Ah-Nold says "Turn off Spanish TV"

[Capt Jack]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Have Gun, Will Travel?

one of my moms fave shows when I was a wee-tad. she just loved dem cowboys.

hence...my Texan dad.

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I took 5 years of Spanish and lived with 2 parents that are fluent in Spanish. I got a 5 on the AP exam and was probably well on my way to becoming fluent.

Forgot most of it. At this point I'm lucky if I'd test at first year levels. I moved from Los Angeles to Irvine, and of course didn't take any classes in college, so my opportunities to use it went quickly to zero.

I guess my point is that the number of years you take classes isn't really at issue. It's all about use. Europeans, as a generality, have more contact with people speaking languages other than their native language. At the very least, they hear English on a regular basis from sources that interest them (English language movies, TV, etc. is common world-wide). Much greater opportunity for them to actually use it, not just study it.

That's the truth. For a European, let's say a Frenchman like our very own DLRPBopazot, a trip to an entirely different language and culture, such as Spain, Italy, Switzerland, etc. is only as far away as many of us would travel to reach Vegas, or perhaps the Bay Area.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

That's the truth. For a European, let's say a Frenchman like our very own DLRPBopazot, a trip to an entirely different language and culture, such as Spain, Italy, Switzerland, etc. is only as far away as many of us would travel to reach Vegas, or perhaps the Bay Area.

Or Tijuana.

[katiesue]

But I think the point the Governator was trying to make was not about learning a second language to use on your vacation, but that if you're going to live in a place where that is the primary language you should expose yourself to the new language as much as possible to learn it.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I guess my point is that the number of years you take classes isn't really at issue. It's all about use.

I agree. That was my point too. People can take ESL classes and speak English in school but that is the extent of it. If you don't use it, you lose it.

[Jughead P. Jones]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Or French and only French.

Fetchez la vache!

I'm sorry...you want me to do WHAT to the cow?

[Jughead P. Jones]

Originally Posted by Morrigoon

In answer to the question as to why we "need" one language in the country, let's go ahead and look at Canada. Specifically, let's look at Quebec and their constant attempts to break away from the rest of Canada. Now ask me again why the United States of America needs one universal language.

I do agree that I'm not a huge endorser of Quebec breaking free from Canada by any means due to language concerns, but, as far as my knowledge goes, there have only been two referendums on the subject of Quebec's separation from the rest of Canada. (in 1980 and 1995, of which it was decided not to separate, albeit by a really, REALLY slim margin.)

I'd offer more thoughts about this subject, but I'd have to create a new post on that, since it has nothing to do with Arnold Schwartzenegger (unless he was French-Canadian in a past life or something. )