Why is it that most Latin Americans, that are come both illegally and legal are monolingual, and most only?

Question

have a fifth grade education, then insults us because most American are not bilingual, even they are only monolingual for the most part. Is this more about making this country accept Spanish instead of English for those Latin Americans.

I know that many that post on this board are truly bilingual, but the majority of Spanish speakers are not bilingual, you know that because of the demand for all types of documents in Spanish to ballots, bilingual education, and translaters in hospitals

If this is not true why do we have press two for Spanish. So this is not for one that can speak English but chooses not to

Spazz, I did not speak to anyone being illegal, and we have no way of knowing if your parents or either illegal or bilingual

Mrs. Jeter, I know that PR is a USA territory, and I worked a Univ. and those that came from the the public schools in PR had very limited English skills.

Sorry, I should have said at a University

Answer 1

I would expect their teachers to be fairly uneducated. The academic standards in Mexico are bad. Ignorance is their strength. They come to America and are doing a frightfully good job changing the language here, too.

I live in Arizona. Don't let them fool you, they understand English, they just don't NEED to speak it! Thank American social programs and politics for putting Mexicans FIRST!
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Answer 2

Apart from the fact that generalizations are usually offensive I can tell you that I`ve lived in the U.S. (legally), I speak English fluently and Italian as well, I have a University degree, I`m Latin American and proud of being one, all the people that I know and have been to the U.S. have more or less understanding of the English language and are college educated. So what is your point?.

Americans speak English in Latin America, does this mean that we should get offended?.

Face it, the U.S. is neighbour to some 550 million spanish and portuguese speaking people, and we are neighbour to some 320 million english speakers. What do you suggest we do?.

Answer 3

The sad part is, with most businessmen that I dealt with from Mexico, that were using service and equipment from a US supplier, they spoke perfect English and conducted their business in the USA in English and the legal contracts were in English. Conversely, when my company done business in Mexico, our representative spoke to them in fluent Spanish and the documents in the course of business were in Spanish. The monolingual culture, for a large part are either the laborers with little education who immigrate to the US (legally of illegally) for menial labor intensive jobs, or, are actually the children of Hispanic US citizens that fail to speak English in their home, before sending the child to US schools for an education, even though the parents can and do speak English in the performance of their jobs on a daily basis. The preservation of Mexican culture is more important in their family environment than their US Citizenship. I don't advocate ignoring your heritage, but I don't condone putting your children at a disadvantage in getting an education either.

Answer 4

If knowing some English is defined as knowing hello and good bye, by some, that really shows the lengths that some pretend they are bilingual. I think that 60% of all illiglals come from Mexico, and the average education level is 5th grade, I think you are correct in your question.

Answer 5

I don't know where you get that. I live in CA, there are tons of immigrants here, and the vast majority quickly pick up at least basic english skills. The asians are often harder to understand than the latinos, since thier native languages are further removed from english.

But, yes, on the rare occassion when you come across someone who speaks no english at all, it is often spanish that they're speaking. Since we have so many spanish-speakers in CA, due in large part to illegal immigration, it is more practical (though hardly easy) to get by here without learning enlish if you happen to speak spanish.

It's one of the consequences of unregulated immigration: loss of diversity.

Answer 6

Clarify your question, most only? who has a fifth grade education? English is a global language. Spanish makes life simpler when the population of where you live is over 80% hispanic. For starters, most illegals know some English. Haven't met one yet that doesn't know how to say "hi" no "money" so they know some English. Some speak better English than you and I do. English is our national language. Otherwise we'd be speaking Arabic.

Answer 7

Gomanyes, Jim. Your answers strike me as being from well traveled, educated individuals. I , too, have traveled internationally, and totally agree. Have either of you preceived that the non- foreign traveled individuals are the most presistant " finger pointers"? Folks, read their answers, again,
Uncle Wil

Answer 8

You seem very bitter about something. Ballots are printed in hundreds of languages throughout the country according to the second languages of the local population. Pressing "1" on the phone is not as difficult as posting stuff on Yahoo Answers. Try to chill out a bit.

Answer 9

I think out respect to any country a person gos to ,that person need to learn that language not expect everyone to conform to their language because their to lazy to learn English ext. I know a little but I will never be told that because we have other cultures here that i must learn their language and they get to sit their like a bump on a log and not learn a thing .

Answer 10

Your willingness to generalize about Latin Americans shows your racist viewpoint. Maybe you should take off your white hood. It will help you see better.