We speak English

vanity | 2-28-06 | Normy

[blu]

I agree with Ken. "Se habla Ingles / We Speak English / We Speak Texan" would be good.

[Mulch]

We Speak:
Chinese
English
Farsi
Finnish
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Polish
Russian
Spanish

[Momaw Nadon]

Just out of interest, is it a requirement for immigrants to the US to speak English or is the problem with non-English speakers caused by illegal immigrants?

As far as I know, speaking English is not a requirement for citizenship.

[massgopguy]

Speaking English is a requirement for citizenship unless the person is aged or has been in the country for 15? years.

[Momaw Nadon]

I love it! Where did you see it? I want to drive there right now and buy something.

I'm not sure what city the store is in, but it is in eastern Massachusetts.

[freedumb2003]

The exam is given in english and only english. But beyond that I think you might be right.

[taillightchaser]

You may expect a visit from the ACLU soon.

[OB1kNOb]

American spoken here!

[RonF]

Well, it'll piss somebody off, so I say go for it.

[Elyse]

I disagree with the people that are saying to make it funny. You aren't really trying to be funny and you aren't trying to offend anyone. You just want people to know that your employees speak English.

I think your original idea to just say, "We Speak English" is the best idea. If you get publicity because someone takes offence it's much easier to defend that clear statement of fact than if you had attempted to be humorous.

[sunset212]

A couple of years ago, I was the manager of a retail store. One day an Hispanic man came in and asked, in Spanish, if we stocked a particular item. Since we did not, I chose to respond that I didn’t speak Spanish. He asked, in Spanish, if my co-worker spoke Spanish. Again, I said, “Sorry, no hablo”. Through this exchange he was becoming visibly angrier. He started to leave and then turned back, his face red and his fists clenched and asked, “?Porque no hables espanol?”. I responded, “Somos en los estados unidos y aquí hablamos ingles”. The look on his face was priceless.

[JamesP81]

Just out of interest, is it a requirement for immigrants to the US to speak English or is the problem with non-English speakers caused by illegal immigrants? In the UK potential immigrants now have to demonstrate their ability to speak the Queen's English and show some understanding of our culture and values.

I don't believe immigrants have to be able to speak English (well, American if we're honest about it) to come here. Cultural assimilation, learning the values of our country isn't really required either. In fact, cultural assimilation is very un-PC right now. And illegal aliens also cause a huge problem.

[angelanddevil2]

Speaking English IS a citizenship requirement (if you are naturalized, not if you are born here). You have to take the exam in English and you have to have an interview in English to prove you can speak the language. Now, it is only basic English, what's your name, where do you live, and so on. I am from Spain, and when I hear "para espanol oprima el 2" I press 1. I personally take advatange of my race, like for instance to get a job (plus I'm a woman), and I talk to my son in Spanish (I think it's in his advantage to know other language; besides he needs to understand my family in Spain). But as an immigrant I support whatever action it is to defend the american culture, and English is part of it. I understand the problem, as in Spain it's the muslims who are imposing their culture on us. Although it also must be said that hispanics are not at all comparable to muslims.

As for the question, I would go for the subtle answer given before. Something like "we hear you" or "we listen to you". You are giving the message but still would save you problems.

[BlueStateDepression]

You are correct. It is a requirement to demonstrate knowledge of the English language in order to be naturalized.

"There are general requirements and qualifications that must be met in order for you to become a US citizen. These include:

Demonstrating that you have good moral character

Demonstrating knowledge of the English language

Demonstrating knowledge of U.S. government and history (“civics”),

and Demonstrating attachment to the U.S. by taking an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Constitution.

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/MilitaryBrochurev7.htm

[Wil H]

"We eat Chinese, drink Scotch, speak English, and are always Russian to assist you."

Amusing, but "Scotch" does not refer to a nationality, Scots, or Scottish, does.

[Roy Tucker]

How about "We speak your language."

"Communication is our business."

[BlueStateDepression]

Normy, I will tell you that I have ceased doing with business over Lowe's home improvement stores over the language thing. I look at it this way....if you cannot speak and read English then why are you at a home improvement store???

I feel that Lowes is marketing to the illegal segment of our population and they have the right to do that if they want to make that choice. I also have my choice to make and I decide to spend my dollars at places that market English. You placing a sign that relays this message would draw me to your business and I offer that it would have more of a positive influence that would far overshadow any negative whining that you might experience as a result of it.

[normy]

I disagree with the people that are saying to make it funny. You aren't really trying to be funny and you aren't trying to offend anyone. You just want people to know that your employees speak English. I think your original idea to just say, "We Speak English" is the best idea. If you get publicity because someone takes offense it's much easier to defend that clear statement of fact than if you had attempted to be humorous

I tend to agree with you. The problem with "we speak Texan" or "American Owned" or "we speak your language" is that they can be misunderstood or taken as some slogan. This would not be my company's slogan, just information. If these words caused some kind of media attention I think it would only cause me to get positive results from it.

There are Asian, Indian etc. who do not speak Texan nor do they care if I am American owned. The simple point that we speak English could help though differentiate me from others.

[normy]

Thats very funny! I worked for a Hispanic guy who was also born in the USA. I was working with a customer who was from Mexico and had very bad English. I did my best but had him call my boss, hoping they could speak Spanish and get some clarity. When I returned to the shop my bossed asked me, "did that guy have money? Did he seem to be kind of rich?"

"yeah," I responded, "why?".

"Because I couldn't understand his English so I asked him if he spoke Spanish and he said 'yes but I don't want to speak Spanish I want to speak English' so I figured he was some uppity hispanic with money."

My boss looked like he had given away a secret or something after he said that. I just laughed and walked off.

[thubb]

go ahead and post "English Spoken Here" - i live in whitesboro and am familiar w/ the east asian and indo-pak communities in the metroplex as i shop the asian stores in richardson. i think they would certainly appreciate it especially, if you have any of them as part of your customer base. personally, i'm into sarcastic humor - i like one of the last posts - "American spoken here". that's great!