Can you speak English please ?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 11:51 am

A man In his 60's Is at a British airport...

After a discussion with an African Traffic Warden who Is mumbling at him In a mixture of strange language and English the man asks ' Where are you from, Nigeria?

The African man gets Irate and aggressively begins to shout and rant at the man again In unrecognisable language. The English man politely asks ' Can you speak English please ''?

The police are then called as the African Is getting aggressive....

The English man Is arrested .

He was charged and Is being prosecuted, under the (corrupt) Race Relations Act. He is due to appear in the Birkenhead Magistrates Court on the 21st of January, at 2pm.

Expect a massive turn out.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:07 pm

How accurate do you think this article is. The way it's presented paints a certain picture best viewed with with a good old BNP slant. I suspect "The Englishman" was less polite than is being attributed

Was it from this ?

About | Free Speech in Europe

The turn out you refer to would be from "interested parties" Yes ?

I expect an upsurge of Union flags in Birkenhead come the 21st

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:12 pm

I was reading this thinking a punch line would come at the end.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:14 pm

Although, that’s another thing. Multiculturalism destroys history. 100 years ago, all English schoolkids knew who Alfred the Great was. They knew what the Battle of Hastings was. They knew who Hereward the Wake was. Now, English schoolkids are being dumbed down and English history is being expunged from the curriculum, because it’s inconvenient to multiculturalism. Now kids are being taught a multicultural world history where the English are the bad guys. Think about it. If you want a people to welcome masses of foreigners into their country, the last thing you’d want to do is remind them that it was ever their country in the first place.

It would be funny of it wasn't so pathetic.

Alfred the great - King of the West SAXONS (not english) OK he was the first to style himself king of the anglo saxons.

Battle of hastings - that's the one where the anglo saxons were beaten and the english became the colonial subjects of the normans.

Hereward the wake - the Englishman who fought in vain against the Normans.

The English were invaders and conquerors not natives of britain.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:46 pm

Snowfire;1415038 wrote: How accurate do you think this article is. The way it's presented paints a certain picture best viewed with with a good old BNP slant. I suspect "The Englishman" was less polite than is being attributed

Was it from this ?

About | Free Speech in Europe

The turn out you refer to would be from "interested parties" Yes ?

I expect an upsurge of Union flags in Birkenhead come the 21sthttp://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s ... 4169,d.dmQ

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:52 pm

Snowfire;1415038 wrote: How accurate do you think this article is. The way it's presented paints a certain picture best viewed with with a good old BNP slant. I suspect "The Englishman" was less polite than is being attributed

Was it from this ?

About | Free Speech in Europe

The turn out you refer to would be from "interested parties" Yes ?

I expect an upsurge of Union flags in Birkenhead come the 21st

I'm going with a few others to the court and hope to hear more details then... what I do know Is the man Involved and he's not the shaven headed tattoo'd ****witt some will be quick to assume.... If he was then It wouldn't be so outrageous.

Týr · Post by **Týr** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:04 pm

The same insults were used between the wars in London's East End, if you change Nigerian to Yiddish.

What I enjoy so much about this ranting minority is how shrill it's got, how despised it's become and how utterly guaranteed it is to lose the argument in the long run. There's less of it about now than there was in the 80s. It'll be a historical footnote by the mid-century, much like English participation in the Slave Trade is already.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:05 pm

oscar;1415050 wrote: I'm going with a few others to the court and hope to hear more details then... what I do know Is the man Involved and he's not the shaven headed tattoo'd ****witt some will be quick to assume.... If he was then It wouldn't be so outrageous.

Well neither is Nick Grifffin but that doesnt stop him from being a racist

I'd like to see a balanced review of what might have happened rather than the ever so slanted BNP version. Sounds to me like a very convenient band wagon to jump onto

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:07 pm

Snowfire;1415061 wrote: Well neither is Nick Grifffin but that doesnt stop him from being a racist

I'd like to see a balanced review of what might have happened rather than the ever so slanted BNP version. Sounds to me like a very convenient band wagon to jump onto I'm In agreement with you....

Nick will use It of course he will just as the revolting Keith Vaz jumped all over the dead nurse case, and Nigel Farage jumped all over the foster parents case but I'm going out of support for the man himself not any party. If I hear both sides, I will post fairly.

What I'd like to see Is Mike plead not guilty so the African has to give evidence... that will be the best Indication to the Jury.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:13 pm

Týr;1415059 wrote: The same insults were used between the wars in London's East End, if you change Nigerian to Yiddish.

What I enjoy so much about this ranting minority is how shrill it's got, how despised it's become and how utterly guaranteed it is to lose the argument in the long run. There's less of it about now than there was in the 80s. It'll be a historical footnote by the mid-century, much like English participation in the Slave Trade is already.I was wondering about that. Is there a particular insult associated to being Nigerian? It's obvious what the first five letters of the word spells and I could imagine some racist ignoramus pronouncing it with the short "i" sound instead of the long. Is There something more to it?

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:13 pm

Problem is, the man is a traffic warden. He's not likely to glean much sympathy from the best of us

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:16 pm

Snowfire;1415065 wrote: Problem is, the man is a traffic warden. He's not likely to glean much sympathy from the best of usWhat's a traffic warden? A control freak type personality?

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:20 pm

I wonder if Canadians feel terribly insulted if they're mistaken for American.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:22 pm

SnoozeAgain;1415067 wrote: I wonder if Canadians feel terribly insulted if they're mistaken for American.

Far worse... an American being mistaken for a Canadian.

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:23 pm

Ahso!;1415066 wrote: What's a traffic warden? A control freak type personality?

Is this some kind of Freudian joke?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:30 pm

Here's a pic of the vicious, violent Englishman.... Maybe the police were right... he looks extremely dangerous doesn't he ?

For the purpose of over-sea's guests, that was an example of Irony, a concept mainly confined to the British Isles.

Attached files

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:36 pm

Ahso!;1415066 wrote: What's a traffic warden? A control freak type personality?

A parking attendant. Someone who issues parking violations if you miss the meter going over by 2 seconds. They hover round the corners waiting to pounce. They havent been taught the art of diplomacy, tact or proper public relations. Its a role taken on by a lot of migrants. Its a thankless job at the best of times and best done by people with little concience.

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:48 pm

oscar;1415073 wrote: Here's a pic of the vicious, violent Englishman.... Maybe the police were right... he looks extremely dangerous doesn't he ?

It's Alex Trebek!

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:50 pm

Snowfire;1415077 wrote: A parking attendant. Someone who issues parking violations if you miss the meter going over by 2 seconds. They hover round the corners waiting to pounce. They havent been taught the art of diplomacy, tact or proper public relations. Its a role taken on by a lot of migrants. Its a thankless job at the best of times and best done by people with little concience.Ah! Thanks!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:52 pm

Ahso!;1415082 wrote: Ah! Thanks! Can we stick to topic please?

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:53 pm

oscar;1415083 wrote: Can we stick to topic please?LOL! Thanking people for information is off topic?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:54 pm

SnoozeAgain;1415080 wrote: It's Alex Trebek!

:wah::wah::wah::wah:

What a brilliant defence ?/

It wasn't me your Honour It was Alex Trebek

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 1:54 pm

Ahso!;1415084 wrote: LOL! Thanking people for information is off topic? I find It politer than reporting posts...

Týr · Post by **Týr** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:00 pm

Shame that these things still happen... #StopRacismforever.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:06 pm

oscar;1415086 wrote: I find It politer than reporting posts...No, you should report my posts when they're contrary to the rules of the forum. I'd prefer it. But now that you've taken your own thread off course, perhaps you'd like to refocus?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:08 pm

I must be a racist then because after struggling for some time to understand what my BT advisor was telling me from Mumbai, I finally gave up and politely asked to be passed to a supervisor or someone who could speak better English or better still passed to a UK call centre.

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:09 pm

There's no mention in the rules about staying on topic.

ForumGarden - Forum Rules

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:11 pm

SnoozeAgain;1415091 wrote: There's no mention in the rules about staying on topic.

ForumGarden - Forum Rules

Whew!!! Thats a relief.

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:14 pm

YZGI;1415093 wrote: Whew!!! Thats a relief.

I know, you'd be in a world of hurt.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:16 pm

There a misconception that because you put a suit and tie on and smile at babies, that somehow that makes you saintly and above any irresponsible behaviour. I'm sure this man loves dogs and helps old ladies across the street. Unfortunately it doesnt stop people like this from sporting some appallingly racist attitudes.

Nick Griffin himself is good at portraying the well dressed baby hugging Mr ordinary but its a mask to hide some unsavoury ideology

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:18 pm

I'd be very interested in hearing what actually happened. I really don't understand why asking if someone is Nigerian is insulting.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:25 pm

SnoozeAgain;1415099 wrote: I'd be very interested in hearing what actually happened. I really don't understand why asking if someone is Nigerian is insulting. Or asking anyone In your own country If they can speak English If you can't understand them.

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:29 pm

Seriously, if I were visiting Italy and they asked if I could speak Italian, I wouldn't be offended. This story is wonky.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:34 pm

oscar;1415103 wrote: Or asking anyone In your own country If they can speak English If you can't understand them.

When put like that, sure. Its a legitimate problem. "Can't you speak f*****g English" aint an answer to a problem

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:36 pm

Snowfire;1415113 wrote: When put like that, sure. Its a legitimate problem. "Can't you speak f*****g English" aint an answer to a problem

If they couldn't speak english then they wouldn't even know what was said. If they understand that, then maybe they should have spoken more clearly.

Snooz · Post by **Snooz** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:42 pm

I've had to ask someone from Georgia (US) to repeat something since I couldn't understand their accent.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:42 pm

I'm wondering why it was assumed the guy was Nigerian. I might have said something like "where are you from?"

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:44 pm

Its a problem we face all the time. If not from Indian call centres, then from migrant workers. Its not about the ability to speak English, its about the strength of your accent. Nigerian and Ghanaians have quite strong distinctive accents even though their command of the language is excellent. Its the accent that seems to set of the "offended" button with some people

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:51 pm

Snowfire;1415125 wrote: Its a problem we face all the time. If not from Indian call centres, then from migrant workers. Its not about the ability to speak English, its about the strength of your accent. Nigerian and Ghanaians have quite strong distinctive accents even though their command of the language is excellent. Its the accent that seems to set of the "offended" button with some peopleI see. Th...oops!

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:54 pm

SnoozeAgain;1415123 wrote: I've had to ask someone from Georgia (US) to repeat something since I couldn't understand their accent. I've have had occasion to ask my neighbour what he's talking about... then he's just weird.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:54 pm

If he is indeed Nigerian, then his command of the English language would be excellent. English is the official language of Nigeria.

I'm not sure however where the assumption of him being Nigerian began

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:01 pm

Is it an insult to other African cultures to be labeled Nigerian I wonder. I 'd think that the police questioned witnesses and came away with the idea that the white guy appeared to be racist.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:04 pm

There Is an aspect to this case that most don't like speaking of for fear of being labelled racist.

The problem In this country Is we have seen millions of migrants settle In this country and we've all seen the latest headlines, I'm sure where new measures have been proposed to cap the Immigrants who refuse to learn our language.

It's all too little too late as we have already have Immigrants who can not speak a word of English but get by In their own ethnic communities.

The because of PC, they are sent for manual jobs where little English Is needed making It difficult not only for us but for them.

The problem with The Equality laws and Racial Hatred laws, are they can be abused simply when a non British person Is offended.

If from what we know here, the airport worker was British and the debate got aggressive, then the police use the public order act section 4 or section 5 depending on If offensive language was used.

When the argument Involves an Immigrant, It's par for the course to assume the White English man Is the aggressor..

Often the race card Is played merely because the person the Immigrant happens to be engaged with Is white British and when their behaviour Is called Into question.

If this was a spat between two English men, I doubt that the police would have taken any notice.... playing the race card Is called ' Bait Racism' and the last I saw, there were proposals to have It made law the same as any other racism In this country.

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:06 pm

Ahso!;1415063 wrote: I was wondering about that. Is there a particular insult associated to being Nigerian? It's obvious what the first five letters of the word spells and I could imagine some racist ignoramus pronouncing it with the short "i" sound instead of the long. Is There something more to it?

I'd like to correct that, please. With one 'g', it is a soft sound. With two 'g's' it is the hard sound used. Like Niger Innis, of CORE. His father would not have named him n-word Innis.

Thank you.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:10 pm

Can't see what It matters.... I often get asked If I'm Greek.... I don't throw a hissy fit and call the police... I'm just naturally beautiful and awesome and I have to live with It.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:12 pm

There are 2O guests currently viewing this thread..... If It's the BNP... good, I hope Mike gets massive support at court.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:12 pm

Snowfire;1415130 wrote: If he is indeed Nigerian, then his command of the English language would be excellent. English is the official language of Nigeria.

I'm not sure however where the assumption of him being Nigerian began

The same for Ghana. Not the language but the West African accent

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:14 pm

In my neighborhood there are very few native born Americans. Almost everyone has an accent & too many can't speak or understand. My own doctor who has been here for decades has an accent so thick she has an aide for translating. Doesn't call him or her that of course. The thing I realized is I grew up in this neighborhood & at least all the grandparents had accents, many parents too. It didn't annoy me back then as my understanding of the accent must have been better. There are schools & courses for this & I wish the immigrants would take more advantage. It's hard to learn a language or lose an accent as an adult & the older you are the harder it is. For a government job I think that should be part of the training. It would foster understanding, literally.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:16 pm

Snowfire;1415136 wrote: The same for Ghana. Not the language but the West African accent There are 270 nationalities living In the UK and 300 different languages being spoken.... Is any court seriously going to suggest that any Englishman should be able to recognise every one of them? And worse... If he gets It wrong he should be arrested?

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:22 pm

oscar;1415138 wrote: There are 270 nationalities living In the UK and 300 different languages being spoken.... Is any court seriously going to suggest that any Englishman should be able to recognise every one of them? And worse... If he gets It wrong he should be arrested?

I think I've covered all aspects of my opinion in previous posts. We don't know for sure what happened. I'm just not convinced that because he is well groomed and wears a tie, he must by decree, not be racist. They come in all shapes, sizes and smells