I will never forget the day I was in Ace Hardware in Warsaw several years ago and several Hispanic men were in front of me and were talking to each other in Spanish. The teller was an older woman who obviously could not understand them. Suddenly, without warning, she pounded her fist on the counter and shouted, “Speak English! You’re in America now!” They jumped a little and in broken English got through the transaction and left. Looking back, I wish I would have said something, but I think I was so taken aback by the whole thing. Recently, I saw a show on TV where they had actors playing two Hispanic guys and a very bigoted clerk who was being deliberately inflammatory and racist. They wanted to see whether the people in the store would stand up for the guys being harassed or if they would join in. It was really interesting to see the reactions – everything from trying to pretend it was not happening, to agreeing with the clerk (“Go back to Taco Bell”) to getting in his face because of the way he was treating them. I wondered then, if I would react like those who stood up for the guys. I would like to think that I would.
Kristi commented about a vote in Nashville (that was defeated today I believe) about making English the official language of Tennessee. Personally, I thought it already was the official language of the United State as all legal documents and governmental functions are printed in English. But at the same time, if it is not, I can see the value in once and for all settling it and saying, yes it is. I know that many immigrants have come to this melting pot country over the years, and all of them have been faced with the challenge of learning a new language. So I guess I am divided on this issue. It does irritate me to see that many signs at Lowes and other stores, the Spanish is sometimes more prominent than the English. I think it is a disservice and causes a separation of culture to continually capitulate and print things in multiple languages. The argument is old and tired, but honestly, if I were to move to China, I would have to learn Chinese because they would not be translating every sign and menu in Chinese and English. In fact, I think I would enjoy the challenge.
As Americans we are at a disadvantage, culturally. Most of us only know one language. So while I don’t think it is essential to translate everything into multiple languages, at the same time, it is kind of cool when others come here with the ability to speak two or more languages.
All that to say, I don’t subscribe to the bigoted behavior of the woman in the story, but at the same time, I do say that if you are going to become a citizen of this country, it does bring upon you a certain responsibility to communicate and learn how to function in an economy and community that has English as a primary language. This is not to diminish ones past or culture in any way, but only serves to enhance it.
I would have to agree in some ways. If English is to be the national language, then there should be some sort of orientation services offered to acclimate prospective citizens. Welcoming new people to this country to have a new beginning is great. Help them adjust and contribute to the idea that is the United States of America.
I agree with Josh, If you live in America you should speak English. In most Countries you can’t get a job unless you speak their langish.
Thank you! So many people down here are saying that it’s being intolerant of others’ cultures, and forcing our way of life on them. To me, it opens up so many more opportunities for them! If you speak the language, it opens up more doors for a better education, a better job, and better wages-isn’t that the “American Dream”?; that’s why they came here-to make a better life for themselves and their families. There’s one part of Nashville where, if you don’t know Spanish, you are lost. There are no signs in English and no one speaks it. It’s called Antioch, but we call it Hispantioch. In my opinion, having English as the primary language might force someone to learn it, but they’ll be better off in the US if they know it. Not because we’re better than them, or our culture is more important. But because this is how we communicate. And it’s hard to have trust and relationship without being able to understand each other. If I were to move to France or Germany, how foolish and irresponsible would I be to not learn the language? “If we enforce this law, we’re telling hispanics they have to be like us, and that’s wrong.” No we’re not! We’re giving them just as much freedom as we have to go out and get what they want! Some people are saying that the only people who are against this law are the people who are hiring illegal immigrants. If they were to know English, they’d know they were being underpaid, overworked, and their employers are breaking the law. And the employers are all for keeping everything hush hush because they’re making money off of these workers. Bottom line:There’s only so much room on billboards. Are we going to have to put script in Japanese, Swahili, German, and Portuguese on each one, alongside the English and Spanish? The education systems in countries like China, Japan, and Germany encourage English as a second language in school, because they see the benefit of knowing it, not only that but a lot of the big business people come from overseas, and they know English!
Sorry for my rant, and thanks for the entry:)
Kristi – and you make many excellent points. A well earned rant. Kudos!
In 1987, when I was 18, the state of California passed a law that made English the official language of California. What this basically meant was that the government would not have to provide Spanish alternatives for documents and such. Now, I do not know if they have since repealed the law, but I can explain why it was necessary in 1987. The year before this I went to the DMV, like all my friends to obtain my drivers license. Now, in California, you have to pass a written and a driving test. The written test was 100 questions long and the most you could miss was seven. You can imagine the stress this caused most teenagers, myself included. While I was waiting in line to turn in my written test, my mother and I observed a middle aged Hispanic woman being given a test to obtain a license as well. She didn’t speak English and her test consisted of pointing at pictures of various road signs and pointing then to the Spanish words that corresponded to the sign. She only had to do about 10 of these and then progressed right to her driving test without the 30 day wait that I had. My mother was livid, and I felt discriminated against for doing it the normal way! So that’s my story. If I go to France, I will have to learn French if I want to drive there. I don’t think they will give me a picture test! I’m just saying…
i just want to know one thing……what would Jesus do?
Jesus knows all languages, so that’s not a fair question to ask. And who are we to say what Jesus would do?