Opinions on speaking English
A lot of folks here (myself included) believe that immigrants should learn English. No more of this "Pressing 1 for English" nonsense and all that jazz...
Now here's the question: what degree of English proficiency would satisfy you? Would the immigrant have to be an English professor before you stopped telling them to "learn English or go home" or would a functional knowledge of our language (with accent) be acceptable?
I only ask this because I've encountered quite a few immigrants who are hardworking, don't cause any trouble, and mind their own business (they're legal from what I can tell, by the way) - qualities that we hope all Americans possess. The only thing that gives them away is the fact that their English isn't the best. But far from expecting me to speak to them in a foreign language, they do their best to be friendly and communicate with me in English.
And it just got me to wondering how many folks here would use their accent or their lack of vocabulary as an excuse to tell them to "go back home."
Personally, if you're making an honest effort to learn the lingo, I've got no problem with you. It's the folks who don't even try and are young enough to pick up a new language that bother me (someone in their 80's isn't going to change what language they speak and if they're that old, chances are they lived or fought through some war or something, so I give 'em a break[;)]).
Now here's the question: what degree of English proficiency would satisfy you? Would the immigrant have to be an English professor before you stopped telling them to "learn English or go home" or would a functional knowledge of our language (with accent) be acceptable?
I only ask this because I've encountered quite a few immigrants who are hardworking, don't cause any trouble, and mind their own business (they're legal from what I can tell, by the way) - qualities that we hope all Americans possess. The only thing that gives them away is the fact that their English isn't the best. But far from expecting me to speak to them in a foreign language, they do their best to be friendly and communicate with me in English.
And it just got me to wondering how many folks here would use their accent or their lack of vocabulary as an excuse to tell them to "go back home."
Personally, if you're making an honest effort to learn the lingo, I've got no problem with you. It's the folks who don't even try and are young enough to pick up a new language that bother me (someone in their 80's isn't going to change what language they speak and if they're that old, chances are they lived or fought through some war or something, so I give 'em a break[;)]).
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Most immigrants DO learn English. Even the illegal ones. From the ones I've known, it takes a good 4-5 years for them to become fluent. Most of the illegals I know haven't been here 4-5 years, so their English sucks.
Sometimes they surprise me though. I know this woman who came here about a year ago. She knew NO English a year ago. I haven't talked to her in about 6 months, and saw her last night. She was nearly fluent! I was pretty amazed at that. Most people don't pick it up nowhere that fast! She is definately an exception to the rule.
Like one guy said to me "If I learn English, I can get a better job."
When you go to the swap meets here, you see tons of people selling the "Learn English" kits, and signs for tutoring English too. Anyone (not talking about you, EMM) who thinks they "don't want to learn English" is clueless.
Merc0 -
90% of the illegals here know less than 3 words in english 0 -
but to answer your question, they need to be able to talk with Customer service people, describe everything needed where they work, read road signs etc
I do not care if the know "who" and "whom" or what a gerand phrase is0 -
I've noticed that most spanish-speaking immigrants speak and understand English just fine. They just don't want you to know it. They'd rather you learn Spanish and converse with them in Spanish, thus respecting them.
I base this upon 15 years of adjusting insurance claims. It was almost a universal rule that these people would NOT speak English, would force you to hire a translator, etc., etc., etc.
However, tell them that the accident was their fault, or their claim wasn't covered, and it was almost always the case that they'd understand and complain just fine in English.0 -
Able to speak english, but their native language is ok for disscussion amongst themselves or others seeking to learn the language. 0 -
I don't expect them to become English professors. But I do expect a working knowledge. Both in speaking AND reading English.
How can you safely drive if you can't read roadsigns?
English should be made the official language of the U.S.. And there should minimum requirement tests to insure that anyone who wishes to live here can communicate in English.0 -
I'd say, stop at the functional knowledge with an accent - or go home.
[;)][;)][;)]0 -
+1 polite 0 -
Without a functional speaking AND reading of our language they will remain just a welfare and food stamp dependant. And so will their children. Who here would immigrate to a non-english speaking country
without learniing to read and speak, at least functionally that
language. Or even if just working there for a couple of years, wouldnt learn that language?0 -
Put the shoe on the other foot.
If you go south, you'll be forced to learn Spanish if you want to survive. You don't find "press one for English" south of the border.
Why should we do it here?0 -
Attempting to assess some minimum acceptable English proficiency ia a profligate exercise, and completely misses the point, anyway. Who gives a moist ca-ca about some arbitrary threshold or variance when the answer is biting you in the face: Whatever level is required for this country to entirely dispense with bilingualism. 0 -
In five years you either pass a high school freshman English test or you go home. If you are an illegal you either get shot or go home NOW!!!! 0 -
They need to speak English a lot better than Henry Kissinger. He's been in this country what, eighty years? Done a couple of tours as Secretary of State. You'd think he would make some attempt to learn English.
I've seen some pretty big difference with Spanish speaking people. If you know a couple of words of Spanish and go to Spain or Puerto Rico, most of the people will go out of their way to try to understand you. In Spain you can get along pretty well without speaking any Spanish at all. In Mexico, if you get off the beaten path and don't speak Spanish fluently and without accent you could starve to death in a restaurant of caf?.0 -
Old Fool has it pretty good.
If they are legal, and can speak English, and work, and support their (extended) families, and actually pay taxes, they're fine with me.
Doug0 -
quote:Originally posted by Polite Psycho
I'd say, stop at the functional knowledge with an accent - or go home.
[;)][;)][;)]
exactly, get on board or get the h... out![:(!] Loko[8D]0 -
quote:they do their best to be friendly and communicate with me in English.
That's good enough for me.0 -
Enough to where they can function in the community. I give them some slack as long as they are trying. If they don't try, one of us is screwed, and it usually isn't me.
English is a difficult language to master. Imagine telling someone "One of my feet is two feet long. I can make a field goal from 200 yards, wh1ch is quite a feat".
Many of the immigrants from the central/south american countries can't read in spanish, so learning to read in English is no easy task. For that matter, there are still a lot of native born Americans that can't read or write, but function fine.0 -
yup 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dcinffxva
Enough to where they can function in the community. I give them some slack as long as they are trying.
Many of the immigrants from the central/south american countries can't read in spanish, so learning to read in English is no easy task.
So why the heck all the signs in Lowes, etc in spanish?0 -
The owner of one of our local bars got sort of fed up with immigrants who claimed that they did not understand the local language.
A guy who tried to pull this on her paid for a beer with a $20 dollar bill - it was amazing how well he spoke American English when she gave him change for a ten. [;)]0 -
Old Fool, I agree with what you said, but the problem is a large percentage of our citizens can't pass a Freshman English test.
What are we going to do with them....??? [;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
Now here's the question: what degree of English proficiency would satisfy you?
Such that I don't have to "choose", nor do we have to put up signs, ballots, ATMs, etc. in anything except English. When in Rome....
If our country is better than yours and you choose to be here, expect to fitting in, don't expect us to accommodate you.0 -
yup 0 -
My Mid-Western, Southern and Northern cousins - you haven't a clue as to
what most border jumpers know and/or don't know. I've lived in the midst
of them for over 50 years.
As areas fill up with Mexicans they rely on Spanish newspapers, TV channels,
radio stations ... and as far as school is concerned (those who actually go)
drop out somewhere in junior high - not many graduate from high school.
Some speak English and some don't actually know as much as whitey thinks.
Many actually revert to Spanish because they live in the small Mexican
urban reservations that are springing up all over the Southwest.
Evidently, you are all going to be in for an education on the subject as they
increasingly head your way.
Enjoy!
[:D]0
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