Spanish ‘pre-buttal’ perfectly appropriate
U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo might do well to remember that Spanish was spoken in Colorado long before English-speakers arrived in what is now our state (“Colo. senators clash over Spanish speech,” Jan. 20). Sen. Ken Salazar’s delivery in Spanish of the Democrats’ pre-rebuttal speech to the State of the Union address is perfectly appropriate.
Also, the headline writers at the Rocky Mountain News might do well to remember that Tancredo is not a senator. Please don’t pad his résumé for him; it’s bad enough he’s planning to inflict his presidential candidacy on the American public.
Kathleen Corbett and
Bonnie J. Clark, Denver
And before Spanish there were many Native American Tribes in Colorado who spoke their language.
When the Americans won the battle that is when it became ok to use the langage of North American and its English. salazar's speach was a slap in the face to the people who he is suppose to represent, Americans in Colorado.
There is nothing wrong with being bi-lingual, it is just wrong to give a speech to your country men in a different language than the national language.
Do you think a politician in Mexico would give a speech in English?
Tom Tancredo is taking a beating from people who will praise him and his efforts to deal with ILLEGAL immigration in the future. We need to maintain ENGLISH as our OFFICIAL LANGUAGE--no ifs, ands, or buts!
And Ken Salaazar showed complete indifference to the majority of his LEGAL constituents when he gave his speech in Spanish. Salaazar's pandering to hispanic constituents was, and is, insensitive and insulting. It's a very good thing we have term limits.
Posted by on February 3, 2007 02:49 AMSalazar can speak in tongues for all I care, he has done more for this state and this country in two and a half years than Allard has done in 11 years.
Posted by Sean on February 3, 2007 04:52 AMI'm curios, Ms. Corbett and Ms. Clark. Have you ever traveled to countries where more than one language dominates? Have you ever lived in a place where the differing dialects hindered normal communication between people of the same country? Have you looked North to Canada and seen a country divided by French and English? Yes, it it is divided. America needs one common language because language can either unite or divide people. Are you suggesting that our representatives should give speeches in the language of every non-English speaking person living in Colorado? If not, then Spanish should receive no more emphasis than any other non-English language.
Posted by Richard on February 3, 2007 05:16 AMAs a person who is bilingual, I know people who got amnesty ( "Never Again" amnesty aka Immigrtation Reform Act of 1986) fraudently mind you, who have made little to no effort to learn English, even when U.S. taxpayers foot the bill for classes. There is no need. They can get all their subsidies from the USA in Spanish. Plus when you have multiple millions crossing illegally annually for decades, there is no need.
Posted by Ben on February 3, 2007 07:39 AMI'm really getting sick and tired of the same old tired arguements to make a point as to what is going on in our world today.
The people used to speek spanish here so it's okay to do it now?We didn't have electricity back then so should we get rid of it? We had slavery should we go back to that? We didn't have cars should we all start riding horses again.
Get off the it used to be this way message and start living in the present and planning for our future.
Posted by on February 3, 2007 08:38 AMActually Sen. Salazar is NOT term limited, which only affects Colorado (not Federal) elected officials. On the other hand, Tom Tancredo--once the leader of Colorado Term Limits, who largely won election to Federal office by promising repeatedly to abide by Colorado's voters' wishes (in spite of their being no federal requirement to do so) has violated his promise (i.e. lied). Spanish is a beautiful language. Thank you Sen. Salazar.
Posted by Oliver on February 3, 2007 08:52 AMAnd so the Mexicans, half breed, cross between Spaniard and Indian, did to the Indians what Columbus did; therefore, if China conquers America, we speak Chinese and keep the country unified. r22037yahoo
Posted by Richard Grimes on February 3, 2007 09:19 AMDear Mr. Richard Crimes, why all the anger? Did a mexcian take your milk money from you in grade school,then steal your girl friend in high school?? I feel your pain pal,damn latin lover's do it to us all the time..Must be the blood......But ,we can always demonize them with our sorry ass predujice rhetoric right?
Posted by Ron on February 3, 2007 11:34 PMLOVE Tom Tancredo!!! Hope Ken Salazars tounge falls off! Disgraceful!!!
Posted by on February 4, 2007 07:35 AMYes Richard I've been to many countries where the citizens speak English and another language....like France, Spain, Italy, Portugal,Germany, Switzerland the Netherlands in fact most of the EU speaks two languages fluently. Guess what? They all survive!!
I'm proud of Ken Salazar. Speaking Spanish is not the end of America as you know it. Grrr, I hate racists!!!
Yo Janis Houston: I applaud you for being proud enough of your comment to attach your name to it. I know I am not the Richard you allude to. Personally, I attempt to say something innocuous, but someone who won't even capitalize "mexican" and shows possession on "lover's" where there isn't in chimes in and won't leave his name and can't spell mine even though it is in front of him and indicates left out words where there are none and ignorantly implies prejudice where there is not any. Yo: r22037yahoo
Posted by Richard Grimes on February 5, 2007 09:34 AMJanis, "most of the EU speaks two languages fluently". That is a lie concocted by racists who want to force Americans to speak their language.
According to the latest survey by the EU, at www.europa.eu, only 50% of all Europeans can speak more than just their mother tongue. Of the Europeans who do speak a 2nd language, 3/4 speak English.
In Europe, the most commonly spoken language, German, is spoken by less than 25% of the people. Europeans have a need to speak multiple languages, but only half of them do.
Of the countries you listed, all but Switzerland have only one official language. Actually, Switzerland has no official languages. Official languages are only designated at the Canton level, and 22 of 26 Cantons are monolingual. 55% of French are monolingual as are 64% of Italians, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Posted by Larry on February 5, 2007 10:44 AMThe English language is in no danger of being replaced by Spanish
Posted by on February 5, 2007 01:57 PMI recently traveled to VietNam. For several months before going, I made an effort to learn the language, customs and history. When I arrived, I was by no means fluent, but I made the attempt to assimilate. People respected that, and helped me when needed.
I did this out of respect for the nation I was visiting. A lessone here perhaps?
Posted by Philip on February 5, 2007 02:36 PMWhy is it all these stores like Home Depot, Loew's, etc. etc. offer signage in English and Spanish only?
What is the matter French, German, Japanese, Chinese, etc.? At the Grand Canyon directions on signs are in about six different languages and I think that is great.
If home depot did that I would not mind those moments when I am trying to find something and I look at the sign only to find out it's in Spanish. That hesitation makes me angry because for the all mighty buck, Home Depot et al, is not helping Spanish speaking people learn English. They need to if there are to truly succeed here. I stop buy the service desk when I am at these stores and nicely tell them of my displeasure especially when I hear announcements in Spanish.
Salazar will be a one term Senator
Posted by Dave C. on February 5, 2007 04:22 PMBoy, do I hope you are right Dave C.
Posted by Terry on February 5, 2007 04:27 PMThe demographic trends are pretty clear.
By 2050 spanish speakers will be the largest single language group in the US, and by 2100 they will be the majority.
Hispanic enclaves are already numerous and big enough to provide a spanish-only speaker to survive.
This may still go the assimilation route as did all previous language inflow (except english), or it may mean that America is set to become a spanish country.
Our great-grandchildren are likely to be spanish speakers, with english as a second language.
Posted by Demos on February 5, 2007 05:16 PMMs. Houston, I don't recall ever making a derogatory remark to you or anyone else. Why would it be necessary call me a racist? I was merely pointing out the fact that as a nation we need a commonality and one of the greatest commonalities is language. While your travels may be limited to Europe I have traveled to every major continent and I can assure you that your premise based solely on Europe does not hold water. Even France (which sees itself as the worlds politically correct compass) is struggling with the influx of middle-easterners that refuse to assimilate. A desire for commonality is not racism it is human nature. Take a minute and look at your friends...you chose them because you have common beliefs, interests and the ability to communicate those interests and beliefs to each other. Diversity is fine, but it's the commonality that binds people together. If this were not true then you wouldn't have been so quick to brand me a racist and you would have embraced my diverse position.....in any language.
Posted by Richard on February 6, 2007 04:23 AM