Chinese in Flushing are such FOBs that their neighbors resorts to learning Mandarin (Rose: spring break, home)

[yvette]

Originally Posted by mead

Did anyone see the article in today's NY Times? They have begun offering free Mandarin lessons for American people living in Flushing.

Am I the only one who thinks this is entirely insane?

The FOB Chinese people should be forced to learn English and not the other way around. NYC is still part of America, at least for the moment, and in this country you've got to speak English. If you can't speak any English at all after living here for several years you're basically a disgrace. Thats all there is to it.

Here's a good quote from the article:



Here's another money-quote:

Actually, according to the information that I've been reading, it would be best to make mandarin number one on your list of languages to learn because in the global society in which we live, if you or your children don't learn it, you will be left with your rear out. China will lead in many, things and America will have to play more ball than we are already.

I don't know if this will come to pass but I've been reading this a far as two years back.

[mead]

Originally Posted by yvette

Actually, according to the information that I've been reading, it would be best to make mandarin number one on your list of languages to learn because in the global society in which we live, if you or your children don't learn it, you will be left with your rear out. China will lead in many, things and America will have to play more ball than we are already.

I don't know if this will come to pass but I've been reading this a far as two years back.

I actually do speak some p*ss poor Mandarin, but this is America. No one should have to learn Mandarin to survive in this country. Its ridiculous.

I dont' want to have to ask my neighbors: Ni hui shuo Ying-wen ma? prior to asking them any questions.

[sevenofsix]

There was a tv show about the best preschool and ended up being in NY chinatown. The black family ended up sending their kid there to learn chinese. It seems the student who went there had better grades in later schools.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by yvette

Actually, according to the information that I've been reading, it would be best to make mandarin number one on your list of languages to learn because in the global society in which we live, if you or your children don't learn it, you will be left with your rear out. China will lead in many, things and America will have to play more ball than we are already.

I don't know if this will come to pass but I've been reading this a far as two years back.

This brings up a good point, which is worthy of another thread btw. The world is very much aiming in the direction of globalization. Those who choose to sit and argue against it still have missed the train and are fighting a pointless battle. It won't really affect my generation per se or prior ones but coming generations will be affected by this. I plan to have my kids learn as many languages as possible, 2 at least, hopefully 3 or more. In the U.S. we are already well behind a lot of Asia and Europe in this, and these are the very same people are kids are going to be competing against. This is reality folks...

[Andysocks]

I understand spanish but I don't speak it well at all, so I've literally had friendly chats with old ladies on the subway who understand english but don't speak it well at all.

What I do speak is Nuyorican. Just utter "ay bendito" periodically while speaking in english.

[ludwg]

Originally Posted by mead

I actually do speak some p*ss poor Mandarin, but this is America. No one should have to learn Mandarin to survive in this country. Its ridiculous.

I dont' want to have to ask my neighbors: Ni hui shuo Ying-wen ma? prior to asking them any questions.

My parent were smuggled in the 80's, my mom and dad age were around mid 20's when they first step on american soil. They could have easily learned englsih at that time, but she did not because she conceived me. Knowing no english at all, they would take jobs such as sewing and cook, typical jobs for "fobs". In order to pay the bills they both work 8-10 hours a day, 6 times a week. Two years after I was born, I have a sister and another 2 years later. The only reason that they work back breaking labors is that so they can put a roof over our head and food on the table. Currenetly, me and my sister are in college and my parents are happy than ever because they know that we are going to live on a good income. You tell me when so they have time to learn english while they are supporting 3 kids on minimum wage. I'm sure you heard that kind of story before... I am a american born asian and I have bunch of friends that were from china, I actually took mandarin classes so that I can communicate with them better. Although I'm not fluent, at least I can comprehend somewhat. Before that I was kind of ashamed of myself because I didnt know how to speak my own native language.

[ludwg]

Originally Posted by Andysocks

^^^ rhymes with cob, means "fresh off the boat". I hear it mostly used by American-born Asian kids to insult immigrant Asian kids for their stereotypical fashion sense and study habits and stuff.

I hate that term because I find it very insulting, like labeling someone just because they're a immigrant.

[ludwg]

I apologize, it seems that my post had already been relatively mentioned. I guess some people live in a totally different goal and lifestyle.

[Roses4ever]

This is America and our language is English; everyone should learn English, not just because people come to this country for freedom but for your own self respect and honor. I would like to think that people coming here truly want this way of life and want to learn this language. I see nothing wrong with learning other languages but I don't want these languages forced upon me; I want to be able to communicate in English. It seriously irritates me when I go into a store and I cannot read the signs whether they are chinese or hispanic. Since I can't read them, and most don't speak English, I don't shop there. People can learn; they just don't want to generally speaking. My grandfather immigrated to America from Italy; learned English and spoke Italian in their household and to other Italians; but spoke both Italian and English to his children. I being the grandchild never learned the language; sadly my loss. I have wanted to learn Italian but growing up schools only taught French and Spanish. I should have taken Spanish; instead I took French; for the life of me I wonder why? But that's a whole other topic.

English should be learned and it should be manditory; we cater too much to accomodating those that don't speak the language; we make it easier for them not to learn; and they should want to. If I lived in China or Japan or Puerto, I wouldn't mind learning the language.

[Moderate Guy]

very fair and well written.