Chinese in Flushing are such FOBs that their neighbors resorts to learning Mandarin (New York: live in, business)
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I find that most chinese ppl in Flushing/Queens tend to be from Taiwan instead of China or Hong Kong and know ALOT more english than chinese ppl who normally move to brooklyn who know almost no english at all.
Yeah its definitely a loss. People who fail to learn English limit themselves of a lot of opportunities and limit the places they can move about in this country. In the end they hurt themselves more than anything by not learning English.
On the other hand people often have this romanticized notion of a lot of first generation Euro immigrants. The truth is a lot of them didn't learn English either.
Good point. Throughout U.S. history, most 1st generation immigrants, even Europeans whose native language was not English, could not speak it. In parts of this country, German-language only schools for German-American kids were common up until WWI. However, if there are 2nd and 3rd generation people not learning English at all, then I understand that there's a problem.
Usually thats never the case, I went to school with nearly all Dominican kids up until High School, many of them were either born here or came to NY as little kids, the majority of their parents did not. While a lot of their parents didn't really speak English, all of the kids with the exception of some FOB spoke English and Spanish.
try not to be too critical without being understanding. Im 1st generation (my parents were fobs), and i at first felt the same way. How come chinese people can be here for 20 years and still know barely any english?
possible reasons are:
age- my grandma came at 50 with no knowledge of english, its harder to learn things as you get older. Also some of you say why dont they want to go to college etc. dude they dont even have a high school ged, you know how hard that is.
values- yes learning the american culture is important, but providing for you family (working- chinese people are such hard workers, kids- we want our kids to have a great future so we encourage schooling)
environment- many chinese people when they come here, since they have no education nor money, nor even language, they end up restricting to working in chinatown/low end. If you came to this country at middle age, had to work 10 hrs a day or more for below minimum wage, and had a family to take care of, is how the american person scowling at you for not knowing english well really going to be something you care about?
Dont be ignorant or racist. There are many other minorities who have trouble speaking english as well, stop acting like chinese people not speaking english is some sort of slap in the face of uncle sam. They would if they could, and they are trying their best to live. The life they lived isnt easy and you shouldnt knock them if you arent them ok.
Also if you think about it, i think chinese people have done decently for themselves considering how recent they are. In american colleges, chinese americans are quickly rising to the top colleges, so much so that colleges now have reverse affirmative action on them. Chinese people excel at starting up businesses and investing, moving up, trying to get the american dream like we all are. I think chinese people are hardworking, just because they might not know english doesnt make them less of a person. Also many chinese people actually do know english or at least some, but feel embarrassed about their speaking abilities.
They would if they could, and they are trying their best to live. The life they lived isnt easy and you shouldnt knock them if you arent them ok.
Also if you think about it, i think chinese people have done decently for themselves considering how recent they are. In american colleges, chinese americans are quickly rising to the top colleges, so much so that colleges now have reverse affirmative action on them. Chinese people excel at starting up businesses and investing, moving up, trying to get the american dream like we all are. I think chinese people are hardworking, just because they might not know english doesnt make them less of a person. Also many chinese people actually do know english or at least some, but feel embarrassed about their speaking abilities.
I agree to a certain extent. While it may be difficult for certain people to learn English due to their age, there are many Asians that make little to no effort to learn. Before you get too defensive, I am also Asian and have seen it and understand it. Many of the Asians you see in Flushing or Chinatown, or any ethnic group in a ethnic-centric community, that have recently come to the states do not make a strong attempt at learning the language or cultures here because they are comfortable in their communities. In Chinatown, the primary language is Chinese, not English. It is difficult to shop or do anything in Chinatown without knowing Chinese. Therefore, for those who live there, it gives little motivation or "need" to learn English when everyone around you is speaking Chinese. Same goes for Spanish/Latin communities in Uptown or Jackson Heights.
I agree to a certain extent. While it may be difficult for certain people to learn English due to their age, there are many Asians that make little to no effort to learn. Before you get too defensive, I am also Asian and have seen it and understand it. Many of the Asians you see in Flushing or Chinatown, or any ethnic group in a ethnic-centric community, that have recently come to the states do not make a strong attempt at learning the language or cultures here because they are comfortable in their communities. In Chinatown, the primary language is Chinese, not English. It is difficult to shop or do anything in Chinatown without knowing Chinese. Therefore, for those who live there, it gives little motivation or "need" to learn English when everyone around you is speaking Chinese. Same goes for Spanish/Latin communities in Uptown or Jackson Heights.
Same goes for pretty much any Ethnic group in the city with a considerable amount of recent immigrants. Although Asians and Latinos I guess for being the majority get singled out more. For instance it's not easy moving about in a Russian neighborhood either without knowing Russian.
try not to be too critical without being understanding. Im 1st generation (my parents were fobs), and i at first felt the same way. How come chinese people can be here for 20 years and still know barely any english?
possible reasons are:
age- my grandma came at 50 with no knowledge of english, its harder to learn things as you get older. Also some of you say why dont they want to go to college etc. dude they dont even have a high school ged, you know how hard that is.
values- yes learning the american culture is important, but providing for you family (working- chinese people are such hard workers, kids- we want our kids to have a great future so we encourage schooling)
environment- many chinese people when they come here, since they have no education nor money, nor even language, they end up restricting to working in chinatown/low end. If you came to this country at middle age, had to work 10 hrs a day or more for below minimum wage, and had a family to take care of, is how the american person scowling at you for not knowing english well really going to be something you care about?
Dont be ignorant or racist. There are many other minorities who have trouble speaking english as well, stop acting like chinese people not speaking english is some sort of slap in the face of uncle sam. They would if they could, and they are trying their best to live. The life they lived isnt easy and you shouldnt knock them if you arent them ok.
Also if you think about it, i think chinese people have done decently for themselves considering how recent they are. In american colleges, chinese americans are quickly rising to the top colleges, so much so that colleges now have reverse affirmative action on them. Chinese people excel at starting up businesses and investing, moving up, trying to get the american dream like we all are. I think chinese people are hardworking, just because they might not know english doesnt make them less of a person. Also many chinese people actually do know english or at least some, but feel embarrassed about their speaking abilities.
I so agree with you..But, dont forget the Chinese were here since the 1800's like my grandparents and the Chinese that assimilated to the United States are now very Americanized. They speak English and shamely do not speak Cantonese/Chinese anymore. These Chinese have made their way into great colleges and high schools through their intellect. Education is very important to FOBS for their kids!!!
The FOBs that came here were too busy working their arses off to put their kids through school to get a great education so they can get great jobs and make money to have a better life from their FOB parents. They work for their kids unlike Americans who selfishly, only work and make money for themselves. BTW, Chinese take care of their elderly too. I have seen that...During my time growing up.. A Chinese person would be ashamed to go on welfare!!!!They rather work minial jobs to support themselves!!!
I dont think you would hear a Chinese out there commiting crimes constantly. When the Chinese move into a neighborhood the property value goes up IT DOES NOT go DOWN!! hmmm I wonder why?!
Yes maybe they should learn a few words to get by because I have trouble not understanding the language.
you got to be a bloody genius to get into america. my parents were fobs both from taiwan. dad (alum + ivy league) had 2 masters degrees, and mum had 1. immigration laws make it so bloody difficult, its dam near impossible to get a visa.
i grew up with some hard core right wing parents that did not even allow me to speak english at home.
these days in flushing though, you can get by with no english, and do business with only chinese and still make alot of money, or as they say in chinese Moderator cut: English is the only language permitted on City-Data, thanks..
no one should have to learn a language if they dont want to. most people go to america to make money, not to become american, and they certainly dont go there for the "freedom".
i love how the same people who say "learn our language or get out", also frequently seem to be the same people who say "they hate us for our freedom". of course these same people are probably ones who will say something like, "if you have liberal thoughts, you should move to canada". my only question is, what freedom? if you cant even speak the language you want, or have a political opinion, then that isnt freedom at all. seems like all americans want to hear are "support our troops", "god bless america", "muslims are terorists". are americans getting conformity mixed up with freedom?
Last edited by bmwguydc; 05-19-2010 at 08:40 PM..
Reason: English only, please
You know, the funny thing here is that the people arguing that immigrants should be forced to speak English are the folks with the worst English grammar...
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