Bbc News Today

[tamaris]

BBC news today five English councils told to adopt integration plans. When I lived in Spain I started learning the language a year before I went there. I think this money would be better served on the NHS. Just saying.

[bhg481]

I must say that I agree with you, tamaris. Providing information in dozens of languages does nothing to promote integration.
Having said that, I am very conscious that I visit countries where I cannot speak the language but these are only short-term visits, so I still feel there is a need to have translation facilities available for, say, police etc.

[naomi24]

It's not aimed solely at language.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-43395310

[bhg481]

Naomi - quite right but language is the starting point. Without it the rest is difficult.

[tamaris]

I know that Naomi but that's where it begins

[naomi24]

Indeed, but a willingness to integrate helps and I think that is what is being encouraged. Whether it works or not remains to be seen. I have my doubts.

[bhg481]

I think that learning the language is a good indication that you have a wish to integrate.

[naomi24]

tamaris, perhaps you do know that but I posted a link so that everyone else knows that too.

[tamaris]

I have my doubts too

[tamaris]

Thanks Naomi for the link. I had it in front of me but I am on a new device and didn't know how to copy and paste x

[naomi24]

bhg, //I think that learning the language is a good indication that you have a wish to integrate. //

That begs the question why is such a scheme necessary?

[naomi24]

tamaris, no problem. :o)

[bhg481]

The scheme is necessary because people are not integrating by choice, so need to be persuaded to integrate (you can't MAKE them integrate). The best way to remove racism is to remove tribal groups.

[naomi24]

bhg, //The scheme is necessary because people are not integrating by choice//

Precisely - and there's the rub.

[Gromit]

These five places are not integrating properly because they do not speak English. There is a curtural, traditional and religious divide that is separating them.
I am not sure tnrowing money at the problem will work, specially as it has arised over many decades.

[bhg481]

I was amused by my brother-in-law, who spent most of his life living within a dozen miles of Blackburn (one of the named towns). He bleated on about the lack of integration and then he went to live in Spain for several years, without learning the language, in an enclave of British families. He's back in England now and still complains about the lack of integration in Blackburn. He can't see the irony.

[tamaris]

In my own experience of living in a none English speaking community, I wanted to live with the Spanish people and not the ex pats I really wanted to integrate with them and all that entailed. I had never learnt another language and I was no spring chicken. I now help others with Spanish language and love it so old thing came out of my experiences.

[tamaris]

Lol at bhg comment

[tamaris]

So good things,,,,,correction

[ummmm]

I think it's natural for people to stick with their own type. It's hostility that's the problem.

[tamaris]

Don't agree ummmmm I didn't want to stick with my own type.