Immigrants why dont they speak english?

Question

I saw a news clip that made me think.
Latinos in Miami were complaining about the weather services inability to broadcast storm warnings in spanish.
The last I heard to be a citizen here people had to read and write english to gain a green card to live here.
If they cant understand the language of the land (and a lot are illegal) then why is it that we as taxpayers have to foot the bill for this?

Answer 1

I agree with you. Immigrants often live in heavily immigrant neighborhoods where they can get by without learning English. However, all of my ancestors came from non-English speaking countries and learned English as soon as they arrived here -- that's the idea behind the melting pot. If immigrants don't want to learn English they should move back to where they came from.

Answer 2

English wasn't the first, second, or even the third language that was spoken in this country.
However, it is the main language spoken in this country today. I do think that people should learn at least the basics before coming here ... But I think Americans need to do the same when they go to other countries. Sure, a lot do ... But there are so many who don't and expect everyone in the World to speak English.

You also have to look at the people who belittle countries like Cuba and Socialist Latin American countries and send out the message that the US welcomes the citizens of aforementioned countries.

As for someone who complained about their children having to learn another language in school ... Is that really such a bad thing? Learning another language also helps children with their own grammar and even math classes. Is being smart really that frowned upon?

And did I really just read that our ancestors came here and the English language is was bound them together as Americans? That gave me the greatest laugh I've had all day. My great grandparents spoke only French and Italian was spoken on the other side of the family. Just about everyone in their communites didn't speak a lick of English, either.
And when it comes to "One Nation Under God" ... She might want to actually learn a little bit about the founding fathers.
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050221/allen

Answer 3

Because when Clinton was President, he mandated that all legal documents be printed both in English and Spanish so he could get more of the Hispanic votes. I wish Bush would mandate it back to where all federal documents are ONLY in English. It sucks that people don't even try to learn the language anymore. What happened to "One Nation Under God". Our ancestors came here from many difference countries, but the one thing that bound them as Americans was the language. With so many different languages being used here, we are loosing our unity.

I hate it when our Governor (Heb) comes on TV during hurricane season and does the emergency broadcasts in Spanish. Just makes me mad so I have to turn it off.

Answer 4

*sigh*
We have been over this before. 1st generation always has problems with the language. 2nd generation is usually able to speak both. 3rd generation will speak English. Just be patient.

Meanwhile, in hurricane season, it would save a lot of lives if the residents could understand weather warnings. Are you against saving lives?

Answer 5

I completely agree with you. During and the years following World War II, there was an influx of Germans and Poles. There weren't translations from English to their languages, so I don't understand why we do it for the Spanish speaking people.

Answer 6

Somalis and other African immigrants speak English.
Korean grocers speak English...at least enough to do business and be civil.
A lot of immigrants speak English.
Plenty of Vietnamese immigrants speak English.
A lot of Asian immigrants speak English and want to work on getting rid of their accents.
Then there are the ones that don't even bother because we have been so damn accomodating.
I live in Seattle.
Lots of Asian and African immigrants here.....
all trying hard.

Answer 7

Because the US is the biggest superpower in the world(arguably), and thus screwed tons of people in other countries over to get to be such an economically saturated power.It is only fair that the rest of the world go where there is some wealth to reclaim some of their own.

Answer 8

That's why they're trying to pass a bill that would finally make english the official language of this country.
But until then...

Answer 9

Tell me about it!! But, when you think about it, why should they learn English, b/c our government has given them just as many and more rights than we have. I truly believe the less English you speak, the more government assistance you can get! It's sad that we've let our country get in the shape it's in!

Answer 10

First of all, when I came here, I was 8. Back in my country of Laos, it made sense as to everyone to speak our native language of Laotian, just as much as it made sense to you guys to speak your native language of English. When we come over here, we don't have years to prepare to come over here. We only have a few days. Give us time to learn the language. And with English being your native language, even if you knew Laotian, and you had moved over to my country, odds are, if you see someone that is available that speaks English as well, you will probably end up conversing in English.

Put yourselves in our shoes, instead of being the selfish, ignorant, racist pigs you are, and grow up.