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

[JRawkSteady]

I understand both views on this one and I'm definitely on the fence.
I always believe that everyone should have equal rights. And I definately agree that having a princess speaking in your child's own native language could make their trip just that much more magical.
But being a part of the Disney Company as well as an avid fan, it goes against what they are trying to do. They want the face characters to look exactly like the princesses they're portraying, they need them to be a certain height, they must sign exactly the same, two can't eb out at the same time, they won't let them talk about cell phone or planes because they're not from this time period. But when did Princess Aurora or Pocahontas learn Spanish? Either have all the main languages or nothing! It's just kind of hypocritical of the company. Perhaps if they didn't restrict the Princesses to be certain heights... I dunno. I think having a translator is a much better idea...although maybe not quite as magical...

Can you tell I'm on the fence yet?

 

[mking624]

I don't have a problem with the characters being able to know a few key phrases in different (and more popular languages.) But why is it only Spanish

It's possible that right now they're testing it out with the second most popular language spoken in this country...and then maybe they'll see how it goes from there. Being that this is a first for them, I wouldn't expect them to get every language right away. We should give it time before assuming that they'll never cater to anyone else.

 

[disneyaggie]

Well, what about all the poor little girls who watch Cinderella in French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Mandarin, Hindi, etc.

When I travel to other parts of the world where English is not the native language, I don't expect people to speak English. I make it a point to learn a few important phrases in the native language and carry an English/whatever language dictionary with me. Why should anyone travel to WDW and expect to hear anything other than English I wouldn't expect to hear English in Disneyland Paris or Tokyo (although you probably do.)

For me it isn't a matter of intolerance of other cultures - it is their intolerance of ours

Flame away all you want - it certainly won't change my perspective that a Cinderella in the United States should speak English.

Well said! I totally agree!

 

[Daxx]

Am I the only one that thinks a TRUE princess would be fluent in many languages? Are they not taught about other cultures?

I don't think Princess Diana spoke many languages fluently. She may have learned her speeches phonetically in another language, but as far as fluency went, I'm quite sure she had an interpreter. She may have learned French in boarding school ... but I would doubt that she became fluent in other languages!

And, of course a member of a royal family would learn about other cultures! More than likely, they'd do it first hand by travelling to those countries or dealing w/protocol people.

However that doesn't mean that the princesses should ONLY speak English! I'd love to see multi-lingual princesses or some kind of set up where all foreign speaking children could communicate w/the princesses in their language!

W/that said, I think that ALL foreign children should have a princess who speaks their language. Let's not focus on only one or two languages ... let's focus on them ALL! Let's make every child's Disney experience a magical one -- not just Spanish or English speaking children -- but ALL children!

 

[mking624]

People from Mexico or whatever Spanish-speaking country are not a different race. They are Caucasian, just like "white" people.

This might be a different thread.

I know this is OT, but what defines Caucasian depends on where you are. In North America, it pretty much refers to white, non-Hispanic people. In Europe, it tends to refer to the Caucasus or Caucasia region. But Hispanics are generally not considered to be Caucasian. I am half Bolivian and half Irish...but because I am Hispanic, I do not consider myself to be Causasian....because I am not a non-Hispanic.

Anyway, just thought I'd share some tidbits....

 

[Figment's friends]

This could be a testing phase- why are people complaining? I REALLY DON'T get what the negative issue is with this. As long as the princesses can talk American english to your child why do you care what language she speaks to the next child in?

Suddenly a very proud Canadian.

 

[XOoOoVEEoOoOX]

I'm not sure how I feel about this . . . I'd much rather see them hire interpreters that can travel from greeting place to greeting place as needed so that all the kids have an equal chance to understand the princesses.

THAT is a GREAT idea..and im not being sarcastic...intrepreters tend to know several languages and would probably be able to grab the broader scope of languages spoken...only one down side to this idea..they are EXPENSIVE!

 

[oxfordcircus]

I don't mind them learning a few key phrases, but to try and limit hiring to someone who is bilingual is ridiculous, and to narrow it even further to Spanish is particularly horrifying, that quality people may be overlooked just to placate locals and visitors.

This is a legitimate job qualification in so many cases, though. Airports, hospitals, legal aid offices and many other places frankly require employees who are already bilingual. It isn't enough that the person knows some phrases, and who wants to foot the bill to teach a person to be fluent in another language? How silly would a princess look if she rattled off some Spanish "phrases" to a Hispanic child, only to have the child reply with some off-script phrases, then the princess just stares blankly and says "I'm sorry, I didn't understand you."

This is a business decision that Disney has made. They obviously feel market pressure to provide this service. That's good, right? To let the market dictate products and services?

 

[Cool-Beans]

I know this is OT, but what defines Caucasian depends on where you are. In North America, it pretty much refers to white, non-Hispanic people. In Europe, it tends to refer to the Caucasus or Caucasia region. But Hispanics are generally not considered to be Caucasian. I am half Bolivian and half Irish...but because I am Hispanic, I do not consider myself to be Causasian....because I am not a non-Hispanic.

Anyway, just thought I'd share some tidbits....

Lots of people refer to "hispanic" people as a seperate race. Lots of "hispanic" people take umbrage to the remarks that they are not Caucasian. Technically, scientifically, non-politically, "hispanic" people are Caucasian.

So, if you don't like them, you aren't a racist, you are a bigot.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

thats......interesting.

why is it always spanish tho? i've seen much more asian and arabic families that visit Disney than hispanic.

 

[wisbucky]

Maybe we should just build a Disney in Spain. That would solve all of this. Those that want to hear spanish can go to Spain. This can be a new trend started by Disney.

 

[Daxx]

THAT is a GREAT idea..and im not being sarcastic...intrepreters tend to know several languages and would probably be able to grab the broader scope of languages spoken...only one down side to this idea..they are EXPENSIVE!

While I agree that it's a great idea, I have to wonder if a child might think why the heck Cinderella isn't talking to them. After all, she speaks their language on their DVD at home. Why, all of a sudden, can't she speak their language and why is this person talking for her? Sure, the interpreter could say she has laryngitis ... but are all the princesses going to have laryngitis!?

 

[disneyaggie]

Maybe we should just build a Disney in Spain. That would solve all of this. Those that want to hear spanish can go to Spain. This can be a new trend started by Disney.

Or hey, why not Brazil. That way, all the Brazillian brats who cause so much embarrassment to their country by their horrible behavior at WDW can stay in their own backyard and keep the heck out of ours. Then they can misbehave as much as they want and no one would care.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

When I saw Turtle Talk with Crush (this is ON topic I promise) he wanted to speak to the boy in the red shell- who turned out to speak French. Crush spoke to him in French- a few short phrases, still sounding like Crush, but it was a magical moment to the boy in the red shell- and to me. I swear my mouth dropped open!

I think it is wonderful for face characters to learn a few phrases to speak to foreign speaking guests. I do not think it should only be Spanish- it should be a few major foreign languages. I also think that this should be done in such a way that Cinderella still looks and speaks like Cinderella. As long as it does not interfere with the realism of "The Show" for all the guests, this can be a good idea. This will ONLY be successful if Disney does it in a way that it PLUSSES the experience and does not take away from the experience of the majority of guests who do not speak Spanish (English, French, Japanese, Italian, etc.)

I doubt Disney would want Cinderella standing there talking just in Spanish while other guests had no idea what she was saying. She would only speak Spanish while speaking to a Spanish speaking guest and would speak (unaccented) English to an English speaking guest. At least that's how I'm imagining it.

 

[Daxx]

Maybe we should just build a Disney in Spain. That would solve all of this. Those that want to hear spanish can go to Spain. This can be a new trend started by Disney.

That was nasty and offensive! I could counter you with "Maybe we should just build a Disney in England. Those that want to hear English can go to England". What would your response to that be?!

Do you think that people in the US who go to WDW (Spanish speaking or otherwise) are going to have the $$ to go to Spain? I am not a Spanish speaking person, but still wouldn't be able to afford that! Disney would go from being a "few times a year" thing to being a "once every few years thing".

I'll say it again ... I have no problem w/Disney being multi-lingual. I'd just love to see more countries' languages being represented by the princesses!

 

[LakeAriel]

.The title If this thread is Disney to hire Spanish speaking Princesses." Why not Disney to hire bi -lingual staff for the roles of Princesses? They have many college students employed, most who can speak at least some of another language. I think the anger originates from the selection of Spanish only. It may not even be true. Mandarin is the mostly widely spoken word, how about that?

Language Approx. number
of speakers
1. Chinese (Mandarin) 1,075,000,000
2. English 514,000,000
3. Hindustani 496,000,000
4. Spanish 425,000,000
5. Russian 275,000,000
6. Arabic 256,000,000
7. Bengali 215,000,000
8. Portuguese 194,000,000
9. Malay-Indonesian 176,000,000
10. French 129,000,000

 

[HayGan]

That was nasty and offensive! I could counter you with "Maybe we should just build a Disney in England. Those that want to hear English can go to England". What would your response to that be?!

Do you think that people in the US who go to WDW (Spanish speaking or otherwise) are going to have the $$ to go to Spain? I am not a Spanish speaking person, but still wouldn't be able to afford that! Disney would go from being a "few times a year" thing to being a "once every few years thing".

I'll say it again ... I have no problem w/Disney being multi-lingual. I'd just love to see more countries' languages being represented by the princesses!

Very well said!

And by the way, Spanish is the primary language in many countries other than Spain!

 

[mking624]

Lots of people refer to "hispanic" people as a seperate race. Lots of "hispanic" people take umbrage to the remarks that they are not Caucasian. Technically, scientifically, non-politically, "hispanic" people are Caucasian.

So, if you don't like them, you aren't a racist, you are a bigot.

Well I never said anything about not liking anyone...

Where are you getting the info that they are "technically & scientifically" caucasian? I've never seen that. Because from what I've always seen and researched, race is more of a social definition than an actual scientific one...which is why even the definition of "Caucasian" differs depending on where in the world you are. Ethnicity and Nationality are really the only two that actually have a more solid "definition"....because those can be geographically placed. Race really can't be...it's relative to the individual.
And being Hispanic myself, I've never met another Hispanic person who has taken umbrage to the remarks that they are not caucasian...quite the opposite in fact.

Talk about taking a spin off the debate going on here...kind of nice to break away from the chaos, though.

 

[bluejasmine]

LuLu your story about Crush speaking French to that little boy was so sweet! Thats exactly what Im talking about!

I have to say I am both shocked and embarressed by some of my fellow DISers attitudes, you have a right to your opinion but WOW is all that I can say on these boards without being banned. Lets remember that our freedom of speech also extends to speaking in other languages.. This country started out with a mix of different nationalities so a mix of languages.

 

[Daxx]

Or hey, why not Brazil. That way, all the Brazillian brats who cause so much embarrassment to their country by their horrible behavior at WDW can stay in their own backyard and keep the heck out of ours. Then they can misbehave as much as they want and no one would care.

Ouch!!!!

I've been to WDW while the Brazilians have been there. Yes, they might get crazy and act up -- but don't all teenagers!? I've seen the same behavior coming from American teens while I've been overseas. I've seen some Americans behave poorly in foreign countries and, as an American, have been embarassed by their actions. I've wanted to say "We're not all like this" ... and I'm sure many Brazilians would say the same thing. I've often thought "Now I know why this country hates Americans!" b/c I've seen some behaviors coming from Americans that are unbelievable!!!!