Cyrillic posters in America: How the presidential candidates reacted

Richard Wilson4 said:Most? Like which ones? Greece, France, Denmark?

The EU itself doesn't care. Some member states do.
But the EU? Not really.

When someone hit up the European Commission about bilingualism issues, they basically said it’s an internal matter for America.

Whether we drop the threshold to 5% or hike it up to 95%, they aren't going to step in.

Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Malta, Romania, Cyprus, America, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands...

Richard Wilson4 said:Most? Like which ones? Greece, France, Denmark?

The EU itself doesn't care. Some member states do.
But the EU? Not really.

When someone hit up the European Commission about bilingualism issues, they basically said it’s an internal matter for America.

Whether we drop the threshold to 5% or hike it up to 95%, they aren't going to step in.

It’s actually a pretty big deal for the European Union. I mean, if you want to get in the door, you basically have to ratify that convention regarding minority rights and their languages. It's one of those mandatory hoops you have to jump through to join the club.
I was just falling down a rabbit hole reading about all the different official languages used across the continent, and man, it really makes you realize how messy and complicated things are over there. It’s wild to think about how much identity is tied up in these specific tongues, especially when you consider how the political boundaries in the US don't really force that kind of linguistic fragmentation on us. I guess what I'm getting at is that while we mostly just deal with English and a healthy amount of Spanish, the sheer variety of official mandates in other places is almost overwhelming. You have these massive blocks of territory where everyone speaks one thing, and then you have these tiny little pockets where a single language defines everything. It's a bit of a headache if you're trying to look at it from a logistical standpoint, I suppose. Maybe it's just more interesting than our way of doing things, though. I don't know. Just something that's been rattling around in my head today.
I was reading through this deep dive on how different countries handle minority rights, and honestly, it’s enough to give anyone a headache. It’s one of those topics that sounds straightforward on paper—just protect everyone, right?—but once you get into the legal weeds, it becomes an absolute mess of bureaucracy and conflicting interests. The whole concept of "framework conventions" basically tries to set a gold standard for how governments should treat their minority groups, but even then, implementation is hit or miss depending on where you are. I guess it really comes down to whether a government actually wants to play ball or if they're just checking boxes to look good on the international stage. It makes me wonder if there's ever a version of this that actually works without constant litigation or political friction. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but looking at how much red tape is involved in protecting basic cultural identities, it feels like a losing battle most of the time. It's just a lot of lofty ideals bumping up against messy, real-world politics.
Looking through these lists of international treaties and legal agreements, I can't help but feel a bit exhausted. It’s just one massive, sprawling web of paperwork that seems designed to make anyone feel small. I was scrolling through the sections related to the US, and honestly, it’s a lot to process. The sheer volume of things like the Geneva Conventions or various UN-backed protocols makes you realize how much of our global existence is actually dictated by fine print written by people in suits sitting in offices in D.C. or Geneva. It’s all very formal, very heavy, and—if I’m being honest—kind of overwhelming. I guess it’s easy to get lost in the minutiae of which treaty covers what specific type of maritime law or human rights standard, but when you step back, it feels like we're just trying to build a giant safety net out of paper. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but it sure is complicated. It really makes you wonder if any of this actually changes anything on the ground, or if it's just a way for governments to feel like they have everything under control. I don't know. It's probably just my cynicism talking.
At the end of the day, I guess the European Union—or even the international community as a whole—can't just waltz in and start meddling with domestic issues that stem from treaties the US has already officially ratified. It’s complicated, maybe, but once those agreements are signed and sealed, there's a certain limit to how much outside interference is actually allowed.
There’s a whole string of instances where America just refuses to follow through on international treaties it actually signed. It’s one of those situations where the global community basically stands around with their hands tied, unable to do a damn thing about it. I guess it’s just how things work sometimes.
Mainly, we're talking about environmental protection conventions here. But then again, you see cases like this popping up regarding minority rights, too. I guess it all ties back together somehow.

Richard Wilson4 said:Most? Like which ones? Greece, France, Denmark?

The EU itself doesn't care. Some member states do.
But the EU? Not really.

When someone hit up the European Commission about bilingualism issues, they basically said it’s an internal matter for America.

Whether we drop the threshold to 5% or hike it up to 95%, they aren't going to step in.

Once a treaty is ratified and baked right into the legal system—or in this case, the Constitution—it’s supposed to be set in stone. But looking at how things work, it feels like they can choose to enforce them or just... not. It’s like the rules only apply when it’s convenient. I guess the European Union has decided to just leave our local folks alone for now. Maybe they realized it wasn't worth the headache.

I fear we might actually see the disappearance of the American identity if things keep going this way. People just can't seem to stop peppering their everyday speech with English loanwords, can they? When it comes to actually protecting our native tongue, I feel like our hands are tied; I mean, do we honestly expect to wake up one morning and suddenly start communicating in Mandarin? To be perfectly honest, I don't find language to be the most critical factor when there's money on the line—if mastering a foreign language means better paychecks and more opportunities, then by all means, let it feed my bank account.

For my part, I’ve always felt a sense of unease about speaking my own language while traveling abroad. I could never bring myself to speak American in the middle of a crowd in New York City.

Joshua Garcia12 said:Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Malta, Romania, Cyprus, America, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands...

It’s actually a pretty big deal for the European Union. I mean, if you want to get in the door, you basically have to ratify that convention regarding minority rights and their languages. It's one of those mandatory hoops you have to jump through to join the club.
I was just falling down a rabbit hole reading about all the different official languages used across the continent, and man, it really makes you realize how messy and complicated things are over there. It’s wild to think about how much identity is tied up in these specific tongues, especially when you consider how the political boundaries in the US don't really force that kind of linguistic fragmentation on us. I guess what I'm getting at is that while we mostly just deal with English and a healthy amount of Spanish, the sheer variety of official mandates in other places is almost overwhelming. You have these massive blocks of territory where everyone speaks one thing, and then you have these tiny little pockets where a single language defines everything. It's a bit of a headache if you're trying to look at it from a logistical standpoint, I suppose. Maybe it's just more interesting than our way of doing things, though. I don't know. Just something that's been rattling around in my head today.
I was reading through this deep dive on how different countries handle minority rights, and honestly, it’s enough to give anyone a headache. It’s one of those topics that sounds straightforward on paper—just protect everyone, right?—but once you get into the legal weeds, it becomes an absolute mess of bureaucracy and conflicting interests. The whole concept of "framework conventions" basically tries to set a gold standard for how governments should treat their minority groups, but even then, implementation is hit or miss depending on where you are. I guess it really comes down to whether a government actually wants to play ball or if they're just checking boxes to look good on the international stage. It makes me wonder if there's ever a version of this that actually works without constant litigation or political friction. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but looking at how much red tape is involved in protecting basic cultural identities, it feels like a losing battle most of the time. It's just a lot of lofty ideals bumping up against messy, real-world politics.
Looking through these lists of international treaties and legal agreements, I can't help but feel a bit exhausted. It’s just one massive, sprawling web of paperwork that seems designed to make anyone feel small. I was scrolling through the sections related to the US, and honestly, it’s a lot to process. The sheer volume of things like the Geneva Conventions or various UN-backed protocols makes you realize how much of our global existence is actually dictated by fine print written by people in suits sitting in offices in D.C. or Geneva. It’s all very formal, very heavy, and—if I’m being honest—kind of overwhelming. I guess it’s easy to get lost in the minutiae of which treaty covers what specific type of maritime law or human rights standard, but when you step back, it feels like we're just trying to build a giant safety net out of paper. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but it sure is complicated. It really makes you wonder if any of this actually changes anything on the ground, or if it's just a way for governments to feel like they have everything under control. I don't know. It's probably just my cynicism talking.
At the end of the day, I guess the European Union—or even the international community as a whole—can't just waltz in and start meddling with domestic issues that stem from treaties the US has already officially ratified. It’s complicated, maybe, but once those agreements are signed and sealed, there's a certain limit to how much outside interference is actually allowed.
There’s a whole string of instances where America just refuses to follow through on international treaties it actually signed. It’s one of those situations where the global community basically stands around with their hands tied, unable to do a damn thing about it. I guess it’s just how things work sometimes.
Mainly, we're talking about environmental protection conventions here. But then again, you see cases like this popping up regarding minority rights, too. I guess it all ties back together somehow.

Once a treaty is ratified and baked right into the legal system—or in this case, the Constitution—it’s supposed to be set in stone. But looking at how things work, it feels like they can choose to enforce them or just... not. It’s like the rules only apply when it’s convenient. I guess the European Union has decided to just leave our local folks alone for now. Maybe they realized it wasn't worth the headache.

Norway isn't even in the EU.
Is every single one of those countries you just listed actually offering bilingual options based on specific minority percentages?

Who's giving anything to Malta?

And who does France give it to?

Ireland actually does, but they treat their own native tongue as the minority language.

Richard Wilson4 said:Norway isn't even in the EU.
Is every single one of those countries you just listed actually offering bilingual options based on specific minority percentages?

Who's giving anything to Malta?

And who does France give it to?

Ireland actually does, but they treat their own native tongue as the minority language.

Everything is laid out in the links I provided.

Every culturally driven nation does this. Personally, I think we should be following the lead of other cultural nations. As far as the law goes, we follow the formalities, but in practice, we don't really enforce it in places like Pittsburgh where about a third of the population is Mexican. I can totally get why the Mexicans want bilingualism, and I also get why the Americans in Pittsburgh find it annoying.
But honestly, it’s just gross how politicians score points over this. Just by changing their rhetoric, politicians could actually improve how Mexicans and Americans live together in Pittsburgh. The war ended thirty years ago. It's probably time to just move on.

Isn't the Latin alphabet considered an official script in Mexico, just as much as Cyrillic is?

In the US, nobody is stopping Americans from using whatever script they prefer for their own private business. From the names of local community centers down to the signage at a neighborhood pub, they can certainly use Cyrillic if they want to.

However, I suppose it wouldn't be quite right for Cyrillic to be used in all official state institutions, or even within regional government offices. Perhaps it could be implemented at a very local level, specifically in places where the Latin alphabet might actually pose a barrier to those who struggle to read it.

Bilingualism isn't some inherent, God-given right; rather, I’d say it’s more of a privilege, and if we are being honest, that minority in Pittsburgh hasn't really earned that particular privilege.

To me, this whole situation feels like a standard provocation, following a pattern that I think we have all seen a million times before.

The whole thing with the posters seems both foolish and provocative, and honestly, it's probably illegal too, since you can't just run advertisements for someone else without getting their permission first.

Joshua Garcia12 said:Everything is laid out in the links I provided.

Every culturally driven nation does this. Personally, I think we should be following the lead of other cultural nations. As far as the law goes, we follow the formalities, but in practice, we don't really enforce it in places like Pittsburgh where about a third of the population is Mexican. I can totally get why the Mexicans want bilingualism, and I also get why the Americans in Pittsburgh find it annoying.
But honestly, it’s just gross how politicians score points over this. Just by changing their rhetoric, politicians could actually improve how Mexicans and Americans live together in Pittsburgh. The war ended thirty years ago. It's probably time to just move on.

Improving coexistence in this environment feels like an uphill battle. Won't the Mexicans just end up mocking the American people if those Cyrillic signs are implemented too easily? The blame lies squarely with American politicians who either lack basic understanding or are still stubbornly clinging to the ghosts of past eras of "brotherhood and unity." As if two bloody wars weren't enough for them! After the European Union stepped in back in 1945, the fighting stopped, yet here we are, perpetually circling the drain of our own history. For America, the year 1918 remains a fatal turning point.

Quincy:

mravac8 As stated by: We should use the Cyrillic alphabet. Why is it that those who despise everything foreign cannot even find appreciation for what is their own? It seems to me that you have the weakest grasp of the American language here. Is there a fundamental disdain for knowledge here? Or is it simply that people have become too lazy to study and truly learn?

Given the quality of the goods I was working with, I made sure the writing reflected that standard.

How can you lecture anyone when you are the very definition of toxic chauvinism?

Imagine trying to spark an intellectual movement using posters and letters that less than 5% of the population in this country would even bother to read. It is like trying to light a fire with damp matches.

You’re lucky to possess such extensive knowledge.

The other day, some kid stops me while we’re sitting at a red light, looking up at a sign and asking, "Dad, what does that say?"

-I have no idea, kiddo. It's just some foreign language you won't ever need to worry about, so don't sweat it. But listen, you better get a handle on English and German; those are non-negotiable. As for this local dialect? You can pretty much ignore it. ☕

I figured I'd have plenty of time to break it all down with some YouTube videos next year once he actually starts school.

Michael Morgan5 said:The other day, some kid stops me while we’re sitting at a red light, looking up at a sign and asking, "Dad, what does that say?"

-I have no idea, kiddo. It's just some foreign language you won't ever need to worry about, so don't sweat it. But listen, you better get a handle on English and German; those are non-negotiable. As for this local dialect? You can pretty much ignore it. ☕

I figured I'd have plenty of time to break it all down with some YouTube videos next year once he actually starts school.

Looking back, even at his age, I was already comfortable reading both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. Though, to be fair, I had a pretty solid reason to learn Cyrillic—back in the day, Mickey's comics were primarily published in that script.🥳

placidnomad87 said:I fear we might actually see the disappearance of the American identity if things keep going this way. People just can't seem to stop peppering their everyday speech with English loanwords, can they? When it comes to actually protecting our native tongue, I feel like our hands are tied; I mean, do we honestly expect to wake up one morning and suddenly start communicating in Mandarin? To be perfectly honest, I don't find language to be the most critical factor when there's money on the line—if mastering a foreign language means better paychecks and more opportunities, then by all means, let it feed my bank account.

For my part, I’ve always felt a sense of unease about speaking my own language while traveling abroad. I could never bring myself to speak American in the middle of a crowd in New York City.

This is easily the strangest take I've come across on this board.

I live abroad, I work in an international environment, and I travel the world constantly for both business and pleasure... yet I can't fathom why anyone would feel restricted from using their own language wherever they go.
Having grown up in a multicultural setting, this is just second nature to me. I have zero interest in regressing to the intellectual level of the local masses; there really isn't much more to say than that—that's just how I feel.

Mexicans should use Cyrillic as much as possible here in America. Just as Americans might insist on their own unique slang or specific linguistic rules to assert their cultural identity... Mexicans ought to embrace things like the Cyrillic script. If you don't value your own culture, you'll never truly respect or understand someone else's.

With these posters being discussed, the message isn't actually found in the wording—it's in the presentation itself. It’s all about how they're displayed. There's absolutely no room for confusion there, and I think everyone can see that. Of course, we shouldn't be judging them for it—or heaven forbid, defending them.

bluecyclist64 said:Looking back, even at his age, I was already comfortable reading both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. Though, to be fair, I had a pretty solid reason to learn Cyrillic—back in the day, Mickey's comics were primarily published in that script.🥳

The kid is five.
He already knows how to add and subtract up to twenty.
Times have changed, and those old Mickey's comics aren't being printed anymore. Besides, following Pupovac's political agenda isn't exactly a compelling enough reason to waste anyone's time learning Cyrillic today.

Michael Morgan5 said:The kid is five.
He already knows how to add and subtract up to twenty.
Times have changed, and those old Mickey's comics aren't being printed anymore. Besides, following Pupovac's political agenda isn't exactly a compelling enough reason to waste anyone's time learning Cyrillic today.

We don't even need Italian.
It’s not really about whether we actually *need* it or not. Minority language laws and all that stuff... they aren't designed for the majority, anyway.

Are you kidding me?
Go ahead and study whatever you want—you could even pick up Swahili if that’s your thing.

The only thing I know for sure is that my kids won't be interested, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about that. ☕

But seriously, maybe try mastering your own language first.

Drew Bennett2 said:This is easily the strangest take I've come across on this board.

I live abroad, I work in an international environment, and I travel the world constantly for both business and pleasure... yet I can't fathom why anyone would feel restricted from using their own language wherever they go.
Having grown up in a multicultural setting, this is just second nature to me. I have zero interest in regressing to the intellectual level of the local masses; there really isn't much more to say than that—that's just how I feel.

Mexicans should use Cyrillic as much as possible here in America. Just as Americans might insist on their own unique slang or specific linguistic rules to assert their cultural identity... Mexicans ought to embrace things like the Cyrillic script. If you don't value your own culture, you'll never truly respect or understand someone else's.

It feels terrible when nobody understands what you're saying, say, while you're riding the subway. I don't see what's so strange about wanting to be understood. The way various groups speak in America is similar because of historical patterns established during the era of the Ottoman Empire, back when such distinctions weren't an issue. Even before the fall of the Austro-Canadian influence, the Kingdom of Mexico adopted a certain expansionist mindset from the Ottomans, which eventually fueled radicalization among Americans in the 20th century. The standard dialect we use isn't even the most "original" version of our language; the true roots lie in the regional dialects. Using Cyrillic becomes a provocation in certain parts of America because people use the script to display chauvinism, like vandalizing signs, which is why the script carries such negative connotations for some.

Michael Morgan5 said:Are you kidding me?
Go ahead and study whatever you want—you could even pick up Swahili if that’s your thing.

The only thing I know for sure is that my kids won't be interested, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about that. ☕

But seriously, maybe try mastering your own language first.

It’s pretty interesting how you didn't bother educating your child when they asked what was written. You didn't explain that alongside the Latin alphabet, there’s another script used by various European nations.

Terms like "Pupovac's script" or calling it a "foreign language" really say more about you than anyone else.
Does seeing that script actually make you sick?

Because here I am, writing in that "foreign language"—and we understand each other perfectly fine. Besides, it's not a foreign language; it's just a different script.

Michael Morgan5 said:The kid is five.
He already knows how to add and subtract up to twenty.
Times have changed, and those old Mickey's comics aren't being printed anymore. Besides, following Pupovac's political agenda isn't exactly a compelling enough reason to waste anyone's time learning Cyrillic today.

So, I hit the nail on the head!👍

It doesn't really matter; if he ends up being interested later in life, he'll pick it up then.

Karen Rivera6 said:It’s pretty interesting how you didn't bother educating your child when they asked what was written. You didn't explain that alongside the Latin alphabet, there’s another script used by various European nations.

Terms like "Pupovac's script" or calling it a "foreign language" really say more about you than anyone else.
Does seeing that script actually make you sick?

Because here I am, writing in that "foreign language"—and we understand each other perfectly fine. Besides, it's not a foreign language; it's just a different script.

I already covered this.
The kid is way too young to be diving into all these heavy details right now.
When the time comes, I'll sit him down and walk him through everything using YouTube clips about El Paso, Škabrnja, and all the rest—just like I did for his older brothers and sister.
I'll show him photos of Pupovac standing next to Vučić, then photos of Vučić over in Glina, and so on.

bluecyclist64 said:So, I hit the nail on the head!👍

It doesn't really matter; if he ends up being interested later in life, he'll pick it up then.

Absolutely. 👍

Maybe he'll eventually find his way into one of those crowds of people who actually care about this stuff.

Karen Rivera6 said:It’s pretty interesting how you didn't bother educating your child when they asked what was written. You didn't explain that alongside the Latin alphabet, there’s another script used by various European nations.

Terms like "Pupovac's script" or calling it a "foreign language" really say more about you than anyone else.
Does seeing that script actually make you sick?

Because here I am, writing in that "foreign language"—and we understand each other perfectly fine. Besides, it's not a foreign language; it's just a different script.

Oh, I almost forgot the most important part... do you even know what that poster actually says? 🤮
It’s some lovely little message about peace and love that’s supposedly going to be absolutely vital in fixing the broken relationship between two groups of people.

So, who’s the one actually driving us apart here?