Why do you think the Egyptians have signs in English?

[JackRiddler]

They are not saying, "Oh please don't interfere and let us make our own decision!"

They have already made their decision!

Now they want the country that has been interfering in their affairs all along to back that decision.

It's time for the US government to stop coming up with reasons why Mubarak can stick around for a few more months. It's time to stop trying to keep his regime under a new face -- a CIA man and minister of torture -- to oversee a "transition." That's the real road to "chaos." The US owes the Egyptian people a strong statement of support for their revolution, a call for Mubarak's immediate exit and the resignation of that government.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. To show teabaggers that foreigners can spell better than them?

:shrug:

[Poboy]

7. This is actually a glaring, unintended fact that just slaps you in the face.

Pathetic little teabaggers.

[JI7]

2. i don't think that's unusual for places where the British use to rule

[RainDog]

3. English is the language of the world - just as French was when it was the dominant power

and, in order to communicate with people around the world, people have traditionally used the language of the dominant power to do so.

[JoePhilly]

4. Because almost all of the Western media speaks English and is

to lazy to translate your signs from another language.

If you want your sign to appear on the Western media, you put it in English.

[Tx4obama]

5. I want Murbarak to leave now, but there IS a very good reason for him to stay longer

If Mubarak resigns/leaves then the VP will become temporary president BUT as per their constitution the VP can only hold that position for 60 days.
As per their constitution within 60 days an election must be held.
And here's the catch --> as their constitution currently states: the only candidates that can run are those that are nominated by established/recognized parties, therein lies the problem - the parties are not in place. It will take a few months for a few parties to form/organize so that all the people that want to run can be nominated.

[JackRiddler]

14. All this should be as moot as UK law was to the United States after 1776.

Egypt is headed for a constituent assembly and a new constitution not written by a dictatorship.

[Dokkie]

26. wrong

the speaker of the house takes over leadership of the country if the President resigns

[Tx4obama]

28. That is NOT what they said on CNN last night when they were talking about the constitution

They said that the Speaker of the Parliament would take over from the VP when the VP's 60 days were over.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. To make sure the American puppet can read them

!!

[Matariki]

8. English has pretty much become a global language, due to the internet.

Did you know that English is the official language of the EU?

[leveymg]

9. I particularly like the FUCK MUBARAK graffiti spray-painted on tanks in English

Now, there's a message that's nearly universally understood.

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/.a/6a00d83451c45669e20148c8345fe9970c-550wi

[Uzybone]

10. What nonsense

they have signs in English because English is a very common language there. This ignorant Americanism is getting too much.

[JackRiddler]

12. The "ignorant Americanism" would be to back Mubarak/Suleiman as a "transition."

Talk about strawmen. Of course English is common there, and in most places nowadays (more people in China speak it than there are Americans).

That's still not the reason why the signs are in English. They're in English to communicate with the outside world, specifically the West, most definitely and in particular the United States, the imperial sponsor of the Mubarak regime.

This thread is about the argument that Obama should continue doing the wrong thing and helping to extend the life of the dictatorship because Egyptians "don't want US deciding for them." It doesn't wash. They have decided, and they want the US to back their decision.

[KharmaTrain]

11. ESL...English As A Second Language...

For 100 years there was heavy British influence in Egypt (they ran the Suez Canal)...and English became the language of the Egyptian elite. It also became the language of commerce. After the British power waned, American influence grew and knowing English was a big advantage in those who wanted to move up and cash in for the past 40 years. English is taught in many schools and is seen on television shows and movies.

While I agree that many of the signs written in English were due to the international media and the large US presence, but it also is reflective of the British influence on the country.

[JackRiddler]

13. Thanks for missing the point...

What, do you think people are using the opportunity of signmaking to practice their English?

They want to speak to the world, especially the Americans -- including you, if you're willing to listen.

[KharmaTrain]

16. You're Welcome...

Since you know it all then why ask the question? :rofl:

Nice projection work...I know of an AMC that could use someone like you.

Peace...

[JackRiddler]

17. So are you willing to listen or not? I'm guessing no.

They're in English to speak to you, me, and the rest of the world, but especially Americans and their government. And they're not saying, "Oh please help us keep Mubarak and/or the CIA torture man for another eight months so we can have an orderly transition."

Your continued insistence on missing the point should teach me a lesson about using rhetorical questions (which, like irony, seem to go lost on many).

[formercia]

25. I agree with you

Since few 'Westerners" speak Arabic, it would be natural for the revolutionaries to use English to try and get their point to us. It's also good to know that they know we're watching.

[emsimon33]

21. I agree and if you want an international audience,

not just Americans, to read your message, then write in English. I returned a couple of weeks ago from traveling in London (not sure that the Brits actually speak English as I often have no idea what they are saying, but I can read what they write despite some "misspellings"), Zurich, Istanbul and parts of Turkey, Cyprus, and Cairo. Everyone spoke English, and while many apologized for "speaking poor English," I found that I could easily understand and be understood. However, other than Zurich (Switzerland), all the other countries did, at one time, have a strong British presence.

My point is that the signs may not have been so much for a U.S. audience as for a world audience.

[David__77]

15. Many speak English. It was, of course, a British colony.

And the people know that the West is watching.

[emsimon33]

18. When I was in Cairo a few weeks ago

(for the first time, in fact), I was struck by the fact that everyone I met spoke English. Now, I didn't stop by the City of the Dead and talk with the homeless living there in the graves of the dead, so my perception of the % of Cairo citizens who speak passable and even excellent English may be skewed. However, I can say that I was asked to pay in U.S. dollars and that is becoming increasingly rare!

[Cleita]

19. I'm going to assume it's a direct message to us and

the English. I once had Egyptian refugee friends back in the early sixties and their preferred Western language was French.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

20. Because lots of the young people are educated and multilingual?

Like the Germans who didn't need Obama's speech there translated?

[JI7]

23. yup, it's only America where there seems to be strong opposition to learning

other languages and wanting to make English only.

[xchrom]

22. Recommend

[Uncle Joe]

24. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, JackRiddler.

[JVS]

27. Even the 1979 revolution had English signs for their protests.

All it tells us is that they wish to address the international audience. Whether it means they want outside input or not is unclear.

[Uncle Joe]

29. Logic dictates they don't want U.S. or international support for the abusive government,

they're protesting against.

The signs in English facilitate that message.

[JVS]

31. Generally people don't want support for what they protest.

But that still does not necessarily mean they want us to get involved on their behalf.

[Uncle Joe]

32. Insofar as we've been propping up the Mubarak regime, they want our support by not doing it anymore.

That would De Facto be support for their cause.

[JackRiddler]

35. Figure it out already: "We" (the US) ARE involved... AGAINST them, and for the regime.

They most definitely want that to change.

[Catherina]

30. Strong rec n/t

[Codeine]

33. Because they understand that the whole world is watching

and that English is the global language at this time.

It's not a way to get a special message out to the US, it's a way to communicate to everyone across the planet.

[Uncle Joe]

34. I agree with you to a point but if the U.S. is the greatest national financial contributor to the

Mubarak Regime keeping them afloat, I would imagine we hold a special place in their thoughts, when they craft those messages.

To be honest I'm not certain if we're the largest financial contributor to Egypt but I imagine we're near the top if not at the top.