Do you find it selfish that many Mexicans don't learn English?

Question

Are they part of the reason of our educational decline? I'm really angry that, as an Arizonan, my academic standards have to be dragged down by _____.

Um, no actually, Sweet-T. I happen to be two levels above my grade in math, have all honors classes and participate in a demanding superior marching band and the Arizona Study Program (That's piano).

I think I'm smart. I find that you, however, aren't seeing the entire question clearly.
Alright, so they are a fraction of the problem.

What do you major in?
I bet it's a liberal art.

Totoru: Yeah, I guess I can see that. My mother is Chinese, and it's soooo hard for her to pronounce her r's.

But you know, English and Spanish are both latin-based. I'm learning Spanish in school and it's hard to keep track of the right articles to stick onto everything.

Rottymom02: Actually, I happen to love Mexican food.
But the Chinese bring all their cultures into the US and have a grand ol' time fitting in.

Jordan P: They aren't VISITING though. They are LIVING here.


Ok, I remember a social studies lesson we had a while back. Do you know why there was fatal tension vetween the Germanic tribes and Romans? LANGUAGE BARRIER.

For detail #98703. Totoru, do you sometimes have lapse where you speak retarded and then switch back to perfect English?


For everyone else who thinks I'm ignorant, I'm working on Spanish, my third language.

My second is Chinese; I'm a mix.

Answer 1

Mexicans??? What about all of the other 5,000 nationalities that are in this country that don't learn English?

Apparently you view it as a problem because of where you live, but living in Detroit (who also happens to have the 2nd largest Arabic population in the U.S.) most of them know a lot less English than Mexicans... that's for sure!

Not to mention, what about the Ukrainian, Russians and Greeks who not only have to learn a 2nd language but also a 2nd alphabet.

Personally, I think that it's not "selfish" to not learn English. I think it's ignorant. But by the same token, we are about the only developed nation who doesn't regularly teach 2nd and 3rd languages fluently in schools. That's ignorant too!

I used to date a Ukrainian and some of his friends didn't speak English! I thought it was crazy! How do you go shopping or order at a restaurant if you don't know English??

We ALL need to know the language of the country of which we reside in. Trust me, if I was moving to Italy, I would definitely learn Italian!

Answer 2

I think your question belies the complexity of the situation for most Mexicans attempting to emigrate from their homeland.

Like anyone's family, Mexican families seek a better life. In many cases, it is clear that the best hope for some of them is to risk nearly everything for a chance to succeed in the United States.

Certainly a vast number of Mexican immigrants have, in fact, learned English, because it's often necessary simply to survive. Perhaps many Mexicans do not speak English very well initially, but learning a new language doesn't happen merely through osmosis: it takes time.

It's interesting to note that more Mexican immigrants are bilingual than life-long, non-hispanic, white Americans. And most European citizens speak multiple languages (yes, including Romans...I've been to Italy and let me tell you: they do more to acclimate themselves to us stupid, American tourists than we do for other cultures). Yet given these facts, so few Americans speak --or have any desire to speak-- anything but English. Who's selfish now?

Answer 3

It's not that they are selfish, it's just that it's not required and America doesn't make it a requirement. So why bother. I find it very annoying that in order for me to have a better chance at getting into my field (social work) that I should learn Spanish. U don't go to any other country in this world that change everything around to accomodate English. So why here? So to answer your question,no they are not selfish, it's just that America don't care to enforce it. So it's our government's fault.

Answer 4

I think you are right. When in Rome do as the Romans do. I can't understand how people can live in the US and not speak English. Not only Mexicans, Asians, South Americans...Whatever the country they are from. But I find it worst for education to decline. We are bed off. Look at the standards of Germany ( not the only country) how has Germany risen? A hell more than us.

Answer 5

Yes...I have customers at work that speak to me in Spanish and I ignore them. I dont look like I would speak Spanish at all and that is what I think is shocking about it. They assume that I will learn their language. Does the Motor Vehicle Service that hands them their licenses really give them the test in Spanish? Or are they driving around not understanding the laws? Scary!!!

Answer 6

No it is not selfish. Not at all. I wish I had some more sense of MY cultural background. If I did I would want to "connect" with others of the same IN MY NATIVE language.
Academic standards my big fat toe- you are using that as an excuse to bash someone elses culture!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Senorita don be mad cause we find Inglish hard to unnerstan. forinstance why do you say feet for two foots but booths for two booth and not beeths? Why is two mousies mice but two houses not hice? Why? Why? Why? Don you like speedy gonzales?

Answer 8

I am an Arizonan myself, and in response to your racist question... why don't you move you *****! Don't blame Mexicans for your stupidity! I go to an Ivy-League, with a state education.... what's your excuse?

P.S.

I'm not hispanic!

Answer 9

Yes it is. You should always know the country's mother language and if you don't bother to learn it, then you butt should not be here...

Answer 10

woah, its not just mexicans. and race shouldn't matter about the educational decline, just the kids, like how they act.