LPGA says "Learn English or leave." Rough.

you know something, this is odd ... in general, business in America does not care what language one speaks, so long as one has green backs or makes green backs for a company or a sponsor... I do wonder if there is a xenophobic undercurrent to the argument... hell, whatever happened to first amendment rights in America... Freedom of speech...

most Western Europeans learn English as part of their education in the early grades, elementary, grammar school, and high school... thus speaking English far better than we do here in the US... if I lived in Korea or Japan, forget about learning english...I'd learn the language of the dominate economic power in the region... Chinese...

I think the LPGA is doing the right thing, I watch a lot of the LPGA Ladies Playing Golf and they now have a lot of asian's playing on the tour and most of them you can't understand or they won't give a interview, most of the Spanish Speaking Ladies know English, if they are here in America earning their pay checks, they should know English, Thank You, Ron Magruder

Being America we are an english speaking nation. It would be nice if all spoke english but not practical, how about using an interpreter if they can not speak and understand the language of the country they are playing. That would make more sense than eliminating the competition. Just a practical thought. If they are becoming an american citizen then they should be required to speak and write in english. We all need to remember our heritage and be a little nicer to others.

I understand what the LPGA is trying to do,but making players have to speak english is taking it a little far, maybe they should recommend everybody learn english, but not making it mandatory, or have the player provide and pay for an interpreter at their expense.
Personally I think eveybody in America should be made to learn and speak english, I shouldn't have to learn Spanish or any other language just to go shopping at Wal-mart.

Ok, if the LPGA is losing sponsers that is a sales and marketing issue. As far as getting endorsements, that is the job of the golfer's agents. The ladies' job is to hit the little white ball into the cup.With over 25% of the Tour from South Korea, a couple interpreters to handle interviews would sound alot less like elitist racism. If they are not intending to become citizens then no one should demand they speak english to their golf clubs.

I really dont see the problem here. If you come to work in the USA you should at least be able to speak the language of the country and last time i checked Americans spoke ENGLISH. Professional golfers are here working and should speak English.In fact if people are going to live here they should also be made to speak english. Imagine an emergency where serious medical help is needed and no one involved could speak english. What happens then?

This LPGA demand is just proof of how ignorant the USA is becoming. Our education system is decades behind the rest of the world. The Canadians, Asians and Europeans are far ahead of us by having the ability to speak not just their home language, but also several other languages. In comparison the USA has limited ability throughout the country to be able to clearly speak its own English language.
I travel all over the world and have been embarrassed that many of these outside countries can actually speak English better than we do.
What would happen if Canada, Europe, and Mexico decided that unless the Americans can speak the French, German, or Spanish of their homeland then we cannot complete.

So do you think that if Tiger Woods could not speak English, that this issue would have ever came up????

Feel free to contact me on this issue as I have a lot to say about it........

Capt Jeff.....I tip my hat to you...........as a frequent traveler to many countries, I am always amazed at how other people go out of their way to try to help when they know we only speak one language. Many times I have been involved with poor citizens of a country such as Vietnam, where a person making $40 a month doing work that no American citizen would ever do, and this person has the ability to speak in up to 5 different languages. They could easily get a job in the USA making millions as a corporate interpreter for the weak Americans that can barely understand our own language.

The directors of the LPGA should be required to go back to school to learn different languages............

Do you think that IBM, which has plants all over the world are making every employee in other countries speak English, as a requirement.........

If so, then China should only produce produce with instructions in Chinese, so we can see how it feels.......

Way to roll out the red carpet for the Koreans who are putting millions of revenue into the USA economy.........

When the USA basketball team was in the recent Olympics and crowds surrounded King James, Kobe, and others, do you think they cared that these guys could only speak English??? It apparently did not stop them from the continuation of purchasing shoes, shirts, and other items from their idols...........Should they not have been allowed to play in the Olympics because they could not speak Chinese.

Stop the ignorance and spend more to figure out how the USA can develop our school systems to the point where all kids (and adults) can communicate in several languages...........

So the LPGA is acting helpless against a small army of non-english speaking players. It amazes me that we are discussing what to do with a few hundred athletes (probably less) in the LPGA that do not have the ability to carry on a English conversation......but the USA could handle thousands of athletes from around the world for the Olympics in Atlanta a few years ago.

Instead of beating down on these skilled golfers, we should be embarrassed that we are the unfortunate ones that have all of the resources to exceed at anything and we can barely even speak our own language...................

We all have the freedom to speek how we want. That is what the first amendment was made up for. We need to keep what America stands for which is the freedom of choice. This is why we teach different languages in our schools.

Here's news.... English is the Universal Language. Congratulations to the LPGA. Even the government of China new they would be best identified if their Olympians had CHINA in English on their jerseys!

This isn't about exclusion you parinoid's, it's about communication. I'll bet not one player loses their slot on the LPGA. If this is taken to court... everyone loses.

Lord knows every player on the tour can afford a few English lessons...it would be nice to get to know all of the LPGA players better. I'm sure there are some wonderfull stories undiscovered.

Wesley

LPGA requiring lady golfers to speak English? I don't care if they cannot speak English. If they're playing pro golf they can afford to have an interpreter by their side 24 / 7 . That's the way it's always been done since the first caveman grunted. Just let them smile at the camera. If the reporter can't get the interview, let them make something up, or put humorous sub-titles at the bottom of the big screen. Since when does making big bucks in America require speaking American. That's totally un-American! Why not make the people who made the rule learn the Chinese alphabet.

Hi Robin.
I thought this was the land of a free.
What about if a LPGA player is an american mute that cannot speak, that means he's not allow to play, right?
Ed Munoz
Newton,NH

I hate to differ with Cnn's Rafer Weigel but the men's PGA is international and almost all of the players speak English. Look at the World Tennis Association, many of the top players are not American and they speak English. They give interviews which the sponsors like.

English is the international language and if the Korean LPGA ladies want to benefit from playing in this county they will need to learn the language of the land, which right now is English.

I wonder what would happen to CNN ratings and sponsorship, if my favorite news person, Robin Meade, spoke Korean on the Morning Express. ha ha

i think this is a good idea, but wha t is scary is that once the lpga gets away with this will they start making sanctions for whatever it takes to make money!

I totally agree that the players should be able to communicate with the players / sponsors in the pro-ams. Sooner or later, the sponsors will leave if they can't communicate with the players. Its a free market. If the sponsors leave, goodbye LPGA.

Unless the LPGA is restricted to players planning on becoming USA citizens, I don't see the point of forcing players to be proficient in English. Being from Chicago, I'm accustomed to minority players being largely ignored by the majority press (unless they're the top player(s)). I'm sure they'll continue to be ignored whether they learn English or not.

But if the media were smarter, they'd realize that Koreans and other groups have media outlets here for their folks. Marketing to a whole new bunch of people, who, by the way, might have a bigger interest in golf than the average American, would be a wonderful idea. The media would make more $$$ by "exploiting" a new audience (exploiting in a good way). That way they're including more people in the game, not fewer through arbitrary rule-making. (I don't even think that USA media even considers marketing to more than just the ever-shrinking white audience. When I was in Japan, I was amused to see golf-oriented anime (comic books).)

The big daily papers are losing readers and they're blaming everyone but themselves. They refuse to expand their visions while minority/ethnic papers are continually expanding. I think it's about time for all the USA media moguls to sit up and take notice.

I think that if you are a "professional" in a Sport eligible to earn multiple streams of million dollar incomes...ie. more than one Sponsor / endorsement etc., not available to the Amateur public or the "normal" Working Class in America, the LEAST you should be able to and indeed required to do is speak the Language! Are there any other Countries around the world that puts up with this? I commend the LPGA.... now if the Country would follow suit!!!!

Dear Robin,

With all due and utmost respect for non-English speaking countries and individuals...if a person comes to a predominantly English speaking country, such as the United States, he or she should not expect special treatment as a result. If myself, or any other English speaking person travels to France or Germany, for example, I don't have the right to demand or expect that they speak English on my behalf just to make me feel comfortable. The U.S. has debated for years as to whether or not to declare English our national language and to date have failed to do so.

Robin, I am a conservative but am a loyal fan of your program. But just how far are we as a nation going to take the idea of political correctness? If the LPGA, an American Institution, wishes to require its participants to speak English it is my opinion that they have every right to do so.

Thank you for your honest and fair reporting,

Dr. James Chambers

English should be the required language for anyone to remain in the USA.
Most disagreements come from miss understanding what someone said. This country is becoming more and more divided. We will become like Europe. Driving from England to Italy speaking 6 different languages. We can only get along together if we totaly understand each other.
A person comming here on a short term visit should not be required to speak english.

WOW! I cant believe the uproar about this new rule.. Did anyone pay attention to the olympics? Why did they do away with soft ball and other sports? Because they were TOO American!

The PGA is an American entity and should be treated with that respect. It should be a place where American players can rise to the top, not a place where we have to accomidate everyone else and leave our own out of the mix.

Yes people, this means learn the language and suck it up.

I am so happy with everything that Bill Wilson has posted on this issue. People who agree that players should be made to speak English would be outraged if they were made to learn another language if they were to be playing a sport in another country. It is just ignorance the ability to speak English does not help you hit a ball. Get a translator if you have a problem or just learn the language.

This is not about arrogance it is about survivial for the LPGA Tour. Golf tours are not run like other professional sports. The success of the tours is based on the fans, media and sponsors interacting with the players at a much more intimate level then other sports.

In simple “language”, the rule is stupid.

This is a sporting event, not am immigration venue.

I do not care what language he/she speaks. I want to know if they can play the sport.
Speaking English does not make any more or less of a player.

I think this is a great idea and I hope that other organizations will follow the LPGA’s lead, possibly causing the US government to finally make English the official language or our great country. English is spoken by more people in the world than any other language and learning it will not only improve the lives of those who do in the US but wherever they go around the world.

Fast forward to 2011. The first 15 spots on the leader board are comprised of Kim, Lee, Park, Jung, etc. Somewhere around the 24th position you see a loan American flag next to some +4 American girl who hasn't made a cut in 2 years. The tour is about sponsor money. Stop kidding yourself and cut thru all the liberal "feel good" garbage. If nobody watches, the sponsor money is wasted, therefore–no sponsors-no tour.
The gaggle of Korean players will have to find another tour that will support their lack of personality.....oh, that's right.....there is no other tour that can grant them a living hitting the white ball. End of Story.....grow up.