Question:
My question is why, when people emigrate to the states, some do not
want to learn the language. I accept that there is no official
language, but English is pretty much the dominant one. I have lived in
a couple of countries, France and Portugal, where English was not the
main language. Although the people there were very helpful at first,
they kind of expected a bit of their language from me after a while. I
got nothing but respect from them, even with my really bad attempts,
but I think I showed them that I respected them enough to learn their
language. Sure, some people treated it as a sign of stupidity not being
able to speak the language, but all in all most people respected it.
There seem to be a huge amount of people who are not interested in
integrating who have emigrated here. I work in construction and am
amazed that I can be around people all day and not hear any English.
Learning English does not mean you are American, I think it shows a
respect for where you are and the people of the country. If people are
scared of losing their identity, they are misinformed because no one
can take away your identity, you already are who you are. I learned
that when in Rome do as the Romans do is the surest way to success
wherever you go.
There are whole neighborhoods in Las Vegas where no English is spoken
and I have to say that these neighborhoods are not the safest. In
comparison a good neighborhood has mixes of all races and
nationalities, who are trying to integrate in what is already here.
They are not trying to recreate what they left behind.
I was always excited about the challenge of a new country, the food,
culture, language and humor of the people there. I would never dream of
pushing my country on them.
Answer:
Many, if not most (Latinos anyway) "emigrants" are not "emigrants" as
they not only do not intend to Americanize, they also do not intend to
make the U.S. home.
The U.S> is simply a zone to, from time to time, and as the need
requires, visit, as unencumbered as possible, for economic
exploitation.
The 'open door' policies of the past are becoming, in fact, the
'revolving door' of the present.
Also, little to be proud about, and as a convenient deflection from
confronting the corruption of their home governments, the Spanish
language is moreover tauted by the so-called teachers of
Spanish-speakers, to be, like their cultures, superior to English and,
thus, especially any culture even partially "WASP."
The 'linguistic chauvinism,' is appallingly immature. It has always
astounded me to hear adults proclaim how "Spanish is prettier than
English." It is not unlike "Our pesos are prettier than your dollars"
or "My daddy can beat up your Daddy."
But 'immaturity' itself is, like the vice of pride, a conception barely
known much less recognized within Latin America.
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