Languages within the park, what do you think....

[WannabeAriel]

I would be totally cool if the only spoken announcements were English. For other things like fireworks or rides where narration is a major part of it - headphones could be issued. I do like that they make maps available in other languages but I wouldn't like to have to listen through all the announcements in multiple languages.

Although... I have to admit... who doesn't love hearing "Please stand clear of the doors, por favor mantenganse alejado de las puertas" after each monorail ride!!! Is that at Disneyland too or is it just a WDW thing???

I think the ride warning signs may already have (or could have if they don't) pictures to depict the rules. This removes the language barrier completely. There are other ways to communicate besides the spoken word.

Not a good ride for pregnant mothers? Show a pregnant icon with the big "NO" hash mark. Stuff like that.

 

[pixiewings71]

So would you all be cool if Disneyland went to an "All English" park?

Sure but this isn't realistic for the simple fact that our country doesn't have an "official" language.

Molly I know during peak seasons I've seen maps in other languages. We grabbed a bunch of maps for some of DBFs co-workers and we realized that we had maps in many different languages so we put them back and grabbed the English versions. I don't remember the languages and it's been a couple years now but I do remember them in other languages.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

So would you all be cool if Disneyland went to an "All English" park?

Probably not.

In April we're taking DBF's family (Mom, Dad, 2 brothers). His Dad speaks very little English. He understands most and I'm sure he would understand the ride spiels, but having them also in Spanish is very helpful.

 

[noga]

I don't think that they should have different languages in DL and Engish is not my first language
Official language of the US is English and you come here to live or visit you need to be able to know enough to be safe or be with somebody else that can help you out.

 

[Lakewood]

I don't think that they should have different languages in DL and Engish is not my first language
Official language of the US is English and you come here to live or visit you need to be able to know enough to be safe or be with somebody else that can help you out.

Actually the poster a few posts up is right we do not have an "official" language... Cheers.

 

[Teki]

The maps come in many different languages, and Im sure there are translators if someone really needed. Over all IMO coming from a tourist town myself, generally people learn at least a little before they come and that's what they should do no one should go to a new place knowing nothing of the language or culture it just says bad news.

 

[Lakewood]

The maps come in many different languages, and Im sure there are translators if someone really needed. Over all IMO coming from a tourist town myself, generally people learn at least a little before they come and that's what they should do no one should go to a new place knowing nothing of the language or culture it just says bad news.

Very true, whenever I go to a different country I at least learn the bare minimum to get by....

 

[blabbermouth]

When we were at WDW, they were mostly English and Spanish, but as we were waiting for Fantasmic! to start, my DBF noticed they were also using Portuguese! We were wondering if maybe in cases where there are specific tour groups in the parks and knew they'd be in a certain place like F, then they could choose to add it, but that was just a guess.

 

[prncssmel]

That's how I feel too. Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong...I won't expect much, if anything, in English (even though I know that English is taught throughout school in Japan, at least).

As for maps being in many languages, I'm not sure that's true. I took part in a scavenger hunt this weekend and one of the quests was to get a map from the int'l map "cabinet" (for lack of a better word). They had Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and maybe 2 other languages. Not even Korean (which irked me, having a half Korean hubby). There were many spots for maps, but it was all doubled...so passing by you would think "WOW!" but the reality was a disappointment IMO.

Hmm, I have never looked at DL. In WDW, I know they had more than that.

So what's it like at WDW? Just English and Spanish spiels too?

WDW has more languages than that. I know that they at least have them for all the countries in the World Showcase.

I don't think that they should have different languages in DL and Engish is not my first language
Official language of the US is English and you come here to live or visit you need to be able to know enough to be safe or be with somebody else that can help you out.

As pointed out before, there is no official US language. I think having Spanish is very important, especially since in some large US cities, English is not even the most spoken language.

 

[jenpace]

After posting on someones post about a kid recently getting hurt on Thunder Mountain I began to think to myself....

Can anyone share any details of what happened? This ride is my 6 y/o's favorite thing at DL


Jenn

 

[GBShorts]

As a foreign language teacher (French) I just wanted to point out that English is the most taught foreign language worldwide. Chances are, if a person knows another language other than their own, it will be English. Believe it or not, worldwide, at least, French is the second most taught foreign language with Chinese (I believe) third and Spanish fourth. My data is a couple of years old, but nonetheless, I think you get what I mean.

We are a world community these days. People who fail to make an effort to learn at least a second language (Spanish speakers learning English, English learning Spanish, at least in the US), are going to find themselves in tough times in the not too distant future. I am already finding Spanish-only billboards in the town where I teach. There's no side-by-side English/Spanish comparison for anybody to translate.

All the previous posters are correct, however. At this time there is NO official language in the United States, therefore any information can actually be posted in any language the poster chooses. If I wanted, I could own a business and post all my messages in Swahili!


Having said alllllllll that, I think that it's probably find to stick with English and Spanish in the parks. That hits the two main languages people should be able to understand in that part of the world. For the record, I think that it should be common sense to keep your arms and legs inside a moving vehicle. I mean really. Duh. I know that they have to cover their backsides by stating the obvious, but really.

Ok. I'm off my soapbox now.

 

[initiation]

I'm going to go out on an unpopular limb here.. and I'm not trying to be rude.. but the spanish translations in rides ruin the atmosphere.. especially in haunted mansion. I wish the announcements were in english (parade announcements are fine in both) and then maps and signs in both. If I went to another country, I would make the effort to learn the language before I got there - and feel others should do the same.

Just my feelings.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I'm going to go out on an unpopular limb here.. and I'm not trying to be rude.. but the spanish translations in rides ruin the atmosphere.. especially in haunted mansion. I wish the announcements were in english (parade announcements are fine in both) and then maps and signs in both. If I went to another country, I would make the effort to learn the language before I got there - and feel others should do the same.

Just my feelings.

I hear ya. It does ruin the atmosphere if the Spanish spiel doesn't match the English spiel in tone and voice and the Haunted Mansion is a great example of this. You hear Paul Frees' spine-tingling Ghost Host voice and then you hear the same words in a non-scary Spanish voice, which breaks the illusion. They really should have had Corey Burton record the Spanish spiel in his Ghost Host voice (he's the one who did the HMH English spiel) if they insisted on having it in there.

 

[jenpace]

I'm going to go out on an unpopular limb here.. and I'm not trying to be rude.. but the spanish translations in rides ruin the atmosphere.. especially in haunted mansion. I wish the announcements were in english (parade announcements are fine in both) and then maps and signs in both. If I went to another country, I would make the effort to learn the language before I got there - and feel others should do the same.

Just my feelings.

I agree with you...on both points. I did grow up in a foreign country where nobody spoke English and I learned to speak, read and write their language. Makes sense to me

 

[pixiewings71]

Can anyone share any details of what happened? This ride is my 6 y/o's favorite thing at DL


Jenn

I don't know if any of us actually know what happened, but your child should be fine as I would assume they know and follow the rules on the rides.

I'm going to go out on an unpopular limb here.. and I'm not trying to be rude.. but the spanish translations in rides ruin the atmosphere.. especially in haunted mansion. I wish the announcements were in english (parade announcements are fine in both) and then maps and signs in both. If I went to another country, I would make the effort to learn the language before I got there - and feel others should do the same.

Just my feelings.

I don't think your limb is all that unpopular. I do think there are probably others who agree with you but don't want to get into a fight on the boards so they will keep quiet. Which is fine. But, ftr I do agree with you. As I mentioned previously and a few others have said when I go to another country (not that I've been to many LOL, all my $$ goes to Disney! LOL) I learn at least enough to get by if not more.

 

[Diznygrl]

I hear ya. It does ruin the atmosphere if the Spanish spiel doesn't match the English spiel in tone and voice and the Haunted Mansion is a great example of this. You hear Paul Frees' spine-tingling Ghost Host voice and then you hear the same words in a non-scary Spanish voice, which breaks the illusion. They really should have had Corey Burton record the Spanish spiel in his Ghost Host voice (he's the one who did the HMH English spiel) if they insisted on having it in there.

ITA!! The HM Spanish spiel is the worst offender. Most of the other ones are at least tolerable. Even Casey Jr. does the Spanish in a voice that sounds like the Ringmaster. But HM....ugh! Get Corey Burton, please!

 

[Lakewood]

I think the HM Spanish speil is pretty lame as well, I'm glad im not the only one....