Speak English? Just wondering...

[emsplace]

Let me make a few points up front:

a) I wish I was bi-lingual. Actually, I'd love to speak English, French & Spanish.
b) I absolutely admire those who come to America looking for a better way of life like our ancestors all did at one point.
c) I am NOT a racist... I am in an inter-racial marraige and am open-minded.

But - I do not get why people come here and insist I speak Spanish (or insert any other language here). For instance, I am starting to interview and get responses back from my resume. Do you know that I have not been considered several times because I am not Bi-lingual either in Spanish or Vietnamese?

I get the need - especially when people first come here. They have to have a learning curve. It is bad enough that so many illegals of any nationality have RIGHTS here in America that we would NEVER get in their countries... In my opinion. I don't mind if they come and go through the right process. But why do we say "oh ok, we'll all learn to speak Spanish, Vietnamese or whatever?"

I am NOT trying to start any sort of argument. I would LOVE to understand it all. And to the extent that you could shed light, point me to a great article... or anything, I'd love it.

Em

[Audrey]

Em,

I live in CA. We give drivers licenses to illegals. We go their homes and collect their votes. So I"m not the one to talk to about this LOL.

[Nancy]

Em,

I am like you, come to this country legally, learn to speak our language (just as we would have to do in your native country),  get a job to pay your way, and become a citizen before you vote.

It isn't fair for the people who are waiting to get into our country legally, nor is it fair to the people who came here through legal channels.  It isn't fair for the person who was born here and is trying to find a job only to have it given to an illegal who will work for a much lower wage. 

My grandfather immigrated here from Ireland in the early 1900's through legal channels.  He lost his wife and infant son on the way over and buried them at sea, however he made a life and became a citizen, and was proud to become one. 

And if you break our laws and get caught..don't complain when you are shipped back to your own country.  We should not have to put these people in our prisions then pay for their room and board for years to come.  It isn't fair to us.

As you can see I have very strong opinions on the illegal issue.  I realize some are coming here to escape intolerable situations back in their own countries, but there are channels.  I know of no other country that puts up with as much as we do as far as illegals go.  Does anyone?

I want to pick up a phone for customer service and be able to understand what the person on the other end is saying, without having to learn their language.  Is that too much to ask? 

I am sure I have stepped on a few toes, but these are my feelings.

[emsplace]

I agree with you Nancy...
Be proud to be part of us. Keep your language and your heritage, but learn ours.
It's frustrating.
In a few towns in Texas they want the right to NOT rent Apartments to Illegals and they want folks to speak English. You'd think WE were doing something wrong.
UGH

[michellesamom]

I agree that people should speak the native language. So when are you going to learn Apache?

[Mom2ConnorRyan]

I do not mind when people come to our coutry because I understand there are some countries that are terrible in human rights, wars,etc.  BUT if someone is to come to our country do legally and learn our language.  I agree if you are illegal and commit a crime you should be shipped back to your home country.  If i was to go to another country and live it would make sense I would learn the language and do it legally.  IT is sad because illegal immigrants here at times get rights that some legally born person might not get.  We studied this in a geography class I had last Semester in college and there are actual illegals getting health insurance,welfare benefits,etc because they steal people's social security cards and pass them off as their own.  Sad!

[emsplace]

Apaches were not the only tribe here way back when.  There were 179 Native American tribes in NY State alone - lots had different dialects... So... it would be impossible back then, as there were so many... In fact, if you look here: http://www.nativeamericans.com/IndianNationsA-Z.htm and http://www.nativeamericans.com/NativeAmericanLanguages.htm which states there were THOUSANDS of Native American languages... no way we should have been expected to know them all.

However, fast forward all these years, our language in America is ENGLISH! Do Candadians speak Indian? There are lots of tribes who originated from there as well!

lol

[michellesamom]

As far as I know, the United States does not have an official language (legally). But, since 30 million people speak Spanish (almost the entire population of Canada) it might be a good idea to recognize that it is an important language in your country as well. (The Apache thing was actually a Steve Martin joke from back in the day...).
And yes, I am Canadian where we have two official languages English and French. In addition to that, in provinces where the populations exist, aboriginals have the right to have documents in their language as well, for example, Inuktitut is one of the three official languages in Nunavut.
I don't know what jobs you are specifically applying for, or where you are located, but there are many jobs here that are not available to people who don't speak French. I don't see how that's a problem. Also, the French were here (and in the US) before the English speakers, and the Spanish were there first too...
It is ethnocentric at best and yes, racist at worst to assume that "it's my country, they should speak my language". Why is it an "us" versus "them" issue? Immigrants have a very difficult time as it is. If there are companies out there looking to make it easier for the people who immigrate, how is that a problem?
What happened to "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free"?

[Danielle]

I am by no means Racists. Matter of fact, one of my daugthers best friends is a African American, and she has spend the night at our house several times. BUT, I agree with you all, you can come to our country, no problem, but does that mean that i have to learn a language in my own country, that is  not of mine orgin NO, I should not!!

[emsplace]

English is the official language in our schools, and in our country... For hundreds of years immigrants have learned to speak English.
Half the hispanic population here are illegal, so they have no say in our country unless they go through proper channels.  I am all for immigrating here - the right way. And, being proud of BEING AMERICAN!  But these folks come here and insist we have to do things their way. It's a real problem here, and unless you live here, in America - espcially in states that border Mexico where it is a huge problem.. you may not understand.

Also - Muslim folks don't come here asking us to speak Farsi (sp) or Arabic. They learn English! Russian Immigrants -- and I have friends in this group of immigrants - come  here and learn English.  So do the Chinese, Japanese and lots of others.

It is one thing to come here, be a good part of our society, become legal, pay taxes, work, and contribute... but so many of them don't! And on top of that, they want us to speak Spanish?  What's next?

Anyway... it is very frustrating to me.  I am glad that some of you understand.
Thanks...
Emily

[Nancy]

Em, I appreciate your comments very much and I don't live on the southern borders.  I live on the northern. 

Canadians have a unique history unlike ours.  Yes you have the English language, but the French language as well.  Mainly because both the French and English settled your country.  Yes the natives can have their own languages, and that is a wonderful thing to retain. 

Now in our country the Native Americans do have their own written language, although it was a long time coming back to them and it is a part of our history we should be ashamed of.  In some parts of our country Spanish is spoken as a second language in the communities.

Our country was founded mainly by the English, therefore the English language if not written into law is our language. 

When someone from another country imigrates to either of our countries, it is all right for them to keep their heritage and language, but it is not all right for them to insist we speak their language.

We are a nation of imigrants, that is how we started, but we are Americans first, Irish, Mexican, Spanish, Muslim, Russian whatever second.

All we ask is that you come to this country legally, obey our laws, become citizens, and vote legally.  Just because you are here illegally does not mean you are entitled to Social Security, Welfare, Health Benefits, or a job.  It is not your right.  It is an American right!

Believe it or not as a child my formative years were in San Antonio, Texas.  My father had a job there at the Gazette, I think it was.  My first language was Spanish, because my mother had a housekeeper who spoke only Spanish and I was just leaning to talk, so I spoke both.  To this day I regret not retaining that knowledge.   I would like to see Spanish, French, and some others taught in our schools, starting in Kindergarten.  After all it is a global economy, and children have to learn how to deal with others.

[emsplace]

Nancy.
I too wish I'd retained the French & Spanish I knew back in school.
I can understand Spanish, but can't speak it... odd huh?

Anyway...
I am far from racist given I'm in an interacial marraige, I would think that would be obvious... but I am also hardworking (well I wish I was) and long for PRIDE in America amongst ALL Americans and ALL PEOPLE WHO WISH TO BECOME AMERICAN!

Em

[FickleMinded]

i think i just got lucky that my home country , english is part of our school curriculum and I learn it since first grade,my english are not at it's best and my grammar sucks! but i think i have a lifetime to learn and so far I'm getting a good feedback from some people that I talk too that I have a good command in english and they do appreciate the effort as well,when I went back to the Phils, both of my boys are english speaking,but after a year of staying there,they learn my native language and now they are bilingual,and my first grader now here in Canada have a french subject.