CrazyIvan 0 #1 September 23, 2003 ...Especially SWISS, I frequently send SMS messages to a dear friend in Switzerland thru this website and ALL OF THE SUDDEN they have DISCONTINUED the ENGLISH page, and now you have only the German, French or Italian versions. I wonder, what would happen if here in the USA we discontinued all the OTHER languages except ENGLISH of websites, that'd be BIG NEWS, riots, marches, protests etc. Am I over reacting? __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skreamer 1 #2 September 23, 2003 I think you should send an SMS to that website voicing your disapproval. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmcd308 0 #3 September 23, 2003 Do most US webpages have versions in other languages? ---------------------------------- www.jumpelvis.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #4 September 23, 2003 QuoteDo most US webpages have versions in other languages? Yes. All US webpages have versions in every other language. If they didn't there would be riots, marches, and protests. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #5 September 23, 2003 QuoteDo most US webpages have versions in other languages? An example is VERIZON's website (they have a SPANISH version) but that's beyond the point. The point here is they are (in my opinion) discriminating about a VAST number of english speaking people worldwide who might use this website and NO ONE WILL SAY SHIT, if this happened here in the States....forget it.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #6 September 23, 2003 Oddly, some people say Americans are Xenophobic. I can't possibly imagine why... _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #7 September 23, 2003 http://www.geobop.com/World/Facts/Languages/Languages/index.htmquade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,118 #8 September 23, 2003 >I wonder, what would happen if here in the USA we discontinued all > the OTHER languages except ENGLISH of websites, that'd be BIG > NEWS, riots, marches, protests etc. We don't DO websites in other languages. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #9 September 23, 2003 QuoteOddly, some people say Americans are Xenophobic. I can't possibly imagine why... I believe the U.S. is the most ethnically and religiously diverse country on the planet. I could be wrong here, but I seriously doubt it.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,118 #10 September 23, 2003 >The point here is they are (in my opinion) discriminating about a > VAST number of english speaking people worldwide who might use > this website and NO ONE WILL SAY SHIT, if this happened here in > the States....forget it. If we proposed that all road signs in California be done bilingually, there'd be massive protests - "If you live in the US, learn to speak English!" is a favorite saying here. 99% of all our signs, menus, websites, schoolbooks (outside foreign language classes) and newspapers are english only. Looks like the Europeans are following our lead. To (mis)quote someone else on a similar topic - "If you want to use the Swiss telephone system - learn the freakin language!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #11 September 23, 2003 Quote If we proposed that all road signs in California be done bilingually, there'd be massive protests . . . Conversely, most U.S. government documents -do- come in multiple languages. Geeze bill, you live in San Diego. I'm guessing that most of your street signs actually -are- in Spanish if you think about it. quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #12 September 23, 2003 We're out to get you CrazyIvan. our socialistic crummy paternalistic corrupt governments look at the US, overflowing with riches and with jealousy in their eyes, they plot to overtake the US. All Europeans are little devils in disguise. Today: remove English from a website: tomorrow, remove the Constitution in the US. Ze fourz reich ja? Eest sehr gut to be der Eropheehan, und not der Eeevhl Amreekhaner. You vil vait. Wir haben methoden für peoples likes you. Sierously though, sucks when it happens Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,118 #13 September 23, 2003 >Geeze bill, you live in San Diego. I'm guessing that most of your >street signs actually -are- in Spanish if you think about it. I have no idea what you're talking about. Camino Santa Fe, Rancho Mission Blvd, El Cajon Blvd, Agua Caliente way - no Spanish there! Seriously - I find it interesting, given that 27% of our population is Hispanic, that there is so little Spanish signage (skipping the things that were named for people and things, like streets.) You see Spanish on menus in the more authentic Mexican restaraunts, and Spanish ads, but not much in the way of bilingual public info. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #14 September 23, 2003 Please point out all the US based web sites that are in German, French, or Italian. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #15 September 23, 2003 Oh man, I gotta take some photos of the area around my house. Talk about cultural diversity! There are some areas that you'd swear you weren't even in the U.S..quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #16 September 23, 2003 Quote I believe the U.S. is the most ethnically and religiously diverse country on the planet. I could be wrong here, but I seriously doubt it. It depends on definitions. Toronto is generally regarded as the most culturally and ethnically diverse city. Canada has a much larger portion of its population as minorities then the US. Additionally, the minorities that exist in Canada exist as larger groups (percentage-wise) then in the US. The US probably has more groups then Canada, or anyone else solely based on its size. That said, I think the accusations of xenophobia are reinforced by the notion that with the exceptions of hispanics and blacks, the minorities are largely invisible. Take Chicago, you'd think it'd be a diverse city, but most of its ethnic neighbourhoods all look alike, even "greektown" and the "ukrainian village" is populated mostly by blacks and hispanics. You really can't understand how diverse Toronto is until you go there. It always strikes me as strange as seeing so many different kinds of people living togeather. Getting back on topic though, I'm reminded of the James Bond flick, "The Man with the Golden Gun", with the fat southern sherif running around Japan (actualy thailand), mouthing off to the police about how he's a man of the law, as they haul him away in handcuffs.... _Am__ You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #17 September 23, 2003 QuoteOh man, I gotta take some photos of the area around my house. Talk about cultural diversity! There are some areas that you'd swear you weren't even in the U.S.. And if our European plans have any success, soon you won't be. Our track record the last century isn't too good however, but one can hope. Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #18 September 23, 2003 The nerve of them to only support the 3 official languages of their contry....Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sssbc99 0 #19 September 23, 2003 Quote>Geeze bill, you live in San Diego. I'm guessing that most of your >street signs actually -are- in Spanish if you think about it. I have no idea what you're talking about. Camino Santa Fe, Rancho Mission Blvd, El Cajon Blvd, Agua Caliente way - no Spanish there! Seriously - I find it interesting, given that 27% of our population is Hispanic, that there is so little Spanish signage (skipping the things that were named for people and things, like streets.) You see Spanish on menus in the more authentic Mexican restaraunts, and Spanish ads, but not much in the way of bilingual public info. Public info? Are you kidding me? You ever watch channel 12...Telenoticias or Telemundo? I get messages in spanish when i try to make a cell phone call in Point Loma. You are in san diego, right? Edited to add: Not to be rude but that 27% does not include non-registered people, which makes up a larger number than most think. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #20 September 24, 2003 i have a very quick answere for ya... have your friend send ya a link to the page to type your message in and tel you wich botton to push..... or send me the link to the main page and my rudementary german could proble figure it out to ya......... p.s. switzerland does have 4 national langueges...... french, german, italian and swiss (this is just an old german variety) ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #21 September 24, 2003 QuoteThat said, I think the accusations of xenophobia are reinforced by the notion that with the exceptions of hispanics and blacks, the minorities are largely invisible. Please incorporate that in a letter to the NAACP, MeCHA, and any other lobby group that ensures a disproportionate amount of exposure to blacks, asians, latinos, gay/lesbian, ad infinitum in this country. There is no lack of visibility for minorities in the USA. Here in SoCal, I can completely relate to the diversity you speak of in Toronto.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueEyedMonster 0 #22 September 24, 2003 Zähe Scheiße! Sprechen sie Deutsch nicht? Well you can figure it out... and demanding that someone else speak English in their own non-English speaking country is like a French person visiting the US demanding you speak to them in French. With that analogy, Ivan, I believe you are completely out of line demanding that a Swiss company maintain an English website. Besides they were probably tracking the hitcount on the English page and found it was not worth the $$$ to maintain it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skytash 0 #23 September 24, 2003 Quotep.s. switzerland does have 4 national langueges...... french, german, italian and swiss (this is just an old german variety) My understanding was that the 4th language, Romansch is not related to any of the other three languages and varies quite distinctly by Kanton. Swiss German looks the same as German German just sounds very very different (can be mistaken for Dutch, even by those of us who speak it) which some people think is a different language from German. It isn't, it's just pronounced differently. Happy to stand corrected on my understanding of Romansch by a Swiss person here. tashDon't ever save anything for a special occasion. Being alive is a special occasion. Avril Sloe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miked10270 0 #24 September 24, 2003 QuoteWe're out to get you CrazyIvan. All Europeans are little devils in disguise. Today: remove English from a website: tomorrow, remove the Constitution in the US. Ze fourz reich ja? You vil vait. Wir haben methoden für peoples likes you. Hey VonSanta... Nichts fur ze meisterplans getellen!!!! Das ist sehr verboten! Dumpfentummelkopf. Mike Taking the piss out of the FrenchAmericans since before it was fashionable. Prenait la pisse hors du FrançaisCanadiens méridionaux puisqu'avant lui à la mode. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vonSanta 0 #25 September 24, 2003 Scheisse! Forgot vertellen das plan verboten was! Aber der Amreekhaner eine chance musst have! Only tellen that vee kommen will, but nicht wann! Nicht sprechen zum Gestapo, ja? Veel be a gut boy now. Horrido dem sieger! Death to der Amreekhaner peeghkdokks! Santa Von GrossenArsch I only come in one flavour ohwaitthatcanbemisunderst Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
