Is being bilingual (English and Spanish speaking) an asset or a detriment to the American society?

Question

If not, how so?
And if it is, how does it benefit our society?

Answer 1

I think that English should be the official language of our country. Frankly, if you immigrate here, I think you should make every effort to become proficient in English. I'd do the same if I moved to a foreign country.

However, I think knowing a second language is a great skill for anyone. Being proficient in another language/culture broadens your horizons and opens opportunities for you in the world of business. It shows other people that you're open-minded and teachable. (Plus, being able to pronounce the names of all those French dishes on the restaurant menu automatically gives you 10 IQ points with your date. ;-) )

I think American society is enriched when people are proud of their own cultural heritage, but also appreciate the languages and cultures of others. If you keep an open mind about minor cultural differences, it's much easier to look beyond that and appreciate the *person*.

Answer 2

Personally I grew up speakme each English and Spanish. Although it's distinctive from finding out a moment language in a while in lifestyles I do believe that a man or woman can emerge as wholly bilingual, trilingual or anything they desire to be. I rather do not accept as true with the best way those detailed chicanos you understand are treating individuals who're honestly seeking to be trained the language. If some thing they will have to be proud and keen to support them emerge as extra fluent. You undoubtedly will have to now not stereotype considering that of those individuals that you understand. The primary factor is the trouble that one places in finding out a brand new language. As for the remark on you most effective speakme to chicanos in english considering that they're american citizens... good I do not wholly agree. I believe that the truth that a man or woman can also be flexible within the languages that he/she speaks is broadly well-known. It could be exceptional in case you practiced extra and get extra cozy with the brand new language. I rather suppose that every body on the earth will have to realize no less than 2 languages. What I am so much stunned with are children in Aruba that talk English, Spanish, Dutch and their possess local dialect. Amazing. **EDIT: Edward's remark is out of line. Stereotypical and ridiculous." **EDIT: Practice is vital. You make errors, individuals right you and also you be trained. If you simply watch television and by no means talk then while the time comes that you simply have to speak. What will you assert? Input and output are EQUALLY primary. If you believe your sentence is improper then ask and anyone will have to be greater than pleased to right you in a mannerable method. I studied 6 years of french... watched film after film however not anything used to be as well as speakme with natives audio system. At first you would combine up phrases, however you attempt to you be trained. Now I'm learning German and wish to be trained simply as a lot.

Answer 3

Are you talking about people who speak both languages, or about the society being bilingual?

Also, why pick just those two languages? There are a lot of speakers of a lot of different languages here.

It's better to know more than one language -- you can communicate with more people, and there aren't enough multi-lingual people here (I assume you're talking about the U.S.), so you have more job opportunities if you know more than one language.

Also, knowing more than one language gives you insight into the nature of language itself.

If what you're asking about is the question of whether to declare an official language, then it's better to NOT do so.

The fact is that there are a lot of people here who don't speak English and it's unfair to pretend they don't exist and deny them rights and services available to English speakers.

I do think it's better for everyone living here to speak English, but some people just aren't good at learning new languages when they're older.

Answer 4

An Asset.

One could argue that English should remain the official language to keep our sense of nationalism (a very strong point), however; the world is quickly becoming one big community.

I might argue that English is the language "to know" in order to talk international business, politics and science, but in the same breath I will make the point that knowing multiple languages is a sense of "insurance".

Just how long will the world consider English the common language? Last Century was the U.S. century. This century will most assuredly not belong to the U.S.

The question is: As Americans do we embrace and befriend the new leviathan?

Answer 5

I don't know how it would be a detriment. Maybe if you are member of the KKK or the Minutemen or some other anti-hispanic group, you will lose credibility in the eyes of your friends if they find out you are learning Spanish. The only drawback to learning it is the time and effort it takes to learn another language, which could distract you from more important things (if you have more important things ;)

As for the benefits to speaking spanish, it depends on where you live. In some parts of the country, it really wouldn't matter. In other parts with a significant spanish-speaking population, it could be the difference between getting a job or not, getting a raise or not, or widening your net of clients or customers. However, if you cater your business TOO much to only spanish-speaking clients, you run the risk of alienating your english-speaking clients.

as for the advantages of bilingualism in and of itself, it makes you smarter, for one thing!

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20041013/being-bilingual-boosts-brain-power

Answer 6

Yes it is a benefit. Over the years, the US has seen an increase of the hispanic population. Hispanics are seeking freedom and opportunity from what the US will bring. Our reputation has been a "must have" with all minorities, as a matter of fact. The increase in the spanish population has grown so great that they are no longer the minority. They have made the mark in statistics and have exceeded statistics in education, home ownership, and employment.

The US has noticed this increase and thus businesses across the country are taking action to meet the demand of its hispanic customers.

More and more, the US is also seeking opportunities in those same hispanic countries. With that being said, it would be a great asset to be able to communicate with hispanic businesses. How else will business interact?

In the next 20 years, look for CEOs, Presidents and VPs to have last names i.e., Lopez, Gomez and Rodriguez.

Answer 7

Most people have no problem and encourage bilingualism in any languages. It's a problem when Spanish speakers and their supports want Spanish equal to English.

Answer 8

It's always better to be bilingual because you're accepting of the reality that other languages than English are spoken here.

Or if you want a really good job, learn something other than Spanish like Arabic or Chinese or Japanese. You'll get mad money just for basic proficiency in any of those languages if you work for an company that does business internationally.

Answer 9

I'm fully bilingual, although English dominant. Honestly it helped me out as an educator, but now that I no longer teach high school I have not used Spanish in my work. However employers see my experience abroad and the number of languages I speak as an asset to mean that I am open to new ideas and am capable of thinking from multiple perspectives.

Answer 10

No its NOT a detriment.....

The ability to speak two languages in NOT easy and it shows a level of intelligence......The most educated first world country is Switzerland....They have three official languages, French, German and Italian.....They share borders with these countries.....They have one of the best educational systems in the world.....Their income per capita is one of the highest and they are a true democracy.....They have never been in ANY wars and remained neutral in all European conflicts.....They have virtually no crime.....

You tell me if it benefits society to know more than one language?