Wednesday, September 25, 2013
English and "Americans"
Today in class we considered the role that language plays in one's individual and cultural identity. We looked at this concept both in the essays we read, in the video we watched, and in our own observations about society. In a recent Gallup Poll, 79% (4 out of every 5 Americans) stated forcefully that it was ESSENTIAL for immigrants to learn English. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why? Please provide at least 10 thoughtful sentences justifying your answer while considering approaches from a political and social perspective.
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I think that it shouldn't have been as much as a necessity, but more as encouraged. The US does not even have an official language, making people learn english can be beneficial to them, but then again not everyone speaks english. To also point out, there are some communities, for example, that strictly speak spanish or any other language where english is not spoken frequently. Is it important to learn english in a country where english is one of the primary languages? Sure, but you shouldn't make it so that people who don't speak english are hurt. Just because you learn english doesn't mean that your life will be instantly better like the lady said in the video. For example, in Mother Tongue, the narrator's mom was constantly ridiculed for her broken english. As immigrants learn english, they shouldn't forget their own language, like in Arya. To also point out, it would be harder to teach a grown adult a new language, than it is to teach a child. We also have to consider the challenges faced when learning a new language.
ReplyDeleteI believe that learning English is essential to immigrants if they hope to join the common American society, have a good job and overall join the middle class. It is very difficult for a non-English speaker to be part of society. A majority of popular media, sports, leisure activities, etc. are written and spoken in English. While you may be able to find these things elsewhere those sources will not focus nearly as much on American society. Also you may be denied some of the things English speaking people may be given. You may be denied from multiple jobs, you will be treated as a “foreigner,” and you will be cut off from society. You won’t really be able to socialize with anyone, but people within your own little ethnic community or people of similar communities cutting you off from popular societies. Just because you must learn English to become part of society doesn’t mean it has to change your ethnic background. You may be shaped by American society, but Spanish can still remain your primary language, and you can still identify with Spanish heritage. It is necessary for immigrants to learn English because without English immigrants cannot contribute to American society and society can contribute to them.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that it is essential for immigrants to learn English. Yes, it would be useful but we shouldn't force our culture upon others. It might be a struggle for them to do certain things when the dominant language in America is English but if that is a struggle they are willing to face, who are we to stop them? By forcing them to speak our language we are forcing ourselves to ignore their heritage. We've talked before about how America is supposed to be this big "melting pot" (or stew) of different ethnicities. It seems, however, that America is more of a mold. You can come from anywhere and be of any substance but we will still try to shape you into a perfect American citizen. It's almost as if America is one big baby that's trying to jam the square block into the triangle hole of its shape identifying toy. I don't think we should be forcing immigrants to learn our language. If we did, we would be taking away their identity and shoving our opinions down their throat. That would be like taking the clothes of of someone's back, shoving a new set of clothes in their arms, saying "wear this from now on", and then walking away.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is currently a very hotly debated topic in the USA. Many times immigrants come to the United Stated with little to no ability to speak English. I don't believe speaking English should be a requirement to become a US citizen. This country is supposed to be the land of freedom, and although it is very difficult to thrive in this country without speaking English, it is possible. I believe that it would definitely be to an immigrants advantage to speak English, after all, immigrants that speak English fluently make twice the amount of money as those that don't. But the United States is becoming a more and more linguistically diverse country, with large Hispanic and Asian populations. So it is possible to survive in a predominantly Hispanic area with only the knowledge of Spanish. Even in a city like Atlanta that is predominantly black and white, you can see foreign language influences in Hispanic and Asian communities in neighborhoods like Buford. With the rise of Spanish and other languages, the USA is no longer just an English speaking country. So my conclusion is that speaking English should not be a requirement and isn't a necessity in the United States, but it is extremely helpful.
ReplyDeleteImmigration is a very controversial topic. In terms of making immigrants learn English, I think that this is reasonable. To succeed in every day life in America, language is a very necessary skill. I don't think that anyone will get very far in this country without knowing the language. However, I don't think that it is right to ask immigrants to be fluent in English. I think that they should only learn the basics, and from there they can grow as they learn to live here. I can imagine that it must be difficult to find affordable classes that teach you English. To solve this, I think that the government should offer free classes to immigrants to help them with this transition. This will also help welcome and accommodate immigrants. If we take these steps, I believe that we can make this work.
ReplyDeleteI believe that making immigrants learn English before they can become a US citizen would create more problems that it would fix. First of all, assuming that we were going to help them learn English, it would use up tax payers money that could be spent on other projects that would help current US citizens or put it to something that could help those coming in not in relation to language. Another problem that would be created is would make the entire process of becoming an American much harder. Learning a language isn’t an overnight process and it seems that if you make enough people go through that than some people may consider coming into the US undocumented or even make them reconsider coming to this country at all. The flip side of it all is that you do help the immigrants in the long run. Learning english may help them get a job, keep a job, and do other very essential thing that would help them get by or strive in America in comparison to their old country.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that it is necessary for immigrants to have to learn English. Sure, its helpful for them to learn it, but they shouldn't be forced to. I thought that one of the big reasons that we to learn a foreign language was so that we could communicate with people, whether in the US or outside of it. But, if it has to become a requirement to become a citizen, at least give them the right tools. Recruit more teachers that are bilingual to teach them and offer free courses that teach them English. The disadvantage to forcing English on people is that they lose their own culture and their language. We see this in Aria, Mother Tongue, and to Tame a Wild Tongue. In these short stories, the families/characters are either forced to learn English and/or become less fluent, if fluent at all, in the native tongue. Its really hard NOT TO forget your first language when you are pretty much surrounded by people that either don't speak that language, don't understand that language, and/or wont let you speak it yourself (as in your punished if you speak it). America is supposed to be a free and diverse country, not a country that tries to conform its people into believing a certain way or speaking a certain language. Plus, as Florencia pointed out, the US doesn't have an official language anyways. I mean sure probably the majority of America speaks it, but that doesn't make it the language of the US. It shouldn't be essential for Immigrants to have to learn english to be able to become a citizen.
ReplyDeleteI do think it should be required, not to keep people from coming, but to make sure those that do come are getting better jobs and having a better life in America.By requiring immigrants to know English, we are ensuring that the ones that are given citizenship, are the ones that really want to be here, with some exceptions. Asking immigrants to learn English isn't the same as asking them to throw their culture away. They don't need to change anything about themselves, it is only asking them to add on to who they already are. Requiring immigrants to learn English would make the middle and upper class more ethnically diverse as well as neighborhoods and schools. Requiring immigrants to speak English would break the barrier between those born in America and those who came. In conclusion, requiring immigrants to speak English would benefit everyone.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's necessary for immigrants to learn English although it would be helpful. English is useful to debate, discuss with others but it doesn't symbolize the meaning of "free". In aria, Richard wanted to be a US citizen but didn't want to change his culture. I said that to say Americans already make immigrants do so much but I think it's unacceptable to change a "part" of him/her. The communicating aspect, I have different aspects about. There is always some way to communicate with people who speak different languages thanks to advanced technology. It's not a major adjustment to make. As for situations such as getting jobs, discussing, debating issues, etc. it might be helpful to use English because majority of America speaks English. Then, there's always alternatives to getting other jobs relating to that foreign language. America should be that kind of place where that optional ingredient (such as paprika) to make a "stew" scrumptious but tastes great already just the way it is...
ReplyDeleteI think that forcing immigrants to learn English before they can become a U.S citizen would not be a good rule. A big value of the United States is freedom and I think that forcing Immigrants to learn English is taking away from the value of freedom. I think that if you are trying to come to the US for a job then it should be your own responsibility to learn English. I think that speaking English is a big advantage but I don't think it should forced to be learned People aren't just coming to America for jobs they are also coming to provide a better future for their family. I think that the immigrants that learn English are at an advantage but people should have the choice whether or not they want to learn the language.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think there should be any laws about the fluency a person speaks English. For many reasons but mostly because learning any language should be a choice a person makes not something a person is forced to do. Forcing people to speak English is not the way we want to someone to learn our language. People will see it as something a chore. Something you are required just so you could live in your home. That is not a message we want to send. However, I think that in order to assimilate into American society it is necessary to learn English. The United States may not have an official language, but English is still everywhere. English is impossible to avoid. The schools here are taught in English, the street signs are in English, and so on so on. At some point you will have to learn English. So no I don’t think English should be required, but it is necessary to everyday life in America.
ReplyDeleteI’m indefinite about weather I believe immigrants should speak relatively fluent English if they want to receive a green card. On one side there is the fact that without knowledge of America’s native language job opportunities will be very limited, so it’s in the best interest of the immigrant to learn English. On the other hand nobody should be forced to become fluent in a whole new language. People who usually migrate to America are adults, and it’s mildly difficult to learn more than one language as a child, so it should be very difficult for adults to be taught a new language. For example, in the story Mother Tongue the mothers English was broken, and nobody took her seriously because they discriminated against her based on her ability to speak English. In contrast with the mother her daughter spoke amazing English and the people around her took her seriously and didn’t discriminate against her. Sometimes America can be ugly and people are discriminated solely because they can’t speak the English language fluently. It is also another reason to make it essential for immigrants to try and learn English, because they won’t be taken seriously in job interviews and socially if they aren’t fluent. I don’t want to be supporting something that forces people to lose touch with their culture and make them solely connect with American culture.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea of forcing immigrants to learn English is a very complicated issue. I don't think it would be a good idea to force immigrants to learn English is because it just adds an extra step and makes the path to citizenship even more complicated. It's already unfairly difficult for people to become citizens, I don't think it should be any harder. It would also cost a lot of money on our part. But I also think English is very important for immigrants to learn. They will have so many more opportunities and their life will be so much easier. While I don't think it should be so strictly enforced, I'm not sure how else we could get immigrants to learn English. I feel like lots of them won't learn English if we don't require it. I think we should find a way to strongly encourage it without being a law. There are so many unnecessary and unfair steps to gaining citizenship already, there doesn't need to be more. Also some people might have a hard time learning English because one, lots of immigrants probably don't have the money to take an English course and two, some people just aren't good at learning language. The law they are thinking of passing requires the immigrant to be fully fluent. For some people that may not be possible. They might speak English but it might just be very broken. So while this is a complicated issue I don't think it should be forced by law.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't think it should be a law, I do think that learning English is essential. Forcing Spanish speakers, who have possibly had no connection with English at all, to quickly learn English is not only unfair but un-American. We pride ourselves on being the "melting pot" and forcing people to conform would most certainly go against that theory. However, for native Spanish speakers, I think that once they transition into the country they should definitely try to learn the language. They will never be able to support a family or find a good job without fluent English. Most companies, aside from laborers, do not take non-english speakers. It would also make it difficult to do daily activities such as shopping, picking up mail, and reading directions. Learning English would have no drawbacks and it would make their life far easier. However, the legislature does need to start offering more money to non-profit organizations so that there are more English classes for Spanish speakers to take. I think we should be conforming to their needs as immigrants, but they should be willing to do the work.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I think that learning English if one is an immigrant, plays an important role in being an American citizen. But, not speaking English doesn't make a person not a citizen. Just because the majority speaks English, doesn't make someone with a different mother tongue less part of this society. English is important to learn if that is the majority language (this applies for any language in any other country). I think if a person wants to apply for a job or something like that where it would come in handy that it would be useful. I think that not speaking English in the U.S. causes a disadvantage, but one is still part of the country. No matter what language one speaks, if they live in the U.S, nothing can change the fact that if they speak Chinese or Spanish or whatever. English is part of our culture, but if one is from a different country, I think that that country would be part of his/her culture even though s/he might live in the U.S. Language is a type of culture, and whatever language one grew up to speak, that is part of their culture.
ReplyDeleteI think that, in the US, speaking English is fairly essential because it is the only official language that our country has. If a person can't speak English is the US they can't fully be a part of 'America' because they can't communicate with the general population. Also, a person who can't speak English will have a much harder time getting a good job and contributing to society to the best that they can. For example, a person could be a genius at math but not be able to get a job at an engineering place simply because they can't speak the same language as everyone else who works there. Even though this is the case, now, I don't think this is the way that it should be. If more people in the US were inspired to take a foreign language, such as Spanish, speaking English wouldn't be essential to living in America. The US is one of the only countries with only one official language which is the only language that the population speaks, and quite frankly, that's stupid of us. In South Africa, there are eleven official languages. My sisters' German au pair (live in nanny from another country) speaks at least three languages fluently even though her country's only official language is German. The people who are raised in these environments of speaking so many languages can go so many places around the world without bearing the burden of lack of ability to communicate with other people. Accompanying the US is only having one official language are Yemen, Czech Republic, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Japan, Columbia and a few small island countries. The fact that this list is so small only goes to show that the US is behind its peers in language capabilities. There should be more exposure to foreign language in the US so that American citizens can feel more connected to other countries through language and ability to communicate and so that people who immigrate to the US can feel more connected to American citizens because of their ability to communicate.
ReplyDeleteLearning English would be a helpful skill, but it is not necessary. They should not be required to learn English just because it is the majority language. Their language links them to their culture. It is part of who they are. We cannot take that away from them by forcing our language on them. Of course learning English would be helpful when it comes to job interviews and just functioning in society. You can have a very hard time if you don't speak the majority language, but that is their decision. They are responsible for their own lives so if they do not want to make things easier by learning English, then so be it. It is their right to speak whatever language they want. Therefore, deciding whether or not they learn English should be their decision.
ReplyDeleteThough it is very important to learn English in this country to succeed it should not be forced. I find the notion that by not speaking English you are not a citizen is ridiculous because babies can't speak English and they are citizens. I think it would be smart to learn English in this country, but is not something that should keep you from being a citizen. Many people cannot communicate at all and they are still citizens. I don't see why people would care if someone doesn't speak their language or not, you don't have to hire someone if they don't speak your language. You don't need to know allot of English for most jobs anyway. By making someone learn a language is not going to make them come here. Maybe they are trying to keep people out of this country by making it harder to get in. Then again if this does pass that means only people who really want to get into this country will get in. Language should not be something forced.
ReplyDeleteI do think that it is essential to learn English if an immigrant wants to find a fulfilling place in America. I do not think however, that it should be a law that all immigrants have to speak English to get a green card. It should instead be known that if they do not speak English they will not have as many job opportunities in America. Also they might not reach their full potential. One example of this is from the essay Mother Tongue. The author Amy Tan learned to speak fluent English and became a brilliant and awarded writer. Her mother did not learn to speak English proficiently. As a result she was dismissed by everyone from doctors to stockbrokers to shopkeepers. These reasons alone should be enough to convince an immigrant to learn English. Who knows which one of these immigrants could be the next great American writer, journalist or philosopher.
ReplyDeleteYou shouldn't have to know English to live in America. It should be a personal choice of the immigrants because in most of the stories about language that we read, the writers thought that what language you spoke was who you are as a person. If America forced every immigrant to learn really good English than the immigrants would lose their original language. Richard Rodriguez in Aria said that it wasn't really possible to maintain two different identities, you had to choose between public or private, English or Spanish. The people who want to make everyone learn English say that immigrants who know English make twice as much money as immigrants who don't know English. So there's enough incentive to learn English because you get better jobs. There should be free English classes for anyone, so people who want to learn good English can. But immigrants shouldn't be forced to get better jobs and learn English. If they'd rather maintain there language and culture instead of making more money, they should definitely be allowed to.
ReplyDeleteImmigrants cannot be forced to learn English. I think the language you speak is protected by the first amendment's freedom of speech clause. It is probably more than practical to speak English for most immigrants, but they should have a choice. Perhaps English classes should be funded and encouraged by whatever immigration reform bill we pass. English may be required in public schools and offices, which obviously cannot use every language, but if someone is otherwise eligible for a green card, they should not be refused because of their linguistic abilities. Many parts of the US use Spanish as the primary language. Many other areas have high concentrations of one group of immigrants. If their residents have no need for English, how can Washington force them to change what they say? The government can no more control how people speak than it can control their opinions or religions. Martin van Buren, our eighth president didn't learn English until going to school. He grew up in an exclusively Dutch New York community. Until recently, multilingualism was always seen as a valuable skill, particularly for those who dealt with other countries. In the last presidential campaign season, John Huntsman was criticised as un-American for speaking Mandarin. He was the ambassador to China for several years. We haven't had a semi-bilingual president since George W. Bush, and FDR was the last president fluent in another language (French AND German, plus a bit of Latin). I think modern politicians have proposed the language immigration requirement because they are afraid of immigrant voting blocs and try to conform to a hyperexaggerated "American" image. Many ancestors of "Americans" didn't speak English when they arrived. America is special because of its diversity and freedom for all.
ReplyDeleteI view this topic both ways. If an immigrant is serious about having equal right's in America, then they should learn to speak English fluently. Although, I see this as unjust, I and many others cannot make any changes to that issue quicker than someone will be affected by it. Therefore, if you want to be seen whole in America and treated equally with no rip offs, you're going to need to learn English.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the statement that it should be necessary for immigrants to learn english upon coming to the United States. It may be helpful to them, but in no way should they be forced to learn a language that is not theirs. Immigrants should be able to speak what ever they want in their new home. To be American one does not have to speak english. America is supposed to be a place that people from all over the world call home, known for its diversity. By making immigrants learn english we would be trying to make every one the same, destroying the diversity that the United States is famed for. Also turning away those who could add to America's culture, just can't speck english. The U.S. is supposed to take people from all around the world and mix them together, not turn them into the same thing. Living in the United States, a country built by immigrants, should qualify as being a American, no matter what language you speak.
ReplyDeleteI think that immigrants don't have to learn english. It would definatley be helpful and useful, but it shouldn't be a required thing. America's primary language is english, but there are some regions where people don't speak english, so I don't think it would be fair to say that you have to learn this language. Being able to learn english would defiatley be a plus, but I dont think it would be neccesary. I think for immigrants they should have a little background about the english language, so it would be useful, and they wouldn't know completly nothing about english. It would be hard to get around not knowing english, you could do it, but it would be difficult. In 'Mother Tongue' the authors mom knew english, and it was broken down, so it wasn't complete sentences. I think that if you can do be able to do that then you can deffinatly get around. Also if your in America then you will be around a lot of people who speak english, so you can pick up english because most of the people in your enviorment speaks english. As I said its not nessecary to learn english, but it could help.
ReplyDeleteI don’t believe it’s essential for immigrants to learn English. There’s no doubt that if immigrants do learn English that it will help them but being force to learn English isn’t reasonable. When people immigrate to America they look for a better future and options in life. It’s not always necessary to know English to be able to gain this better future. If we end up forcing people to learn English we will be robbing immigrants of their better options. We will be making a hostile environment where people will go through the process and dangers of losing their original culture completely. It’s only essential for immigrants to learn English in America if they choose to do so. We need to keep the option open for people to choose what they want.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that it should be legally required for immigrants of other countries to learn our language. Though this being said, you must learn English to be able to succeed in this country because if you look outside you can see that the road signs are English, the food labels I the grocery store are English, the people walking on the sidewalk are speaking English, everything is English. There is just no way for you to do anything that is worthwhile and to earn money more then minimum wage and not speak English it just will not work. Some people will say that coming into this country is like being stripped of your culture and that is true but there is nothing you can do about that. Throughout world history cultural diffusion has always been a rather large factor in the development of human civilization. The cultures that were absorbed by the larger one are not lost and forgotten but rather contribute and add its own ideas to the bigger culture. You do not see people walk around and speak ancient geek but our language and culture has a large Greek resemblance and many of their ideas we took for ours. The same thing is happening today only on a much larger scale that circles the globe. Thanks to the internet and increased communication technology our world is turning into a more unified culture. Though on a smaller scale such as North America and Latin America you can see that Latin America is fusing with North America due to the large amount of influence and immigration. North America being the most powerful with the biggest influence not he world is not going to be as effected by this rather then let's say the Latin immigrants. This is something that is purely social and natural and no legal document could do anything about this.
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