WASHINGTON, Jul 09, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- At a town hall meeting in Georgia this morning, presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama told an audience that, "you need to make sure that your child can speak Spanish." Speaking in Powder Springs, Ga., the Illinois Senator said that the nation's chief priority should not be for immigrants to learn English, but for American children to learn Spanish.

This guy is really starting to get on my nerves!

The link to the youtube video..so that people can hear it themselves.
Nothing wrong with learning a second language ..if you want to.

YouTube - Barack Obama: Your Children Should Learn To Speak Spanish

Exactly, if you WANT to!! How about making the immigrants learn English!!! That makes sense at least.

Spanish speaking workers have been a reality in the US for over 20 years. We recognized the issue when Reagan was president. We made each of our boys take Spanish through 12th grade and two went on with it through college. Two have obtained leadership roles post college due to their ability to speak Spanish. IMO - this is strong, realistic advice from a leader who tells the truth - not what people want to hear.

Immigrants entering this country are a fact we cannot change because corporations (who really do determine much of our policy) can hire and pay them less. Immigrants entering the country are generally as skilled for a particular job in the US as a US citizen, so the jobs will go to the immigrant who will work for less $. However, MY boys bring value because they speak two languages.

If you have a beef with spanish speaking immigrants, don't blame Mr. Obama. He is merely recognizing the reality of the US as it stands now.

It always surprises me how many people believe that anyone settling in this country should learn English...Why should they?

The United States doesn't even have an official language, yet the majority of our citizens think that we do - they believe it's English.

Meanwhile, countries everywhere (except here in the U.S.) expect their children/students to be fluent in at LEAST 2 languages. Not the U.S.! We are the only ones arguing for the rights of our children to learn the least possible - just English.

We have been doing our children a huge disservice by not requiring them to learn Spanish. The Spanish-speaking portion of our population is growing much more rapidly than any other group of people here. The stance that "they" should learn "our" language is becoming more and more irrelevant, and obsolete.

I think requiring students in U.S. schools to learn Spanish AND English is necessary, and a little late, IMHO.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

No beef with Spanish.
But if you want to "get ahead" now...learn to speak the language that will be the new economic power in the world.
Mandarin ( Chinese)

If we had been as insightful 20 years ago, we would have!

While I know there is no official language here--I do think it's incredibily rude for those who immigrate to not at least put forth some effort into learning English when they come here. It would be rather presumptive of me to move to Germany and expect the people of Germany to change to accomodate me...

And, why is it that not learning English is seen predominately (at least from my experience) within the Spanish speaking community? Is it because they make up the largest group of people who immigrate?
I really don't know--just kind of thinking "out loud".

Why should English speakers be required to learn Spanish, but not vice versa? How is that fair and equitable?

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

LOL - Do you know more than 50% of Germans speak English quite well. Perhaps 75%. Most educated Europeans speak their native language, English and at least one other language. The US isn't going to be the top dog much longer, so I guess Chinese, Hindi, or Arabic will be the language of power soon.

And, God help us the day immigrants from Mexico speak English as well or possibly better than our kids - we are totally screwed then .......... Keeping them Spanish speaking only is to our financial benefit.

Actually, in my post, I said that "students in U.S. schools should learn Spanish and English." That includes both Spanish-speaking as well as English-speaking students.

Do you not think so?

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

As the world gets smaller it will become more important for everyone to speak at least two languages. Other countries do not have people complaining about a "national" language or expecting people to speak the language of the country because they have their children learn more than the "mother" language while growing up. It is not uncommon for a person in Europe to speak two to three languages as well as their own native toungue. Does it hurt them?

I would think that parents would be encouraging to their children to learn another language. Or is it just that Sen. Obama said it that makes it rediculous? Most colleges require you to have some foreign language to attend and to graudate. Why? (I already know the answer for myself so this is rhetorical.)

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

I think American children should be given choices in school for another language to take. Not to push Spanish only as a choice. Which is what I am seeing the big push for is mainly English/Spanish classes.

What do you mean by "push"? In my daughter's HS, they offer Spanish, German, Chinese, French and Latin, but no one is pushed to take one language over any other. I personally pushed my daughter to take Spanish because it's clearly the most useful second language available. When I was in HS, I took French and German and I regretted it ever since. So much so that I'm enrolling for the fall semester in a beginning Spanish class!

I'm editing to add Obama's complete statement, since it hasn't exactly been reported fairly by some news outlets.

“I don’t understand when people are going about worrying about “we need to have English only. They want to pass a law, “We want English only”. Now I agree that immigrants should learn English. I agree with that. But understand this! Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English, they’ll learn English, you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish! You should be thinking about how your child can become bilingual. We should have every child speaking more than one language. Y’all it’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German, and then we go over to Europe and all we can say is Merci Beaucoup. Right?”

I included the youtube video earlier that actually shows Obama saying what you quoted above. I think the media has reported it fairly..the same video has been shown on most major networks.
YouTube - Barack Obama: Your Children Should Learn To Speak Spanish (CNN video)

The "push" I was talking about is the fact that a lot of "government..state/local" things must now be written in both English and Spanish. No other language(French, Chinese, etc) is given that much consideration.

I think it is great that some want to learn Spanish.
But we are making it "too easy" for the illegal immigrants. We would not have "such an enormous" problem with illegals if the "system" of giving them everything was not in place.

Of course, this is just another step in the direction of NAU.

Actually, the people in Germany have learned to accomodate you....and anyone that speaks English.

Just as nightowlrn stated, it is common practice that children in other countries learn to speak at least two languages other than their own. Since you brought up Germany, they learn English in school and are given the opportunity to learn a thrid language. My husband works for a German company and it is not uncommon to meet Germans who speak German, English and Italian.

Why does eveyone see the suggestion to learning Spanish as an attact or something negitive? I see it as giving your child an advatage globally. I'm currently leaning both Spanish and German, and thinking about taking on a Arabic language next.

Also, it is not uncommon to see signs written in multi-languages, depending on where you are traveling and what the boardering countries are.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

I think THIS is the problem I have with it, the signs, the phone messages, etc. that are in many languages. Come on, you can't tell me you (general you) haven't been frustrated when calling somewhere and getting the "push 1 for Spanish".

I have traveled across Europe and it never crossed my mind that if I were to live in that country that I shouldn't learn their predominent language. How else can you expect to survive somehwere???? DD works at a hospital and tells me daily of the people who come in speaking Spanish only, and she can not help them. They have the whole crew trying to help these people get MEDICAL care, which, btw, is no doubt FREE for them....but, don't get me started. So, here is a person at a hospital trying to get medical care, and they can not properly communicate with the medical personnel. Why would a person put themselves in that position???

I have no problem learning another language (and, in fact,I have) nor having my children learn another language. I think the more you know education wise...the better, but, I do NOT want to be forced to do it. It would definitely behoove people to learn Spanish in this country, with all the Spanish speaking immigrants, not to mention people who were born here to Spanish speaking ancestors who grew up speaking both English and Spanish in their home.....it would be a good idea. But, it should be a personal choice.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

We live in an area w/ a high concentration of Native Americans. There are 6-7 reservations in our state--all for different tribes. Those people are in jeporady of "losing" their native languages because English was forced upon them. It was not a choice they were given. Many of tribes are working vigorously to revive the use of their native tongue.

In my opinion: The current situation w/ English and Spanish is much the same. English speaking people are being forced to learn and use the language that is not their native tongue. I just find it very presumptous of any one particular group to assume that when they move into a country or place, that they will not need to learn the predominant language and cultures of that area--Much like the English speaking people did to the Native Americans so many years ago.

And, yes, I realize that a large percentage of Germans speak English--but they chose to learn the language.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Marilyn, we AGREE on something! Mark this date on your calendar!!! lol

Not sure if this belongs in this thread or not, but, I also wanted to add that I think it is a slap in the face to our ancestors to mold to people who don't speak the predominent language in this country. My ancestors came over on a boat to Ellis Island. Did they speak English when they came here??? I don't know, but, I can tell you my Mother, and Grandmother speak it. My Great Grandmother came over on the boat. She spoke her "native tongue" at home and to her children, but, they sure did learn English. They had to in order to learn in school. That's another thorn in my side......

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Wait, let me get this straight...

You are comparing the pilgrims to Spanish speaking immigrants? And comparing yourself (modern English as a first language person) to Native American people living on a reservation?

Wow. Just wow.

And in Germany, English is a required subject in most of their urban school systems. Being multilingual is not seen as a negative and a challenge to their culture, but as positive empowerment that gives them a global edge and enlightenment. But, sounds to me like that "hit one for Spanish" is a much bigger issue than being culturally diverse.

And, Obama wasn't suggesting that we should be FORCED to learn Spanish --- but, if you want your kid to have a edge 15 years from now, it is your CHOICE as a parent to do so. Even as an adult...my CHOICE is to become empowered.

Just like my family who came over from another country, it was important for them to learn English....now, 60+ years later....it is important for my generation to take the next step of evolution and not only speak English, but see the importance of educating myself on a global scale.

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I'm the kind of woman when my feet hit the floor in each morning, the devil says "Oh crap, she's up."

Actually, no I'm not comparing the Pilgrims to Spanish speaking immigrants. If I remember my history correctly--The Pilgrims did not try and force a way of life on the Indians. However, late 1800s, when English speaking people began to expand westward, those people did try to force a language, a culture and a way of life on Indians--and they succeeded. Would you like to discuss the Trail of Tears? Would you like to discuss why there are even reservations in the first place? I mean really!

And, no, I'm not comparing myself to Indians who live on a reservation. What I said is that looking at how the English speaking people forced a language on the Indians, I could see how Spanish could be forced on the English speaking people.

Oh, and FYI--I am 1/16 Native American (Cherokee to be precise), thus Native American history is something that enjoy discussing. I have many friend who are Kootenai, and some that are Choctaw. If you would like to discuss this subject, I would love to.

and I have never said I didn't think it was important to learn a second, or third or how many ever languages you WANT to learn. I will encourage my children to take a foreign language, and given where we live, I will encourage them to take Native American studies--even learning Kootenai or Cree. My issue has been and always will be: If you move to a country that has a different culture and language than the one you have, you should be responsible enough to learn that culture and language. The expectation that a whole country and the citizens of that country should just learn SPANISH to accomodate immigrants is wrong!

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

My two "kids" are 35 and 38. When they were in high school I talked them into choosing Spanish as their language to learn. I figured the chances were good that one of them would produce Hispanic grandchildren and if not then I would probably have Hispanic great grandchildren. Too soon for the greats and so far only one grand and probably he is going to be my only one.

But learning another language should be started no later than kindergarten and continued throughout their schooling. I have a friend whose parents were German and she learned English when she started school. She was born in this country. Lawrence Welk was born here and didn't learn English until he was older. Any of you who have seen the absolutely endless repeats of his show can hear the German accent when he talks. My own grandmother grew up speaking both German and English but the English was secondary at home.

Studies show that a child who is bilingual from an early age find it much easier to learn other languages later. Those of us who do not have this opportunity have much more difficulty in learning another language.

Exactly what I'm thinking. I don't have a problem learning other languages. My kids took foreign languages in high school (French, Spanish and Latin). But I don't want a possible president of the U.S. telling me that my kids must learn Spanish. Our language in the U.S. is English. I think people coming from other countries should be required to learn English - not the opposite. And why is Obama saying Spanish? There are other nationalities represented in the U.S. Like allinaugust said, it's very frustrating to get the automated 'press 1 for English'. I feel if we open our country to other nationalities to live and thrive in our country, they should at least learn the English language.

and while we're having this discussion--How many of us can communicate effectively with people who are profoundly deaf/hard of hearing? How many of us know ASL (American Sign Language)? There is also cued speech that can be used to communicate. Wouldn't learning those be just as beneficial to our children? Why should deaf persons have to learn to read lips, so you or I aren't inconvenience by their handicap?

Foreign language interpreters are relatively easy to find, but have you ever had to find someone who knew ASL at 2 AM? I have! Was not easy. Why not focus on teaching ASL to children?

Look, no one has said that learning Spanish is not beneficial. Those opposing what was said by Mr. O'Bama have issue with the fact that Spanish speaking people (for the most part) have not bothered to learn English! When you live in a country for 10 years--you should have at the very least, a grasp of the language, how to read that language and how to speak that language. Why should all of the "work" of learning a new language fall on the people who were born as citizens of the country?

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

Anyone who believes that the reason we should require our children to leaern Spanish in our schools is so that we can accommodate others is missing the boat completely.

The reason our schools should be teaching English AND Spanish to all students is to help our own children to be equipped. Period. Anyone looking for a very good job in the coming years/decades will fair better if they're not limited by English only. Yes, the argument can be made that there are other languages to learn, including German, Mandarin, or even sign language. But Spanish-speaking people are growing in numbers in the U.S. far more rapidly than any other group.

I can't imagine that our founding fathers would be rallying for us now to hold onto English and ignore the ever evolving U.S. population.

It was smart to learn English back then.

It is smart for English-only speaking U.S. residents to learn Spanish now. Just MHO.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

Why require "spanish"? Instead of letting people chose a language to study.
We have LEGAL immigrants from everywhere. Spanish is not the "leading" language of the world. If you are looking to better prepare our children for the "global economy" do not require English/Spainsh.
The reason I brought up Mandarin ( Chinese) is because that is the leading language in the world.

I'm sure the reason Obama suggests Spanish, and the reason I'm in favor is because it is the language of the fastest growing portion of our U.S. population.

Why don't we WANT to be the ones in our own country who can communicate in the two most dominant languages of the U.S.? Again - We have NO official language here in the U.S.

And...English is NOT the Native tongue of the U.S. To imply that would be a slap in the face to American Indians, wouldn't it?

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

As I said before, it would no doubt behoove anyone to learn Spanish. However, I don't think we, as a country, should be abandoning our most prevelantly spoken language to accomodate people who have not learned English. Wether it is our "official" language or not, it is what is spoken most in this country. I would not expect to go to the corner convenience store and start speaking in Spanish ( or any other language) to them, and then get indignant with them for not understanding me. You're in America now, speak American .

No, at least not the way I implied it. "A first language (also mother tongue, native language, arterial language, or L1) is the language a human being learns from birth"

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

We should have an official language here. I think it should be English..because that is what the majority of our population speaks.

Communicating in Spanish is not going to overall help our country in the "global economy".
The major business in our country our not owned by Spanish only speaking people. Workers learn fast the English language when they have to.

Sure it might increase your children future a little because police, hospitals, etc might be willing to pay someone more if they can speak Spanish.
But overall ..what advantage is there to American people to learn Spanish overtop of any other languages?


Obama did clarifie his comments: Notice is is not just talking about Spanish.
Political Radar: Como Se Dice? Obama Clarifies Comments Over Foreign Languages

“I said something the other day down in Georgia, and the Republicans jumped on this. I said, you know, absolutely immigrants need to learn English, but we also need to learn foreign languages,” he said Friday."

"The Obama campaign reiterated Friday that Obama would continue to require immigrants to learn English to be eligible for citizenship.

"Senator Obama has always said that learning English is an important step for immigrants to the United States and would make it a requirement for citizenship, but he also believes that learning a foreign language is an enriching experience for young people in this country," said Obama spokesperson Jen Psaki.

Isn't that sort of funny? The above sentence makes no sense...our own country pointedly refused to adapt an official language for our "melting pot."

Other countries have an official language...or a native language... We have, as you called it, a "predominant" language. What other country argues for the right to require others to learn the "predominant" language?

If you travel to any other European country, you'll see that signs everywhere are written in AT LEAST 2 languages. So, IMO, we have to get over being impatient with "press one for English, press 2 for Spanish..."

I think it's time for our country to evolve. Every other country requires more of their children. Why don't we want more for our own?

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

I don't think I'm getting my point across correctly. I don't have a problem with myself or my children learning languages other than English. Heck, for the simple fact that it helps you with English language to know other languages. However, the problem I have is that we are basically pushing our own citizens aside for those that do not speak the predominent language that is spoken here. It's not just a matter of "getting over" the press 1 for Spanish thing.

How many European countries have you been to that you can state their signs are printed in at least two languages??

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

I can't speak for devinmom, but I have seen them in France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, and Korea. I don't remember them in Spain or Portugal, but that was many years ago and we got there by boat. At least in the major airports and train stations there are often multiple language signs. The ones I saw in Korea were possibly being put up to go along with the Olympics that were going to be held there the next year. I don't know if they had them before that, but they probably did since we have so many troops still there.

I think I do understand your point. I'm thinking we just don't see it the same way. While you think it's pushing our own citizens aside for those who don't speak the predominant language, I see it as an opportunity to bridge the gap between English and Spanish-speaking citizens. I actually believe it would probably benefit those who choose to become bilingual more than those who only speak Spanish or English. I have lost out on at least one job to bilingual (meaning English and Spanish-speaking) people. I have known of people who have virtually had professional doors not even open to them because they are NOT bilingual (again referring to English and Spanish-speaking).

I have been to 3 countries in Europe where I have seen signs written in more than one language out in public. Most notably when in the cities, not so much in the outskirt towns. I've only been to that many (and that was more than a decade ago), but I would assume that most other European countries (or at least major cities) are similar.

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"The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief." - Thomas Russell

I've been to almost every country in Europe, except Portugal and Monaco. Signs are usually pictures, so that people of all languages can understand them. Signs on the freeway are most times in the predominant language of the country and English.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

This link explains some of the reasons why you might see signs, etc in 2 or more languages. Mainly because of The European Union.

IFA: Do you speak European?

It's been like that since way before the EU. I lived there from 79-97.

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"Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God? " ~Epicurus

I didn't watch the clip, but my thoughts are that spanish will get you an edge. I personally want to equip my children with any edge that will help them out in life. If you speak both languages, you will qualify for more jobs and some will pay more if you can speak a second language and spanish is the one I see more employers looking for in ads.

We have a very large spanish speaking population here and many do not speak English which makes it hard to communicate, so I do understand that issue. On the other side, English is not our "official" language as we are a melting pot, so requiring immigrants to speak it doesn't work. If I was to live in a country where I did not know the language the majority spoke, I would be learning it is fast as possible, but that's just me.

I lived in Montreal for years and the languages there are french and english and that's a language fight that's been going on there for years. If you were to speak English to a French Canadian, they would just ignore you even if they knew english. Language is a very heated debate there.

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I dream to escape!

When I visited Montreal several years ago, I was amazed and impressed at how easily and facilely people could move back and forth from English to French. I thought that was wonderful. I think it would be great if my kids were able to do the same -- I sure wish I could.

Here's the goofy thing about it to me:

He said, IIRC, that it's embarassing to him that Americans go over to Europe and can only say....some particular phrase. Is he really embarassed about it? Does he get all red-faced over this issue? It's one thing to say it would be good to know more than one language, but quite another, IMHO, to say someone like me who never had the opportunity to learn a second language in school is an embarassment to him when I travel abroad.

Secondly, this is not an issue the POTUS has any control over. Why waste time on the campaign trail lamenting it?

I do not listen to him at all .

Since the Spanish speaking population of South America, Central America, Mexico and the U.S is somewhere well over 300 million and that doesn't count Brazil and their Portuguese language, (another 150M), and the U.S. and Canada are at about the same 300 million mark, but probably slightly lower, and since all of these people can rightfully claim to be "American", I think they are speaking American. What remains to be asked is, are we? And how long can we claim to be the predominant language in this hemisphere, much less in this country?

I think all you English speaking baby factories better kick it into high gear, because we are outnumbered. I'm too old to do my part, so I'm passing the torch to the rest of you. Get out there and get pregnant. It's not guns that are the problem it's a lack of babies. In the meantime, I hope my kids remember some of their high school Spanish.

Call me stupid, but if you live in the US...you should HAVE to learn English...just like if I moved to Germany I would expect to have to learn German...this world is so out of touch its unreal...We shouldnt have to learn the language of immigrants, they should learn our language....and speaking of different languages...my daughter has to have 2 foreign languages to graduate...not that she will ever use them but its a requirment...Sherri

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"It isn't that liberals are ignorant, it's just that they know so much that isn't so."
- Ronald Reagan

This is my first post on this board, I've mostly just lurked here and there(being non-confrontational and all) but I am always amused by this whole mutilingual argument. I always hear the argument that Americans should learn a second language instead of assuming that everyone else should accomodate them by speaking English. After all, other countries' citizens regularly speak 2 or more languages. But of those other countries, what is most commonly the second language they speak? From what I hear and read it is English! Why? Because a lot of people in the world speak at least some English. So someone from Italy can go to France and communicate in English, if necessary. Someone from France can go to Germany and communicate in English if necessary. So if English is so commonly learned as a second language for that reason, what do you recommend an English-speaking person learn as their second language? Personally, I can speak French well enough to get by if I needed to but where does that really do me any good? It probably won't help me in Germany, Norway, Japan, Spain, etc. unless a majority of the population there speaks French as a second language. I think when Americans go to these countries and want to communicate in English, we're seen as spoiled brats who expect special accomodations. When people of other nationalities do it, they aren't viewed with the same hostility. Why? Is it just the assumption that if we ask someone in Germany to speak English it's because we're too stupid or spoiled to learn another language and not because the other language we speak is something other than German? I'm all for Americans learning a second or even third language but let's be realistic, for most people in today's world, whatever language we choose as our second is not going to be as useful to us as English. In the future that may change and we may see another language (even Spanish) become the new "must-have" language. If/when that occurs, I have no doubt that Americans will be up to the task! As for now, I will probably encourage my kids to learn Spanish as a second lnguage because I think in today's society, that will be the most beneficial to them. But, if they choose to learn a different language, well, that's up to them!