Is it ok for ethnic restaurant menus to be in another language?

[BurnItDwn]

It is OK for most things to be in any language.
Some things probably should also be translated to the local language or at least some sort of linga franca to improve intelligibility.

 

[Paperdoc]

If you want to order food specialties from other cultures and countries that have created their own names for unique dishes, then learn what the names are! You want the local restaurant to re-name them in English? (Even the name of that language is an "import" for residents of the United States of America!) Think of how you would provide short easy names for
Chow Mein
Egg Foo Yung
Moo Goo Guy Pan
Strudel
Bundt cake
Frankfurter
Mojakka
Pizza
Falafel
Marzipan
Wiener Schnitzel
Goulash
Taco
Burrito
Empenada

The list goes on ....

I once ordered Steak Tartare, then had to change when the waiter volunteered to explain what that was. I learned something, and he saved me from a problem.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Not OK
Glad you asked!

 

[lxskllr]

I think they should default to a neutral language that's equally comfortable for everyone; like Klingon.

 

[rommelrommel]

What a piece of shit, if you don’t like the way they do business either leave or explain your objection to a manager in a civilized way and then leave. Don’t rant like a crazy person and threaten the staff.

 

[Iron Woode]

If you want to order food specialties from other cultures and countries that have created their own names for unique dishes, then learn what the names are! You want the local restaurant to re-name them in English? (Even the name of that language is an "import" for residents of the United States of America!) Think of how you would provide short easy names for
Chow Mein
Egg Foo Yung
Moo Goo Guy Pan
Strudel
Bundt cake
Frankfurter
Mojakka
Pizza
Falafel
Marzipan
Wiener Schnitzel
Goulash
Taco
Burrito
Empenada

The list goes on ....

I once ordered Steak Tartare, then had to change when the waiter volunteered to explain what that was. I learned something, and he saved me from a problem.

LOL

Pizza and frankfurter? really? Pizza is pizza and frankfurter is a hot dog/wiener/frank/whatever.



PS:

 

[JujuFish]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_United_States

Cliff notes: The United States has never had an official language at the federal level.
Gripe with a wikipedia link if you like, there are plenty of other sources that will say the same thing.

I came in here to say this.

 

[Chaotic42]

I think they should default to a neutral language that's equally comfortable for everyone; like Klingon.

Ithkuil

http://www.ithkuil.net/texts.html

 

[UglyCasanova]

I love restaurants not in English, I just point to something and I’m rarely disappointed.

 

[Newbian]

I love restaurants not in English, I just point to something and I’m rarely disappointed.

Does that include pointing at the hot waitress?

 

[someone16]

Somehow it's a problem for when a Mexican/Chinese restaurant but not when it's a French/Italian restaurant.

 

[pmv]

While there's a case that anyone providing goods and services should offer information in the common langauge of the country, I'm inclined to accept restaurants are an exception. The fact is, people really value 'authenticity' in such things. And they are hardly an 'essential' service, like a pharmacy, say.

Also, if it's a language that uses the latin alphabet, how hard can it be to work out from just general knowledge what something is likely to be? And if you get it wrong - you get to try something new you wouldn't normally choose!

Edit - having clicked on the original link, I think the guy involved may have 'issues'. I'm torn between thinking 'God, what a racist moron' and feeling sorry for the guy having such difficulty coping with the world as it is.

 

[Paperdoc]

"Pizza and frankfurter? really? Pizza is pizza and frankfurter is a hot dog/wiener/frank/whatever."

My point re these items is that we ALREADY HAVE adopted those "foreign language" names and they are used so widely that we don't care any more.

 

[Iron Woode]

"Pizza and frankfurter? really? Pizza is pizza and frankfurter is a hot dog/wiener/frank/whatever."

My point re these items is that we ALREADY HAVE adopted those "foreign language" names and they are used so widely that we don't care any more.

yeah, but how many people call a hot dog a frankfurter?

 

[GoodRevrnd]

The real crime is Chinese restaurants that don't have the actual Chinese food on the English menu.

 

[JEDIYoda]

https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/03/26/taco-tirade-man-goes-on-rant-at-mexican-restaurant/

Living in southern california, i come across foreign language menus more than other places i assume. Often times i'll have a friend that can read the other language. At Chinese restaurants, the entire specials chalkboard is written entirely in chinese characters. If i'm not with native speakers, I just ask a server and chalk it up as part of the ambiance.

short answer-- YES!! Its OK!!

 

[BurnItDwn]

yeah, but how many people call a hot dog a frankfurter?

How about "bratwurst" as a better and also similar example.

 

[Iron Woode]

How about "bratwurst" as a better and also similar example.

I hear everyone calling them "brats".

It doesn't matter much to me, though.