Posted on 05/18/2006 8:49:28 AM PDT by poisonivy27
The subway system serving the nation’s capital had a different look and feel yesterday, featuring fare signs and announcements in Spanish to assist with an influx of illegal-immigrant supporters who were lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Throughout the day, audible announcements that are piped through Metro’s system came through in both English and Spanish. At station entrances, Spanish-language signs explained the cost of a ride. Metro also boosted the presence of Spanish-speaking employees at stations.
The efforts came in response to the April 10 protests in Washington, which drew tens of thousands of illegal immigrants to the National Mall. Operators of the transit system were able to manage the large crowds of people taking the train that day, but this time around they wanted to make sure Spanish-speaking riders were able to understand instructions and fare information.
Joanne Ferreira, who works in Metro’s communications office, helped coordinate Metro’s response to yesterday’s activities. She speaks fluent Spanish and communicates with the Hispanic media on behalf of Metro.
“Little by little, we’re trying to use every resource that we have to not only get the information out in English, but also Spanish,” Ferreira said. “Yesterday, because of the rally, we put everything out there.”
Yesterday’s turnout—about 2,000, according to estimates—was significantly smaller then the April 10 rally. In fact, Ferreira said, it caused little strain on the system.
“For yesterday’s rally, we wanted to make sure customers didn’t have any problems getting their fare cards,” she said. “We tried to put Spanish-speaking employees in the system, but we were expecting a much bigger crowd like we had in April. We don’t have a lot of Spanish-speaking employees who could be out there helping the masses of people who are coming into the stations, so that’s why wanted to put the paper signs there to help get the information out.”
Ferreira said the money for the paper signs came from Metro’s budget for special events. She said there has been some talk of making Spanish-language signs a permanent fixture on Metro, but no decisions have been made about such a plan.
My point in my earlier post is that it takes A LOT MORE TIME, if ever, when one has no initiative or motivation to learn because they're being SPOONFED their own language instead at everything from McDonald's menu boards to blowdryer instructions.
Why bother they can't read .
I think blowdryer instructions are printed in several languages. Why you need instructions for a blowdryer, I don't know. But I haven't seen a McDonald's menu in Spanish yet. What is Spanish for Big Mac anyway?
"I doubt they are refusing to assimilate."
There are a large number of Mexicans who come to the United States to earn money for several years and then move back to Mexico. They have no interest in learning English or assimilating in any other way.
I don't know, but we suddenly have them at McDonald's here. Every hispanic I know personally here knows English fluently. What I'm trying to say is that it's a good bet that 80% of immigrants can speak at least some modicum of English (in order to get around the subway, use a blowdryer, or order at McDonalds), but probably 70% of those who KNOW this level of English PREFER to speak Spanish and will use Spanish every chance they get BECAUSE IT'S EASIER. That does not demonstrate a desire for assimilation, nor does it demonstrate a desire to become FLUENT in English.
I speak Spanish as a second language. It takes effort, though, because it's my second and not first language. I spent a week vacationing in Mexico a few years back, and out of respect and courtesy, I spoke Spanish every chance I got. It was mentally EXHAUSTING, and I vowed that my next vacation would be either in a place where I didn't speak the language or in a place where English was spoken (such as Jamaica) so that I wouldn't have to put out so much effort.
Is that attitude okay when I'm vacationing on my dime and trying to just be a vegetable on a beach and get a week of rest (I even downgrade to reading cheesy romance novels during these weeks rather than the political books I read at home)? I think so.
Would that attitude be okay if I were looking to make my RESIDENCE there? I don't think so.
The ones I deal with seem to be trying really hard to learn English. It can only benefit them.
I have often railed about Lowes stores and their policy of Spanish all over the store.
I have said that I should go there and make an attempt to PAY with Pesos. I think it is about time I take abstract humor to reality and give it a try to see what happens!
I bought a refrigerated "brown and serve" bread product the other day that I've purchased many times.
The baking directions are now in Spanish as well as English.
Guess what's not there in either language? How long to bake it.
I guess they were too busy being politically correct to be thorough.
I was laughing this morning watching Dick Durbin argue AGAINST the English language as our national language.
He was making a point that there is NO REASON to do such a thing.
(Don't get me wrong, I can pick dozens of programs that I'm not happy about the spending on, too. I agree with you wholeheartedly on the AIDS money, and I'm sure I agree with you on countless other issues as well... I just dislike the smug attitude you, and those who agree with you, exhibit towards people who disagree on this particular topic.)
I saw a monopoly game chart that was English on one side and Spanish on the other. That was about 4 months ago. I have not been to Mickey Dees since.
If you do go to jamaica, check out reach falls. It is a bit out of the way but WELL worth it.
WOW, I have noticed things along those lines as well but I had not been looking that closely. thanks for the tip I will check more closely now.
"(D) BASIC CITIZENSHIP SKILLS. --
"(i) IN GENERAL. -- The alien must demonstrate that he either --
"(I) meets the requirements of section 312 "8 USC 1423" (relating to minimal understanding of ordinary English and a knowledge and understanding of the history and government of the United States), or
"(II) is satisfactorily pursuing a course of study (recognized by the Attorney General) to achieve such an understanding of English and such a knowledge and understanding of the history and government of the United States.
Here we go again with empty platitudes and laws that will never be enforced.
Because I assume it is beneficial for students to learn and if they only speak Spanish, they are taught in Spanish until they know English.
It doesn't benefit them, it holds them back. I talk to those who are trying desperately to learn and one of the things that makes them the angriest is bilignual education. They swear it's purpose is to keep their children from learning english like all the other immigrants.
When I worked up in New Brunswick I learned to speak French Canadian as a courtesy. Immersion is the best, fastest, and easiest way to learn a language. These signs etc. makes two seperate people who stay seperate.
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