Autumn

Autumn

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

This, Sign

I stepped from the car to stretch my legs. Sweet Wife had asked me to stop so she could grab a few items on our way home. I was tired of the wait.

Then I noticed this, thing, this sign.

I'm not sure why it bugged me. My first thought was, big deal. Other nations of our world have posted signs in several languages for many years. In truth our country has been a lone holdout. It's only within the last thirty years (other than South Florida) the practice has become commonplace.

Yet, if my grandfather were alive today he'd flip. Yes, big overreaction....still. I hate it.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Stephen

18 comments:

  1. All for the almighty dollar. I try very, very, hard to buy only products printed with English on 'em.
    Damn hard to do most of the time.....

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    1. Indeed, and I for one don't like it. Thanks, my sweet friend.

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  2. In Canada they have language police. They make sure things like business signs have the proper English/French ratios. It gets pretty nutty at times.

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    1. Sixbears - you are correct. but the problem is it seems to only work one way. all signs across the whole country have to be in english/french...even in Iqaluit!!! but the same doesn't seem to apply across the board in quebec! grrrr!

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    2. It's all silly. We speak English, as a nation, so be it I say...

      Thanks, to you both.

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  3. I found myself blinking at the window of a Chinese restaurant when I realized the Chinese had translations into Spanish but not English...

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    1. Guess they don't want your business....thanks, my friend.

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  4. According to the local newspaper-cum-fishwrapper, there are some 189 dialects spoken here in Anchorage. Most signs are solely in English, as the alternative is ... well, nigh impossible.

    Live here? Learn the language!

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    1. Rev. Paul - i've always liked Alaska. now i like it even more!

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    2. Amen....Rev.

      kymber, I've always loved Alaska...

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  5. dear sweet one - that sign bothers me because the "official" language of your country is english. and one hundred years ago, immigrants that came to your country were expected to learn english. all that's gone by the wayside nowadays...and is probably a leading reason why your country is so messed up. jeesh, eh?

    it's a little better here in Canada where we pretty much only have to put up with the french thing. excepting of course provinces like BC and Ontario where signs without ANY english on them is becoming more of a problem.

    your friend,
    kymber

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    1. Quebec, let 'em fly their own flag...

      Thanks, my lovely friend.

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  6. Common in Colorado. Spanish speakers now expect there will be Spanish speaking staff.

    I vote with my wallet.

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  7. Stephen,

    This bothered me when we lived in Florida. We lived on the Dade Broward line. When we would go into Miami, everyone expected you to speak Spanish. Get real, this is Miami, the primary language should be English. I was corrected by several residing there.

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    1. To most of us natives, South Florida doesn't exist. Thanks, Sweet Sandy.

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  8. Just wait until the top line is in Spanish and the underneath line is English then you will really flip!

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    1. When it happens, and I'm sure its in our near future...I hope to be dead and gone. Thanks, my friend.

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