2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumHillary Clinton: Immigrants must learn English
Just now on CNN Anderson Cooper...Hillary says of undocumented immigrants: "They have to learn English".
Trenzalore
(2,331 posts)I don't have a problem with multiple languages in the US however knowing English will lead to more economic opportunities.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)breaking.
So sure, they've got the time and stamina to sit through a one hour class 3 nights a week, fit in lab, and do homework.
And this says nothing about the opportunity to practice language skills
Who are they going to converse with? The foreman and all their co-workers speak Spanish, as does their family.
It is a ridiculous burden and reveals Hillary's white privilege.
My husband's family immigrated from Poland. Not one of the adults learned how to speak English and his mom did not learn until she went to school. But with her parents and her aunties and uncles? It was all Polish all the time because none of them learned English. And they had a thriving community, economically, politically, and personally in Schenectady, NY.
vdogg
(1,384 posts)Last edited Tue Mar 22, 2016, 10:03 AM - Edit history (1)
Went there for a few weeks on a trip for work. Absolutely beautiful country and culture. Out of respect for both however I insist on learning German fluently before I do so. Even though most of them know passable English, it would make it easier for me to assimilate if I spoke the native tongue. I would have absolutely no issue with any country deciding that an immigrant needs to learn the local language before entering.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)My husband's mom's family came here as WW II refugees. They did not have the luxury of learning the language before they came here.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)I'd imagine some of the one's coming here are in the same boat.
FYI, I do agree with you tho. Germany is a beautiful country.
pinebox
(5,761 posts)and in order to work in Germany you must know the language.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)I actually speak the language and visit from time to time. But go to some of the Turkish sections and you won't hear a link of German.
pinebox
(5,761 posts)generally people default to their own language, no different than here say in Brownsville, Texas
merrily
(45,251 posts)pinebox
(5,761 posts)I lived there as I was married to a German.
You'll have to enroll in Volkschule and learn the language and you can't work before you do.
Duolingo is your friend. https://www.duolingo.com/ It's also free.
virgogal
(10,178 posts)The largest percentage of immigrants are white so race has nothing to do with her opinion whether you agree with it or not..
Vattel
(9,289 posts)Sanders' immigration reform plan is vastly better than what Clinton supports. She even favors fining people for having illegally crossed a border. Punishing people for doing what any decent person who needs to feed their family would do is wrong.
And as for the immigration reform package that she voted for in 2007, it would have allowed families to be torn apart by deportations, and it would have meant semi-slavery for more guest workers. I can understand tolerating those really bad features for the sake of a path--any path--to citizenship. But I can certainly also understand voting against it as Sanders did.
jfern
(5,204 posts)so that their child can take care of them, what's the point of them learning English? Why do they "have" to?
merrily
(45,251 posts)Just surrender, Winston, and say "I love Big Brother."
En ingles, por favor.
You won't believe how much easier that will make things for you, even in your own heart and mind.
treestar
(82,383 posts)She would no doubt get the difference there.
There's no context to that statement. And no ground to prove mean old Hillary wants old immigrants to learn English or get kicked out.
merrily
(45,251 posts)interests, too. Exercising at least a half hour per day. Cutting down on salt and sweets. No smoking (goes without saying). How many times a week would you say would be optimal for sex?
If Bush had done this, would DU have been that sanguine about it?
You know that, until this, only the right was pushing for English only, right?
The amount of things DU's supporter of Hillary can blithely rationalize away as soon as Hillary's name attaches to it is beginning to pass from mock-worthy amusing to slightly scary. This thread may be the tipping point.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)DustyJoe
(849 posts)From the immigration requirements
https://www.us-immigration.com/cart/product/us-citizenship-exam-and-interview-guide-dvd-english.html
Renew Deal
(81,856 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)The more one knows, the better.
panader0
(25,816 posts)bigwillq
(72,790 posts)panader0
(25,816 posts)But not so much about the "must learn" part that HRC says. The USA is a melting pot, our demographics
have changed very much over the years, much more in the last 20-30 years.
I would like to speak the Crow language, as I am one eighth Crow, but I don't know it.
English, a language that I love (I was an English major before I dropped out, and my mother
taught English for 40 plus years), is not the only way to communicate.
Dr. Strange
(25,920 posts)Response to panader0 (Reply #12)
vdogg This message was self-deleted by its author.
Aerows
(39,961 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)MisterP
(23,730 posts)another All Lives Matter moment
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)astrophuss42
(290 posts)Aerows
(39,961 posts)Thank you for the reminder.
merrily
(45,251 posts)I'm confused.
riversedge
(70,202 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Americans born here should learn another language.
Knowledge is power.
angstlessk
(11,862 posts)which is easy to learn in pre-school, kindergarten and early education.
It should all be co-ordinated...be it Spanish or Mandarin. From pre school through high school
white_wolf
(6,238 posts)Studies show that's the best time to learn a new language instead of waiting until high school or college. I'd love to learn Japanese, but I'm not sure I can now.
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)I'm teaching my kids Japanese and German.
merrily
(45,251 posts)angstlessk
(11,862 posts)in the 30's or 40's
I am sure each immigrant WANTED to learn English...but the opportunity was limited...do we now have FREE school for others to learn English?
okasha
(11,573 posts)I have taught ESL for Literacy Volunteers of America since I retired. The students range from doctors snd engineers who needed to pass licensing exams to housewives who wanted to be able to help their children with
schoolwork to day laborers. The clases are free.
Mika
(17,751 posts)MisterP
(23,730 posts)Travis_0004
(5,417 posts)English is the most commonly spoken language in America, and knowing it will open more job opportunities and help them out.
angstlessk
(11,862 posts)I think the second language in the USA should be Spanish
Behind the Aegis
(53,955 posts)It is the second most spoken language spoken in the US, followed by...can you guess? Chinese!
Persondem
(1,936 posts)And of course the OP provides zero evidence for the claims.
RandySF
(58,786 posts)kristopher
(29,798 posts)Someone who grew up learning several languages might be able to do it, but if you take the average adult who only speaks their native language and expect any level of fluency to emerge you're going to be disappointed most of the time. They can learn to communicate with a vocal of about 800 words, but fluency such as is required to really enter the english language workforce is a tall order.
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)"...speak American."
kiva
(4,373 posts)and I'm not a Hillary supporter. Lacking English in the U.S. sets people up to be taken advantage of, to miss job opportunities, to not be able to help your children with their homework, and a whole lot of other negative things.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)kiva
(4,373 posts)"They have to learn English". I take that as "they really have to learn English to get along in the U.S."
I don't support any sort of test or requirement, I just believe that anyone who does not learn English is handicapped in dealing with American culture and life.
ecstatic
(32,695 posts)but could potentially get a path to citizenship.
I think it's only fair. It took over 10 years for my mom's family of 7 to all get into the United States legally. Are you suggesting that there should be no rules whatsoever when it comes to people who came in illegally? Have you ever heard of limited resources?
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)I don't see how you enforce people having to learn a language.
For that matter I don't really care if people don't speak English. People should be able to speak whatever language they want.
ecstatic
(32,695 posts)If you come illegally, yeah, learning the language is potentially a small price to pay to become legal and enjoy all the benefits that come with U.S. citizenship.
Don't like it, don't come here illegally. Get in line and wait your turn, like my family did. No forced English required in that scenario. It's quite simple.
stone space
(6,498 posts)Lots of undocumented folks overstayed their visas.
But you don't seem as concerned about them.
ecstatic
(32,695 posts)The OP didn't provide any context. You have no idea what I'm concerned about, nice try though.
Response to ecstatic (Reply #112)
stone space This message was self-deleted by its author.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)She wasn't making any exceptions
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Not hurt.
merrily
(45,251 posts)CTyankee
(63,911 posts)We had a number of Turkish people coming into an area nearby. As a result we have two marvelous Turkish restaurants near us. They have great food. Beautifully arranged, nutritious and marvelous tasting. I used to get their great soups as a takeout...
ebayfool
(3,411 posts)thing. Looky there! Hillary IS bringing the 2 parties together. I'm just not too sure if we are really ready for the rest of the right wing ideas she's gonna drag in the door.
merrily
(45,251 posts)ebayfool
(3,411 posts)LOL! I prefer reply 89!
"Shoulding on people is not nice."
merrily
(45,251 posts)ebayfool
(3,411 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)ebayfool
(3,411 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)polly7
(20,582 posts)We're divided about 70% English and 30% French speaking people. It's fun, we learn from each other and it makes conversation interesting. I don't believe people who've spoken another language all their life should be forced to speak another language. If they choose to learn English to make life easier for themselves, that's great. If not, I'm sure they will have help from those who do.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)I totally agree people shouldn't be forced to learn a language. Especially older people who might find it really hard.
polly7
(20,582 posts)listening to the French people and trying to figure out what they were saying. French was a mandatory class in elementary school, but I learned so much more down at the rink! Plus, two (twins) of my best friends were French and rarely spoke English when they moved from the convent to our school, so it was always funny when we misunderstood each other. I absolutely loved staying at their house - 15 kids plus parents who spoke nothing but French.
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)Not quite the same as contemporary French-French, French friends tell me. Canada sounds very cool.
I have only travelled across the Atlantic once, to visit Cuba. Must go again... Something pending. And I want to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. And Canada. As regards the USA, the Cascadian (Salish) region seems most attractive.
I was taught some French in my (free, state-run) English grammar school in the '60s. When I first went to France I found that wasn't much use in the real world. Learned some more with French girlfriends, more time in France. When I came to Spain (and Catalonia) I had no Spanish, nor Catalan, but a basic grasp of French grammar helped me learn Castillian Spanish (and a smattering of Catalan) as I went along, sobre la marcha. I took no classes, but living with a Spanish partner, whose family all spoke first Catalan, then Castillian but who advised me to concentrate on Spanish because that's a much more useful, widely-spoken language, helped.
Of course speaking Spanish has allowed me to integrate myself, and has opened up this culture and the cultures of Latin America to me, filling my head with ideas. I think it helps me to think more clearly, in both languages - having some ability to compare and contrast. So many single-language speakers seem to speak without thinking too much about what they're saying. Straight from unspoken thought to tongue without, often, much reflection. I still have a kind of 'loop' in my head where I sometimes need to think about how to phrase what I need to say in Spanish before saying it, although often now, 30 years later, it's as fluent as my English.
There are many Brit expats living in (with apologies, but we do use this term in this way) English-speaking 'ghettoes' on the Spanish coasts and islands (with whom for a long time I rarely mixed). That looks and sounds a bit pathetic. British TV. Closed minds.
I recommend to all: Learn, learn, teach as much as you can. But preferably not through the use of obligation or force.
riversedge
(70,202 posts)context is wrong and purposefully divisive and meant to be flame-bait. Shameful
RandySF
(58,786 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)RandySF
(58,786 posts)You do realize there are several ways to legally live in the US without being a citizen, right?
dsc
(52,160 posts)snooper2
(30,151 posts)What, you just want them to whither away on the couch?
treestar
(82,383 posts)Old people don't have to learn English and even can be exempt from the English test for Naturalization. Is Hillary advocating changing the statutes or repealing that?
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)citizenship.
She didn't make any exceptions for old people.
I'm totally against the idea of forced English classes for the elderly. Hopefully this is something we can all agree on.
Maybe Hillary should issue a statement to clarify because she said "they have to learn English".
treestar
(82,383 posts)you are really going out of your way now. If she had been asked about old people, she probably even knows that already. You're holding her to a standard you would never hold yourself to.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)even if they can't or else they can't become a citizen?
Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,943 posts)reddread
(6,896 posts)oh wait. private "Universities" are looking forward to this windfall arent they?
well theres a platform issue she will stick with.
awesome.
RandySF
(58,786 posts)She learned English before I met her by reading in front of a mirror. She tells her sister overseas the her kids should learn English before trying to come to the US.
pugetres
(507 posts)in the world, this is for you...
Persondem
(1,936 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)Persondem
(1,936 posts)or two to fill out .... in, wait for it, ENGLISH!!
from https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/immigration-reform/
"Enact comprehensive immigration reform to create a pathway to citizenship, keep families together, and enable millions of workers to come out of the shadows. "
and ...
" ... increase access to robust language programs to help people boost their English proficiency."
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin
(107,943 posts)My immigrant grandparents had to.
Iris
(15,653 posts)I had a great-grandmother who never learned. Her kids, grands, great- and great great grands are all doing fine.
RandySF
(58,786 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)That's always a good thing to do.
metroins
(2,550 posts)I don't think government forms should be made in multiple languages (unless online) due to cost.
But other than that, if they want to be limited, that's none of my business.
I'm not going to move to another country without knowing their language in a somewhat passable format.
Je suis Americain.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)There are certain neural pathways formed with early childhood Ed that actually close as we age.
If you haven't been privileged enough to have had the opportunities to form those neural pathways in your primary developmental years, they are forever blocked and make learning a new language almost impossible. Things like blocks, coloring, musical instruments, math games etc - exposure to complex learning at an early age forges those crucial links for later progression.
I learned Spanish at 40 years old. It was damned hard even having had 10 years of French in HS, college, grad school.
I have a 65 yr old employee, been in the States 40 years and he still can't speak or understand English well even as I've paid for FIVE years of ESL lessons for him (I think he's illiterate but he's got such a phenomenal almost photographic memory, he can recite instructions back almost verbatim as long as I say them out loud - in Spanish lol).
Another employee, a 28 yr old Mexican, is almost conversant in 2 years (he was a phlebotomist in Mexico so would fall under the rubric of educated).
There's no way you can say a hard universal "They have to learn English" unless you're privileged and have never been exposed to real immigrants in RL.
Bad Thoughts
(2,522 posts)Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)To become a naturalized U.S. citizen, you must pass the naturalization test. At your naturalization interview, you will be required to answer questions about your application and background. You will also take an English and civics test unless you qualify for an exemption or waiver.
For more information, see USCIS Policy Manual English and Civics Testing Guidance.
I would say learning English was a good suggestion.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)That was the context. But I still think if people have been living here a long time there ought to be some exceptions. Especially for old people.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)I didn't see what it required, but naturalization can occur without the language test.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)I speak quite a bit of Spanish, picked up because I am often in Mexico and I live in San Diego. I also know a little of French. I think learning the common language of where you are is a good thing, and knowing more than one language is a critical life skill.
merrily
(45,251 posts)truebrit71
(20,805 posts)Doesn't make any sense..
TheProgressive
(1,656 posts)And I believe you have to take a test, in English (or 'American' for republicans), in order to become a
citizen of the USA.
polly7
(20,582 posts)smdh
sibelian
(7,804 posts)The loudest and most insistent lefties all started spouting economic theories that they'd shat on mere months before.
Never underestimate the power of triangulation to strangle the brain. Triangulation is driven entirely by paranoia. Once it sets in, that's it.
EndElectoral
(4,213 posts)m-lekktor
(3,675 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)That totally baseless attack drummed up to scare Latino voters away from El Viejto.
Do we expect anything else at this stage?
treestar
(82,383 posts)Learning English does not mean you NEVER use your prior language. And there is room for those still learning.
Mnpaul
(3,655 posts)until someone pointed out that many of the first generations of immigrants continued to speak their native tongues. I remembered my grandfather using German more often than English and all the old timers playing sheepshead in the bar and realized it's just part of America and who we are.
Same story with my family
JustABozoOnThisBus
(23,339 posts)When a forklift carrying a pot of molten metal is bearing down on you, it's good to know phrases like "Hot Stuff!!", "Heads Up!!!" etc.
Your grandfather may have used German at home and at the bar with his friends. But I bet he learned English, and was probably pretty good at it.
EndElectoral
(4,213 posts)Sad to see Hillary is moving in that direction.
Bread and Circus
(9,454 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)The outrage would be intense and probably there would be at least 20 threads on it for 3 days.
ecstatic
(32,695 posts)bill. But let's pretend that didn't happen.
http://dailykos.com/story/2016/2/6/1480425/-Watch-Bernie-Sanders-Agree-with-Lou-Dobbs-Illegal-Aliens-Rant
merrily
(45,251 posts)How would Huerta have felt if someone had actually said that when she claimed they had?
Behind the Aegis
(53,955 posts)If you are going to live in another country, one should learn the language. I don't know it is necessary to become fluent, but knowing the language of the country is important. However, if we are expecting it to become a citizen, then I think classes should be provided. Learning another language becomes more difficult with age for the vast majority of people, so those who are older will have a harder time, but it really comes down to how it is taught.
FTR, I speak multiple languages.
merrily
(45,251 posts)synergie
(1,901 posts)And just what do you think happens to immigrants in this country that cannot speak English? Oh you poor, innocent dear, you're trying to make this an attack against spanish speakers, aren't you? Awww!
Yes, immigrants to the US have to learn English, it's how they do things like get jobs, and live in society and do stuff every day.
I guess you have not spent time with anyone who doesn't speak English in this country, but one of the thousands of other languages, which keep them very limited in their ability to do very much on their own. Even those who speak Spanish are very limited in the scope available to them. Immigrants are stupid enough to fall for this nonsense, I hope you realize that.
Also, the rest of the world, most of which speaks English, is paying close attention to the stuff Bernie is saying about immigrants, and they don't see much difference from Trump, since they're both attacking their relatives in the US.
stone space
(6,498 posts)My wife spoke no English when she fist came here and worked here.
She was employed.
pinebox
(5,761 posts)I finally found something I can agree with Hillary on!
I have zero issue with this honestly and I think personally people should learn the language if they want to live and work in America. Why is this such a bad thing to say in our country when so many other countries have this as law?
I personally don't get the issue here. Wouldn't it only be fair and respectful to actually learn the language of the country you are living in? I lived in Germany for over a decade as I was married to a German and I attended "Volkschule" to do so, which is free.
Maybe we need something similar here.
I'm sure I will get flack for stating my position here but I feel that this is the right thing to do. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". This would only serve to benefit those who are coming here. /shrug
riversedge
(70,202 posts)to post single sentences without knowing the context--and I am saying this for all stripes. That said--I also believe it is in their long term interests --to be successful in the US--to learn English. And most immigrants know this and are learning.
pinebox
(5,761 posts)MineralMan
(146,288 posts)Spanish-speaking immigrants. In reality, most immigrants, documented or otherwise, know that one of the keys to success in this country is learning English. I exempt the elderly, because they're usually not involved in commerce or other things so much, and learning a new language is more different when you're older.
It's an old story. The first generation of immigrants has difficulty becoming fluent in English. The next generation is completely bilingual, and generations after that can barely speak the original language.
I see it daily here, among Hmong immigrants, who are all documented. Grandma only speaks Hmong. I can say Hello, goodbye and thank you to her in her own language. If I need to say more, her grandchild will be glad to translate.
People who want to succeed learn the dominant language where they live. Here in the Twin Cities, there are many resources designed to help them do so.
Fla Dem
(23,655 posts)I could post Anderson Cooper says "Bernie Sanders doesn't think American companies should make a profit" with no citation, w/o context or links and it would be as full of holes as this OP.
Q: Is there any downside to the US becoming a bilingual nation?
A: Its important for as many Americans as possible to do what I have never been able to do, and that is learn another language and try to be bilingual because that connects us to the rest of the world. It is important that English remain our common unifying language because that brings our country together in a way that we have seen generations of immigrants coming to our shores be able to be part of the American experience and pursue the American dream. I have been adamantly against the efforts by some to make English the official language. That I do not believe is appropriate, and I have voted against it and spoken against it. I represent New York. We have 170 languages in NYC alone. I do not think we should be, in any way, discriminating against people who do not speak English, who use facilities like hospitals or have to go to court to enforce their rights. But English does remain an important part of the American experience.
Source: 2008 Democratic debate at University of Texas in Austin , Feb 21, 2008
English unifies us; teach ESL but support other languages
Q: Is this country gradually going to become more a Spanish-speaking country, and should we accept that?
A: Well, theres three different points here. First, we need to have English as a common, unifying language. Its an important part of who we are and how we keep this big, diverse country of ours going. Secondly, there are a lot of Americans who are citizens who speak different languages. I represent New York City. I think theres, like, 170 languages and dialects; the city would be in total chaos if people didnt get some services and some help in the language that they actually understood. And thirdly, make it clear that we do expect people who want to become legal in America to try to learn English. But that doesnt mean that they have to give up the language that they originally had, but we have to do more with English as second language, more help in schools, to get people to be able to speak and comprehend English.
Source: 2007 Democratic radio debate on NPR , Dec 4, 2007
Making English official imperils crises needing translators
If English becomes the official language, instead of recognized as national, that means in a place like New York City you cant print ballots in any other language. That means you cant have government pay for translators in hospitals so when somebody comes in with some sort of emergency theres nobody there to help translate what their problem is for the doctors. So many of us voted that English was our national language but not the official language because of the legal consequences of that.
Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College , Jun 3, 2007
http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/Hillary_Clinton_Immigration.htm
https://www.hillaryclinton.com/issues/immigration-reform/
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)pampango
(24,692 posts)when they arrive they have to take the citizenship exam in English. (I always wonder how many republican voters could pass the same citizenship exam.)
Recursion
(56,582 posts)The exemptions get pretty broad, but it's a part of the standard naturalization process.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)EndElectoral
(4,213 posts)And what if someone chooses not to. Is there retribution?
"They have to learn English." Not, it is beneficial to them in getting ahead as the majority of our population speaks english and it may open up opportunities for themselves or their family. No, she made a pronouncement.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)officers when describing them to my fellow marines.
EndElectoral
(4,213 posts)Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)And, it has the quality of being almost universal and extremely flexible. Many profane words can be used as verbs, nouns, adverbs and adjectives. Sometimes in the same sentence. Not to mention they are available in most languages.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)I can't find the transcript for exact words.
treestar
(82,383 posts)They have to in order to be naturalized. Then "have to" in order to get jobs, for the most part.
Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)They were talking about how to handle the issue of undocumented immigrants and what can be a path to citizenship.
That's weird because I've known some older people who got citizenship without any English.
EndElectoral
(4,213 posts)Has that been changed?
treestar
(82,383 posts)But it seems silly to insist that people NOT Learn it when they live here on purpose. Most people will want to.
If I moved to Peru I'd want to study and add to my Spanish as much as possible.
EndElectoral
(4,213 posts)Cheese Sandwich
(9,086 posts)That's what I heard anyway. If somebody can find a transcript and she didn't say that I'll delete the post.
Sometimes I hear wrong.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)I crack me up
nichomachus
(12,754 posts)Many, many years ago. We had immigrants from all over. The progress in the language is pretty much the same now and it was then. The older people who immigrate learn English poorly or not at all. The next generation learns English with a heavy reliance on the old language. By the next generation, the kids speak perfect English and may they speak the old language or they don't (which causes the older folks to tear their hair out).
I live in a community now with a lot of immigrants -- and you see the exact same progression. Nothing has really changed.
My experience with immigrants -- then and now -- is that the younger ones want to assimilate. In fact -- sadly -- many younger people take pride in not speaking the old language -- just English.
All this talk by Hillary and other blowhards is just bullshit.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I don't suppose she rides the subway to her office in Brooklyn Heights, but if she did, she would see that nearly every train car has an ad that reads "Aprenda Ingles" (Learn English). These are ads for private language schools, since the English classes offered by the NYC schools are hopelessly oversubscribed.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)I could talk to a lot more people if I was fluent in Spanish, because I live in Texas.
It works both ways. If you read signs, you tend to pick up some words in Spanish.
Mike__M
(1,052 posts)Speak Lushootseed, Diné or one of the other 300 or so surviving languages that grew here.
Alaska alone has declared these its official languages: Ahtna; Alutiiq; Deg Xinag; Dena'ina; English; Eyak; Gwich'in; Haida; Hän; Holikachuk; Inupiaq; Koyukon; Upper Kuskokwim; Tanacross; Lower Tanana; Upper Tanana; Tlingit; Tsimsihan; Unangan; Central Alaskan Yup'ik; St. Lawrence Island Yupik.
As soon as you've mastered the language suited to your locality, feel free to advise immigrants how they should speak the language of the land.