Language barriers???

Question

I want to know whose BIG idea it is that we should be a bi-lingual country and that our second language should be mexican spanish? I am a Native American and my people were here before any of you that make all of these absurd laws and rules about languages. I am bi-ligual, I speak my own native language and I speak American English. When I was searching for a job (That I was well qualified for)I always see that the position required that the applicant, "Must be bi-lingual" meaning ,must speak Spanish...Well, I think that is "Racial" and absurd--You want to live here--learn American English or go back where you came from. As a Native American I tell you all to walk in Great Fore Fathers moccasins. All oI don't want to speak Spanish and if I am forced to speak a third language it will not be Spanish...So tell me liberal USA how is it that you would rape this country,open the doors to any and everyone--but let someone sneak in your back door and rape you??

If my mind were any more open you could see inside and maybe you would be blinded by your own minds eye...I oppose being forced by politics and politicians to use any other languge other than American English. I do not oppose learning other languages in fact I am already learning two other languages...But forceing a language on someone--did not that happen to my people already???And might I add--In our own country...

Answer 1

English and French are the official languages in Canada, but the Inuit have made an effort to re-educate their kids in their own tongue, and there are even broadcasts on the CBC in Inuit.

http://www2.nau.edu/~jar/books.html
http://www.native-languages.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_in_Canada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aboriginal_peoples_in_Canada
http://www.sedl.org/pubs/lc05/appendix_g.html

The big problem for you is your government's unwillingness to admit to past mistakes and atrocities. Canada's has and is finally pumping money in to improve education and living standards.

Also look up the efforts by the Welsh and Irish to revive their own languages after what the British did to them, trying to drive those languages into extinction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_language
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_language

Use those as a model and go from there. With widespread internet access, teaching indigenous languages will be easier than it might have been in the past. Canada and the US have the disadvantage of geography; the Welsh and Irish are physically small, so it's easier to have in-class language immersion, but with internet video transfer, you wouldn't need a TV network, just video files and internet radio.


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Answer 2

Umm.... I'm also Native and I'm very active in my community.
What you are saying doesn't make sense. Why would you accept learning English as the primary language. Spanish and English are both languages used by colonizers. You should be advocating for people to learn Native languages instead of discriminating against those who want you to speak Spanish. And bi-lingual refers to any language unless it says specifically bi-lingual Spanish-English.

Also I do want to say that I agree that the language laws are absurd and shouldn't be forced upon Native peoples. But I think they should be considering that English isn't the primary language.

Answer 3

I think its important to be able to communicate in the most languages you can, its a limitation not knowing at least 2 languages. My native language is Spanish i live in a Spanish speaking country, but I speak English, Portuguese, some French and some Italian. I'm going to get those better, and continue studying different languages, its just give you the power to be able to communicate without any barrier. Open your mind!!

Answer 4

Well, you are right being angry because of the job. Although I live in latinamerica, I agree with you on that people who go to live to another country should speak the official language of the country.
But this is not all about mexican inmigrants, the thing is globalization has a lot to do with this new job requirements.
If you want to get a decent job in latinamerica is easier if you know another language.
So, don't take it personally, learn a new language (it can be fun) and I'm sure you will do great!
good luck!

Answer 5

What is your question exactly?

Well basically it's all about the conforming, controlling, brainwashing and stuff rulers like to impose on their inhabitants because they think it's funny and it makes them rich and feel powerful and they have achieved something... whether it's good or bad... but they prefer it if it's bad because people get suspicious if it's them doing something good... and quite rightly too.

Tell me, why are the nasty inconsiderate people in the world the wealthiest, most successful, more popular etc?

I think your "question" comes across no the offensive side even though I have nothing to do with americans, but I totally understand where you're coming from.

I feel trapped in my own country by the way england is run, I hate all these expectations, limitations and "subtle" controlling things they put over us and in america I think it's slightly worse... how easy is it for you to pay some money to a website and take away someone else's privacy for example! I think it's sick.

"we don't want power over white institutions; we want white institutions to disappear. That's revolution" Russell Means Native American activist

maybe you can direct some of your questions to some contacts on this site, that would be interesting to see what they say about it... (no.1)

and also a good little introductory book to colonisation, globalisation imposed on "natives" of countries, and even you can apply alot of things to yourself and, if you don't realise already that is, realise how bad "western" organisations are.. and that even aaalll organisations native or not have tendancies and ways of controlling "their" people. You can get it in america too. - www.versobooks.com title: no nonsense guide to indigenous peoples by lotte hughes .... please expand your knowledge...truth is self power

Answer 6

I am sorry for all your anger built up. you should have told them you already have a 2nd language...then moved on from their ignorance. I travel overseas and its funny but when I am in the grocery stores ( in Athens) I don't find food items with instructions in different languages on them.....they are in Greek so I shop by pictures on the cans or take a friend who is Greek with me. It is wonderful to be able to learn different languages though, but very difficult for some...me especially with my southern accent. But at least I try and they are pleased that I do.
It is nothing overseas to find ones that know 6 or 7 languages..isn't that wonderful? In the states actually there is no official, by law, language....it is just assumed it is English.

Answer 7

I certainly agree with YOU young lady; however, back when I went to school in the good ol' US of A they taught the second language and we ALL learned it.
Pig Latin (lol)

PS: I'm an Okie, so you know the rest of the story....(lol)

Answer 8

I personally believe French is the better second language. It has better market value.

Answer 9

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