"Are you an American?" (Miami, Hialeah: school, living, restaurant)

[kevinkagy]

It depends on what neighborhoods or areas of Miami you're in. In very Hispanic parts, this can be commonplace, where people are bilingual, but if a lot of the staff are Hispanic (and mostly 1st generation), they'll speak in Spanish. It's different for 2nd or 3rd generation Hispanics who most times prefer English but can speak Spanish depending on the circumstances.

Kids that are of Hispanic descent (Asian, White, Mestizo, Black, whatever) will speak English amongst themselves unless they're 1st generation. I think Spanish will eventually simmer out as the years go on and Miami receives less and less Hispanic immigrants, but I could be wrong. I think there will be a day when Miami will be mostly English, some day lol.

[big mean bear]

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

It depends on what neighborhoods or areas of Miami you're in. In very Hispanic parts, this can be commonplace, where people are bilingual, but if a lot of the staff are Hispanic (and mostly 1st generation), they'll speak in Spanish. It's different for 2nd or 3rd generation Hispanics who most times prefer English but can speak Spanish depending on the circumstances.

The problem with this theory is that you have to be in an extremely nice part of Miami to only hear English and not Spanish. (Aventura, Deering Bay, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Miami Shores, and Fisher Island ) Even then, it's not gauranteed. Most middle class areas and ALL lower class parts of Miami are Spanish only. Other heavily hispanic cities such as LA and San Diego do not have this much Spanish language infestation into the middle class domain - you won't hear Spanish at all in a hospital let alone having it be the language of choice by a majority of the staff.

Originally Posted by kevinkagy

I think there will be a day when Miami will be mostly English, some day lol.

Current trends dictate otherwise.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by big mean bear

Current trends dictate otherwise.

1920: We are going to be speaking German!!!!!!!!

[noland123]

Being an American is all from the heart as well as a person who is a Christian,one loves his country as much as one loves God. It is where one's loyalty lies,one can live in America and have citizenship but in their own heart have tendencies for another country,whereas one who has citizenship here and wants to acclimate to their surrounding by speaking the language of this country and appreciates what this country stands for, I would deem them as a true American.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by big mean bear

Most middle class areas and ALL lower class parts of Miami are Spanish only.

Do you mean mostly Spanish or only Spanish? I hear plenty of English in Westchester but mostly Spanish. Less but still some English on Calle Ocho.
Plenty of Spanish in S Miami or C Gables, but mostly English.

Originally Posted by big mean bear

Other heavily hispanic cities such as LA and San Diego do not have this much Spanish language infestation into the middle class domain - you won't hear Spanish at all in a hospital let alone having it be the language of choice by a majority of the staff.

The Hispanics in San Diego are a MUCH lower percentage of population and they tend to be poor. There ARE neighborhoods in SD (like parts of Chula Vista) that have a very high % of Mexicans, mostly "working class" but also a mix of middle class and poor folks, and there you do hear mostly Spanish.

My son was born in S Miami Hospital, daughter born at Scripps UTC in San Diego.
The only major difference was that instead of the nurses speaking Spanish in Miami (NEVER to us) the nurses in SD all spoke Filipino to each other! (Also, thankfully, NEVER to us! lol)

[big mean bear]

That Englsih you heard on the radio on Calle Ocho and West-chester must have been on the radio.

[crisp444]

All those younger people who live in Westchester prefer English over Spanish, and lots of the 40-55 year olds who were raised partially in Cuba and partially in Miami are perfectly bilingual. You hear a LOT of Spanish in places like Westchester, Coral Terrace, Tamiami, etc. but most people there speak English as well.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by big mean bear

That Englsih you heard on the radio on Calle Ocho and West-chester must have been on the radio.

I believe the correct "Cuban" pronunciation of Westchester is Weh-chester! lol

[big mean bear]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

I believe the correct "Cuban" pronunciation of Westchester is Weh-chester! lol

Yea you got it.

Crisp - I think it is false that most people off of Flagler or Calle ocho speak English. Being able to mutter "yes" and "nooo" does mean someone can speak English.

[TannerMan]

Do you seriously think nobody in those areas can speak english?!?!? What about the people that grew up there, the kids, and plenty of people that just learn english. Thats just another cynical view of yours. Ive been in a couple of places in Calle Ocho and spoke english only, in fact perfect english.