Have you ever incountered this kind of immigrant....?

Question

Don't get me wrong I love mexicans...and other assorted latino immigrants, my X girlfriend was mexican and i like tacos. But i have this huge petpeave...I cannot frikin stand it when I encounter latino folks who live in America and can't understand even the simplist English clauses. How do these people's brains work??? If I were to visit France I would take a few days to learn some basic French so that I wouldn't be a total outcast. But there are immigrants who visit America for years at a time sometimes perminantly and still dont know what a fork is...and it's not like they don't have the resources to learn english...We let them get away with it by printing out Spanish translations for everything from DMV tests to voter registration...I have no ill-will towards these people but when I encounter one I choose to ignore them because they already (by inaction) choose NOT to learn english with their own stubborn apathy. If you don't speak spanish, how do you respond to one of these folks?

Answer 1

alot of times they live in a spanish community & it's really not necessary for them to learn english. it can be very frustrating.

Answer 2

Back in the good ole days there were 13 little English speaking colonies and a whole continent that spoke Spanish (Florida, California, Texas etc.), French (Louisiana Territory), and about 1000 Native American dialects.

When they wrote the Constitution, the English speakers were a decided minority, but as they conquered lands and forced immigrants to learn English, they eventually became the majority.

Many people feel that English has been a unifying factor in the United States, but there is no national language, and I think it would require a constitutional amendment to make one (or two or more).

Otherwise, the Spanish speakers may someday become the majority, and there is no law that would prevent a future government from making Spanish (or even Cherokee) the national language.

Answer 3

Ya, I know what you mean, I like tacos too man.
OK, all kidding aside, the problem they way I see it is that Mexicans tend to keep their culture rather than assimilating themselves into American society. Actually, probably every culture does this for the first generation. Usually the second generation is pretty much Americanized and the third generation is 100% Americanized. Not with most Mexicans however. They hold on to their native language and customs - to their detriment. Could you imagine what this country would be like if Germans, French, Irish, etc. kept holding onto their customs and language, generation after generation. What a cultural mess we would have. It is to ones own benefit, to learn and adopt the language and customs of the country that they have decided that they and their progeny are going to live.

Answer 4

There are some that disrespect and milk this country from thousands of miles away. In both forms as individuals and as other countries.
Aren't there still people that speak only Italian, Korean, Chinese and other languages in their day to day life on U.S. soil? It could be their smart enough to know that you will figure out their language, because you have a fear that they are speaking about you.
It's sad that certain regular posts have reduced themselves to idiotic statements. While it's true that some illegal Mexicans abuse our systems resources, it's true also that just as many illegal in unspecific races do the same. For some reason I find it more disturbing that some posters believe what they say as the truth. All the while are just as guilty of being what they call others drug dealers, gang members, system cheaters, Insurance ripoffs, non tax paying members of society. I saw a recent post with a you tube link that showed death to law enforcement officer, death of families, d.u.i.'s all caused by illegals, but we all know that they aren't the only ones commiting these crimes.
And if I may, with respect, suggest your next posted question be on how to use the spell check.

Answer 5

You people need to quit getting your panties in a bunch!! I don't hear you people bitching when you are scarfing down a taco at a mexican restaurant! You aren't worried if the the mexican making your taco can speak a damn word of English. I say if you don't support them then stop licking your fingers eating their food. No wonder some mexicans don't give a **** about speaking english. They have a bunch of ignorant people talking trash behind their back and of course too chicken to tell them to their face.

Answer 6

Yes, even though I am Hispanic, my Spanish is horrible (even though my first language was Spanish, then i spoke English more when I was 7-8, then English all the time after that). But I try my best and it works, I'm happy to help them if they come across something they don't understand. But I don't go out there and do that.

Ok, now that i have said that, where do you come down to asking this offensive question. . ."How do these people's brains work???" ?

Answer 7

If you have ever had any actual interaction with these illegal immigrants and if you could understand them, you would realize that they do WANT to learn English.
The ones that do know a little bit or are trying to learn to speak English sometimes get really shy to speak in front of Americans. Why? Because Americans can be bluntly rude when it comes to people who speak English with an accent! Ive seen and heard Americans say to people whose first language isn't English, "I can't understand you" and "WHAT?". So i don't blame them one bit if they act like they can't speak or understand English.

Answer 8

Let me give you a little piece of advice here. Many immigrants that live in the states know at least some English but are afraid to use it because of mistakes. Many live in their small communities and really have no reason to learn it and have learned to get by.

In San Francisco's China Town (which for decades was the largest Chinese community outside of China) you will find many Chinese there that do not speak any English. It is not done out of disrespect, it is done because they don't find a need or reason since they are happy with what they have and are grateful for it.

I am not sure why people are so fixated on the need to learn English. There are even some area's in the USA that speak German and very little English, even French. Yet we don't b*tch about them. Some of them have been here for generations.

I currently live in China and my knowledge of this most difficult language is woefully lacking. I am still treated with respect and love this country and the people. Despite my shortcomings I have managed to get by just fine. Language is not the catch all for respect, it is the way we treat people and they treat us.

My advice to you, patience is a virtue, so is understanding and it seems you lack both.

Peace

Jim

PS the first two answers are indicative of the Ugly American persona to the core. Their brand of "my $hit doesn't stink but yours does" is exactly one of the reasons so many Americans do so poorly overseas and even in communities they choose not to have any understanding of. Also, running up the thumb count through multiple accounts is childish. If you can't get support, you make it up in the most flagrant fashion. People who hate need to find support from only the few and mostly within themselves. (14 thumbs up, my ****!)

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Answer 9

its annoying, most people resume that i speak spanish because of being half mexican, half calif indian I understand alittle spanish but that's all, the comments I get, the language, the cuss words I hear from them !!! since I moved from Nev to calif it is been alittle tiresome, I have to defend my parents reasoning for not having us speak spanish in the house ther was never a reason too, I am a 6 th generation calif. the simple fact that my family and myself speaking spanish is a watse of time. learn english, learn to speak to me not at me..

Answer 10

they don't have to speak english to be here and dont want to because they know that we cater to foreigners we have made it so easy for them. the saddest part of all is that we are the minority in our own country. Oh yeah I love the fact that these people drive and cant even read road signs or maybe alll the signs will be put in different languages soon
wait and see!!!!

Answer 11

There are enough Spanish speaking people in the states to make this a bilingual nation. They shouldn't have to speak English.

Just think about it. In a couple of years Spanish will be the most spoken language in the united states.

Better start rolling those r's, soon this discussion will be reversed. <3