Speak English Only - Page 24

pensacola_niceman · 04-19-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katczinsky

That's not what I said at all. Read it over again.

The vast majority of human beings are all intelligent enough to have vast capabilities toward knowledge and education. I didn't say immigrants are stupid, I said many of their material conditions don't provide them with the opportunities, which is a good reason why they came over here in the first place. As with any problems in education systems, illiteracy runs rampant, even in our own country. Even Cuba has a much higher literacy rate than the United States, and actually is one of the best rates in the world. Mexico, a primary source of Spanish-speaking immigrants into the United States for example, has a poor literacy rate by comparison.

The point is, they don't know English not because they're stupid, but because they're not always presented the opportunity. I suggest that instead of degrading them by suggesting that they're somehow morally culpable for their conditions like many are doing on this forum, perhaps we should start providing these opportunities for them to learn English. How is that being xenophobic?

If you feel bitter when you encounter cultural differences, that's a xenophobic response no matter how you wish to spin it. Many Americans harbor this anger because of different reasons; I'm sure being sheltered and ignorant is among them. When I hear a Spanish-speaker or of whatever language, I don't harbor anger because they don't know English, that's simply ridiculous. I'm sure they feel the negative consequences of their inability to communicate than I do.

Oh stop the politically correct dialogue and cut to the chase. The vast majority of immigrants to this country are of a lower class and haven't even mastered their own native languages. Learning English is an exceptional challenge for them. Too bad - unless, of course, we want to accomodate them with street signs in 10 different languages. Or, a better option: use international symbols that NOBODY understands.

The concept of "when in Rome" really does make sense.

nuttyjoe · 04-19-2008, 01:36 PM

Please reread Gary's earlier posts on proper English and tell me just how many Americans you know who can speak properly, PN.

fxashun · 04-19-2008, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuttyjoe

Please reread Gary's earlier posts on proper English and tell me just how many Americans you know who can speak properly, PN.

I don't think it's a matter of speaking "proper english" it's more a matter of being able to communicate in the english language at all and making at least a minimal attempt to learn it.

Sharon den Adel · 04-20-2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuttyjoe

I don't think it is your Austrailian government handing out jobs, Sharon. Probably it is your personnel managers in such places you have mentioned that are filling positions that came open; by using the pool of whom applied for the job. After all, can you produce or quote a link to any of your government's official policy that directs employers to hire non-English speaking persons. If you can, please post it here. If you can't, then I think that it was not a government decision; but rather a decision of that employer whom did the hiring.

I would hope an employer would not be stupid enough to place migrant jobs over true blue Aussies. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me, because these migrant will work for nothing, which of course saves the employer money.

It wouldn't bother me so much that a migrant held a job, but could they at least apply for the job in the way we all do here? By that, I mean type out your resume, look through the paper or on the internet for jobs being advertised, send your resume off, like the rest of us, and wait for a letter, or a phone call. Go to the interview, convince the employer you are the best person for the job.
That's what we have to do to get jobs, they are not given to us, we have to go out and find a job ourselves, the immigrants don't. It's handed to them, and we are far too relaxed in letting them get away with not speaking English. You can't, and should not, be able to hold a job in Australia if you cannot speak fluent English.

pensacola_niceman · 04-20-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuttyjoe

Please reread Gary's earlier posts on proper English and tell me just how many Americans you know who can speak properly, PN.

I can.

garysher · 04-20-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon den Adel

I would hope an employer would not be stupid enough to place migrant jobs over true blue Aussies. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me, because these migrant will work for nothing, which of course saves the employer money.

It wouldn't bother me so much that a migrant held a job, but could they at least apply for the job in the way we all do here? By that, I mean type out your resume, look through the paper or on the internet for jobs being advertised, send your resume off, like the rest of us, and wait for a letter, or a phone call. Go to the interview, convince the employer you are the best person for the job.
That's what we have to do to get jobs, they are not given to us, we have to go out and find a job ourselves, the immigrants don't. It's handed to them, and we are far too relaxed in letting them get away with not speaking English. You can't, and should not, be able to hold a job in Australia if you cannot speak fluent English.

What makes you think that the Australian govt is handing out jobs to non-English speaking immigrants without a CV or even an interview, who don't even apply for the job ??!?

Sounds like a conspiracy theory.

Fact is the immigrant mentality motivates most new migrants to take any kind of job just to get started, and that usually means the lowest paid jobs with the fastest turnover.

I don't think you'll find many non-English speaking lebbos or Vietnamese working as management consultants for IBM or as lawyers for BHP.

nuttyjoe · 04-20-2008, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysher

What makes you think that the Australian govt is handing out jobs to non-English speaking immigrants without a CV or even an interview, who don't even apply for the job ??!?

Sounds like a conspiracy theory.

Fact is the immigrant mentality motivates most new migrants to take any kind of job just to get started, and that usually means the lowest paid jobs with the fastest turnover.

I don't think you'll find many non-English speaking lebbos or Vietnamese working as management consultants for IBM or as lawyers for BHP.

Exactly right, Gary. The iron-clad fact is that immigrants in America (I can't speak for Austraila) usually start out by taking the first job available that they can get; to bring in some kind of income. As Gary stated; these are usually in high-turnover jobs- many in the food service industry.
As far as to why they don't have to type resumes to get an interview; that depends on the job. How many BurgerKings, McDonald's, or Wendy's restaurants are you aware of that require a resume? I don't think there are many. Jobs such as these are filled mostly by word of mouth. An opening occurs, and a current employee tells his manager that he has a friend that is looking for a job. It's that simple in the food service industry.
As far as the money angle, these fast food restaurants bring in billions of dollars in sales per year.

Sharon den Adel · 04-21-2008, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysher

Fact is the immigrant mentality motivates most new migrants to take any kind of job just to get started, and that usually means the lowest paid jobs with the fastest turnover.

You have a point, but at the same time, it just seems like immigrants don't have to go through the same avenues as the rest of us when it comes to finding work.

highway80west · 04-21-2008, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysher

You mean

"not to know English"

Never split an infinitive. Very American. Dead giveaway.

Quite the nitpicker you are, Gary.

garysher · 04-21-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highway80west

Quite the nitpicker you are, Gary.

I think you mean:

"You are quite the nitpicker, Gary"

or better still

"I admire your attention to detail and your relentless pursuit of perfection, Gary".

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