A Debate in a PC World
John Smith: Alright "the Asian[s], the Hispanic[s], the Jew[s]/ The African[s], the Native American[s] the Sioux[s]/ The Catholic[s], the Muslim[s], the French[s], the Greek[s]/ The Irish[s], the Rabbi[s], the Priest[s], the Sheik[s],/ The Gay[s], the Straight[s], the Preacher[s],/ The privileged, the homeless, the Teacher[s]," please settle down so we can get started.
Juan Martinez: Yes please. Let us get started.
Spectator: "Did you mean por favor!?"
-Spectator is then kicked out for assuming his language of choice
Juan Martinez: Now then, can we get started with out debate?
John Smith: Yes. I believe the official language of the United States should be English.
Juan Martinez: Now why is that Mr. Smith?
John Smith: Well we need it to communicate effectively in today's high-paced society. Now, Mr Martinez, may I ask you a question?
Juan Martinez: Well why of co-
John Smith: Good. If you could only speak Mexic- I mean Span- I mean Espanol, how would you feel about surviving in today's society?
Juan Martinez: While I appriciate you asking me if you could ask me a question, I do not appriciate you interrupting me. It contradicts your use of a wimperaitve.
John Smith: Wow! Great analysis. You still haven't answered my question.
Juan Martinez: Well, It would be quite difficult to live efficiently without the knowledge of common English, but by making it the official language, you are restricting some of the richh culture that comes with being billingual. Take for instance, the slang and jargon variations of English. There are certain languages at a high school that are much different than English. Not only do you have the required language classes like Spanish, German, Japanese, etc, you also have the group of kids at school who use specific slang to differentiate themselves like a lacrosse team yelling "good nug" or "boost" in a different connotation. Or you have the intelligent, scholarly students who try to sound as pedantic as possible. See the English language isn't set in stone. It is readily available to be modified to fit the needs of the group who uses English. And so to respond to your proposition, I don't think you need to set an official language. Other langauges will still be used anyway. Whether it is the many variations on English or another langauge mentioned above, your idea of "English" will never be official.
John Smith: Now but you say the variations on English isn't English. But it is! "Boost" is a Englishh term no?
Juan Martinez: Yes, but when it is changed to mean "something you boast about, but isn't true," it is simply a made up term with an English definition. Even another example, in Spanish, the word chhocolate is pronounced "Cho-co-la-tay." Now this saying can reveal a lot of one's background, and the context of the word can reveal its usage in perhaps a Spanish dessert. If we restrict this and put it to the English "Choc-o-lit" We now hide these features. I'm sure you would know a lot about it as you are American, and Americans have no consideration for others. *And I know that.
John Smith: Did you just assume my race.
Juan Martinez: Your name is John Smith. How could it not be of Caucasian descent?
John Smith: I was named this to fit into society. I am European at heart. You Mexican freak.
Juan Martinez: Hey man, I'm Caucasian. That's how I know we have no consideration for other races...
John Smith: What?
-Both parties awkwardly stare at each other and the TV breaks to commercial...
*I don't actually agree with this statement you Americans are sweet.
Juan Martinez: Yes please. Let us get started.
Spectator: "Did you mean por favor!?"
-Spectator is then kicked out for assuming his language of choice
Juan Martinez: Now then, can we get started with out debate?
John Smith: Yes. I believe the official language of the United States should be English.
Juan Martinez: Now why is that Mr. Smith?
John Smith: Well we need it to communicate effectively in today's high-paced society. Now, Mr Martinez, may I ask you a question?
Juan Martinez: Well why of co-
John Smith: Good. If you could only speak Mexic- I mean Span- I mean Espanol, how would you feel about surviving in today's society?
Juan Martinez: While I appriciate you asking me if you could ask me a question, I do not appriciate you interrupting me. It contradicts your use of a wimperaitve.
John Smith: Wow! Great analysis. You still haven't answered my question.
Juan Martinez: Well, It would be quite difficult to live efficiently without the knowledge of common English, but by making it the official language, you are restricting some of the richh culture that comes with being billingual. Take for instance, the slang and jargon variations of English. There are certain languages at a high school that are much different than English. Not only do you have the required language classes like Spanish, German, Japanese, etc, you also have the group of kids at school who use specific slang to differentiate themselves like a lacrosse team yelling "good nug" or "boost" in a different connotation. Or you have the intelligent, scholarly students who try to sound as pedantic as possible. See the English language isn't set in stone. It is readily available to be modified to fit the needs of the group who uses English. And so to respond to your proposition, I don't think you need to set an official language. Other langauges will still be used anyway. Whether it is the many variations on English or another langauge mentioned above, your idea of "English" will never be official.
John Smith: Now but you say the variations on English isn't English. But it is! "Boost" is a Englishh term no?
Juan Martinez: Yes, but when it is changed to mean "something you boast about, but isn't true," it is simply a made up term with an English definition. Even another example, in Spanish, the word chhocolate is pronounced "Cho-co-la-tay." Now this saying can reveal a lot of one's background, and the context of the word can reveal its usage in perhaps a Spanish dessert. If we restrict this and put it to the English "Choc-o-lit" We now hide these features. I'm sure you would know a lot about it as you are American, and Americans have no consideration for others. *And I know that.
John Smith: Did you just assume my race.
Juan Martinez: Your name is John Smith. How could it not be of Caucasian descent?
John Smith: I was named this to fit into society. I am European at heart. You Mexican freak.
Juan Martinez: Hey man, I'm Caucasian. That's how I know we have no consideration for other races...
John Smith: What?
-Both parties awkwardly stare at each other and the TV breaks to commercial...
*I don't actually agree with this statement you Americans are sweet.
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