Spanish becoming dominant language in Miami

[Princess123]

I learning in civics last year that, at one point, it was mandatory for immigrants to learn English. I'm not sure if the standards are more leanient or even lacking, though.

Now you do not have to know spanish to be an immigrant, but to become a citizen you have to know enough to take the test in english...or am I wrong can you take that in any language now?? I texas there are so many problems with the spanish speaker (no offense).

 

[crazytp93]

how many of you "come to the country you better learn english" freaks out there actually speak more than one language? most of you probably don't.

well, i do. and i know how hard it is to use my second language when i have to. learning English is not an easy thing to do, and if you think it is, why don't you go immerse yourself in another language/culture/country and try to survive?

its not easy. its not fun. its not simple, like you make it out to be. it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to become a citizen, and you have to have better english skills than most natives do. i'm willing to put money on the fact that more than half this forum could not pass the citizenship test.

so, before you get all high and mighty about immigrants, walk a few feet (not even a mile) in their shoes. or, even, take a second language class. and no, i don't mean when you're a teenager and your language blocks haven't developed yet. i mean when you're 30-40 years old, and you are almost physically and mentally unable to learn a second language.

english is the hardest language in the world to learn. if you disagree with me, point out one single rule in the english language that does not have an exception. ;et me save you the trouble...there isn't one.

so what if the main language is something else besides english. why does it affect you? why don't you just take it and go with it. pick up a little spanish here and there. even if you have to press one for english, your life is infinately easier than that of the immigrants who can't read street signs or understand our laws because they haven't learned our language yet.

It does not cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. To get an application fee for citizen ship is $330, and then another $335 to get become a full time resident.

I think that if an immigrant wants to live in our country, they need to adapt. We should not cater to their needs. I live in a town that has one part that is a home to many illegal aliens. There are PLENTY of services. The schools here offer ESL (English as a second Language) to offer to the kids at no cost. My aunt ( a nun) teacher English to the immigrants in her town.

There are PLENTY of services out there, most of them at no cost, yet they choose not to utilize them.

And don't take me the wrong way, I'm all for granting citizenship, but please! Learn the language!

 

[KidGoofy]

What is some of those spanish-speaking people are on vacation to the US? (I know most are not, but some might be.) Do you expect them to learn a language just to vacation here. If you ever went to Mexico, Europe, et cetera, how would you like it if you were told you cannot vacation there if you do not know the native language?

Well if you go on vacation I think you should try and learn their language to get by, like knowing the numbers, how to say hello, and they could always bring around a English to whatever language you want dictionary.

 

[Disneylover 2]

well said.
thank you, i have been trying to say this.

I agree also- what Sparxx said. Why are you people so bothered but his?!!! You are really offending us.

 

[Disneylover 2]

Oh, and I've seen Americans that live here and don't speak spanish at all, so don't act as if you guys are all perfect.

 

[crazytp93]

I agree also- what Sparxx said. Why are you people so bothered but his?!!! You are really offending us.

We are not offending you at all.

We are speaking our minds and giving our valid opinions like we always do.

 

[Babyjustrun]

You guys can have hissies if you want about the poeple not knowing the language...
But the road signs?
Who cares? Does it actually pain you to see a sign in English & Spanish? Does it burn the eyes out of your head?
It's simply there because it makes it easier for people to read. There are people who have lived in your country for years, who speak spanish, and english.
It's one of those things, you will always be more comfortable reading your mother tongue, etc. We learn French as a requirement where I live. We're expected to speak French in french class, but we don't. Because we're more comfortable with it. We can if we have to, but if we're not being forced, then we're not going to.
So are you going to be following the immigrant down the street making sure he reads the english sign instead of the spanish one?
Seriously, having street signs in more than one language is CONVENIENT for those who live here, and those who don't.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

Yes, becoming a U.S. citizen is hard.
Yes, it's draining both emotionally and financially.
Yes, English is a tough language to learn.

But bottom line, if you want to become an American citizen, you should be willing to make sacrifices.
Immigrants that came during the rush to Ellis Island faced just as many, if not more, prejudices, hardships, financial AND cultural troubles, and yet the vast majority of them still learned to speak English.
You can still maintain your culture and learn how to assimiliate into the country you want to live in.

And by NO MEANS is is "impossible" for a healthy, average middle-aged person to learn a new language.
Would it be more difficult? Yes.
But not impossible.

Additionally, it's the immigrants choice to move here. You could say it's forced by a poor economy or a dangerous government, but it always comes down to being their decision to come to America.
Just like my ancestors chose to come to America to escape death during the Irish Potato Famine. Even though they would have surely died if they stayed, they made the choice to leave instead of stay. It was their choice.
People were even less accomaditing to immigrants back then. If someone from Germany could only speak English, Americans simply wouldn't have talked to them, and they would have to learn English to survive.

If it's someone else's choice to come here, why should I change my lifestyle by learning Spanish when they were the ones who made the choice?
Personally, I'm all for immigrants retaining their culture. I just think the most respectful thing to do is to honor our nation's national language and at least make an attempt to learn English instead of staying here the rest of your life expecting everyone to accomodate to your Spanish-speaking needs.

 

[imabrat]

You guys can have hissies if you want about the poeple not knowing the language...
But the road signs?
Who cares? Does it actually pain you to see a sign in English & Spanish? Does it burn the eyes out of your head?
It's simply there because it makes it easier for people to read. There are people who have lived in your country for years, who speak spanish, and english.
It's one of those things, you will always be more comfortable reading your mother tongue, etc. We learn French as a requirement where I live. We're expected to speak French in french class, but we don't. Because we're more comfortable with it. We can if we have to, but if we're not being forced, then we're not going to.
So are you going to be following the immigrant down the street making sure he reads the english sign instead of the spanish one?
Seriously, having street signs in more than one language is CONVENIENT for those who live here, and those who don't.

yes. spanish is NOT an official language in the US. our offiicial language is english and if they want to live here they need to know the language.
explain to me how it is fair that immigrants of yesterday NEEDED to learn english to live here, yet immigrants of today can be catered to?

 

[crazytp93]

yes. spanish is NOT an official language in the US. our offiicial language is english and if they want to live here they need to know the language.
explain to me how it is fair that immigrants of yesterday NEEDED to learn english to live here, yet immigrants of today can be catered to?

 

[Babyjustrun]

yes. spanish is NOT an official language in the US. our offiicial language is english and if they want to live here they need to know the language.
explain to me how it is fair that immigrants of yesterday NEEDED to learn english to live here, yet immigrants of today can be catered to?

Then I guess you should be mad that it's on your shampoo bottles.
And you should be mad at the random brands that put French on there too.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

yes. spanish is NOT an official language in the US. our offiicial language is english and if they want to live here they need to know the language.
explain to me how it is fair that immigrants of yesterday NEEDED to learn english to live here, yet immigrants of today can be catered to?

That's EXACTLY what I was trying to say.

 

[imabrat]

Then I guess you should be mad that it's on your shampoo bottles.
And you should be mad at the random brands that put French on there too.

and how do you know those shampoos don't have other languages on them because they are manufactered to a different country?

eta: sorry if i sound rude but this is a battle im willling to fight. i live in an area where ESL has ALWAYS been provided, bilingual signs have always been put up, and people are complaing there's not enough spanish here. um, hello, spanish isn't an official language.

hell, the other day there was a routine police stop. 6 men were deported back to mexico because they were illegal immigrants. the officer needed a translator because they couldn't speak english!!!

 

[Disneylover 2]

yes. spanish is NOT an official language in the US. our offiicial language is english and if they want to live here they need to know the language.
explain to me how it is fair that immigrants of yesterday NEEDED to learn english to live here, yet immigrants of today can be catered to?

Stop freaking out! It's only in Miami, beacause it's near the coastline, like in Baja, and southern California!


I'd like to see YOU speak fluently in Spanish




Igf you can..great...but if you CAN'T...Ha!

Not trying to be mean.

 

[imabrat]

Stop freaking out! It's only in Miami, beacause it's near the coastline, like in Baja, and southern California!


I'd like to see YOU speak fluently in Spanish




Igf you can..great...but if you CAN'T...Ha!

Not trying to be mean.

Um, it's not just in Miami. I live in the middle of woods in Pennsylvania.
What would you do if I and thousands of other Americans raided your Spanish-speaking country and imposed on others to speak English. No one would give a damn to even learn Spanish. Would you not be angry, even if you did know English?
And 2 I do speak Spanish. I am Spanish but don't speak it fluently.

 

[Californiagurl13]

Um, it's not just in Miami. I live in the middle of woods in Pennsylvania.
What would you do if I and thousands of other Americans raided your Spanish-speaking country and imposed on others to speak English. No one would give a damn to even learn Spanish. Would you not be angry, even if you did know English?
And 2 I do speak Spanish. I am Spanish but don't speak it fluently.

They ( latin) don't IMPOSE you to speak spanish, you just feel obligated to. jUst tell them that you don't speak spansih and they'll be okay. Haven't you tried that?

 

[Babyjustrun]

And this is kind of why I'm glad I live in a bilingual province where both languages are commonly known.
And it does not matter that one of these languages is not the same as the one this topic is about.

 

[imabrat]

They ( latin) don't IMPOSE you to speak spanish, you just feel obligated to. jUst tell them that you don't speak spansih and they'll be okay. Haven't you tried that?

Um. Yes. It's hard to work with your partner who is one of half the class who can't speak english.
I'm not bluffing, this is the truth.

 

[Disneylover 2]

Um. Yes. It's hard to work with your partner who is one of half the class who can't speak english.
I'm not bluffing, this is the truth.

Don't you think about them? Don't you think it's hard for them that half of the class doesn't speak spanish?
I have a friend that earlier only spoke english, he never compalined. But then he went to continental spanish and learned. He doesn't speak but h understands it.

 

[imabrat]

Don't you think about them? Don't you think it's hard for them that half of the class doesn't speak spanish?
I have a friend that earlier only spoke english, he never compalined. But then he went to continental spanish and learned. He doesn't speak but h understands it.

Yes, but rules are rules.
If I'm not allowed to break them, why are they? Because they are foreign? That, my friend, is discrimination.