How much does an immigrants inability to speak English irritate you? (revolution, Canada)

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by big mean bear

Why does this forum have more 'banned members' than any other forum?

It may just be coincidence..............many of the banned ones got in trouble in other Forums as well.

Too: it seems the biggest thing that absolutely shatters the pro illegal crowd is their demand that Spanish (most illegals are indeed some variety of Hispanic) be on at least equal footing with English-------------------never mind that the (White) Hispanic conquistadors treated the Aztecs, etc. like crap yet the latter embraced Hispanic culture.

[mommytotwo]

the poll doesn't have enough options.

Hearing immigrants speak another language because they don't speak English doesn't bother me a bit if they've just got here.

But, if they came here 6 years ago, and still cannot speak any English, I really don't see why they haven't learned it and can't imagine how they are functioning in our society.

Also, the age of the immigrant matters. If an immigrant to this country brings their frail grandma with them, well frankly I don't expect that old lady to be speaking English in the near future, esp. if she is not entering the work force and they are able to cart her around to where she needs to go and translate for her.

Spanish should not be on equal footing and I don't know anyone who speaks Spanish that thinks it should.

I hear about these people that want to make Spanish an official language but I really have no idea who they are, because I don't see ANY support for that kind of thing around here. And we have a large number of Puerto Ricans in this area. They all pretty much speak English, unless for some reason they talk in Spanish, which is not because of any inability to speak English. You might find a stray old lady around that doesn't speak English, but all the young ones are pretty much fluent.

On the flip side, the younger immigrants are, the faster they should be able to pick up our language.

[miamiman]

It doesn't bother me at all if immigrants can't speak English. This is an increasingly multi-cultural and multi-lingual country. As such, there are groups of people in this country who get by just fine on their native language (primarily Spanish). Areas of South Florida, Northern New Jersey, South Texas, Central and Southern Arizona, and Southern California have enough of an immigrant population where people do not have to learn English.

I do think immigrants are at a disadvantage if they don't know how to speak English, because most Americans aren't bilingual. That said, I do not get irritated or believe people should be forced to learn English. It should be the decision of that person.

I really don't see why this is such an issue. Unless your family originated from the British Isles, I highly doubt your family came over here speaking English. English is NOT this country's official language, so why should people be forced to learn it?

Most Americans can't even speak English properly, and there is a staggering percentage of native-born, English-speaking Americans who are illiterate. No one complains about those groups. America is becoming a multi-cultural society. It might do everyone best to try to pick up a Spanish class or two so you don't get left behind.

[ShuttrBug]

Originally Posted by ocexpo

How much does an immigrants inability to speak English irritate you?

Depends. If they are here a year or less, I'll let it slide. More than that, you better learn to do in Rome as Romans do. Or perhaps I should specifically say, Do in America, as Americans do!

After all, if you want to make someplace your home, and your future, it's just right to learn the local language. It's the smart thing to do. IMO, it comes under survival skills. Accents are fine, just learn the language. Would they like it if an American moved into their country and stayed for years and never learned their language and ways?!! I'm sure they would think it rude....!

[ShuttrBug]

Originally Posted by big mean bear

Why does this forum have more 'banned members' than any other forum?

Hmmm.... does it? Really? That's an interesting observation.
I'm thinking: Perhaps coz here people speak their mind... and the topics easily lend themselves to getting on someone's nerves... IMO. Immigration is a very very touchy issue, after all.

I think it's interesting how on a personal level, in day to day life, many people never think twice about the people the interact with, but may have a set opinion when it comes to the issue at large.

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by miamiman

It doesn't bother me at all if immigrants can't speak English. This is an increasingly multi-cultural and multi-lingual country. As such, there are groups of people in this country who get by just fine on their native language (primarily Spanish). Areas of South Florida, Northern New Jersey, South Texas, Central and Southern Arizona, and Southern California have enough of an immigrant population where people do not have to learn English.

I do think immigrants are at a disadvantage if they don't know how to speak English, because most Americans aren't bilingual. That said, I do not get irritated or believe people should be forced to learn English. It should be the decision of that person.

I really don't see why this is such an issue. Unless your family originated from the British Isles, I highly doubt your family came over here speaking English. English is NOT this country's official language, so why should people be forced to learn it?

Most Americans can't even speak English properly, and there is a staggering percentage of native-born, English-speaking Americans who are illiterate. No one complains about those groups. America is becoming a multi-cultural society. It might do everyone best to try to pick up a Spanish class or two so you don't get left behind.

English is the de facto language of the USA---------not Spanish or any other tongue.

Needless to say: it should be our official language.

My father when he came here (legally) learned English-------and, learned it well.

Most importantly: the Balkanization of any nation will be its death knell.

Outside of Switzerland: I know of no multilingual nation that is 'stable'. Even Canada may fly apart with Quebec going its own way (which would wind up destroying Quebec on a cultural level due it possibly surrounded on all sides by a 'militant' English speaking USA).

[camping!]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

English is the de facto language of the USA---------not Spanish or any other tongue.

Needless to say: it should be our official language.

My father when he came here (legally) learned English-------and, learned it well.

Most importantly: the Balkanization of any nation will be its death knell.

Outside of Switzerland: I know of no multilingual nation that is 'stable'. Even Canada may fly apart with Quebec going its own way (which would wind up destroying Quebec on a cultural level due it possibly surrounded on all sides by a 'militant' English speaking USA).

I have come to realize that the logic behind making Spanish a co-language of the USA is that Spanish speakers were smart enough to get lobbyists to further their cause in their refusal to learn english. If the Hungarians/Sudanese/Chinese were too dumb to figure that out, well -- too bad for them.....
Of course the Hungarians/Sudanese/Chinese are light years ahead of immigrants from SOB in terms of integrating and wealth -- but that must be coincidental, right? Or perhaps a racist America at work?!

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by camping!

I have come to realize that the logic behind making Spanish a co-language of the USA is that Spanish speakers were smart enough to get lobbyists to further their cause in their refusal to learn english. If the Hungarians/Sudanese/Chinese were too dumb to figure that out, well -- too bad for them.....
Of course the Hungarians/Sudanese/Chinese are light years ahead of immigrants from SOB in terms of integrating and wealth -- but that must be coincidental, right? Or perhaps a racist America at work?!

No race card there:

Hungarians are mostly White with a few Mestizos but; all of 'em would be Anglo here in Arizona

Sudanese are Black

Chinese are Asian

Just a bunch of MEChA losers who think us Gringos owe them something.

[mommytotwo]

The fact of the matter is that there is a large number of Latinos in various areas in the US, therefore there is less need for them to learn English. Bottom line. Go somewhere where there are 3 Spanish people and chances are they will speak English. Go somewhere where there is a huge community of Spanish people and you will find more that don't speak English. This can be said for every group.
Go to Jersey City and see how many people only speak Arabic.
Go to Chinatown and see how many people only speak some variety of Chinese.

I think people make a bigger deal out of this than it is.

Make English the official language

Don't make Spanish or anything else the official language.

Give it 10 or 20 years and see what happens.

What bothers me is pressing 1 for English, and that when I call my international long distance carrier English is option 8 or 9, after arabic, farsi, tagalis, indian, japanese, korean, russian, vietnamese. It is very annoying because I never remember what number English is and so i have to wait for the whole list. English should be 1 and then the others.

The other day I was at a "sweet shop" inside a furniture retailer, where you can get a free ice cream or coffee or whatever. I promised my 7 y/o that he could get ice cream. I walked up and there were to ladies talking in spanish. i got my coffee and was waiting to see just how long they were going to chat before the worker went to see what my kid wanted. finally she went over and heard that he wanted chocolate, and after that she immediately continued the conversation in spanish. she didn't even stop long enough for him to say thank you. But still, I asked him what he should say, to elicit the thank you anyway (it appeared these ladies needed all the help with manners that they could get, not to mention a little lesson on work ethic) anyhow, he looked up, confused and said "GRACIAS", asking me if this was what he was supposed to say. So, I laughed and this diffused my irritation at the crappy service.

I think for many people what is irritating it is the fact that people are so comfortable not using English and not the fact that they cannot speak English. I am quite sure that the above woman spoke English. The fact is she chose to chat with her friend in Spanish and offer lousy service. I will not confuse my irritation with the fact that she offered crappy service with other immigrants that cannot speak English.

Immigrants that don't speak English can be annoying but really, they are the ones that are loosing out because they cannot function and they are the ones not getting what they want and living poor because they cannot get better jobs because of their language problem. If that is the way they want to live, so be it.

One thing is for sure, somewhere down the generational line, they will speak English. It always happens.

Find me a 3rd or 4th generation anyone that doesn't speak English, and I will eat my words.

[High Springs Gator]

Originally Posted by miamiman

It doesn't bother me at all if immigrants can't speak English. This is an increasingly multi-cultural and multi-lingual country. As such, there are groups of people in this country who get by just fine on their native language (primarily Spanish). Areas of South Florida, Northern New Jersey, South Texas, Central and Southern Arizona, and Southern California have enough of an immigrant population where people do not have to learn English.

I do think immigrants are at a disadvantage if they don't know how to speak English, because most Americans aren't bilingual. That said, I do not get irritated or believe people should be forced to learn English. It should be the decision of that person.

I really don't see why this is such an issue. Unless your family originated from the British Isles, I highly doubt your family came over here speaking English. English is NOT this country's official language, so why should people be forced to learn it?

Most Americans can't even speak English properly, and there is a staggering percentage of native-born, English-speaking Americans who are illiterate. No one complains about those groups. America is becoming a multi-cultural society.

No thanks to massive illegal immigration from SOB, non spanish speaking Americans citizens are being forced to assimilate to spanish speakers instead of the other way around.

It might do everyone best to try to pick up a Spanish class or two so you don't get left behind

You're patronizing is degrading. I don't see other immigrant groups being so demanding we speak their language. What makes spanish speakers so special?