AMERICA, Modern Day Tower of Babel?

A small comparison between America and a biblical event.

Published on April 15, 2006 By Moderateman In Politics

http://www.ldolphin.org/babel.html

All of this language mixing once destroyed a proud nation, {read the link}

Having a multi language separated man and woman from each other in the Bible!

This demanding of some of our Immigrants that we accommodate them by learning there language, write things so they can understand them, instead of insisting all immigrants speak, read and write this countries language is leading America along the same path as the tower of babel did, destroying the country as it destroyed mans ability to communicate long ago in just ONE LANGUAGE.

WE as a nation must stop this politically correct behavior and start insisting, you want to be an American? and live in this country, learn our language! Period. Keep your countries language, teach you children the customs and spirit of your homeland, do not let that die, but!!!!! blend in and learn English first.

Do not let America go the way of the Tower of Babel, those that do not heed history is doomed to repeat it.

Comments (Page 2)

cactoblasta

on Apr 17, 2006

My friends in Uuzbec said it took 2 years to become fluent in that language. My soon to be American friend going to Russia is taking classes now in Russian.

Something tells me that they would speak English amongst themselves rather than Uzbeki (Or is it Pashtu? I'm almost totally ignorant about that part of the world) or Russian, and they probably spoke English with those locals who understood it. I know I did when I was OS. It's not easy to adapt linguistically to a new language in a completely foreign place.

I can just see those locals saying, "why won't these damn missionaries speak Pashtu? Coming here, stealing our evangelical jobs, not speaking our native tongue... Why won't they just learn our freakin' language, the foreign savages?"

drmiler

on Apr 17, 2006

*yawn*

If fat, lazy Americans have a problem with learning a second or even third language, then we deserve to have our nation "destroyed", if you can even believe what you are describing here is "destruction". Perhaps of your precious "culture", or whitebread non-culture whichever the case may be.

You know something baker? I don't think I'll be able to discuss this anymore with you. I DO NOT appreciate being called fat and lazy, because at the ripe old age 0f 50 I refuse to have to learn another language just to be able to get along. This is "my" country and I was born and raised here and "here" we speak the english language as a defacto standard. Learn it!

You gonna pass a law telling them they can't? Are you gonna be like the French and pass laws saying they have to have English as the main language in their ads and on their signs? The French protect themselves from English and we call them pigs. We do the SAME stinkin things and we laud our patriotism.

This is NOT why we call them pigs! We call them pigs because for the most part they say one thing and then turn around and do the exact opposite! And if it was up to me and a bunch of others...."yes" I'd pass that law. It's one thing to be a tourist. They're not really expected to learn a second language. It's quite another to "immigrate" to another country!

Chakgogka

on Apr 17, 2006

Uzbeki (Or is it Pashtu?)

It is Uzbek, an eastern turkic language, written, until 1992, in the (Russian) Cyrillic alphabet but now largely written in the Latin alphabet. I'm not sure that a native English speaker would acquire real fluency in just two years, although a good intermediate level is quite possible. However, with the right 'spiritual motivation' who knows. I recall a bunch of working class guys without high school diplomas learning foreign languages in a matter of seconds [Acts 2:4-6]

bakerstreet

on Apr 17, 2006

"You know something baker? I don't think I'll be able to discuss this anymore with you. I DO NOT appreciate being called fat and lazy, because at the ripe old age 0f 50 I refuse to have to learn another language just to be able to get along. This is "my" country and I was born and raised here and "here" we speak the english language as a defacto standard. Learn it!"

You won't be able to discuss it with people who don't speak English, either. As time goes on those "won't be able to" things are gonna start piling up as long as you self-righteously deny yourself tools out of some empty principle.

"This is NOT why we call them pigs! We call them pigs because for the most part they say one thing and then turn around and do the exact opposite! And if it was up to me and a bunch of others...."yes" I'd pass that law. It's one thing to be a tourist. They're not really expected to learn a second language. It's quite another to "immigrate" to another country!"

Then you are just as pathetic as the French, and were the US governed by people as short-sighted, we'd be doomed to end up just like them. Thankfully, it won't be.

drmiler

on Apr 17, 2006

Then you are just as pathetic as the French, and were the US governed by people as short-sighted, we'd be doomed to end up just like them. Thankfully, it won't be.

First I was fat and lazy, now I'm pathetic. Why don't you just go sit in the corner and make rapid up and down motions with your hand while gripping your male (?) appendage.

I really don't give a rat's butt. If they can't speak to me in my native tounge then whatever it is that they're trying to say doesn't mean much to me.

bakerstreet

on Apr 17, 2006

"I really don't give a rat's butt. If they can't speak to me in my native tounge then whatever it is that they're trying to say doesn't mean much to me."

Like I said, that's the attitude my wife's coworkers have. Nothing like lauding the fact that you are of less use overall to society. Lacking skills is of course the mainstay of America's culture of dependance, but it's odd to see those on the right promoting it.

InBloom

on Apr 17, 2006

English should definitely be learned by every person who wants to live here. I agree with that 100 percent.

However, the reality is, we are living in a nation where the biggest minority speaks Spanish, and where more and more minorities feel comfortable using their langauges here (Korean, Chinese, for example).
No one is DEMANDING you learn another country's language. But, to me, it only benefits someone to learn a minority language if they live in a community where that minority langauge is widely used.

I am very familiar with this issue. Living in a border town where Spanish is widely used, we of course do have people who complain that English isn't used enough (not only complaints by Causasians, but by U.S born Hispanics).I actually think one of the main causes for disdain of other languages has to do with people somehow being threatened by it, as if it's going to take over English at anytime now...

I don't see a problem with people speaking a language of their choice as long as they speak English where it is necessary to do so (such as the workplace).

drmiler

on Apr 17, 2006

"I really don't give a rat's butt. If they can't speak to me in my native tounge then whatever it is that they're trying to say doesn't mean much to me."

Like I said, that's the attitude my wife's coworkers have. Nothing like lauding the fact that you are of less use overall to society. Lacking skills is of course the mainstay of America's culture of dependance, but it's odd to see those on the right promoting it.

lets see....fat, lazy, pathetic. Now according to you not worth a lot to society. And you "still" haven't addressed one salient point. You are expected and in some instances required to learn the "native" tounge of an area you're moving into. Say Italy or Russia. Of course in the work place your wife's co-workers are the one with the problem. At least according to you anyway. I say it's the other way around. If the workers can't understand what the boss is telling them to do...then what good are they to the company?

Sorry MM. baker...."screw off"!

Moderateman

on Apr 17, 2006

lemmee see if I have this right baker, I live in america, where english has been the TRADITIONAL language for centuries. We ok so far? Now according to you I must learn foriegn languages in order to speak with people that refuse to learn english, yet want to live here. we still ok? If I do not want to learn, I am either , fat, lazy, or stupid. HMMMMMM gotta agree with doc miler on this one baker... Bend over take a firm grip on your neck and remove it from your anal cavity {remember I like and repsect you}

DJBandit

on Apr 17, 2006

I am curious, how many languages do you know Baker?

I myself and Bilingual, I talk read and write English and Spanish very well. I can, however, understand Portuguese a little since I worked with Brazilians for 2 years. But I wouldn't consider it a third language since I could not hold a conversation with one long enough. But I leanred to understand it for business purposes and simply because they were in Brazil when they spoke to me. But as soon as they touched US soil, they could talk better English than I could Portuguese. So I wonder, why should I have to learn another language when communicating with someone in my own country? Sure if talking to them in their native language in my country could get me one hell of an account with millions of dollars than by God I will learn it.

I agree those who chose to come and stay in the US should learn English. It is not lazy to not learn other languages. Being an American citizen I have the right to not learn other languages and the right to be respected about it and not be called lazy, fat, pathetic and useless to society. It is very disrespectful to say that to anyone cosidering that people from other nation don't learn languages from other countries just to please those who are living there and don't know the native language and you are calling all of them these names.

BTW, I learned English cause I was born in the US and lived here for many years, I also learned Spanish cause my mom spoke more Spanish than English in the house but even she could hold her own when English speaking people knocked on the door.

foreverserenity

on Apr 17, 2006

"WE as a nation must stop this politically correct behavior and start insisting, you want to be an American? and live in this country, learn our language! Period. Keep your countries language, teach you children the customs and spirit of your homeland, do not let that die, but!!!!! blend in and learn English first.

Do not let America go the way of the Tower of Babel, those that do not heed history is doomed to repeat it."

Amen brother, Amen!

Being an immigrant myself, I'm all for rights of individuals but how hard is it for them to become a part of the country they're dying to come here for? How hard is it for them to fit in and be a part of our great nation and not behave as if they are owed all of these rights?

If me and the millions of other immigrants who come here legally and put up with the years of waiting and thousand of dollars (hundreds) spent and paperwork processed and take an oath to live an honest life and serve this country if neccessary and be an AMERICAN, why can't they do the same? I was one of the lucky ones who came in as a permanent resident but still wen through the hoops and had to wait and apply for my cizenship.

Moderateman

on Apr 17, 2006

Reply By: foreverserenityPosted: Monday, April 17, 2006

everyone should read your response, come to think of it why don't you blog about the trials and tribulations you went through.

foreverserenity

on Apr 17, 2006

I don't see a problem with people speaking a language of their choice as long as they speak English where it is necessary to do so (such as the workplace).

This is what Elie is saying Rose, many do not choose to speak English even at work. Especially if they're in an environment where they don't feel they have to.

Personally I want to learn a second language and even tried to a couple years ago but didn't continue with the lessons because I moved here. But I do hope to do it again. I do encourage my children to learn a second language in school when it's offered because it would be of benefit to them. I dont' see why this wouldn't be the same to anyone who doesn't speak English.

foreverserenity

on Apr 17, 2006

everyone should read your response, come to think of it why don't you blog about the trials and tribulations you went through.

Gosh Elie, the stories I could tell about mine and my relatives experiences! I will think about it, writing it that is. I could also tell you stories about people who do refuse to learn the language and what they do here. Not everyone is like that, but the few who refuse to do it, makes you wonder why they are here.

bakerstreet

on Apr 17, 2006

" am curious, how many languages do you know Baker?"

Fluently? Including English, zero. I'm from Eastern Kentucky and am the product of both hillbilly vernacular and the poorest school systems in the US, so I kind of lack sympathy for folks that claim they just don't have the resources.

I took French in junior high school, and german in college. I've learned along with my wife as she's taken Spanish, but I'm hardly fluent. I've bought resources now because my daughter wants to learn Japanese, so I'm learning that along with her. She wants to be able to talk to people in the sushi restaurant she adores. Apart from that I know a smattering if Italian and Chinese, also from my interest in food.

I'm not fluent in any of them, nor do I really feel like I need to be. It's enough that I try to understand people whose cultures and languages I value. I don't appreciate people who came up our holler and tried to tell us to speak so that they could understand, without all the 'yunzes' and 'aints', and I wouldn't dream of going into my local Mexican community and demand they speak the way I want them to. If I don't understand I am the one lacking, not them.

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