English, do you speak it?
March 16, 2008
The irony, let me show you it.
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79 Responses to “English, do you speak it?”
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That’s funny: they left out the ‘r’ in “excretions”!
The irony is excetionally delicious…
I used to live in that town.
Actually it’s the “p” that they left out. Its meant to say “no exceptions.”
Actually they left out the P in “exceptions”.
they took my job and my letter p !
where is “crestwood” ?
They spelled “exceptions” wrong too.
the photo is funny and the comment is funnier
What’s even funnier is that the mayor’s last name (obviously of Slavic origin, I assume Polish), most likely means “foreigner” or “stranger.” Speak about being more Catholic than the Pope…
…They should fire the utz who made up that sign.
Uhhh….. I think “excretion” guy knew about the “p”….
I agree with the sign…I hate the idea of having to select “english” at an atm. If god wanted me to speak spanish I would have been born in mexico.
Crestwood, IL
and I assume Vladimir is a very common American name. Welcome to the melting pot.
Where’s the p?
It’s running down the pastor’s leg…
Hey Jim, in the English language that you supposedly speak, ATM, God, English, Spanish, and Mexico are all capitalized. I see that you had no problem capitalizing “I”, however, which speaks volumes.
Comments are funnier.
That’s not a church sign, it’s a town sign. And those saying the ‘p’ is missing not the ‘r’ need to get a sense of humor.
It’s actually read: English is our language, no exceptions. Learn I.T.
tony and rony…. thanks for pointing out the obvious. you guys rock.
The mayor’s last name still mean Aryan though, and that’s what matters.
@jim
and if god wanted you to speak english you should have been born in england.
america has always been a melting pot with different languages spoken. this is nothing new. get over it and start worrying about real things like what the federal government is doing to the economy, not the immigrants who are doing the jobs that you don’t want to do.
If god wanted me to speak english I would have been born in england. LEARN TO SPEAK AMERICAN, YOU TERRORIST. That mayor better eat his freedom fried potatoes or he gonna get stupid like a lawnmower man.
The people who didn’t get uhclem’s joke are just pathetic, come on.
A prime example of the American language! Typos and all…
“and if god wanted you to speak english you should have been born in england.”
oh so true. Besides we dont speak proper english in America anyways, we speak rube english. Aint that right?
fred
the idea of “melting pot” implies that those joining it “melt in” with the rest of the population by assimilating to it’s culture and it’s language, which currently happens to be English. The newcomers bring their culture and language with them and share it with the population as part of their contribution to the community. They’re not supposed to impose their language and culture on the community, forcing everyone to accommodate them.
And the illegals aren’t just “doing the jobs we don’t want to do”. The problem is the ones who actually “do” work are squeezing Americans out of jobs they want to do but can’t do for 1/2 or less of a fair wage. They also suck everyone’s wallets dry by using and abusing the vast array of free government handouts being laid at their feet the moment they cross the border. This is not a good way to “create” a voting block.
To all the folks without funny bones:
I’m pretty sure the “excretions” commenter knew what he was doing, and it was funny, until you ruined it.
How can anyone with the name of Stranczek pontificate concerning the English language.
In America they can obviously and bastardise the language at the same time.
“Stranczek” doesnt mean anything like “foreigner” or “stranger” in Polish. As a matter of fact it doesnt mean anything.
I think its rather Czech.
Yeah, they’re definitely missing the r in excretions.
LOL
Actually, the official language in the US is NOT English. There is no official language in the US, and for a reason. I think it’s sad that in so many countries people speak multiple languages but here in the US we complain even when others speak them.
yes, for example: working at taco bell
And has anyone considered the possibility that it was intentional?
Sorry I apologise… this is Ameriduh after all…
Jim, I believe you shouldn’t have been born at all, Jim. Get my drift, Jim?
Thanks, Jim.
damn dumb polack
Notice there’s no “P” on our sign; please keep it that way.
Actually Fred, Jim is right. Considering that English was the established language from English Colonies that started the United States. Remember thoughts original 13 colonies? They spoke English.
Who cares Americans like to change the spelling in English anyway. They took the u out of colour and think its correct not according to the rest of the English speaking world. Or is America the world? funny that……….. they speak their own language and expect others to follow (not any more we wont cant even follow your president)
@jim,
By your argument, shouldn’t you be writing in some Native American dialect? Or does integration apply only to people who came after you?
Old Native American curse: may an illegal Mexican bang your wife…
Jim;
Mexico isn’t the only country where Spanish is spoken.
We almost became a German-speaking country. You could look it up.
Also, whether British English or American English,
it’s=it is. Its (without the apostrophe) is the possessive form.
Am I wrong or when there is NO exception (or excretion) it do not need an “S”. Nobody seems to notice that.
To the ATM person: when I travel in Latin America, the ATMs there offer me the option of picking English, despite my being in a Spanish-speaking country. And when I traveled in Europe, I was always given English as an option, along with several other languages. It’s a courtesy the banks offer to people using their ATMs. They realize that not everyone all over the world speaks one language, and perhaps it’s a wise idea to offer mulitple languages, so that more than just racist douchebags can use their machines. Get out in the world, you xenophobe, and open your sad little mind a bit.
@Brian
On your first point you are exactly right. And that is what I’m saying. The 2nd generation of these immigrants will be fluent in English… this is actually happening at a faster rate than ever before (look up the story on good old Chester, he didn’t learn English till he was 8 despite being born in the US, showing that even his parents didn’t assimilate). The problem is the unrealistic expectation for an adult to suddenly become a native speaker of English. It’s not going to happen. You’d know that if you ever tried to learn a foreign language. On your 2nd point, that is merely a matter of capitalism. If you were willing to pay double for your Big Macs then they could afford to pay employees more.
@Hannah
Your argument holds no basis: why then didn’t these original settlers come here and start speaking native dialects?
…yes, yes - I know its *spelled* “raymond luxury yach-t” but it’s pronounced “mangrove p. throatwobbler”…
seriously though people, lighten up a bit. in the end, we will all be dead, and this argument won’t matter any more than who set the world record for autofellating themselves.
Heh, freakin’ hilarious.
Typography-wise, their spacing is off too.
In this day and age of easily photo-shopped pictures, I find it amazing that anyone would actually be so positive that this is real they wouldn’t even question it.
Not that I think the pic was photo-shopped, there’s no need. It’s a freaking SIGN, for heaven’s sake! You just remove the “P”, take your picture, and laugh at the idiots in Crestwood.
Of course, there’s always the danger that no one was pulling a fast one on anyone and that the sign is real. Either way, it’s depressing …
Blue
it’s a silent P like the P in swimming.
Interesting — according to this article, he himself is an immigrant from Poland who didn’t speak English until he was 8 years old:
http://www.readingonwaldenblog.com/2007/08/crestwood-mayor-chester-stranczek-said.html
Followup to what I just wrote: the article actually says he was born and raised in Crestwood, but didn’t speak any English until he was 8 years old.
I’m trying to figure out how that’s possible, unless he was kept with non-English-speakers until he was 8. I mean, kids pick up a language *very* quickly from their peers, even if their parents don’t speak it.
Thou shalt not start a sentence with “actually”.
Die in a fire.
HAHA. They left out the “y” in “your”! And, the anti-death penalty folks forgot both the “C” and the “U” in executions.
I’m not sure how learning Information Technology will really help me with either of these things, though.
Talk about a short, pithy town commentary board. Everybody gets a line, but only one. Which they can all screw up however they see fit. Now THAT is democracy.
I love how this turned out to be a battle against them versus us. When the first colonist came to America they where illegals them self in some sense. All the people who come to this country legally or not are not bad people. They want to enjoy life like we do every day. What makes us be the judge of who gets to enjoy the same freedoms as we do. Just because you were born in this country that doesn’t give you the right to hinder people from wanting a better life for them selfs. I am a war refuge and I came to this country legally and now I am a citizen of this country but not a lot of people from my country got the same opportunity. We didn’t want to come here and take your jobs or cause harm to the country. I love this country. I hate how people believe anything the media feeds them. There is a lot of other problem we should be worried about then illegal immigration. Maybe we should be discussing how all most half of Americans don’t have basic health insurance or what is going to happen with our social security fund in the future or how large corporation have so much say in our political system. Why are we out sourcing our high paying jobs to India or china? But we love to complain about how we are losing the jobs we think are beneath us. Oh and a small problem the Iraq war. We where lied to again and again on why were where there and now 5 years later we have nothing to show for it but a bill close to 2 trillion dollars and count less of innocent lives lost. With that 2 trillion we cold have solved all thous problem listed above. I don’t want to be labeled as anti-American because of what I said, that is not true I love this country and it people but I hate how a small group of people who have the power are destroying this country all in the name of greed.
please dont explaine the irony!! you are not smarter if you do.
Well, first of all– this sign was from a few years ago. It is not anything new. Second, I make my living speaking 2 languages (Polish and English). People who cannot speak English provide my lifesblood. I was raised in a bilingual household. HOWEVER– I do agree that someone who chooses to move to a new country ought to properly assimilate and learn the ways of that new country. That includes learning the ways and LANGUAGE of that new country. If I were to move to Norway, for example, and I wanted to establish a life for me and my family– I would need to learn Norwegian to be able to work and function.
are you telling me that I should not try to convey a message to people instead I should just laugh at them as you do.
here’s an idea: somebody send this photo to Alanis Morrisette - then the dumb cow might actually begin to understand what irony actually means!!
> where is “crestwood” ?
I thinking it’s really called Crepstwood now…
Actually, they left the “p” out in “exceptions”.
Actually, they left the “p” out in “exceptions.”
If people would obsess as much about stuff that that matters, we might not have total idiots running the government.
Hey has everybody forgot that it is just meant to be a funny sign. Why not have a laugh instead of argueing over a little missing letter. This has gone from a joke to an arguement over the English language to illegal immigrants. Damm man in Australia we have the same problems as every where else. You don’t see us complaining about everything. Just sit back and have a laugh instead. Not a bad joke but let us see who can better it. Let us all get our camera’s out and start clicking.
i’ll drink to that…lol
Ummm - hello?!?!? The person who said they left out the “r” in “Excretions” was making a joke - and a clever one at that! Come to think of it, the author of the sign is absolutely full of excretion!!
Amazing. What began as a cute photo of an unintended misspelling and an initial comment that was funnier than the photo degenerated into a flame war about illegal immigration and language chauvinism. Then of course there are the posters who attempt some sort of screed about improper English while simultaneously murdering the language themselves.
You folks need a puppy.
Hey snow, do you know why there are health care and social security problems? Could you think before you comment? Please?
all right now as I read my comment I understand people reaction to what I have said. I just bothers me to see this country going in the shitter and I guess I stumbled upon this site and made a comment on how I feel. whats wrong with that? I thought about what I said dawr and I still agree with what I have written.( and no I do not think the war made health care and social security the way it is today I think we could have used the money we spend on the war on something else maybe on health care and social security…) tell me what you think? I am curious to see how people across this country view this situation.
hahaha absolutely hilarious… just agreein… with my fellow aussie Adman, u guys r so seroius (yes i no i cant spell, but stuff u lol) who cares how things are spelt, or said, etc. it all comes down to the fact… AT LEAST WE CAN ACTUALLY TALK.. enjoy it while u can, none of u r mute so get over it!
Why don’t you people teach your immigrants English? It’s a lot of fun. Make friends with a foreigner. Invite them to your house. Give them the confidence to assimilate into your country. Don’t just say, “Learn blah blah blah.” Give them a reason - your friendship.
Has anyone noticed there’s a mistake in that sign above? English is actually OUR language.
The English lanuage is like the American Language maybe they spell excetions different to the way we Americans do.
i want to speak like an enlish country peoples especially american.. so for that what are all the necessary steps i have to do everyday.. is there any centres to help me to speak so in chennai..? if so please inform me…!
Well more fool the writer of the sign. Non-english speaking people are going to have no idea what that sign actually says…
That missing ‘p’ is beautiful though.
English believes that effective communication is important to a person’s growth and advancement. Expressing one’s thoughts and feelings through effective verbal communication builds our confidence and helps contribute to expanding our social reach.
kaak ‘3aba waak lil ‘3aba2 jahzeen lol
You people need a life.