"Speak English" sign in Philly restaurant

[Flyndaran]

I'd say the sentiment is still equal in validity, if not of degree. You just don't need to become fluent, or even conversational. Bring a phrase book or something. Most places will cut you slack if it's clear you're trying. If you're unwilling to make an effort to speak the language of where you're going, don't go there.

Okay. I guess I misunderstood what you meant. I think you and I have quite different ways of writing, so don't be surprised if I misunderstand you again. I don't mean any offense.

Funny thing about language: my girlfriend's best friend spent a couple of years here in the states from Turkey. She eventually began to think in english and developed an accent in her native language. She went back, and people thought she was born in the U.S. Talk about surreal.

[BroomJockey]

Okay. I guess I misunderstood what you meant. I think you and I have quite different ways of writing, so don't be surprised if I misunderstand you again.

Yes, my writing style is rather... unique... I rarely mean to cause offence, myself, so I know some of where you're coming from.

[DesignFox]

I'd say the sentiment is still equal in validity, if not of degree. You just don't need to become fluent, or even conversational. Bring a phrase book or something. Most places will cut you slack if it's clear you're trying. If you're unwilling to make an effort to speak the language of where you're going, don't go there.

This!

Yes, my writing style is rather... unique... I rarely mean to cause offence, myself, so I know some of where you're coming from.

And I totally understand!

[AdminAssistant]

I'd say the sentiment is still equal in validity, if not of degree. You just don't need to become fluent, or even conversational. Bring a phrase book or something. Most places will cut you slack if it's clear you're trying. If you're unwilling to make an effort to speak the language of where you're going, don't go there.

One of the tips I've gotten for when I go to France (and I will go..one day...dammit!), is to at least use basic words like pardon, merci, bonjour, etc. A lot of Europeans do know English, but it doesn't mean they all like to speak it.

On the other hand, my friend who's a classicist and has spent several summers in Greece told me that Greeks love to speak English. She said she'd go somewhere and would talk to someone in her somewhat fractured Greek, and they'd reply in English. But she wanted to practice her Greek, so she'd keep speaking in Greek. But the Greek person wanted to practice their English, so they'd keep speaking in English. She said it happened all the time.

At any rate, if I were going anywhere I'd make sure I know these phrases in the native language: Hello, goodbye, thank you, you're welcome, excuse me, I'm sorry, I would like (beer, wine, food), Where is the bathroom, and Do you speak English? And perhaps something to indicate that you're American/Canadian/British/etc. and didn't mean to insult their mother, just in case you mispronounce a word.

[Lace Neil Singer]

I'd say the sentiment is still equal in validity, if not of degree. You just don't need to become fluent, or even conversational. Bring a phrase book or something. Most places will cut you slack if it's clear you're trying. If you're unwilling to make an effort to speak the language of where you're going, don't go there.

Agreed. My French is very patchy and I mispronounce words a lot, or get the gender wrong. However, whenever I go to France, out it comes. XD I also notice how I get excellent service at shops and restaurants, cuz I am trying to speak French, unlike a lot of the lazy arse Brits who go to France and just speak English. Yes, most of these people can speak English; they just appreciate a visitor to France at least making an effort to speak the native language.

[fireheart17]

Agreed. My French is very patchy and I mispronounce words a lot, or get the gender wrong. However, whenever I go to France, out it comes. XD I also notice how I get excellent service at shops and restaurants, cuz I am trying to speak French, unlike a lot of the lazy arse Brits who go to France and just speak English. Yes, most of these people can speak English; they just appreciate a visitor to France at least making an effort to speak the native language.

From what I know, it's the same in Japan. I haven't been overseas...yet, but if you can make an attempt to speak the language, the people will be pleased.

As for my French, it's getting better but like you lace, I go get the genders wrong. I also cracked a really bad joke once about how French are really good lovers because there are two genders, but Germans aren't because they're neutered (i.e. they have three genders in language: female, male and neuter). Apologies to German-speakers here.

My Japanese is extreeemely patchy tho, but it's getting there.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Here is my total mastery over the Japanese language:

Hai = Yes.

I would not do well over there. O.o You'd think that after all the subbed animes I've watched, I'd be better than that, but no. -.- Is it a difficult language to learn?

[anriana]

Here is my total mastery over the Japanese language:

Hai = Yes.

I would not do well over there. O.o You'd think that after all the subbed animes I've watched, I'd be better than that, but no. -.- Is it a difficult language to learn?

Who doesn't know domo aragato? Gosh!

http://www.enemieslist.net/japanese/ a humorous article about how difficult it is to learn Japanese.

It is one of the hardest languages for English speakers to use. The school that trains government agents puts it with Korean and another Asian language as the ones that require the most instruction hours to learn - at least double ones like Spanish and Italian.

[Nyoibo]

I didn't find it that much harder to learn Chinese than French or German, I've decided I'm not going to bother to learn to read Japanese when I learn it, at least not at first.

[Wingates_Hellsing]

I respect the guy's right to post the sign, and under certain circumstances mentioned before to be annoyed at an assumed capacity or necessity to cater to other languages he or his employees don't know.

I also think that if someone is making an honest attempt to do it in English, they deserve to be helped along if at all possible, if only because I would be in that exact same position should I ever travel to Germany, trying, but far from fluent (very VERY far from fluent... ). I do see it as common courtesy to try and speak the language when you travel, try harder if you're living there

[Flyndaran]

I respect the guy's right to post the sign, and under certain circumstances mentioned before to be annoyed at an assumed capacity or necessity to cater to other languages he or his employees don't know.
...

I don't have problem with what the sign maker may have meant. I just don't like the racist wording.

[muses_nightmare]

The casino I used to work at had a rule stating that players could only speak english when cards were out on the table, this mainly applied to poker games (Hold 'em especially). Given I live in Canada and we do have two official languages, but a lot of players were East Indian, and they often refused to shut up for even two seconds. I get a headache when people are speaking a language I understand constantly, but when I don't understand it . I think the casino should have put up signs stating English only when cards are in play, or english only at poker tables, would have saved the dealers a lot of trouble that's for sure.

[violetyoshi]

I agree with the sign, I also do not see any racial component in it, since it does not specify any specific race. If I wanted to go live in Japan, I'd have to understand Japanese. True for most countries in the world outside of England and the USA, you need to know the language there, since the majority of people speak it.

It's the guy's restaurant, he has a right to decide who he serves to. If it was such a problem, the restaurant would've been shut down. He's simply asking that when you order something, know what your ordering and how to say it. It's a place of business, not an ESL center.

I say he should at least give a break to people who are speaking broken English, because it's a sign they at least are putting in the effort to learn the language of this country. Oh, and as far as this country not having an official language, over 90% of people in the USA speak English. Maybe it's an unofficial official language, but that's the reality of the situation.

As far as race, this has nothing to do with race. He wouldn't sell food to a White person who didn't speak English, the issue here is the language.

I feel a person should have a choice to whom they serve at their place of business, if they loose a lot of money from that decision, they will have to deal with the consequences of that. What shouldn't happen is people getting excited, yelling out claims of racism, or saying "Nobody is immigrant" at rallies.

We're providing safe habor for people, who may have no opportunities elsewhere, the least they can do is bother to speak our language.

[Flyndaran]

...
We're providing safe habor for people, who may have no opportunities elsewhere, the least they can do is bother to speak our language.

I love how you include us in that diatribe. This is the U.S.; if you want to speak an american language, learn cherokee.
I've got to ask how many languages you know. Not everyone can learn them so easily. I wouldn't be able to learn them as an adult very well. Should I be banned from moving where I please and can find work?

[Greenday]

I've got to ask how many languages you know. Not everyone can learn them so easily. I wouldn't be able to learn them as an adult very well. Should I be banned from moving where I please and can find work?

That doesn't change how absurd it would be to move to a country and refuse to learn the main language, then expect everyone to cater to your every whim.