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

[Daxx]

Huh? That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Never mind.

Again, getting back to the OP . . .

What doesn't make sense?

Hey -- Cool Beans -- I know you're following this .. am I making sense!?!?!??

 

[HayGan]

I agree with you about more than just Spanish being incorporated...my reference is to the fact that apparently some people here have strong issues with anyone speaking ANY foreign language on American soil. Which is why I brought up the examples I did. I haven't seen a complaint about the monorail spiel...since some of that is Spanish (and not antoher language). And another poster mentioned that some announcements are done in another language as well. I think I've heard Spanish and French in the past. Yet no one came on here complaining about that. So really, IMO, it's a little late to be complaining about differently languages being used at Disney. That ship sailed a long time ago.

Speaking for myself, I did not say that English is the only language that should be spoken here but when it comes to people dealing with the public they should be expected to speak in English. English is the language of the United States. I do not go to other countries and expect them to speak English; I still do not see why it should be expected here.

Quite frankly, I didn't answer your statement because I thought it was ridiculous. Different languages are part of the attraction.

What is the problem with teaching the characters a few phrases in several languages - not just Spanish

It amazes me at the insults being thrown around here. I'll bow out of this discussion now as the insults and name-calling degrades the discussion to a point to where no descent debate can continue.

Buenos noches - Bonne nuit - Buona Sera - Konban Wa - Wan shang hao - Boa noite

Good night

 

[Cool-Beans]

No matter what country (or multiples of countries) you posted, it still isn't a nice thing to say. I'm sure glad that a bunch of Americans didn't tell my immigrant family to "stay at home" b/c I'm sure that, at times, my great-grandfather, as a child, might've been obnoxious.

You didn't specifiy that you were being sarcastic, so I'm hoping you were.

It sounded like you were saying that the country was founded on immigration. If nobody (including kids who were not always well-behaved) had come here, there wouldn't be a country...and a fine one, at that. So, maybe we should all jump down off our high horses and get with the winning team. The Brazilians are no worse than the rest of the world...America included.

Yeah, I mix my metaphors. But that's another thread.

 

[declansdad]

I think this is America and everyone should speak English. I understand it is not the native language of the world, but I think if you are going to another country that the native language is different from yours you should know enough to survive. I would never go to Italy and expect to hear English or France and hear English. I would expect to hear Italian and French. The princesses should speak English, and signs should have English on them. This country was founded on the English language, and should stay that way. I'm tired of people's intolerance toward the American culture. Up until about 15 years ago people wanted to come to this country so badly, and were willing to do what they had to to get citizenship. Now we are catering to these people more and more. There is no reason for this.

Man lighten up. People are not moving to the US when they come to WDW. Disney is a company that operates worldwide and in a number of different languages. They are catering to tourists. There is nothing wrong with trying to make the experiencebetter for everyone.

No one in showing intolerance for the american culture but you certainly are for everyone elses. And just who are "these people"?

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

My main concerns with this news are:

1) are the princesses still going to look like the princesses? (i.e., I do not want to see a Hispanic Cinderella - while in Disneyland in May I saw a Hispanic Belle and was pretty surprised - even my 3 yr old niece said "that's not Belle!")

2) are they still going to sound like the princesses? (i.e., with no Spanish accent.)

3) Is Disney going to discriminate against potential princesses that don't speak Spanish?

I would need to know the answers to these questions before I could form an opinion on this revelation.

 

[Daxx]

It sounded like you were saying that the country was founded on immigration. If nobody (including kids who were not always well-behaved) had come here, there wouldn't be a country...and a fine one, at that. So, maybe we should all jump down off our high horses and get with the winning team. The Brazilians are no worse than the rest of the world...America included.

YES!!! You TOTALLY got it. I bet Disneyaggie still won't get it, though!!!!!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Isn't Ariel Danish? (Okay, so she's probably Atlantean, but no one I know speaks that.)

Ariel probably speaks Mermish, the language of the Merpeople. Dumbledore could probably talk to her. Although if Harry Potter is to be believed, I don't think anyone would want to hear Mermish spoken at the parks! It is a high pitched, squealing, and generally unpleasent sound out of water. Under water would work, though. Let's relegate Ariel to the waterparks!

Don't flame me! Just trying to lighten the mood!

 

[declansdad]

We take a cruise once a year, normally one of our stops is in Mexico. Before our first trip I took the time to learn some basic Spanish, so I could at least survive. I also purchased an English to Spanish tranlation book. Much to my surprise everyone spoke English and accepted American Dollars. It was a very pleasant surprise. Now I've only visited Cozumel and Playa Del Carmen tourist areas so this is prob not the case in other areas in Mexico. But I will say it made my visit much easier and a lot less stressful.

Disney attracts visitors from around the globe, I think it is a very nice gesture for Disney to put a little effort into making a foreigner's visit more pleasant and less stressful.

You have hit the nail square on the head. Any company in the tourist business will attempt to cater to any number of languages. Why should you expect WDW to be an english only place.

 

[Daxx]

I don't think anyone would want to hear Mermish spoken at the parks! It is a high pitched, squealing, and generally unpleasent sound out of water. Under water would work, though.

Yeah -- remember Madison from Splash! ... she broke all the tv sets in Bloomingdale's trying to pronounce her "real" name!!!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Ariel probably speaks Mermish, the language of the Merpeople. Dumbledore could probably talk to her. Although if Harry Potter is to be believed, I don't think anyone would want to hear Mermish spoken at the parks! It is a high pitched, squealing, and generally unpleasent sound out of water. Under water would work, though. Let's relegate Ariel to the waterparks!

Don't flame me! Just trying to lighten the mood!

Ariel does speak Mermish, from the Olde Mermaish! I read that in the UG, I think!

 

[declansdad]

You people are asking for flames? Well, here goes…

A little girl wants to have a magical moment and speak to a princess, and you've got a problem with that? You would begrudge a little girl getting a bit of Disney magic because, well, why exactly? Because you feel that every conversation that ever happens on US soil must be done in English.

That's about the most pathetic and petty attitude I've read on this board in a long time. And that's saying a lot.

 

[Took]

For a first class, it was very good. Just remember: ñ (for español) hold alt + 164

¡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

 

[indsun]

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[chigirl]

It has long been the policy of people native to America to let immigrants speak their native tounge. Why, when the Pilgrims came over to escape religious oppression and to seek freedom, the tribes native to this country helped them through a grueling winter. They taught them to fish, to farm the rich soil, and to adapt to the brutal winter. These native people never said, "Hey, can you speak Cherokee, please?" . They let the immigrants speak their native tounge and THEY learned English. How were these native people thanked? The English robbed them of their lands and stripped them of their pride, forcing them onto reservations while they took the best land and resources for themselves.
But, heck, they have those sweet, sweet casinos now!!!

 

[indsun]

Originally Posted by salmoneous
You people are asking for flames? Well, here goes…

A little girl wants to have a magical moment and speak to a princess, and you've got a problem with that? You would begrudge a little girl getting a bit of Disney magic because, well, why exactly? Because you feel that every conversation that ever happens on US soil must be done in English.

That's about the most pathetic and petty attitude I've read on this board in a long time. And that's saying a lot.



Thank You!!!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

YES!!! You TOTALLY got it. I bet Disneyaggie still won't get it, though!!!!!

Some folks never will.

 

[declansdad]

THIS IS AMERICA - I AGREE ENGLISH ONLY. This is ridiculous that they would even consider it! I have a better idea...maybe the kids should learn how to speak/understand English...wow, what a concept...

So a litlle boy/girl from Barcelona should learn English because their family is taking them to WDW???? Maybe we should make English the only language allowed to be spoken on the planet. That would surely solve the problem.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I am fluent in ASL and I know when I apply for a job this gives me an edge. It appears to be that way with most languages and most positions (especially if you are likely to encounter people who use that language.)

When person who fits the distribution for the character applies and has more then one language they are able to speak (and sign) then I think they would be more qualified for the job.

I think that it would be a wise move for the face characters at Epcot to speak the language of the country they are in. (Belle speak French etc.......)

I think that any character looks very different from the original shouldn't be. For example, snow white with blond hair. (Yes a person with blond hair might play her, but she wears a dark wig.) I don't think black Aurora would look right.

However I think it would be GREAT if Disney made a new AA princess. Wonderful in fact. Heck I just really would like a new princess. How long as it been? Too long. They remarket all the all stuff to death.

I also think that people who live in America should be able to speak English, but we are talking about a major tourist attraction.

 

[Evil Genius]

Okay I don't normally jump into this kind of fray, but I have to tell you a story. We were waiting in line to see Aladdin. The little boy in front of us only spoke French. So what did Aladdin do? He spoke French right back at him. That child was OVER THE MOON!! How can you take that away from any visitor that goes to DW, adult or child. I applaud Disney for wanting to make visitors happier, no matter what language they speak!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I think it would be GREAT if Disney made a new AA princess. Wonderful in fact. Heck I just really would like a new princess. How long as it been? Too long. They remarket all the all stuff to death.

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