Spanish?? (how much, living in, restaurant)

[lolaaa]

Hi, I'm an undergraduate student in Michigan and in about 1 year I'll get my degree in English Lang&Lit. Currently, I'm learning (and loving) French but I want to move to California after I graduate! My job goal is to become a paralegal. I have no real desire to learn Spanish, to be honest.

So, should I not bother moving to California? How much Spanish do I really need to know?

[ferretkona]

All depends on who you want to talk to. The language spoken by Hispanics has little in common with Spanish anyway.

[wondrwmn]

Well, I don't think I have ever heard French here and I am a sixth generation of Southern California!

Spanish is normally a requirement in most jobs here that pay semi-well. Not sure about the para-legal job requirement but if you look at the classifieds for the LA Times - you will see that a lot! Good luck with your decision!

[humboldtrat]

Spanish is usually a plus if you're looking for a job in which you have to deal with the public. A bilingual person has a better chance of getting a job than a non-bilingual speaker. Welcome to California!

[da jammer]

Well fully two thirds of my customers in the business I owned in so Cali were Hispanic/Mexican. If I didn't make an effort to learn how to communicate with these folks I would not have had a business. It is just a fact of life there. This segment of the population has money to spend and you are simply shooting yourself in the foot if you don't find a way to speak the language. Hey if nothing else you would be able to understand what all of the store clerks and restaurant workers are saying about you.....:P

[cynwldkat]

Just look up the demographics for CA. That should tell you what you need to know.

[lolaaa]

Thanks for the replies! I guess I should learn some Spanish...lol, I wonder where I can use my French skills.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by lolaaa

Thanks for the replies! I guess I should learn some Spanish...lol, I wonder where I can use my French skills.

Quebec, Tahiti, several countries in Africa, the Middle-East, France..., and Southern California, where all the world's languages can be heard if you listen hard enough.

You don't have to learn a stitch of Spanish to get by in CA. If you don't feel like learning, don't! Simple! You may, however, find certain situations less frustrating for yourself if you know a few survival phrases, "¿Dónde está el baño?" for example.

As others have stated here, work wise it is true that you make yourself more valuable if you have some evolving Spanish proficiency. Your choice.

[da jammer]

"Dónde está el baño"....I gotta pee....where is the head!!!!

[da jammer]

"You don't have to learn a stitch of Spanish to get by in CA"

you obviously don't make a living in the real world of southern California