According to the Metropolitan Census of 2000, 21% of Americans can speak more than one language. So you are stating that 79% of Americans are boring? You go on to say that you believe that anyone who lives in the U.S., who is from another country, should know English as a second language. This statement agrees with my argument. Again, I am arguing that if proper functionality in the U.S. is to occur, Americans should have a decent understanding of English, which would be tested by a proficiency test. I believe that anyone who lives in the United States should indeed, know English. You argument goes on to say that “Culture and heritage is a key part of the world because it makes every single person individual and unique”. You follow that statement up with “in a few years it wont matter what nationality you are or where you came from because people will have mixed up the nationalities through reproducing”. You just contradicted yourself by stating that culture is important and then preceded to say that nationalities will not matter in a few years.
ReplyDeleteI never argued that U.S. citizens should only speak one language, which is why I am a bit confused to your statement of “Knowing other languages other than English can help a person because if an American wants to travel abroad, and the other country doesn’t know English, well then were screwed because we cannot communicate”. If I am not mistaken, I believe you are stating that one should know the majority of a countries language otherwise were “screwed”. If an individual is traveling and doesn’t know the spoken language, he is, indeed, “screwed”. This not only supports my argument, but expands it by saying if your visiting a country, you should know that language. Having a reasonable knowledge of the English language would only benefit an individual who is living the United States. It will not take away their nationality or individuality.
Towards the end of your argument you say “Mostly every country knows danger protocols and what warning look like”. “Mostly every country” does not mean every country, so are you saying the few countries and people who cannot make out what a danger sign means, don’t matter? How many people would have to be in “harms way” for it to matter? You then proceed to say that “Anyone who knows common sense is able to figure out if something is dangerous”. Why then, is it required by law to print warning signs in both English and Spanish? Are you saying that people who only speak Spanish lack common sense?
In summation, my argument is in order to properly function in a variety of situations in the United States, it is necessary to learn English. Understanding and speaking English will benefit one through safety and their daily activities. Without the proper understanding of English in the United States, a person may be able to live out of harms way, but can we accept the burden of not doing everything that is possible to help these people.
My argument is that English should not be the only language in the US. When I said speaking one language is boring, I am right because then 79% of Americans are mediocre and have no desire to stand out and be different then the next person. So then yes, Americans are boring because we are capable of any thing, and instead, they waste their time being just like the next John Doe. Yes, some people do expand their abilities by being a surgeon or the president of the United States, but that doesn’t make them able to communicate with everyone. I’m saying that English should not be the only language in America, but it can be one of them that people use. When I said that nationalities were mixing, I was going along the lines of how important it is to know where you come from and to know the history, heritage and the meaning behind that nationality. Yes they will intermix within the next years, but that also means that it’s more important to know where you come from and how you got there today. The whole world evolves every single day, and things change to accommodate everyone who is within the world. Today, we accept multiple languages to be spoken within the U.S because it gives us diversity.
ReplyDeleteDifferent languages give us so much more then just communication. So many Americans pride themselves on knowing how to speak other languages and Americans have even made it their permanent career. There are so many different versions on English anyway, how do we know which one should be permanent and which to throw away? We don’t choose, we keep them all and embrace even more. A person from California speaks different English then a person from Louisiana, so which English would you choose? They are both English, just different versions. This goes along the intermixing. People move, and even if they speak English it can still be misunderstood between people. There are country folk, city folk, suburb folk, and don’t forget the folks who grew up in a small town who have there own versions of English. If there is more than one form of English, then what should be the main one used in America?
I don’t think you thought through my thought when I said mostly every country has danger protocols. You’re not thinking about the underdeveloped countries, also known as 3rd world countries. Its not that they do not matter, because they do, but it is just that they are not as advanced as the rest of the world and that is an entirely different subject, which is not my purpose to try and show you. No one in the world lacks common sense, and I never said that. Everything in the world is now required by law to be printed in at least 5 different languages, which proves my point that English is not the main language anymore in the U.S. We have accepted that diversity is apart of the states and no one can make it one dominant language. But with the common sense, symbols and signs are used for danger protocol. We are using more symbols then words now a days because not everyone chooses to speak English. How is it a burden that other people do not accept to speak English? Are you saying that people who choose to live they were raised are a nuisance because they refuse to follow everyone? People chose to live the way they want to, no one can influence them any different. People can make their own choices and are accepting of the consequences.
In the end, I was given the topic to state that English should not be the only language in America. There is so much that comes from different languages other then communication such as: history, heritage, and it gives some meaning to people who are not fully American. So by accepting other languages, we are accepting so much more into this world and that is what makes the world so interesting. I say we let other languages be accepted in the U.S. because it gives us some uniqueness so we are not like every one else but are individuals.
Blair, what a great comment re: dialectal difference in American English. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Blair when it comes to America not only being English but also other languages. I agree with Blair because the US is made up of all immigrants and immigrant decendents. I say America needs to keep the different cultures of many people to keep America the way it is suppose to be. America is suppose to be the country of freedom of religion, rights, and different cultures. Having different languages in America gives us a taste of what is like back in the old country for those who never been out of the US. Without the different languages, I believe the towns of China Town, Greek Town, and Little Italy will not be the same without a big part of their cutlure if the US forced English to be the number one language in America. But, I disagree when Blair says that those who only spak English are boring because not every decendent or immigrant is from a different speaking country but they come from a English speaking country such as England and Ireland.
ReplyDeleteI agree with John when it comes to immigrants knowing English is very important. I feel that English doesn't have to be their number one language but they should know the very important parts as being able to talk to be people when there is an emergency. I also like the idea on the English test to make sure they know enough for them to be able to communicate with those only speak English in America.
In conclusion,I believe it is important to keep the other languages in America because it is important to contain the different cultures and where everyone came from. I also find it important for those who come from a different speaking country should know the basic language of English so they can communicate with the english speaking people.
This debate had many strong points. The use of facts and statistics supported their comments a lot. This was a good use of logos. Another part of this debate was their level of harshness. They were harsh on each other without being too harsh, if that makes sense. In my opinion they were the right amount of harsh to get their point across. An example of this was by John saying Blaire contradicted herself, he said it very nicely. One thing that could have been improved on was the use of hypothetical questions. They were used a lot. In Blair’s last argument, her first paragraph sounds a little demanding. She makes it sound like only her opinion is right and doesn’t take John’s argument into account (The “people who only speak English are boring” comment). Also, at one point in her last argument she says John didn’t think her comments through. That could be taken as being too harsh. She does make a great last argument, though. She said, “There is so much that comes from different languages other than communication.” She shows the importance of knowing more than one language which supports her side of the argument.
ReplyDeleteThis debate had both negative and positive aspects to it. First, John made a good argument in the first post by pointing out the safety and everyday communication of those who do not speak English. It was, though, a bit redundant. In the next post, Blair had a lot of good points and statistics such as “Nearly 47 million people – about 1 in 5 U.S. residents --age 5 and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000, according to the Census Bureau.” The only advice I would give would be to be careful not to mix up those who speak a different language to those with a different ethnicity. John made a good point that Blair made comments that supported his argument. Just be careful to not attack the writer. Blair also did some attacking when saying 79% of Americans were boring. Overall, though, I think this argument had a lot of good points and was effective.
ReplyDeleteJohn, your initial argument was well organized and logical but lacked credibility. Pathos would have improved this, but you explained each example well. This made it seem that you knew what you were talking about, no matter how outrageous your claim might seem to the opposition. Your rebuttal uses statistics for logos but you still have no element of pathos. Therefore, your attack on the opposition loses its effectiveness. I also dislike the way that both sides are asking the other questions at the end of their comments. Blair did a great job connecting to the argument and the reader. The use of pathos established credibility when you talked about your nationality and repeatedly used “we”. You incorporated statistics for logos but your argument was weakened when it wasn’t clearly separated from the opposition. Your rebuttal came across too snappy. I appreciate that you tried clearing up confusion and you brought up something new to consider. Unfortunately, you did not sell me on your ideas about dialect or peoples’ choice. Overall, this debate strengthened my previous knowledge of this topic.
ReplyDelete