How much does an immigrants inability to speak English irritate you? (English only, school)

[DontH8Me]

Originally Posted by faina00

I have no problems with this. I also know 2 almost 3 languages. In Europe, many know 2,3,4 languages. This way you can accomodate more people (depending on your profession). My husband is a physician and saw a job where he needed to know 2 languages and he did not apply. No big deal, it just meant that area had many that were of a specific culture. People in this country need to loosen up and smarten up. Learn another language, it is not beneath you.

You're right, it is not beneath me. I happen to speak several languages, some of them quite fluently. Hopefully those who plan to live in the US and don't speak English yet will also take heed of your wise comment.

[Benicar]

Originally Posted by faina00

I have no problems with this. I also know 2 almost 3 languages. In Europe, many know 2,3,4 languages. This way you can accomodate more people (depending on your profession). My husband is a physician and saw a job where he needed to know 2 languages and he did not apply. No big deal, it just meant that area had many that were of a specific culture. People in this country need to loosen up and smarten up. Learn another language, it is not beneath you.

You have completely missed my point; perhaps intentionally. The issue is not the requirement of foreign languages for specific positions -- I clearly recognize the necessity, such as your husband’s situation. The issue is; the requirement for Spanish fluency to accommodate individuals who have no legal right to work in this country.

I personally don't need to "loosen up" -- I speak another language.

[Synopsis]

The ability to speak a diverse number of languages is a good thing. However, when one enters a country that speaks a majority language, it's a good idea to learn that language, such as English.

I was a US Army Soldier that lived in Germany for two years. I felt it was my duty to learn the language of my host country, even though I was a member of the military and afforded every opportunity to live in a separate society.

I LOVED speaking another language and my German friends appreciated me for my willingness to speak the language of their home country.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by faina00

I have no problems with this. I also know 2 almost 3 languages. In Europe, many know 2,3,4 languages. This way you can accomodate more people (depending on your profession). My husband is a physician and saw a job where he needed to know 2 languages and he did not apply. No big deal, it just meant that area had many that were of a specific culture. People in this country need to loosen up and smarten up. Learn another language, it is not beneath you.

Unlike Europe; the language of the whole USA is English.

Yes; there are a few people here who speak Spanish, Navajo, etc. but I see no reason to learn those tongues.

[Miborn]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

The ability to speak a diverse number of languages is a good thing. However, when one enters a country that speaks a majority language, it's a good idea to learn that language, such as English.

I was a US Army Soldier that lived in Germany for two years. I felt it was my duty to learn the language of my host country, even though I was a member of the military and afforded every opportunity to live in a separate society.

I LOVED speaking another language and my German friends appreciated me for my willingness to speak the language of their home country.

I think that is a sign of respect for the people in that country too.

[Benicar]

Originally Posted by Miborn

I think that is a sign of respect for the people in that country too.

Absolutely! Something glaringly absent in the vast majority of illegal aliens currently in our country. They have been indoctrinated with a sense of entitlement, and exhibit an unprecedented level of arrogance. The pandering by our government and the corporate ‘masters’ has only served to reinforce these behaviors.

[TKramar]

Originally Posted by keiperD

Your IQ must be through the roof if you feel you can learn to speak French (or any other language) "in a heartbeat". Most (working) adults never reach complete fluency in a second language.

Languages come easily to me.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by keiperD

Your IQ must be through the roof if you feel you can learn to speak French (or any other language) "in a heartbeat". Most (working) adults never reach complete fluency in a second language.

I don't know about that. And, I don't agree with the IQ statement either.

My much better half is FLUENT in a number of languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and Manderine

She also speaks, but does not consider herself fluent in German and Italian.

Some people just love languages

[bibit612]

I find it difficult to communicate with people who cannot speak English when they provide a service that has many nuances. I currently am having a woman from Brazil who speaks mostly Portuguese and a little English. I practically have to be around every single time she and her assistant clean for 5 hours! She cannot distinguish "glass cleaner with no ammonia" or "mop the floor along the grain" or "please don't spray windex inside the microwave at an angle where the cleaner gets in between the plastic liner and the glass" and other similar instructions that are just impossible to translate. I have more than a couple of times tranlsated my instructions from English to Portugues using BabelTongue or other free translators but I can't seem to get the nuance down pat! They clean very well but I'm tied to the house when they are here. I am seriously considering another Portuguese woman who moved down here from New Jersey. Now she speaks decent English as well as Portuguese, and boy, assuming price is not going to be materially different, this one gets my business.

I think they should at least familiarize themselves with the English pertinent to their trade. If they are in retail or in service, it becomes imperative!

[DontH8Me]

Originally Posted by bibit612

I find it difficult to communicate with people who cannot speak English when they provide a service that has many nuances. I currently am having a woman from Brazil who speaks mostly Portuguese and a little English. I practically have to be around every single time she and her assistant clean for 5 hours! She cannot distinguish "glass cleaner with no ammonia" or "mop the floor along the grain" or "please don't spray windex inside the microwave at an angle where the cleaner gets in between the plastic liner and the glass" and other similar instructions that are just impossible to translate. I have more than a couple of times tranlsated my instructions from English to Portugues using BabelTongue or other free translators but I can't seem to get the nuance down pat! They clean very well but I'm tied to the house when they are here. I am seriously considering another Portuguese woman who moved down here from New Jersey. Now she speaks decent English as well as Portuguese, and boy, assuming price is not going to be materially different, this one gets my business.

I think they should at least familiarize themselves with the English pertinent to their trade. If they are in retail or in service, it becomes imperative!

Have you considered asking your agency for housekeepers who already speak English? I am assuming you are hiring your help legally - there are housekeepers out there who speak English too.