Lingua Franca & National Anthem

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dsunman @ May 1 2006, 02:05 PM) [snapback]248036[/snapback]</div>

Wow, lots of reading here. Glad its in English

I still believe that if a country has a common language it will serve it better than not. And I would like a few other examples as you have offered above. And I do believe that having two strong languages and a hence a "separation" of people sharing a common border increases the possibilities of providing for increased friction between countrymen. And you are right, it is more than language with Canada - it is a cultural thing too - a class of cultures that share two different languages.

And I agree with your last paragraph - although I would mandate those being granted citizenship be fluent in English as a requirement. And I also do not believe our National Anthem should be in any other language than English.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jared2 @ May 1 2006, 02:22 PM) [snapback]248053[/snapback]</div>

I am sorry but when it come to how europeans view others, please exclude me from their oversight. I really could care less about what they think. Having brought the world the greatest "ism's" like Nazism, Fascism, Socialism, Communism - their set of definitions and opinions can remain there, forever. Also, IMAGINE if europe spoke one language - could it be that the people there could have gotten along a little better? Maybe no World Wars?? Maybe a common language would have provided them better communication skills? Interesting how they have decided on English as the language of the EU. And furthermore, in terms of education, they better start doing a better job of educating their immigrants and studying a little history before it starts repeating itself.

In terms of making the US a better country - how about giving your time or money or both to help wounded veterans returning from Iraq? Traveling is cool - but sometimes some of our "representatives" provide more of a negative image for us than we would like Learning a language is also cool - first, lets try helping those that are living here speak English. Depends on which foreign newspapers you choose to read - I like reading the NY Times for that perspective (tom friedman is usually a guidepost of what not to think). I would also add - learn of new sport; go out to eat

 

I can't read them very well, but here are four versions from the United States State Department
National Anthem in Spanish

And, according to the Wikipedia, "The Star-Spangled Banner was translated into Spanish in 1919 by the US Bureau of Education[4]. It has also been translated into a number of other languages. In 1861, it was translated into German [5] (and is also on that page in Latin). It has been translated into Yiddish by Jewish immigrants[6]and into French by Acadians of Louisiana [7]."

Wikipedia

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jared2 @ May 1 2006, 11:22 AM) [snapback]248053[/snapback]</div>

Interesting. My wife speaks Mandarin (a Chinese dialect) as well as Tagalog (Philippine national language). I have learned German as well as some Spanish from the days when it was indeed the law in California that students were to be taught Spanish. Recently, I got my first passport, and I will be using it soon in a trip to Canada, then on to the Philippines.

Europeans are in Europe, not here in the 'States. They have to learn several languages. Here in the states, we don't have to. Spanish came from Spain, German from Germany, Chinese from China...so what is the problem of having English coming from America? If other countries have national languages, why then cant the United States have one? :huh:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(finally_got_one @ May 2 2006, 10:08 AM) [snapback]248614[/snapback]</div>

Actually, modern English came from England, not from America. The Brits, however, insist that what we speak here is a disgraceful bastardization of the English language.

I like Spanish, for its poetic quality. There's a lot of inherent ambiguity in it, as well as a great deal of music, which, taken together make it the ideal language of poetry and of love.

English is very precise, which makes it ideal for science.

French (I am going here by reputation, since I do not speak it) is the best language for diplomacy. In diplomacy it is necessary to be polite, to avoid unintended insult between representatives of great powers, or setting off unintended quarrels between neighbors. And for expressing respect in the most courteous manner, french is best suited.

And German is the perfect language to use while beating your dog.

Thus, the truely educated man should speak at least 4 languages. I admit to being only halfway there.

 

I don't particularly care what language people use to sing the national anthem. President Bush, however, should not criticize anyone for not using English until he learns the language himself.