If you don't speak English you can't belong in Britain

[krome2ez]

If you don't speak English you can't belong in Britain

The inability to speak a host country’s language reinforces dangerous divisions in society – and it is a very reasonable requirement of any immigrant.

By David Green

8:13PM BST 27 Jul 2011

When the last Labour government introduced a requirement that immigrants who wished to marry a British citizen must learn English before coming to live here, it struck most people as a perfectly reasonable expectation. But that requirement is now being challenged in the High Court on two grounds. First, it is said to be racially discriminatory, because it impacts disproportionately on certain ethnic groups; and second, under the European Convention on Human Rights, it is said to obstruct the right to family life.

The case has been brought by Rashida Chapti, who wishes to bring her husband to the UK from India. Her barrister claims that the language requirement contravenes Article 8, the right to family life, and Article 12, the right to marry. Mrs Chapti is reported to have travelled back and forth between India and Leicester for about 15 years, but now wishes to settle here with her husband.

The Labour government planned to bring the requirement into force in July 2011, but it was brought forward to November 2010 by the Coalition. When Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced her plans, she said: “I believe being able to speak English should be a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services.”

The requirement is not too exacting. Applicants will have to demonstrate English at “A1 level”, which requires them to demonstrate a basic command of conversational English, currently the same as the level required for skilled workers who have been offered a job in the UK. Similar expectations apply to immigrants seeking work throughout the EU. Since 2006, France has tightened up its rules. Anyone without a job, and especially if they lack scarce skills, must go through the French consulate in their home country. They have to prepare a petition showing why they should be allowed in. If they can’t speak French they have little chance.

Australia requires applicants for work visas to have “vocational English”, which means they must be able to read, write, understand and speak English well enough to hold down a job. Applicants may be required to take an independent test of proficiency. Canada requires proficiency in either English or French, and also requires applicants to take a language test from an approved agency.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/immigration/8666450/If-you-dont-speak-English-you-cant-belong-in-Britain.html

And what are we doing??

[crackerman58]

Makes perfect sense to me. What if the non-English speaking person was stopped by Police and couldn't understand a simple command like "Do not reach for that (fill in the blank here) or we will use deadly force to stop you and protect the people around you"

I guess that would be another reason to sue a government agency, for not having a multi-lingual security force!!

[RodandStaff]

I iz sory... waz dat qustin durekted at mee? Iz no speaka da inglish!!!

[sandyf]

The headline is contentious and the post does not belong here.

What are you trying to provoke. Each country has there own visa regulations and not much you or I can do about it.

[rcrge]

Makes perfect sense , if you want to live in a different country its really a moral obligation to speak the language , unlike here where we make it to easy for them to get aid we print the application for food stamps and welfare in TOO many different languages . I fell that if they are applying for help in the goold ole USA at least they should be able to read and write basic english

[eaglerod]

I hope he is trying to get people to wake up. The U S of A needs to REALLY think about this idea. It irates the hell out of me when they try to get a job from me and I don't hire them because they can't speak good english. Then they get mad at me and try to claim discrimination. You know what GET THE HELL OUT OF MY DAMN COUNTRY IF YOU CAN'T TALK TO ME IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE.I was born here in america that has a primary language of ENGLISH. You want our jobs and american dream, THEN TALK TO ME IN FREAKIN ENGLISH. Ok I'm calm down now REALLY!

[Kevin B]

This is the off topic area and is only contetious if you think it is alright for people to make their own rules when they go to a foreign country to LIVE...not just visit. +1 Krome2ez

[debbieb40]

I agree. we need to go back to the "MELTING POT" mind set of America You blend in to be an American. It used to be a goal for many foreigner to be an American, no longer so.

AND on another note...Stop changing our country and our traditions. We no longer can say Merry Christmas in stead it is happy holidays. This is our tradition. You can have your holidays but stop changing ours.

[AoK]

+1 Krome! Go to just about any other country outside of the U.S. and in most cases those who don't speak the host language have to learn the host language as there are very few if any other languages in which signs and directions are translated. It's expected of visitors to learn the host country's language. It's of utmost iimportance for the efficient, effective and harmonious function of that country that a common language be spoken - it helps to build UNITY.

[The Machine]

I completly agree with it ..... there is nothing worse than going into a shop or a restaurant and the person serving you cant even understand what you want ...... I hate it ...... there are whole areas which have been truned into ethnic getto's all across europe.

It's not on!! the cultural identity of countries is bieng erroded by this influx of "people" who for the most part dont want to work or contribute anything to the country that is handing them ten's of thousands in welfare cheque's every year, and to the tax payer like myself that add's up to billions !!

I think all borders should be closed again in europe .... visas should be allocated to skilled workers only, who wish to migrate .... tax breaks should be allocated to skilled workers who stay in their own country thus improving the skill level of the country's workforce.

It's not rocket science ..... it's called preserving your way of life ..... here in the UK,.... (Now I dont wanna come across as bieng a raceist with this statement but I cant think of another way of saying it ) ..... anyone who isnt white seems to get everything they want .... they have more rights than natural born citizens !! its gone beyond a joke

Here's a good story for you that just proves my point ..... Not too long ago ( about 3 - 4 weeks) I was at a train station, there were 2 African gentlemen there too ... so just the three of us .... an announcement was made ... the train was cancelled.... So one of the gentlemen called a taxi and asked me if I was going the same way and if I wanted to share a cab with them, I said yes that would be fine.

so in the taxi we got talking .... it was a 40 min taxi journey, anyway it turns out one of these guys is in the country illegally and working the other is here on a student visa and working ..... so both of them are breaking the law. At this stage the anger was building up in me and even the taxi driver got in on the conversation ...... long story short .. this was the bit that really got me .... I said to them " What if we got all the unemployed builders, plumbers, electricians, engineers, joiners, roofers, & labourers in the UK to go over to their country and fix it up for you .... would you stay there"

The reply I got was shocking ...... "No we would not like that at all .... we like our country just the way it is, we would not like to change anything about it, were only here for your money " ...... And on that remark the Taxi driver stopped told the two of them to get out (in the nice kind of way only a taxi driver can do lol) he couldnt believe it either ........

Moral of this story is .... it doesnt matter what you offer these people they dont want you in their country ... but they want to be in your country .... colgging up your medical system , legal system , welfare system ...... and just generally getting everything they can for free and at the same time they will expect more rights than you have ..... but if you go to their country your gonna be treated lower then pig sh*t .....

This silent invasion is attacking every major westernised country ....... and slowly but surely changing countries

right rant over ..... peace !!

Edited July 28, 2011 by The Machine

[Heavyduty053]

If you don't speak English you can't belong in Britain

The inability to speak a host country’s language reinforces dangerous divisions in society – and it is a very reasonable requirement of any immigrant.

By David Green

8:13PM BST 27 Jul 2011

When the last Labour government introduced a requirement that immigrants who wished to marry a British citizen must learn English before coming to live here, it struck most people as a perfectly reasonable expectation. But that requirement is now being challenged in the High Court on two grounds. First, it is said to be racially discriminatory, because it impacts disproportionately on certain ethnic groups; and second, under the European Convention on Human Rights, it is said to obstruct the right to family life.

The case has been brought by Rashida Chapti, who wishes to bring her husband to the UK from India. Her barrister claims that the language requirement contravenes Article 8, the right to family life, and Article 12, the right to marry. Mrs Chapti is reported to have travelled back and forth between India and Leicester for about 15 years, but now wishes to settle here with her husband.

The Labour government planned to bring the requirement into force in July 2011, but it was brought forward to November 2010 by the Coalition. When Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced her plans, she said: “I believe being able to speak English should be a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services.”

The requirement is not too exacting. Applicants will have to demonstrate English at “A1 level”, which requires them to demonstrate a basic command of conversational English, currently the same as the level required for skilled workers who have been offered a job in the UK. Similar expectations apply to immigrants seeking work throughout the EU. Since 2006, France has tightened up its rules. Anyone without a job, and especially if they lack scarce skills, must go through the French consulate in their home country. They have to prepare a petition showing why they should be allowed in. If they can’t speak French they have little chance.

Australia requires applicants for work visas to have “vocational English”, which means they must be able to read, write, understand and speak English well enough to hold down a job. Applicants may be required to take an independent test of proficiency. Canada requires proficiency in either English or French, and also requires applicants to take a language test from an approved agency.

http://www.telegraph...in-Britain.html

And what are we doing??

I agree there should not be one human being allowed to stay in this country if they can't comprehend and understand our language. It is for their good as well as ours. Matters fact it should be the number one requirement . less confussion. Example: what if a foreigner came here and got hurt had to have an ambulance come to their aid and the paramedics and emt's can't understand you: do you see what i mean it is not to much to ask and they should want to learn it for their a own benefit as well.

[krome2ez]

President of France, Sarkozy says -- quote --

"It's a failure. The truth is that in all our democracies, we've been too concerned about the identity of the new arrivals and not enough about the identity of the country receiving them."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report/transcript/french-president-nicolas-sarkozy-blasts-multiculturalism#ixzz1TPbeaxe0

[rcrge]

I hope he is trying to get people to wake up. The U S of A needs to REALLY think about this idea. It irates the hell out of me when they try to get a job from me and I don't hire them because they can't speak good english. Then they get mad at me and try to claim discrimination. You know what GET THE HELL OUT OF MY DAMN COUNTRY IF YOU CAN'T TALK TO ME IN OUR OWN LANGUAGE.I was born here in america that has a primary language of ENGLISH. You want our jobs and american dream, THEN TALK TO ME IN FREAKIN ENGLISH. Ok I'm calm down now REALLY!

I to am a business owner and they cant seem to grasp the idea , that first its against the law to hire illegals but second and most important how can you expect them to deal with the public with limited to none english

[paj1985]

Your bang on there machine, these dirty excuse have totally invaded our shores and raped it.

And this law makes me laugh!! Because theres non-english speaking immigrants everywhere and obviously NOT! working

I think we mix well with different cultures, but when certain african and middle eastern people force themselves on us and make no effort! It really pulls my banjo string. There were a story in the news recently about an immigrant family claiming the lot and then sueing the government because they werent paid enough to go on holiday every year they been here.

The bnp are growing here and im not surprised

[429]

If the UK wants to make it a requirement for everyone to have a basic understanding of and an ability to converse in English -- good on 'em!

I'm the grandson of Dutch immigrants here in the US. They moved to a Dutch-speaking community and chose to speak Dutch in the home. The kids went to Dutch school, they shopped in Dutch stores, yada, yada, yada.

Until they had a fire that destoryed their home and cost the life of a child who would have been my uncle. All because they couldn't convey to the Fire Department where they lived and what the problem was. Grandma misscarried a set of twins shortly thereafter. My grandparents realized that the American Dream was not to make millions and return to the Netherlands, but that they were now raising an American family. They made the choice at that point to not allow Dutch to be spoken in the home, anymore. My father was the first child born after the fire. He never learned any language except English. Except to cuss, because that's what he heard from Grandpa when he "messed up" as a kid. Now I'm not saying that every family should do as mine did. I think that it would be great if I could be able to speak Dutch as a second language.

Our laws are written in English. It is the dominant language of our country. There is absolutely no reason that I should learn another language just so that a "foreigner" coming to my country does not feel overwhelmed.

On the same lines, when I was in the military and stationed in Japan, I learned rudimentary Japanese. Not that I am or ever was fluent in Japanese, but I could ask for and understand directions and kind of get by. I don't remember much Japanese now, but I can still ask if there's anyone who speaks English, I can order a beer and I can ask where the toilet is -- the basics!

I get tired of having to press "1" when I make a phone call.

OK, lurking again.

[delta22]

I got this email awhile back,and it expresses perfectly how I feel about the situation with regard to speaking English here in the states.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"In God We Trust"

Amen to this, I can't think of a thing I'd change about this statement.

I Am the Democratic Liberal-Progressive's Worst Nightmare.

I am an White, Conservative, Tax-Paying, American Veteran, Gun Owning Biker.

I am a Master leatherworker. I work hard and long hours with my hands to earn a living.

I believe in God and the freedom of religion, but I don't push it on others.

I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles, and drive American-made cars, and I believe in American products and buy them whenever I can.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and not some liberal governmental functionary, Democratic or Republican, that wants to share it with others who don't work!

I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!

I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer; it makes you a smart American.

I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it!

I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac or any other item, you should do it in English. I believe there should be no other language option.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.

My heroes are Malcolm Forbes, Bill Gates, John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson, who makes the awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.

I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.

I've never owned a slave, nor was a slave. I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks, and neither have you!

I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country!

This is AMERICA ...We like it the way it is and more so the way it was ...so stop trying to change it to look like Russia or China, or other socialist country!

If you were born here and don't like it... you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you. (And take Barrack Hussein Obama and his group with you.) Massachusetts started the ball rolling. Keep it going.

I believe it is time to really clean house, starting with the White House, the seat of our biggest problems.

I want to know which church is it, exactly, where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution.

Can I get an AMEN on that one?

I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are, but not just because you happen to ride a bike.

And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my driver's license.

I think it's good.... And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money..

I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.

I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause.... Get a job and do your part to support yourself and your family!

I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents....

I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think!

I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA !

If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.

If you are a BAD American too, please forward this to everyone you know....

We want our country back!

********************************************************************* My Country.....

I hope this offends all illegal aliens.

My great, great, great, great grandfather watched and bled as his friends died in the Revolution & the War of 1812.

My great, great, great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Mexican American War,

My great, great grandfather watched as his friends & brothers died in the Civil War,

My great grandfather watched as his friends died in the Spanish-American War,

My grandfather watched as his friends died in WW I,

My father watched as his friends died in WW II,

I watched as my friends died in Vietnam, Panama & Desert Storm.

My son watched & bled as his friends a have died in Afghanistan and Iraq .

None of them died for the Mexican Flag. Everyone died for the American flag.

Texas high school students raised a Mexican flag on a school flag pole, other students took it down. Guess who was expelled...the students who took it down.

California high school students were sent home on Cinco de Mayo, because they wore T-shirts with the American flag printed on them.

Enough is enough

This message needs to be viewed by every American; and every American needs to stand up for America .

We've bent over to appease the America-haters long enough. I'm taking a stand.

I'm standing up because the hundreds of thousands who died fighting in wars for this country, and for the American flag.

If you agree, stand up with me. If you disagree, please let me know. I will gladly remove you from my e-mail list.

And shame on anyone who tries to make this a racist message.

AMERICANS, stop giving away Your RIGHTS !

Let me make this clear! THIS IS MY COUNTRY !

This statement DOES NOT mean I'm against immigration !

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, IN MY COUNTRY, welcome to come legally:

1. Get a sponsor !

2. Learn the LANGUAGE, as immigrants have in the past !

3. Live by OUR rules !

4. Get a job !

5. Pay YOUR Taxes !

6. No Social Security until you have earned it and Paid for it !

7. NOW find a place to lay your head !

If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone, then YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM !

We've gone so far the other way . . . bent over backwards not to offend anyone.

Only AMERICANS seems to care when American Citizens are being offended !

WAKE UP America ! ! !

If you do not Pass this on, may your fingers cramp !

Made in the U S A & PROUD OF IT!!!!! P

[The RockStar]

The headline is contentious and the post does not belong here.

What are you trying to provoke. Each country has there own visa regulations and not much you or I can do about it.

Yes you can do something about it .This is whats wrong with the world everybody just wont get involved

I had to learn key words in Philippine to get my visa there .So whats the difference if we make every body here learn english

Hey go to china and not now there language you don't get very far from the city.......................

And you damn sure would not go walking in Iraq and not now at-least Farsi or Aramaic

[mcjocky1]

Any country can change or introduce laws regarding immigration but there is a need for that country to enforce and withstand all of the challenges that are soon brought to try to side step or overcome the new rules. As you rightly state Britain has changed the rules but it is too late to change the fact that as a nation we have been too lax for decades on our existing laws for this new batch of rules to make any differance to the number that we allready have within our borders. It is a sad day in any nations history when your own laws can be challenged and beaten by the sheer numbers of immigrants most of whome have entered our borders by shall we say improper routes. Do not stand idly by and let other people decide on the future of your nation, speak up without hatred or anger but make your voice heard and get through to people that need your vote exactly what you want regarding the future of YOUR children.

[The RockStar]

Hay Delta can i fly my Cherokee flag Just kidding i get your point we are in America Be an American................

[kingfish]

Makes perfect sense to me. What if the non-English speaking person was stopped by Police and couldn't understand a simple command like "Do not reach for that (fill in the blank here) or we will use deadly force to stop you and protect the people around you"

I guess that would be another reason to sue a government agency, for not having a multi-lingual security force!!

Already happened in Miami years ago. The city was required to settle because the officer could not converse with the man in his own language. That is what started the battle over what the official language of Dade county was going to be.

Not sure where it went after that.

We are on the verge of a MAJOR event.

It will either be the RV and the world will start to get better or

It will be chaos because our national leaders on BOTH SIDES are playing Roulette with our lives.

Personally.... I prefer the RV!!!

Kingfish

[desimo]

There was one little blub in the news during the time of the Jet Blue crash. It was discovered the cause of the crash was because the air canisters were placed in wrong. The manual was in English and the people putting them in could not read English. One more reason why it might be a good idea if you are going to be working in an English speaking country to know the language.

[chocolate1]

The headline is contentious and the post does not belong here.

What are you trying to provoke. Each country has there own visa regulations and not much you or I can do about it.

...you got 8 negative marks...

and the headlines do belong in "Off Topic". Where else would you like him/her to put them? We live in a world of contentious headlines-where have you been all this time? Visa regs have nothing to do with someone not learning some of the native language of the country they are visiting or about to begin their new life in. There are many, many books on language translations for any country you are going to as well as books to help you begin to learn and speak that respective language.

When i worked at sears years ago and the announcements went out over the loudspeaker thee or four times that the store would be closing at 10:00, guess who were the only ones still in the store at 10 minutes after 10pm ?? Right! those that did not speak or understand english! It could also be a detriment to their own lives if you do not understand what the *&^ people are communicating to you....

Edited July 28, 2011 by chocolate1

[Tiffany23]

I agree that anyone that lives in a country should learn the language. However, may I add a bit of perspective from someone that has lived in 6 countries and knows 4 languages?

Almost all countries in the developed world REQUIRE you to learn another language from your native one. So most Brits now a days learn another language, mainly either French or German. And many of them go to live in the country as part of an exchange program. Canadian are required to learn French. In Germany and I think Japan, you either have to join the military for a few years or go to another country to provide aid...like working in a hospital. The point is, Americans for the most part want others to learn English. Fair enough, but it should be mandatory that we also learn another language....practically speaking (no pun intended) it should be Spanish.

Secondly, France is SCARED to death of losing it's language. English, being the most popular second language spoken in the world, has taken over most of the new words that come out.like computer..and they are afraid of losing their heritage to English. Next, if any of you have ever visited the suburbs of Paris, you would know that many of them are completely Arabic. While I hold no ill will towards Muslims, it is very scary to ride into Paris on the subway and have nothing but Arabic men looking at you and you know understanding a work they say. So they REALLY have a problem holding on to a native language.

Finally, remember that for many many years, America was not the "melting pot" it is today, each ethic group had their own little piece of the city...China Town in many citites still exist. These little ethic pockets is where most of the first generation hung out, it took a generation or two until the kids would fully intergrate with American society. The point being that Americans in the "old days" (pre 1950s) took awhile before they were fully immersed in the melting pot. And...even if you knew English, you were still discrimated against....not that long ago "Irish need not apply" signs were placed in shop windows.

That's my

[smee2]

I iz sory... waz dat qustin durekted at mee? Iz no speaka da inglish!!!

This little cutie is doing better than a lot of so-called English speakers in North America. I say we keep him and toss the others ... hahahahaha

smee2

[sandyf]

The headline is contentious and the post does not belong here.

What are you trying to provoke. Each country has there own visa regulations and not much you or I can do about it.

I am a 64 year old Scot, retired and living in Thailand. Visa regulations are a sore point.

Most of the comment on this thread displays a selfish train of thought. As far as the language is concerned, I am tone deaf which is a virtual disability regarding the Thai language. It would appear that you think I should be made to leave the country.