Mods: Please Close This. Let's Think Happy Thoughts!

[Daxx]

So a litlle boy/girl from Barcelona should learn English because their family is taking them to WDW????

No need for the Barcelona child to worry b/c Wisbucky, another poster, wants to building a Disney in Spain so that all the Spanish speaking people can go there if they want to hear Spanish! See:

Maybe we should just build a Disney in Spain. Those that want to hear spanish can go to Spain.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

Holy moley everyone quick~! Wipe the foam from your mouths! *headdesks*

I think this is getting way too heated for the subject at hand. How do we know this is even going to be a continuing thing? This could be something that Disney is simply trying out. Being bi-lingual is an advantage, I'm bi-lingual in English and French. If I heard a Princess speaking Spanish to a little girl and then turning around and speaking English to another, I'd have nothing but respect for her.

Does anyone remember the scene in The Princess Diaries (I can't remember if it's 2 or not) where she says hello to everyone in their native language? I may have the movie wrong but I'm pretty sure that's it. Why can't we have the princesses doing that? I've seen it suggested several times in this thread and I agree that it's a wonderful idea.

Bringing in hateful spewing of immigrants and illegals and "OMGSPEAKENGLISH" is unneeded and rude. Do you know how many of my friends from other countries have commented to me about Americans going to THEIR countries and screaming "OMGSPEAKENGLISH" to them? So are we saying that things are only right when it's OUR way? To Americanize the rest of the world? That's... pretty stupid. I understand the people saying "I don't expect English to be in France, so they shouldn't expect French here" or so on. But there ARE people that expect it, going both ways. So Disney is doing the smart thing here... my guess is that soon there will be many other languages as well. One step at a time, correct?

Oh, and to those whining about the immigrants... can't exactly learn English in a day now can you? Even those that are coming here legally need time to learn what's concidered one of the world's harder languages to learn. Please think before you state they aren't trying, because my guess is that more are trying than you're thinking. But it's easier to lump sum now, isn't it?

 

[codygirl5150]

Why do so many people who are against bi-lingual anyone in the US keep saying "THEY (as in foreign people) expect" americans to be bi-lingual? As I see it, the businesses that choose to have bi-lingual employees do it to attract more people and make more money. I live in an area with a large hispanic community, hispanic neighbors, and interact with spanish-speaking people almost daily. I know absolutely NO spanish and I've never felt pressure to have my own spanish translator, even working in a HR department. They usually take care of that themselves or go somewhere else!
I say bring on the bi-lingual princesses! I love it when my daughter is exposed to new things that can only be beneficial. It's all for the good of the kids!!!

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

I've given up on reading all of the posts: I can't read quickly enough.

Two thoughts:

1. The English being used by presumably native English speakers in this thread is frightening.

2. English is not the official national language. We don't have an official language. But please, by all means, let's keep debating this issue. It keeps the nation from focusing on the real threats to its future.

 

[MyGoofy26]

¡Convengo con usted! Actually, although my native language is English, I am excited about the use of Spanish speakers and signs at WDW as I am ALWAYS looking for ways to improve my Spanish. Here in central IL, I get very few chances! Good for WDW. Now, let's add a few more languages!

took

I know this is a huge digression from the original topic (although at this point, that doesn't sound like such a bad thing, to change topics a bit, LOL) but it's really no wonder that Americans have such a tough time picking up other languages. We are so limited. On top of the fact that the best time to learn multiple languages is as a child (once you hit your teens, it's a battle) and our school systems haven't figured this out yet, other than big cities where there is a big enough population of speakers of another language, most of us just aren't exposed enough to truly learn and absorb it.

Languages have always come easy to me, but as soon as I stop studying they disappear because I have no way to practice or learn by my surroundings. In Europe, you could be surrounded by half a dozen "native" languages" making it so much easier, if you're always hearing or using them. I took Japanese and was pretty fluent (and could read and write in two of their three "alphabets"), two years later I could remember like 2 phrases. I had many years of French, and most of that is gone - I can still read it decently, but trying to form actual sentences is a struggle. I had some Spanish, and again - just remember a few useless phrases, LOL. I spent some time in Italy the past couple years while my cousin was stationed there, and within two weeks I could understand basic conversations and even jump in with random words and phrases and crafty use of gesturing, LOL.

I know it ruffles a lot of feathers, and I agree that people moving to ANY country should learn the native tongue. . . but we shouldn't banish the use of all other languages to prove a point, we're really just hurting ourselves and missing out on a great opportunity to learn new languages.

 

[basas]

'

There is a reason. It's so more people can get that magical feeling at the parks. If there is a Spanish speaking princess from let's say 9-10 am, how does affect your life in any way? There will be plenty of English-speaking princesses.

In Hong Kong, the Jungle Cruise alternates between the native language and English.

This has nothing to do with everyone should speak English in America. It's about making guests have a great time in a theme park.

So should shows (Indy, LMA), and rides like Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth start using spanish too? We could have one paragraph in english, then the spanish translation, then the following paragraph in english, again followed by spanish, etc. And what about all the other languages that guests might like used so that they can have a better time? Where do you draw the line so that all guests can 'get that extra magical feeling'? IMO, because WDW is in America, it should be English that is used, not Spanish or any other language.

 

[BlindTyldak]

*scans through the posts*

Any other Native Americans out there getting a huge kick out of the people saying that english is the country's language, if people come here they should speak THEIR language, and all that?

 

[Cool-Beans]

So should shows (Indy, LMA), and rides like Haunted Mansion and Spaceship Earth start using spanish too? We could have one paragraph in english, then the spanish translation, then the following paragraph in english, again followed by spanish, etc. And what about all the other languages that guests might like used so that they can have a better time? Where do you draw the line so that all guests can 'get that extra magical feeling'? IMO, because WDW is in America, it should be English that is used, not Spanish or any other language.

They have headsets that can be worn for folks who don't speak English. But you can't wear a headset with a Princess.

I think that if a Princess can speak to children in their native tongue that it's great. It'll make that kid happy and isn't hurting anyone, for Pete's sake.

 

[DisneyPhD]

What is an AA princess? All Around? I thought I was hip to all the acronyms around here.

Sorry, African American. Or Black, or African, or Jamaican..................... .

I think it would just great if Disney finally gave the little girls who LOVE the princess so much a new one. If they filled the void by making it a black princess that would be wonderful.

 

[pperfectmom]

I told myself I wouldn't get involved, but "Come on people! Show some tolerance." I have no problem with a multi-lingual princess. I think that she would set a great example for little girls. I don't think Disney would ever have two side by side, speaking different languages. I only wish I lived in an area where my children could have more exposure to different cultures.

 

[Daxx]

Any other Native Americans out there getting a huge kick out of the people saying that english is the country's language, if people come here they should speak THEIR language, and all that?

I'm not Native American but I totally understand what you're saying. I'm sure that if things were different, we'd all be speaking different tribal languages depending on where we lived. Cherokee, Iroquois, etc.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Sorry, African American. Or Black, or African, or Jamaican..................... .

I think it would just great if Disney finally gave the little girls who LOVE the princess so much a new one. If they filled the void by making it a black princess that would be wonderful.

Duh! I think I made this mistake before. Slooooow.

If they'd come out with a movie that was the equal of Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast, I'd take a neon-orange princess.

But a black princess would be nice, too.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

*scans through the posts*

Any other Native Americans out there getting a huge kick out of the people saying that english is the country's language, if people come here they should speak THEIR language, and all that?

i just think it's funny when people say American's speak English because.....we really don't. we speak some sort of weird slang/English/Ebonics combination.

what i wouldn't give to live in England and hear proper English! *Sigh* lol

 

[Hixski]

*scans through the posts*

Any other Native Americans out there getting a huge kick out of the people saying that english is the country's language, if people come here they should speak THEIR language, and all that?

Yes, I have. I have mostly just been Great grandfather was full blooded Cherokee. The intolerance here is terrible. I would be in real trouble with some of these folks. Mother is Cherokee and English. Father is Polish and French. Cheers for all the mutts out there.

 

[BlindTyldak]

i just think it's funny when people say American's speak English because.....we really don't. we speak some sort of weird slang/English/Ebonics combination.

what i wouldn't give to live in England and hear proper English! *Sigh* lol

Ah, but even British english is hardly proper english. I have a lot of friends that I game with from London on Teamspeak, (yeah, I'm 32, female, and still play videogames with kids around the world. Go fig. ) and I'm constantly asking them to repeat themselves because half the time I have NO clue what they're saying through the British slang. Other primarily english speaking countries are just as bad about being "proper".

 

[Va-bear]

Sorry, African American. Or Black, or African, or Jamaican..................... .

I think it would just great if Disney finally gave the little girls who LOVE the princess so much a new one. If they filled the void by making it a black princess that would be wonderful.

Gosh, I couldnt agree more!!!!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[basas]

<<i just think it's funny when people say American's speak English because.....we really don't. we speak some sort of weird slang/English/Ebonics combination.

what i wouldn't give to live in England and hear proper English! *Sigh* lol >>

. We speak English. It may be different than British English but it is still English (and there are well over 300 million North Americans speaking it compared to the 60 million Brits speaking their version).

<<Any other Native Americans out there getting a huge kick out of the people saying that english is the country's language, if people come here they should speak THEIR language, and all that?>>



<<They have headsets that can be worn for folks who don't speak English. But you can't wear a headset with a Princess.>>

I'm aware but wearing a headset is an inconvienance.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Duh! I think I made this mistake before. Slooooow.

If they'd come out with a movie that was the equal of Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast, I'd take a neon-orange princess.

But a black princess would be nice, too.

I agree. Parents keep saying that there isn't anything for little boys, so they make all these boy's shows (Cars, Incredibles, Treasure Planet, Brother Bear, the list goes on) and they don't do so well. Still they remarket Princess stuff like crazy. Something new and good please. (and as pointed out by others, would be wonderful if she was Black or African since that hasn't been done yet.)

 

[Cool-Beans]

I'm aware but wearing a headset is an inconvienance.

You aren't seriously suggesting they translate every ride into a bunch of different languages?! That would be horrible for everyone! And it would take forever, too. There would be no flow.

Did you mean something else?

 

[Daxx]

However I think it would be GREAT if Disney made a new AA princess. Wonderful in fact.

I totally agree w/you! Last year, I had a Kdg. student from Uganda. She would always color her Cinderella's face with a brown crayon. A few of the little girls would tell her "her face isn't brown!" ... but in this little girl's mind, it wasn't Cinderella who was the princess, it was herself she was projecting on the paper! She wanted to be the princess in the picture and could care less what color Cinderella's skin was!

I would love, love, love to see an AA princess. I think one would be a great role model for ALL children!!!!