English, the "National Language" (legal, racism, March, Miami)

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by ayannaaaliyah

I agree with you Hawkeye you are so right. Although America does have a lot of immigrants, the difference is that with other immigrants in American, they were/are sure to ensure that their children (at the very least) learned and mastered the English language. You have children and families from Ruwanda who have learned and mastered the English language better than any of these Mexican illegals. They still hold true to their heritage and original language however they RESPECT the fact that they were ALLOWED into the U.S. for safe haven. For some reason these illegals have absolutely NO RESPECT for the U.S. and to me, continuing to snub their noses at learning the English language is basically like spitting in my face (that may be a bit harsh but that's my opinion).

If these mexicans have no respect for the US, what does it say about all those damn italians and germans before them?

But while nearly 50 million Americans spoke a language other than English at home in 2004—nearly one-fifth of all U.S. residents age 5 or older—what the debate misses is that today's immigrants are on average making the transition to speaking English more quickly than immigrants at any other time in U.S. history.

Young immigrants (those ages 5 to 17) almost always are speaking English over their native tongues by adulthood, according to Rubén G. Rumbaut, professor of sociology and co-director of the Center for Research on Immigration, Population, and Public Policy at the University of California-Irvine. (See Figure 1 for the transition to speaking English by Los Angeles-area immigrant generations.)

"Those who arrive by age 12 or 13 make a quick transition to English—that's the dividing line," says Rumbaut, who has studied language assimilation in the United States for three decades. "It's a piece of cake for those who arrive much earlier on, because of the dominance of English in every medium in the United States, from video to the Internet. English wins."

Print In the News: Speaking English in the United States - Population Reference Bureau

I suggest you read through that. I know you've got your opinions, but empirical data shows your opinions to be false. Sometimes you need to step back and take a broad view of the situation in order to get a true understanding of it.

[ayannaaaliyah]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

If these mexicans have no respect for the US, what does it say about all those damn italians and germans before them?

As you said previously the 1st generations may not have been able to speak English but their 2nd/3rd and so on mastered it. THAT IS NOT what is happening now - face REALITY, where are you living? Hell the 4th and 5th generations can barely speak it and they were BORN HERE!

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by ayannaaaliyah

As you said previously the 1st generations may not have been able to speak English but their 2nd/3rd and so on mastered it. THAT IS NOT what is happening now - face REALITY, where are you living? Hell the 4th and 5th generations can barely speak it and they were BORN HERE!

Evidence shows differently, as I posted and you conveniently ignored.

[CamaroGuy]

We've go to do away with the multi-lingual ballots and drivers tests. We also need to do away with billoboard signs in other languages.

[Miborn]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Evidence shows differently, as I posted and you conveniently ignored.

I would like to know how many Mexicans you are around? I mean how much experience do you have actually trying to talk to them?
Thanks

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by CamaroGuy

We also need to do away with billoboard signs in other languages.

Why, you have something against people making money in this country? This is America, not Cuba. If a company can make more money targeting hispanics in their native language, why should the government bar them from doing that?

[CamaroGuy]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

If a company can make more money targeting hispanics in their native language, why should the government bar them from doing that?

And you wonder why hispanics aren't learning English!

[mark6052]

when my grandfather came from the old country(portugal) he and his wife learned english. spoke the old tongue at home. my dad could speak 50/50 fluently. but refused to have spanish taught to me in school. my grandfather and dad felt you're in america speak american (english). the difference from then to now is many refuse to learn english and use it as a crutch. on my moms side my grandfather was indian, spoke the old language. I got to learn alittle. wish I knew more. I wish everybody could speak sign.

[ayannaaaliyah]

They refuse to learn our language or assimilate once here. This shows a disdain for our traditional American culture and the English language. One just has to look at the photos from last years illegal immigrant marches in which the American born children of illegal and legal immigrants flew foreign flags, spoke in Spanish instead of English and defaced American flags.

SHOWS A WHOLE LOT OF RESPECT FOR AMERICA

If your article is in fact "true" - why must there be a need for Spanish applications for employment; why was Telemundo ever created? Because I think that your "population reference bureau" article is biased and part of the never ending propaganda to lead Americans into believing what's on paper vs. their life experiences with immigrants. While I believe that people do not have to lose their culture just because they live in America, I do believe that they should respect the people and languages spoken here and NOT DEMAND that things be written/taught/printed in Spanish. It is my opinion based on the actions that I have seen first hand that there is a lack of respect or appreciation for America. This is no attack on those illegals who came to this country legally in an effort to afford themselves a better opportunity - I am speaking of those who BROKE THE LAW to come , those who feel that America OWES them something and finally those that feel that there is ABSOLUTELY no need to learn English - and there are many of them - and most are recent immigrants. Believe me, I've lived in heavily immigrant populated cities (i.e. Miami; Houston; Washington DC). All the elder Koreans and Asians in DC did not know English very well but their children were fluent in both their native language and English. The children did choose to speak their native language at home because of the Elders, but when away from home, they were just as fluent in English.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by Miborn

I would like to know how many Mexicans you are around? I mean how much experience do you have actually trying to talk to them?
Thanks

I live a few blocks from a large hispanic area. And my own experiences closely reflect the results of the empirical data (which is far more accurate than your anecdotes) I posted. Kids can speak english, adults can't. And this is no different than the way its always been.