Non-English speakers face added challenges

modbee ^ | 8/15/06 | j sbranti

[LouAvul]

Luis Bañuelos didn't speak a word of English five years ago when he moved to Modesto from Nayarit, a state on Mexico's west coast.

He still doesn't speak English, and he's not trying to learn.

"I haven't really needed to learn English since there are so many (Spanish-speaking) Latinos already here in this country," Bañuelos, 25, said in Spanish. "I mostly stay in my own neighborhood so I won't get stuck in a situation where they only speak English."

Whenever that happens, Bañuelos runs "to find someone who can translate for me."

He's not alone. Nearly one in five Stanislaus County residents do not speak English very well or at all. And about two in five residents speak a foreign language in their homes.

[LouAvul]

He still doesn't speak English, and he's not trying to learn.

And there you have it. The apologists are saying we should give the third world a big sloppy kiss and they will assimilate.

The third world is saying no deal.

Sickening.

[mtbopfuyn]

"I haven't really needed to learn English since there are so many (Spanish-speaking) Latinos already here in this country,"

(cough, cough, cough, excuse me, cough, cough)

[beltfed308]

He still doesn't speak English, and he's not trying to learn.

Sounds like Miami.

[dead]

"I mostly stay in my own neighborhood so I won't get stuck in a situation where they only speak English."

But what if he wants to move up in the world and mug people in richer neighborhoods?

[Froufrou]

What if staying in his neighborhood meant Mexico?

[Still Thinking]

The article title is "Non-English speakers face additional challenges" and the only one they interview says he hasn't bothered to learn English because he doesn't need to.

Do the people who compose the headlines even read the articles?

[Jumper]

Every wave of immigration into any country has had the same results in the "parental" population. However, their reason for moving was a personal choice based on giving an opportunity to their children, and by the time their bi-lingual children had their grandchildren, the English will be the only spoken tounge -- in his shortsighted case.

Americans who worry about English should understand that Mexician's are coming here for their children to succeed, and their children with integrate into the English speaking community in order to succeed.

[lovecraft]

Funny....I was in Wal-Mart yesterday and a lady on the overhead speaker was broadcasting the message: "If any associate speaks spanish, please report to the customer service desk, I repeat, if ANY Wal-Mart associate speaks spanish, we need you at the service desk."

After about the 3rd time you could tell she was getting desperate. Then the manager was wandering the store asking individual sales people if they spoke spanish. I had to laugh, but I was impressed at the lengths they were going to accomodate a customer. (that technically wasn't supposed to be in this country, I'm just guessing of course)

[Hazcat]

Yeah where they will cost us money fro "English as 2nd language" classes among other things!

[kingu]

Every wave of immigration into any country has had the same results in the "parental" population.

First, let's separate out the illegal population who is here for money, do not intend on becoming Americans, and maintain their identity with their home country. Now, as for the remaining population that spent years applying to come to this country, yes, they do tend to create their own community nest, but fiercely identify themselves as being American and are typically very proud about learning English.

Immigration is absolutely vital to our national interests. Border hoppers who are here because their country stinks are also vital to our national interest - in seeing them ejected as quickly as possible.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

BRAVO! when a private enterprise tries to accomodate customers. BOOO! on any government that coddles folk who do not speak English.

[kellynch]

I speak French and have helped out with French tourists when I am in shops here in NYC. Both sides are generally very grateful for my assistance. Especially when it results in a sale. ;-)

[DustyMoment]

With bilingual education and bilingual ballots (thanks to the Voting Rights Act that should have been allowed to die rather than be renewed), we are creating a permanent class of second-class citizens who don't speak our language and make no effort to assimilate. This is unacceptable.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

...their children with integrate into the English speaking community in order to succeed.

Not very likely if they grow up in a "Spanish only ghetto". Or is your idea of success counter person at Mickey D's or Taco Bell?

Regards,
GtG

[webheart]

I decided to take matters into my own hands and join the Minutemen. Just kidding! Actually, I decided to take matters into my own hands, and signed up for Spanish classes at the local community college. I'm getting ready to start my segundo semestre and I plan to take Spanish courses for at least the next 3 years. My Spanish-speaking associates tell me I'm doing pretty well, and I've been going at it for almost a year. I recommend it, rather than complaining about the migration, I will profit from it. And when I retire, I'll buy property in Cuba.

[AppleButter]

He still doesn't speak English, and he's not trying to learn.

At least somewhere down the road one of his ancestors bothered to learn Spanish. There are Mexicans who still only speak Nahuatl 500 years after Cortez. How's THAT for not assimilating?!?

[Cobra64]

What frosts my butt are all the advertising and directions written in spanish.

[AppleButter]

...rather than complaining about the migration, I will profit from it.

That's pretty much the same strategy many French took in 1941. "Razzer zan complain about zee Nazis, I weel profeet from zem!"

[lovecraft]

I know just a smattering of Spanish, not fluent by any means, and I am feeling the urge to become bilingual. Only for selfish, greedy reasons, of course! I figure it will make me more desirable in the workforce, if the need arises.

With your French, you'd be desired by our Michelin plant here and if you're fluent in German, you're practically guaranteed a job at BMW. We're in Greenville, SC.

[lovecraft]

I agree wholeheartedly.

BTW, I love the pic, I'm stealing it for my friend's blog! Thanks! :-)