English: Official language of Pennsylvania

Thu29Jun2006

English: Official language of Pennsylvania

15:10 H | Topics: Controversia - Language

Remember the Geno's Cheesesteak debaucle in Philly? Well, I'm sure Mr. Geno is smiling today as a new bill to make English the official language of Pennsylvania was passed yesterday in the state's House.

The measure would make English Pennsylvania’s “official language” and require state and local governments to print official documents in English only. It passed 159-34.

Supporters say the bill would save taxpayers money and, in the long run, help all nonEnglish-speaking residents by essentially forcing them to learn the language.

“It will help non English-speaking people become more assimilated into society and help them become more prosperous,” said Rep. Scott Boyd, a West Lampeter Township Republican.

Pretty scary that the bill passed by such a landslide, especially given the fact that English isn't even the "official language" of this country. What is going on in Pennsylvania?

State conservatives say English-only is the only way to go because bilingual Spanish signs, documents, etc. are discriminatory to speakers of other languages:

“What about Vietnamese?” asked Boyd. “What about Russian? This will put non-English-speaking people all on the same playing field.”

Oh, good God. Are they kidding? Reminds me of this little initiative.

So much for Philly's appeal to Latino tourism. Between this and the Geno's incident, I can't see much of a reason to visit Pennsylvania.

Via / Lancaster Online

Nevada Wants to Go English Only and Gets Called Out (Friday, Apr 13 2007)
Santa Ana, California Putting its Money Where Its English Is (Tuesday, Apr 10 2007)

Jennifer

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1. Jaime Morales ~ Thursday, Jun 29 2006 | 22:13H:

Why are Hispanic leaders so slow to react to this nonsense?
peaceful demonstration goes a long way. Perhaps right down south street in Philadelphia

2. lisa ~ Tuesday, Oct 17 2006 | 16:25H:

How and why would it make non-english speaking people more prosperous? Because the latin people will be MADE to speak something other than their language? the way the african americans were MADE?!! Most of the caucasions that came here are not even of english decent. When will we become as our name states...U N I T E D? We pick and choose, and have ALWAYS chosen the Wrong choice. Even us as an american people try to do better for ourselves and family, we even go to other countries, but we have the audacity to be predjudice against or choose NOT to help someone who could be a possible ally when, and if they got on their feet, with a little help from us. We send all that money and our guys over to a country that doesnt even WANT our help, and waste billions, but wont help our neighbor...(lol) go figure. Then we walk around with our chest puffed up not watching our back, while others await for our fall (korea) and then what??? how many heads does it take to crumble our land of the free? home of the brave? The earth is the Lords and the fullness there of, and he who chooses to play God with other peoples lives.....better choose wisely! God has NO preference of person when it comes to race, creed or color and americans better realize that before it's too late, and this blessed land and freedom that we have is taken away, y soy africana-americana mujer!

3. Allisio REx ~ Friday, Apr 20 2007 | 01:11H:

If any of you doesn't feel at home in a country built ONLY by Europeans with a European Culture it's because you refuse to become Americans.
White Americans are not racists. They have a culture and want to operate within that culture and not follow cultures of other people.Your Ibero-Indian Culture is your major enemy.
In addition,I believe, that some Americans are not happy about you because of your numerous demands on our society: like special treatments,always asking for programs only for your groups,forcing other Americans to learn or listen to the Spanish language,press one for English and two for Spanish while no such provision has never existed for all the other European Immigrants or other immigrants. Also the continuous identification with the Latin Culture when Italians in fact are the Latino with the Spaniards,the Portuguese,the French and the Romanians.
Time to reflect.

VivirLatino