The one thing that bothers me most with this bilingual thing is this...

Our ancestors came to America and with great pride dived into the difficult task of learning the language. English, in it's purest, is a hard language to learn what with same meaning/different spelling and vice-versa..etc. But then Americanized...well, it's trying even for "native borns" today! But, our ancestors did all they could to "become American".

I feel like we have made immigrants lazy today by making it so easy to never have to learn the language with the bilingual signs and phone options...etc.

If I were transplanted to a country that didn't speak my language I would go out of my way to learn what I needed to know to at least get by till I could fully master speaking to the natives in their language! I couldn't stand not being able to communicate. And I've a feeling I'd be avoided till I could state my case in word instead of trying to make them understand me.

When in Rome...yada, yada, yada!

So yes...I do feel put out for all the time it takes to get through a phone call these days. Yes...I do feel like more trees are being destroyed to list all the directions in a booklet instead of just 1-2 pages. <--- OK...that isn't the most reasonable example but it's crossed my mind. Yes...I do think outsourcing is in default if the employees can't speak clear English...etc., etc., etc.

I would love to be multi-lingual...but I'm not. And even that English was never proclaimed official, it's still the language of the land. I spose I'll adapt in time. But really...why should I adapt and those who don't speak the language not have to?

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Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open.

~Thomas Dewar~