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Why is everything translated to Spanish?


Monday, October 1, 2007 6:20 AM PDT

Comments (51 comment(s))

Please help me to understand.

To be able to vote you must be a citizen of the United States. To become to citizen of the United States, you must be able to speak English.

Why, then, are our ballots printed in Spanish? Why do the Democratic candidates feel it necessary to have a forum translated into Spanish?

Do we still have a national language?

George Hunrick
Woodbridge

Reader Feedback

Ivan Dixon wrote on Oct 9, 2007 4:59 PM:

" Now, however, people like Chuck want to pull ladder up behind them and kick the poor suckers behind them back into the well. To me, that just doesn't seem right. "

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Ivan Dixon wrote on Oct 9, 2007 4:55 PM:

" The way I see it, for most of History, everyone was trapped at the bottom of a deep dark well of oppression and tyranny. Then, around 1776, a bunch of guys led by Benjamin Franklin invented a ladder and climbed out of the well. The thing is, when they climbed out, they left the ladder behind them so that other people could follow them. Over the next two hundred years, millions of people escaped the well. "

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Ivan Dixon wrote on Oct 9, 2007 4:49 PM:

" So, you are saying that the only way we can remain Americans is by speaking the language of the British? That doesn't make any sense. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 9, 2007 12:16 PM:

" Ivan Dixon: You are missing the main point that if we are going to remain as Americans, we must speak the language of Americans. When we lose our language, our country will be lost. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 9, 2007 12:16 PM:

" Ivan Dixon: Some Americans acknowledge that it was wrong for the Americans to conquer the Indians, but few Americans know the story. A good education in how we stereotype Indians would go a long way. For starteres, we could teach the history of the Indian wars, and govt and military policies that led to these battles. One cannot find out the truth about these battles unless they dig for it. I recommend, "Bury my heart at Wounded Knee." "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 8, 2007 9:49 AM:

" GovAgent: That makes good sense. Yes, they want to eliminate the middle class. They want us stupid! The Khmer Rouge set the standard. His regime eliminated the smart people. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 7, 2007 11:39 AM:

" Philbin Lee: Who cares? It's a message board, not a class project. "

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Philbin Lee wrote on Oct 7, 2007 4:09 AM:

" If anyone is going to be sent to the kiddie table, I think it should be the guy who hasn't learned the proper use of Capitol letter yet. "

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Chuck wrote on Oct 6, 2007 10:53 PM:

" Sorry Ivan, i understand what yo are saying, BUT YOUR people took that right from the miwuk people long ago, the "native" language of this area is english, while I do not completely agree with that, it is a fact.... again, thanks for playing.. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 6, 2007 8:47 PM:

" Ivan Dixon: There's a problem, Ivan. If I started speaking Miwok there would be no one around to respond in kind. "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 6, 2007 8:44 PM:

" Ivan Dixon: Let's hear some Miwok from you? "

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Ivan Dixon wrote on Oct 6, 2007 12:50 PM:

" Wait one minute here Chuck. Now you are back peddling. Your argument was that newcomers should learn the native's language and you were absolutely right. Now it happens that the language of the natives in this area is Miwok so, if people want to live here, they darn well better get on the boat and start speaking Miwok. No more English ballots, no more English bill boards, it all ought to be in Miwok. "

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Chuck wrote on Oct 5, 2007 8:15 PM:

" again, Ivan, you missed the point, if you cannot follow the conversation, please sit with the kiddies.. Thanks for playing! "

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GovAgent wrote on Oct 5, 2007 7:24 PM:

" This is bull ship! it cost us taxpayers that much more money because people are lazy. My inlaws parents came here legally and learned english! why cant the illegals, because democrats are crooks who want you as stupid as possible so to sell you on policy too confussing to understand, thats all! The democrats want a government with complete control on how you live, and what you do by making choices for you! "

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Ivan Dixon wrote on Oct 5, 2007 4:13 PM:

" Chuck, I am behind you 538.4%!!! Anyone who can't speak Miwok better get the heck out of San Joaquin county. "

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Chuck wrote on Oct 5, 2007 1:50 PM:

" Learn the language or get out.. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 5, 2007 9:45 AM:

" Brendy: I would bet that most Hispanics endorse a North American Union. They don't realize that it also means the destruction of Mexico, as well as America. "

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Brendy wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:56 PM:

" The DEMOCRATS expect ALL Hispanics to vote democrat, so they're (the democrats) are pandering to them - ballots in Spanish. Besides, DON'T YOU KNOW THAT ALL DEMOCRATIC Presidential candidates are PRO-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION - they ALL want to legalize the illegals who are already here! "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 4, 2007 11:58 AM:

" When I address people by XXX-American, I am respectfully referring to their XXX blood. "

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leonard wrote on Oct 3, 2007 5:45 PM:

" citizen: You may not identify yourself as a "german-american" (I am not quite sure I believe this one) but the fact remains that this country was built by people who identified themselves as German-Americans, Irish-Americans and Italian-Americans. These people loved their new country while celebrating their old countries in their Oktoberfests, St Patricks Day and Columbus Day Festivals. Today, America is a richer place for their contributions. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 3, 2007 1:48 PM:

" mee thinks: Yes, we can get along with lawful residents. Border security is not racism. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 3, 2007 1:47 PM:

" Leonard: OK. Then I sure would like to know why America and Mexico went to war. "

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Citizen wrote on Oct 3, 2007 1:26 PM:

" Leo: i am not a German/American. I am an American, tho my ancestors came from Germany. Why are they "Mexican/Americans" and not just plain old Americans? They are one or the other. If they are so proud to be called "Mexican" why not return to Mexico? I don't understand, tho i am sure you will make a comment about my ancestors, knowing you Leonard. "

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Citizen wrote on Oct 3, 2007 12:17 PM:

" Leo: it is NOT the color of their skin. why are u not putting down what roosevelt said? but it IS the mexicans who are bringing our country down. if they want to be citizens, let them do it the right way instead of sneaking in and demanding free services while dealing drugs. read again what roosevelt said & give your opinion. "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 3, 2007 10:15 AM:

" Citizen: Tell it to all the white Irish who parade around on St Patricks day if you really feel that way. I suspect you won't though because the real source of your objections to Mexican Americans is the color of their skins, not the content of their culture. "

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Citizen wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:21 AM:

" There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag… We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language… and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”—Theodore Roosevelt, 1907 "

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Citizen wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:21 AM:

" In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith, becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American "

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Citizen wrote on Oct 3, 2007 9:15 AM:

" There is no such thing as Mexican/American. you are either american or you are mexican. you can't be both. i believe Roosevelt said something to that effect, i will have to look it up. and as for the mexican flag, it should not be allowed in the U.S. We have but one flag, the U.S. flag. Period. "

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trista wrote on Oct 2, 2007 7:49 PM:

" yes! here here! mee thinks what i thinks too "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 2, 2007 12:05 PM:

" Danny: The Alamo was not part of the Mexican American war and, in fact, did not take place in America at all. The Alamo was a key battle in the Texan Revolution which was precipitated when the Mexican government tried to outlaw slavery in Texas. Texas was a independent slave owning Republic for more than a decade after the conclusion of the war. I do, however, think that it is interesting that you would publically voice your support for a war that was fought in defense of slavery. "

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mee thinks wrote on Oct 2, 2007 9:39 AM:

" can't we all just get along? i assume mexican americans/white americans, japanese americans, muslims, etc all want the same things... friends, family, good times, good memories and a peaceful community. if everyone would, in fact, treat each other as equals, things would be much nicer. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 10:36 PM:

" We complain about the numbers of Mexicans entering the US, because it is an invasion, and congress is not doing its job to defend against invasion. I postulate the following reasons are to blame: 1) The influx of illegal aliens jumped from 3 million in the 1990's, at the time of establishment of NAFTA, to 20 million today. Mexicans are fleeing from economic and corruption that is established under NAFTA. 2) Washington seeks to liquidate the border into the North American Union. This problem will perpetuate until the gen Public becomes educated. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 10:33 PM:

" In the Mexican - American war, American troops pushed the Mexican battle lines down to Mexico City, and a diplomat who was not exactly following instructions negotiated the Treaty of Hidalgo to draw the border at the Rio Grande, to El paso, and then west to the Sea of Cortez. That would have meant Baja California would have been US territory. The only plausible explanation for the discrepency, is in the bend on the southern border of Arizona, which was put there by the power of surveyors, who were not following instructions. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 10:30 PM:

" Alamo - cont: At the Alamo, the Mexican general flew the "No Quarter" flag. I never knew what that meant, until I studied the Alamo, and I don't know if Led Zep meant the same thing in their song. It means, "We take no living prisoners." "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 10:28 PM:

" It is rare to find info on the Treaty of Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American war, and settled on a border. My knowledge on this war is so sparse that I don't even know if the Battle of the Alamo was in that war or not. The Alamo experience of our country does tell me that there was definitely some trouble, and if this was any indication of the nature of relationships between Mexico and the US, I support that war. Few people know that this is where former senator Davy Crockett died. "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 1, 2007 8:58 PM:

" Brian: As the earlier poster pointed out, the US does not have an official language. I believe that some states do have official languages. In Louisiana, for example, I believe that French and English are official languages. "

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Brian wrote on Oct 1, 2007 7:33 PM:

" Leonard, What is the language of the US? "

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Jeff wrote on Oct 1, 2007 7:25 PM:

" Lest we forget, the "minority" that is now becoming the "majority" was the "majority" long before the Euro-American "invasion" changed that. Furthermore, I think it might be more appropriate to call Spanish, the "competing" or "alternate" language, not the 'opposing' language. That being said, I defintely agree in the better communication = more informed = better democracy arguement. "

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white pride wrote on Oct 1, 2007 5:20 PM:

" U do live in california which was mexican territory so dont tell me why there is spanish here. why are u complaining the mexicans are taking over again. slowly but surely. that is why the govt is trying to kick em out "

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trista wrote on Oct 1, 2007 3:16 PM:

" As the 'minorities' become the majorities maybe someone thought it best for voters to understand what theyre voting for by allowing them to comprehend ballots in a language they are more comfortable and familiar with. Communication is a good thing,Im sure people wouldnt feel so much angst if they were fluent in the opposing language. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:04 PM:

" Congress has no intentions of securing the border, and instead conspire to erase it. "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:03 PM:

" LodiMom: Can you translate that into Spanish, please? "

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Daniel wrote on Oct 1, 2007 12:02 PM:

" George Hunrick: Don't you know that we will need to speak both English and Spanish if they liquidate the borders? "

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LodiMom wrote on Oct 1, 2007 11:14 AM:

" Is this true? Oh my God, what is our country coming to? Learn our language or go home. Is this true? "

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Lodi Girl wrote on Oct 1, 2007 10:13 AM:

" George: we don't have a national/official language, and that's the problem. Write to your representatives and congress, the bill has been brought before them and they keep voting it down! "

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Educated Reader wrote on Oct 1, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Leaving aside the sarcastic nature of your questions, in order to understand why ballots are printed in Spanish (which you seemed to have singled out) you would have to know something about second language acquisition. In order to become a citizen, only conversational English is required. Understanding a complicated ballot initiative in English is another matter. Most native English speakers are unable to comprehend the technical language used. Printing ballots in other languages helps new citizens make better, informed decisions before they vote! "

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Citizen wrote on Oct 1, 2007 9:56 AM:

" While all successful applicants for citizenship for citizenship must demonstrate a minimum competency in English the fact remains that many of them are more comfortable in their native tongue. Ballot language can often be VERY complex so the goal of printing ballots in other languages is to insure that voters truly understand what and who they are casting their ballots for. Of course, their are some groups who benefit from confusion and errors in voting and it is only natural that these groups would like to create confusion by mandating that ballots only be printed in English. "

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Brian wrote on Oct 1, 2007 8:20 AM:

" We have grown so used to having Mexicans pick the crop and take the menial jobs we don't want, it is in a sense our own fault. The Mexican government will coninue to be corrupt and squander it's resources as long as they can get away with it. The US and the international community must apply pressure on them to change their ways. Until then, look forward to more anchor babies. "

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Brian wrote on Oct 1, 2007 8:12 AM:

" George, It's the bottom line and economics. Mexicans spend a lot of money here. The government and large corporations rationalize it that way. Look at all the Asians here in this country. Find me something written in Chinese or Japanese here to the extent of Spanish. You won't. Neither will you find Asians or other nationalities looking for an excuse not to speak English. They know they are much better off economicly by speaking English. As long as we pander to the Mexicans it only furthers their inability to climb the economic ladder as well as other nationalities. "

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Maxwell wrote on Oct 1, 2007 8:06 AM:

" George: Check your facts. Our country does not, in fact, have a national language. We never have. English is our de facto language ("lingua franca," if you will), but there is not an official. "

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Leonard wrote on Oct 1, 2007 7:48 AM:

" Hunrick: What was the first official language of California? "

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