why should the U.S. change it's ways of doing things for years, to compensate for foreign immigrants?

Question

years ago from what i understand the U.S. made every immigrant come through Ellis Island. there they would pass through many tests of language, currency, and what not. why is it not that way today? why should i have to see three different languages on the packageing of toilet paper , and here "for espan~ol, marke' doce."
want to live here?... learn the language... learn the ways. i don't want to change the way our forefathers saw our future. because people are affraid of getting sewed.

Answer 1

is seeing a foreign language so offensive to you? Ever thought having multiple languages on products help people to learn languages, and what about foreign tourists? Check how much of your economy is dependent on tourism before you send them all packing.

And, your US forefathers said absolutely nothing on preserving the English language. Your constitution doesn't protect it, and if you country is changed so much, ever thought about learning spanish? You country is founded on immigration, and tolerance and freedom if i remember correctly. So who's really trying to change the way your forefathers saw it?

Answer 2

Actually, historically you're very off on your claims. First up, while many immigrants came through Ellis Island, not all did. Angel Island in California was an entry station, and other port cities in the East Coast likewise took in immigrants, and obviously they didn't truck Latin American immigrants to NY just for processing.
Furthermore, there was never a language test given, nor a literacy test. Immigrants had to pass health tests, had to prove they were over 16 if travelling alone, prove they were not communists or criminals, and had to have at least $25 so they would not instantly become wards of the state.
Your arguments are no different than those made back in the 1840s when the Irish came in large numbers, or the 1880-1920 period when large numbers of Italians, Russians, and other Eastern Europeans came. In a couple of generations, all these groups assimilated and became "Americanized".
In response to the horrible suffering of seeing multiple languages on toilet paper, complain to the company that puts it out. For one, the English speaking world isn't their only market. For two, the only language businesses speak is green - the more friendly they seem to others, the more money they can make. That's why they offer Spanish on the telephone as an option, recognizing that non-english speakers use their products as well. I'm sure they would love to hear how inconvenient it is for you to have to read their label or wait half a second for the next recorded option.
Finally, a suggestion: if you really wanted things to change for the better, perhaps you could tutor immigrants so they could "learn the language...learn the ways". Rather than moaning about part of the problem, be part of the solution.
Good luck. Or to help you practice if you do try tutoring, "Buena suerte."

Answer 3

Haha,what 3 languages on the packageing of toilet paper you saw .Have you seen the Chinese?Naturally,we can see all kinds of language ,anywhere everyday.In China ,tell you truth,A decades years ago,If you see the English introduction on packageing of all kinds of priducts,you will be surprised,and we are tend to think that the products would be good just because printed in english.
Today,people 's mind change.The English has elips his way with the discovery of the Korean and Janpese on the packageing.In turn back,People also think ansia language is so nice

so take it seriously,pal.

Answer 4

I agree with you that immigrants to the U.S. should make every effort to learn English. I don't like people coming to the U.S. and expecting me to provide a translation for their native language, making no effort to learn ours.

It also frustrates me when my company hires someone as a coworker to me who doesn't speak English well, and then expects me to train them when we have no real common language, and it slows me down and lowers my productivity.

However, I speak two languages fluently, and have studied 4 others. I know how difficult it is to learn another language, so even though this situation frustrates me, and I hate to see our country pandering to lazy immigrants who won't even try to learn English, I try to be patient with people who appear to be trying and help them when I can.

Answer 5

i think also that we should'nt have to adjust and readjust our lives to suit someone else.i am glad we have other nationalities here in america......if legal,but they should at least try to conform to our ways.but they don't because they don't have to.and it's not just product packaging i am referring to.as far as i know other countries don't change things for us.our giving ways are getting us nowhere fast.i am the mother of an ex marine(daughter)and now a naval reservist.we believe in all acts of kindness but this is going too far.charity begins at home.