Why are people concerned with immigrants learning English?

Thomas from Miisk

commonalities create a strong community. Language differences divide

It is about cost to the country as a whole, it is about leveling the economic playing field and opening the doors of opportunity.

It would not be necessary to mandate it and it should not be as long as we continue to cater to non-English speakers.

If we didn't give driving test and citizenship tests in foreign languages. and so on it would be a necessity for those who want to participate fully in what the country offers and all would be well.

Those who didn't care to participate fully wouldn't learn English and as long as they didn't cry about not being able to participate I am fine with that.

The problem as always is the government compromising on principles that make the country weak.

USMC WIFE

It's a slap in the face when someone comes from another country and REFUSES to learn the language of the country they "want" to be a part of. It's another slap in the face when, not only will they not learn my language, but now I am forced to learn theirs to have better chances of getting a job IN MY OWN COUNTRY. It's just wrong. They need to learn english now, just like everyone else who immigrated to this country did.

Micky

English is our language and i'm sick of people expecting me to know their language to communicate with them in my own country. Speak English or get out!

lyllyan

How can one expect to follow driving rules and everyday safety instructions if one cannot read the language?

smellyfoot â„¢

How do you expect an immigrant to be a successful, contributing citizen without knowing the language of the people around them? It is not up to American citizens to learn the dozens of languages of immigrants that come to our country. If I moved to Italy, I would see it as my responsibility to learn Italian. It is the same for people who come here.

youarewrongbobisright

So that EVERY form that the government prints (at taxpayer expense) doesn't have to be printed in 2 or more languages.

So that every time we call a company we don't have to press one for English.

So that every time a cop tells someone to stop or drop their weapon, they don't sue us for not saying it in THEIR language.

So that every LEGAL citizen knows whats going on in their country.

So that people who are good citizens from other countries assimilate.

Being bilingual is great - its an OPTION that shouldn't be forced upon US by people who want to move here.

monsoon05

First, let me start by saying I favor immigration. However, I feel strongly that mastering the language of ANY country is absolutely essential to putting oneself into a position of financial /job stability. I think it should be required.

On the subject of learning other languages, I believe a second language should be required for all high school students in the U.S.

netexpro

I think the concern here is that increasingly there is no option to learn Spanish. Spanish has been thrust upon the general and majority population of English Speakers recently. I think people are frustrated with government agencies and businesses that are now forced to hire Spanish speakers because of the massive occupation of latino illegal immigrants. Or, try ordering more towels at a hotel in English, and all you get is a shrug of the "no hablo ingles." It is frustrating to be in your native country and be bombarded with a FOREIGN language. Yes, speaking a multiplicity of languages does increase one's intellect... but again, maybe Americans might want to have a CHOICE first.

burdawg

People who come here ILLEGALLY then refuse to learn to speak English are mucho stupido.
That's ok it will make them easier to spot when we start target practice.

Petey

i love the first answer...speaking mexican

open thoughts

1. English SHOULD be our language.
2. It should be my choice if I want to learn another lanugage so the people who want to dictate a second language in school can kiss my @ss!
3. I am sick of our govt. having to print everything in two languages, and other ways of appeasing those who come to this country.

Simply put...if you visit another country who cares if you speak the language, but if you move there, LEARN THE LANGUAGE!

Impossible Brutality

Because immigrants had to learn English from 1776 until recently and had no problem doing so.

don jose

Because as a *nation* there needs to be a common method of communication. How else could you participate in government? How else could you conduct commerce? How else could you get an education? How else could you live in an county if you didn't know the language?

ray c

I hope they dont learn english because its part of the process to become a citizen. No speeka englees no gitto stey. Deport illegals!

bmcurrent

Most know english, and talk in thier native tounges to talk bad about people and it irritates the heck out of them. That is the one issue. The other issue is that in any other country you would have to know thier language to speak to them or they will ignor you or treat you like crap because you do not know thier language.....What is good for the goose is good for the gander....If we have to know their language, then they have to know ours.

Opoohwan

Wait. So what you are saying is "why make immigrants learn the English, Just make Americans learn Spanish." does this go along with "Don't deport the people crossing the border illegally, just let them cut in front of those doing it the right way." and "Don't fine the employers that hire illegals and drive the wage down, Just let them come over and cover the rest of the cost of living by taxes."

Anything else you want US to do to so they can break the law more conveniently?

This country is about a mixing pot. MIX...Not water and oil...mix...assimilate. If you want to speak your language and live your culture, and not immerse yourself...stay in your own country.

mikea_va

I know the benefits of knowing another language. That is not the issue here. Immigrants learning English is the issue. If I went to Germany, they would expect me to learn German. If I went to France, they would expect me to learn French, etc. etc.

Also, millions of other immigrants came to the US and learned to speak English, became US Citizens and adapted to the American way of life!! Why can't illegal immigrants understand that?????????????????

gmc

I am a bilingual, chinese-american and english is my first language. while i do think it's awesome that there is so much diversity in the US, English is the primary language in this country, and those who wish to live here, NEED to learn the language. If i were to move to France for example, i would have to learn french.
Here in Los Angeles, it is a huge melting pot of different ethnicities, but for those refusing to learn english, why be part of the melting pot if you don't want to melt?

It'sMe23

English is the language of this country! If you don't want to learn it, go back where you came from! If I moved to Mexico, I'd have to learn spanish!

If these people want to be able to get the social services they need so badly, it would make life so much easier for them if they CAN speak English. There are so many immigrants from so many different parts of the world, you can't realistically expect that everybody staffing those agencies will be able to speak all the different languages for all the people that come to their little window. And if they want to get a decent job, they need to be able to speak to their potential employers or customers.
I do think ordinary Americans should learn other languages.The world is much 'smaller' than it was a scant 50 years ago. And we run across people every day who speak different languages, whether it is on our ground, or theirs. It would be nice to be able to speak to them politely.

Sherilynne B

IF they only speak mexican they aren't bilingual dumb ****

parrisrose

I do think people should be able to speak whatever language they want in their homes and even on the streets, but they should also be required to learn English. O.K. maybe not required, as some people are old or set in their ways and others just have a hard time. However, I hope never to see a law that declares that learning English is an option.

Language has to unify a country. Otherwise it will become fragmented. I'm all for English evolving and fusing and for people to continue to speak what they wish when they wish.

However, not making English at least implicitly mandatory is a horrible idea. People are creatures of habit and for the most part won't change if they find they don't have to in order to survive. Being bilingual is great, but just as most Americans aren't willing to learn Spanish most Hispanics will not be willing to learn English if they find they can get away with it.

Since over ten percent of the population's native tongue is Spanish they can get away with not learning it. However, this is only if they stick together in one big lump. If English isn't mandated by law there is not much promoting assimilation or even immersion and certainly not dispersion. In fact, I think, it would just create fewer but denser areas of Spanish speaking people.

Meaning: it would most likely lead to enclaves. How is this bad? Look at Quebec in Canada, which has tried to sucede several times. There are also huge pockets of Turks in Germany, who continue to follow Muslim law (stoning unfaithful women etc.) despite the fact that they are in Europe.

IMO, this is not in immigrants favor. Civil strife does not equal a better life. Plus, American ideals and possibly laws will be thrown by the wayside in favor of the familiar. Is the familar bad? Not necessarily.

Nevertheless, if you're going to go to another country you should have to abide by that country's code of ethics and communication. Why? Oftentimes doing what you are used to rather than following the laws of the country you are occupying can be dangerous. (What!!! You mean I can't drive on the right side of the Road in the U.K.? But, that's what I'm used to afterall. Driving on the left deprives me of my American heritage. Now I probably wouldn't attempt this because I know if I did I would get killed in two second flat (much like immigrants who are on their own and not surrounded by a community of people from their home country must and will learn english faster.) But if I had a thousand or so other people (re:enclave) following me doing the same thing it wouldn't be nearly as dangerous. Other people would have to begin making way for me. This is true imposition. The U.S. asking for immigrants to learn English is not.)

Plus, if people aren't made to learn English this leaves the older generation dependent upon their children who even if they speak English well will not be able to move away. Furthermore, how will opportunity be provided to these immigrants if they are only surrounded by people just like themselves.

Also, you know their children would have to be educated by Spanish speaking teachers since said children would not be exposed to English nearly as much as Spanish. This means teachers would have to learn Spanish possibly at taxpayers expense. Really I think it's about as inane as having teachers in California learn ebonics because in certain cities it is the dialect of the majority. Communication is important. What happens if the products of these environments move away from the area where Spanish is spoken. They are left ineffectual in society.

In other words, it could severely stunt upward mobility.

Furthermore how would they communicate with emergency operators and policeman? How would they be able to testify in court? Credible interpretors are available, but if I accidently have my leg cut off I know I'd like to be able to tell the person on the other end of the line what is wrong and how to get to me ASAP. It seems like not learning English would paralyze immigrants in many ways.

On the other end of the spectrum, if you say "Sure, speak whatever language you want, forget about English." you are kind of opening Pandora's box/ sitting on top of a slippery slope. The larger groups of minorities will stop speaking English and then the Government will have to alter signs etc etc for these groups and eventually the smaller groups of minority immigrants will sue over the fact that they can't press 17 for Albanian.

Furthermore, If you look at Hitler's justification behind conquering Czechoslovakia and Russia in WWII it was because these countries had a German speaking majority who had immigrated to their outskirts. If Mexico, or even extremist Mexican malcontents, decided they wanted take back Texas their rationale would surely be along the same lines.

Language barriers lead to the creation of geographical barriers (even within a single nation) and military strife follows close behind.

I'm sorry, but resentment is the best outcome I have seen with similar scenarios. I know you were probably thinking more along the lines of a bilingual utopia. However, I think history proves achieving such a balance is more than a stretch. Diversity is beautiful, but fragmentation is not

Cranky

I lived in a foreign country for a while. When I was there I lived in the Community. I found that I could not get what I wanted and needed without the basic qualification of knowing the language.

Communication is basic in life. We learn it from the moment we are born when we cry. From then on, it's either learn to speak the language or perish.

There are a great many societies within societies here in the United States. That is, there are many communities that internally speak a different language, whether it be Spanish, Italian, Latvian, or any other. The elders in the community speak only that language, they haven't bothered to learn English. The children learn to speak English and they are responsible for the maintenance of the community because they do speak English and, therefore, know how to maintain the community.

Here's an example of non-English speaking business: The Chinese are rapidly buying up rental properties in this country. They buy, and then when maintenance is needed on the property, the tenants cannot communicate the needs for repair. It's like talking to a brick wall when trying to communicate the needs. Then, maybe, they will get someone to translate for them, and possibly, get the maintenance done. No guarantees.

Communication....it's the only way to get things done. It's not necessary to speak other than your own language for the country you are living in, unless you go elsewhere, and then, it is imperative to learn that language so that you can take care of yourself.

When I lived overseas, even though that country is bi-lingual and English is taught as a second language from the time they are small children, the adults would not speak to you in English, it was like you did not exist, even though they understood perfectly what you needed when you asked. I had to learn the language or perish. Simple as that!

volleyballchick

It would. If you could determine the "other" language that was going to be here for everyone to learn. Do you know how many different dialects of "Spanish" there are? And I am willing to bet we have most all of them living here illegally.

If an American goes to another country, they are expected to communicate with the citizens of that country in their native language. It is arrogant to feel it fine to come here and expect US to adapt to their inadequacies. I might be more willing if they were in this country legally, but since they are here ILLEGALLY, why do we have to accommodate them?

By the way - that bilingual thing is a two way street. They could learn another language and be smarter, too. And since they are already here illegally, why don't they make an attempt for their presence to be a little bit easier to take.

elbote72

They are the ones wanting to emigrate - let them accommodate.
I'm tired of walking down the street and nobody greets each other (or at the most, a nod) because the other doesn't speak your language or share anything of your culture. This country needs to remain unified, at least in language, to remain strong.

porters1stdad

you just answered you own question. lol

FORZAAZZURRI06

I am bilingual, I speak English and Italian...Most of the people I encounter DO NOT SPEAK english at all, nor do they read it...and why should they have to??????, there is 8 bazillion stores that cater to spanish speaking people and if thy have to call anyone (i.e. the phone company, gas company) the recording says "Para espanol marque il dos" for spanish press 2....and thats my biggest problem.....Why should we even have th option of Pressing 2..This is America our lauguage is ENGLISH and we should not be enabling people to keep speaking their native lauguage in public....It should be used among their friends and families, Like I DO!!

suzycreamcake

If you went to a foreign country and didn't speak the language, how would you know what the signs say. How do you communicate. Do you think that if we went to honduras that they would try to speak to us with our language, offer drivers license tests in english? I spent 20 minutes once talking to a woman who never answered me until her son walked up to me and said, my mom can't speak english and she was from puerto rico, which is an american territory.

Alyster C

How about if I moved to a non english speaking country....NO one would learn English just for me. So I would have enough respect for people and the land I was in to learn that native language

Notreallyhere30

In 2004 there were about 41 million Hispanics in the U.S. This means that most of the other 260 million or so people speak English. This is why learning English is mandatory.

Why make the country bilingual when Spanish is only 15% of populations primary language?

That is like me going to Germany and wanting to speak English, they never caterd to me over there. Most colleges require a different language now.

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