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English Only/English First in Nashville
Topic Started: Jan 11 2009, 10:49 AM (146 Views)
QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/us/11english.html?hp
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
I have mixed feelings here. Whereas I understand what is behind it, I don't see how it is very pragmatic. Europe has thrived for several centuries with a patchwork of languages, and it seems to me it only enriched the culture.

In this age of easy global travel and communication, is assimilation still as necessary as it once was?
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Mik: I don't find it the least bit problematic.
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Nashville, like most cities in the country, allows government officials to communicate in any language they choose, and Mr. Crafton wants to end that practice.

Theoretically, consider that without such regulations, a cop would to be able to address you in a foreign language, and if you don't comply with his directives, you could be in trouble for not following a lawful order? I see it as very practical. A government should decide how to do business based on what most clearly communicates its intent, not on political correctness.
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
I suppose that is true. I guess I was looking at it more from a broader cultural viewpoint.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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jon-nyc
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Cheers
Generally speaking, when a state or municipality passes a law that says English is its only language it a pretty good indicator that it isn't.


In this case, I can see requiring city communications to always include English but to be exclusively in English strikes me as unnecessarily nativist.
In my defense, I was left unsupervised.
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Jolly
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Geaux Tigers!
Melting pot.

Either we assimilate, or we Balkanize.
The main obstacle to a stable and just world order is the United States.- George Soros
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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
Good point.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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Copper
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Shortstop
Mikhailoh
Jan 11 2009, 10:57 AM
Europe has thrived for several centuries with a patchwork of languages, and it seems to me it only enriched the culture.


Many languages has actually been a reason for not thriving.

You want to see some real "nativists"?

Europeans "nativists" put Nashvillians to shame.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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