GaryPen said:
Why? Because English is the official language of the United States of America, a nation of 300 million. So, it is really is an obligation of the 20 million or so Spanish speakers to learn English, if they have not already done so, isn't it? Of course, the illegals do not count, as they do not deserve any accomodation. (The term "illegal" is self-explanatory.)
If I were to move to another country, I would not expect them to accomodate me, as far as language goes. Even as a visitor, I do not expect it. I am a frequent visitor to Japan, and any difficulty I have communicating there is totally my fault. I welcome signs, documents, and spoken language in English, but I do not expect it.
Please read my original post again...I never said anything about expectation. Secondly, the United States DOES NOT HAVE AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE. It happens to be the language of government, but other than that, the Supreme Court has struck down several English-Only laws. This argument goes back to the founding fathers when the issue was tackled 4 separate times and each time it was decided that it would NOT benefit the US to have an "official language."
Also lost was the part where I mentioned that 4 million potential customers live in US in a territory where Spanish IS the official language except for Federal Government. And if anyone has been in a US Circut Court proceding in PR you'd have a great laugh at that too...Spanish off the record...on the record...English.
Something else not noticed from my original post: most people who prefer to get billing and other information in Spanish generally ALREADY KNOW how to speak English. ...probably well enoough so that when having a conversation, you'd never know the spoke another language.
Finally, if you are in Japan (a rather homogenous society which is VERY different than the US, I've been there) and you have a choice off doing business with two different companies. Both are equal in all respects. One offers the option of service in English, the other doesn't...which would you do business with?
Dish is giving customers who PREFER (not demand) service in their native tongue what they want. What is wrong with that? I would also expect with all the South Asian and Chinese programming that Dish offers that they would eventually have billing in Hindi and Mandarin.
Any company or person that does business in southern, CA, AZ, TX, NM, CO, South FL and NYC and ESPECIALLY Puerto Rico that does not know Spanish is doing themselves a disservice.
Oh...and the 20 Million number DOES NOT include the native US born Spanish speakers (and they also know English). Yes, it's a minority, but a big one. One in 10 US citizens speak Spanish. One in 9 people in the US speak spanish.
See ya
Tony
