To those who think English should be the official language of the US..what if an immigrant has problems ...?

Question

with a learning disability, or a developmental challenge that would make it harder for them to learn to read, as well as speak English? Yes, there are individuals from other countries who have learning issues, how would they be able to learn our language? Especially having to read it, as in newspapers, magazines, and government forms? I can see learning to read signs and using simple phrases...but if someone has severe learning challenges, how would they even learn the basics?

I tried to learn another language..Spanish...and although I know how to say some things in Spanish, I could not get the written stuff, especially the grammar...

Look, what I'm trying to say is not some anti-American stuff. I KNOW people who have learning disabilities and have a hard time learning anything, okay...why can't someone give me an honest answer, someone who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about learning disabilities and how people with those challenges can learn our language, without all the nasty, bigoted remarks? If you hate people with learning problems and those that are not Americans, why do you even answer?

Give me one example of a learning-disabled person you know who learned to READ English fluently without struggling...I mean someone who came here with a learning problem such as dyslexia, autism, hearing problems, or developmental challenges? Do they teach English, here in America, to those with special needs?

Answer 1

I believe you people are missing the point. English IS the official language of the U.S. Just because some people don't speak English here does not mean everyone here can't. If you go to a store and can't communicate with the clerk, leave, and don't return. If it's a national chain contact the corporate office. It's more than likely a local problem caused by the manager ( that is highly replaceable).
Just because something is difficult is no excuse not to do it. It has been my experience that you can do ANYTHING you decide you really want to do. It takes hard work and determination but even someone with "learning issues" is capable of much greater things than learning the English language.
Stop making excuses and get to work!

Answer 2

English should be the official language here in the USA. Some of the people in the USA do have a learning disability and I would treat them the same way as any one from another country with a learning disability I don't find fault with anyone with a learning disability, but I do fault with anyone for not even TRYING to learn the some of the language. Why should English be the official language in the USA? If I go to another country (what ever it may be) and tell everyone there that they should learn to speak English and have their government pay for a bilingual class for us, I don't think it would go over too well. My family had to learn English when I came here when I was 4 years old. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in America, speak in English or go back to your country.

Answer 3

Without the means to communicate why would an immigrant WANT to stay ? English as an official language is proper and just for the U.S. Learning challenges can be overcome to the point of being able to communicate I think, there's always exceptions to the rule.
Reading is very important. Road signs, menus, the ability to vote, to fill out forms. The U.S. IS a melding pot but we can not print in every language, there would always be a language we forgot or didn't know of and then we're accused of being prejudice against that person.
Political correctness - baloney. Learn the language so that you can participate in the country you have chosen and LEGALLY entered to call home.

Answer 4

Since you cannot read spanish,my guess is that you would not like to move to Mexico anytime soon.

If you cannot learn a language then I see no reason to move to another country.You already have enough problems.

Let's put this in the most simple terms possible.

If I go into a store to buy something and the clerk cannot understand me because I speak english and he does not.Should I have to learn his language?Why would I have to, when I was born and raised in america and we are in america?

Almost every country in the world has a national language.So should we!!

Answer 5

I agree...but on a broader scope. My wife's family immigrated legally to the US from China when she was still a kid. She learned English, but her father tried and tried, taking classes, etc, but never could get it. He was heartbroken, but what do you do? He gets along fine, his children take care of him and make sure his needs are met, and they live in Chinatown, so they really can get by without knowing English.

It is foolish to make learning the language a requirement, and would tear families apart. If you are going to let people immigrate to the US in the first place, you should allow their culture and language as well.

Answer 6

I do think English should be the official language. As far as learning disabilities we should definitely have classes to teach them if possible and people to translate for them if not. I would guess it would be a very small % of people who couldn't be functional in our language if they are in their own language.

Answer 7

My forebearers learned English. Immigrants have learned English for 200 yrs. Mexicans going to school in the US (in the 60s) on permits had to take English classes before attending even thought their English may have been limited on arrival. Your question has not swayed me.

Answer 8

That's why alot of community colleges have english as a second language classes.My ancestors had to learn English when they decided to come here, the other immigrants can suck it up and deal too!

Answer 9

Learning a language that is not the mother tongue is difficult. But most of the immigrants learn it at a younger age when it is easy.
People with learning problem can not even learn their mother tongue.

Answer 10

Immigrants should think before going to USA if he / she cannot learn the native language. Or best thing to pretend as if he /she is deaf.