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I do not believe it is about offense, i can care less if someone is offended... im talking about lack on understanding/confusion on wording/phrasing in exams due to cultural differences. If it was only because of "being offended" i would mostly agree. Lots of what is said in those articles I am suspect of, but I will give a reason for why I could understand not using certain words. Also, I do not believe this is censorship because they are not telling others what they can and cant say, they are telling themselves what words they will avoid in order to make a more fair exam (at best, a weak version of self censorship).

I fail to see how the new york state board of reagents (or w/e organization makes the exams) deciding to make their exams more accessible to more people is a stepping stone to a authoritarian dictatorship where the government tells us how to name our children. This is a gross and inaccurate dramatization imo. My mother was actually not able to have the name her parents wanted to give her because she really lived in such a system. The name they wanted for her sounded too "jewish" to the authorities (even though they werent Jewish) so it wasnt allowed. The world they lived in, and the one we do... is completely and utterly different. We have a bill of rights.

lets put this in perspective. Many countries celebrate namedays like we do birthdays. If you were to make a question using the phrase "name day" in New York, many people might understandably get confused and unfairly put the wrong answer. i say unfairly because they might know the concepts that are "meant" to be tested on that question, but have difficulty understanding the medium or rather, the phrasing of the question. How does it hurt to replace "jessicas 11th birthday was" with "jessica turned 11 on?"


"if you live in a country, you need to adjust to their cultures/languages."

Actually no you dont need to, its not a requirement for citizenship. But it would be advantageous, and I would recommend it. There is nothing wrong with people choosing to follow some of their cultural norms (such as retaining a "name day" celebration). In fact I like the melding of cultures, that should be encouraged. The perspective of "speak english in 'merica!" is a very ignorant one for the reason that people are constantly immigrating (besides the obvious fact that America does not have an official language!). There will always be people still trying to learn english (and the "culture") and there will always be those to disparage them along the way, calling them "unamerican" for obviously not trying hard enough fast enough.

My parents have spoken english for over two decades now and they are still looked down on by those "types" of people because they have an accent and may not always have the best word immediately in mind. People feign they cannot understand them, when they very clearly do.

If someone with trouble speaking english asked you in a very grammatically incorrect, but understandable way, a question... would you respond with "learn 'merican, we live in 'merica" or would you do your best to answer them? Would you repeat your answer in a grammatically incorrect way in order to be understood by that person if necessary? I think you see my point. You would most likely adjust your speech so you are understood, and if you cant be bothered with such a task, I personally think you are a douchebag who needs to get out of their little town/state/country a little more often (directed at nobody in particular).

In the case where we are making an exam, we similarly want to make the phrasing accessible to all. I recall exams in early years where certain american concepts where difficult for me to grasp. One example that sticks out (not on an exam)... It was like 2nd grade and I asked my teacher to use the bathroom. She asked "is it an emergency?" I knew full well what an emergency was... I was not dying, nor was anyone in grave trouble... I just really really needed to pee. No, obviously me peeing is by no means of the imagination an emergency. "No, but I need to use the bathroom." "Than you can wait" was the response. Finally I "lied" (this was how I felt about it) and said it was an emergency. She scolded me but let me go. I was actually using the proper definition of the word, but there was a cultural difference that lead to confusion.

Should I have "adjusted" and not bitch about having trouble adjusting? Cant we make it easier for people TO actually adjust? Adjusting is a process and is not done by pure willpower, we can make that process easier on those we wish to take it upon themselves.

oh and lets not demonize "regulation" just because all the far right talking heads love doing it (they hate regulation til it comes to the health of a womans vagina). Regulation is an integral part of our Union, and has been from its inception. No regulation = Anarchy. We need a balance is all. (on a side note, im for a small government, but one that actually works for us).

No, you are absolutely wrong on this question. the USA HAS NEVER had an official language. NEVER. Look it up if you dont believe me, this is not a question of opinion, its a question of check-able facts. You can take your citizenship test in multiple languages as well. So no, you can live in america all of your life an never speak english. I have met such people actually, people who were born here but do not speak english. I think its sad but thats irrelevant, the fact remains it can and does happen because there is no official language. If you want to change the law than thats another matter, one I may be sympathetic to.

You may think people "SHOULD" learn the language of the land they move to, but in America, the "land of the free", it is NOT a requirement. 

As I already said, Im very much for immigrants learning english when they move here but to say we have an official language and that it is required to be learned is not at all true. Also learning a language takes some time, you cant expect people to just immediately know English. I also already said, that if this is just about "offense" then I think its more of a waste of time. And even if it is a waste of time and just silliness, its not abridging free speech nor is it take away ANY of our freedoms and/or rights. If you maintain it is taking away our rights, cite those rights. Which rights are being taken away from who and by who.

These are NOT politicians. So no, its not politicians trying to tell you what to do. There is an over sensitivity in this nation to stuff like this. When the first lady suggested people eat healthier we had people screaming "the gobernment cant tell ME what to eat!" Well it never was... just like here, there is nothing illegal nor dangerous going on. And I am a STAUNCH defender of our rights and freedoms.

This is in no way a free speech issue, whose speech is being hindered? This is just another example of a big uproar over bullshit imo. Id focus on actual instances of free speech being demolished such as the NYPD's (and other PD) actions against protesters. Thats actual free speech being suppressed and by force.

Every generation has been smug and thought the next generation are a bunch of pussies that will do nothing. Your parents were saying the same shit and so were their parents. I see it as arrogance to think the world will fall apart after your gone. It wont, life will go on and be even better. Its how it always is.