American are all immigrants. The “original” Americans were only here since the last ice age. When the vast majority of us got here, speaking native American languages, European languages, Asian languages etc., we started speaking English so we could talk to each other. Immigrants realized that they were at a disadvantage if they couldn’t speak English, so they learned it. They didn’t expect that meetings would be held with translators repeating everything in all of their native languages. WHY can’t Spanish speaking people in this age get with the program? There are TV shows, tapes, classes, etc. to help you. My Swedish grandfather had to study English as he saved money to come to America, but when he got off the boat he spoke enough English to interview for a decent job. Of course, you will still speak your native language with others who speak it, but have the courtesy to adapt to the country that you want to live in instead of expecting it to adapt to you.
I volunteered to teach an English as a second language class for a local organization that also helped people who were unemployed with housing, jobs, etc. My previous posts are my reaction to the students who attended those classes. The ones who were unemployed due to lack of education, training, language etc were required to make some effort to make themselves more employable as a condition of receiving the other aid. Students from other countries sat in the front of the room and paid attention. Spanish speaking “students” sat in the back of the room and did their knitting, and whispered quietly among themselves. They were not a problem for those who actually were there to learn, and I do respect that, but they had no interest in learning themselves. Their spokesperson informed me that anything they needed to know would be repeated for them in Spanish, so they had no reason to learn English. They were, however, becoming very proficient knitters.
KenseidenXL almost 6 years ago
Tres tacos pescado, por favor.
Nighthawks Premium Member almost 6 years ago
dos tacos, por favor
Diane Lee Premium Member almost 6 years ago
American are all immigrants. The “original” Americans were only here since the last ice age. When the vast majority of us got here, speaking native American languages, European languages, Asian languages etc., we started speaking English so we could talk to each other. Immigrants realized that they were at a disadvantage if they couldn’t speak English, so they learned it. They didn’t expect that meetings would be held with translators repeating everything in all of their native languages. WHY can’t Spanish speaking people in this age get with the program? There are TV shows, tapes, classes, etc. to help you. My Swedish grandfather had to study English as he saved money to come to America, but when he got off the boat he spoke enough English to interview for a decent job. Of course, you will still speak your native language with others who speak it, but have the courtesy to adapt to the country that you want to live in instead of expecting it to adapt to you.
PoodleGroomer almost 6 years ago
Tuesday is Pizza night. Due pizze. Grazie
Diane Lee Premium Member almost 6 years ago
I volunteered to teach an English as a second language class for a local organization that also helped people who were unemployed with housing, jobs, etc. My previous posts are my reaction to the students who attended those classes. The ones who were unemployed due to lack of education, training, language etc were required to make some effort to make themselves more employable as a condition of receiving the other aid. Students from other countries sat in the front of the room and paid attention. Spanish speaking “students” sat in the back of the room and did their knitting, and whispered quietly among themselves. They were not a problem for those who actually were there to learn, and I do respect that, but they had no interest in learning themselves. Their spokesperson informed me that anything they needed to know would be repeated for them in Spanish, so they had no reason to learn English. They were, however, becoming very proficient knitters.
ChukLitl Premium Member almost 6 years ago
Freedom of speech includes choice of language.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member almost 6 years ago
Nothing more fun than Taco Tuesday in front of the TV with The Lego Movie playing.
jack666 Premium Member almost 6 years ago
I’ve been thinking about moving to Canada, but I don’t speak Canadian and I can’t forgive them for burning the White House.
Mokurai almost 6 years ago
The correct English word for a person who speaks multiple languages is “polyglot”.
The correct English word for a person who speaks only one language is “American”.