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Convengo con el escritor que los inmigrantes deben aprender la lengua de su país de anfitrión. Éste es ambos para su ventaja y el país a los cuales han venido.

Very impressive Rufus. Are you the one who translates ATMs and signage at Lowes stores into Spanish?

As I've said before we Americans, especially our corporations, make it too easy for them NOT to learn English.

While both Mr. Peddie and Rev.Sills have good points on their side, I think the truth lies somewhere between the two.
The public schools have thus far led the way in teaching English to immigrants. Children go home and teach their parents, who in most cases, are very anxious to learn. Our school system, since the days of the mass immigrations from Europe, have been the "homogenizers"...the true melting pot of our newest citizens. Without getting too involved in the politics of immigration, I would suggest that service minded adults try their hand at teaching adults---adults who were born here and live here, to become functionally literate. The ones who want to live here and would die to get here, are more anxious to learn than some folks who have lived here much longer. What is the point? I really don't know other than this deserves some deeper thinking than getting riled up about immigration.

The way I see it, Jesus would make it a point to learn another language if it meant helping someone in need. You and your kind are racists, plain and simple. It's just a matter of finding some justification and cloaking it with your aborted Puritanical/Christian beliefs. I gave up arguing with the likes of you and just make it a point not to talk to you at all. I'd help an immigrant regardless of residential status before I'd do anything for bigots like you. And yes, that means I'd make it a point to learn a little... Hola, como estas ud? Bien? Excellente!

Dan .. did I see .. in very small font .. between the words "our" and "corporations" .. the word EEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLL ?

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DoubleD: I think you are generalizing. The father-in-law of Friends and neighbors of ours ran from Cuba right before out former ally Castro took over. For over 45 years they have lived in Miami - he is a successful plumber - but doesn't speak more than two words of english.

The point about America being a melting pot breaks down at a certain concentration. When immigrant communities grow to the size in a locale that they can be self sustaining, such as JDRs example of the plumber in Miami, then the contents of the pot ceases to melt. There is no need to adapt to your locale because your locale has adapted to you.

CC,

I think you are a little over the top on this one. Apparently you have a dog in this fight. Why is it racism or any of the other things you accused the letter writer of to expect ALL immigrants to adhere to the same rules? I used to work with a large number of people from the Philippines who had to jump thru all kinds of language and comprehension hoops to get to come to America and work here. Why should special consideration be given to the spanish-speaking folks only?

"I'd help an immigrant regardless of residential status before I'd do anything for bigots like you."

For someone who references Jesus in your first sentence the rest of your message isn't Christlike. How hypocritical.

BTW, calling someone racist because they simply desire immigrants to learn our common language is...I'll just stick with Yvonne....over the top.

JDR,
My generalizations were about our community which has yet to reach the concentrations of Miami, but I understand your point exactly.

If you ever get down to Miami, go to "Little Havana" and eat at Casa Juancho! That is the best Spanish food, I have ever eaten. Not Cuban, but Spanish. The paella is to die for! Trio of singers walks through singing Guantanemara etc, while you dine. Great food, superb atmosphere.

JDR, yeah I left out the "E" word intentionally as I don't think bilingual ATMs are evil.

Good point on your post Rufus.

Dan, I must agree with you to a point on CC's post. It reminds me of some Friends who did not attend a national gathering a couple of weekends ago. How does CC expect people like this Counterpoint author or those who are differing on these blogs to change if CC not working to affect change?

I saw an old high school classmate last evening. This person works in textiles and has for nearly 20 years. His company has sites in Central America. On a trip to El Salvador this person was amazed to see how many of those people SPEAK english! And what's more, they seem very proficient in their usage!

I am not so sure that it is the folks here now not knowing english as it is them just not speaking it and then acting as if they do not comprehend. I could be wrong. As for children learning english in school and going home and teaching the adults; why do I see what I perceive as family's in stores with children with ONLY spanish being used? If they are so adamant at learning/speaking, what better place to work on it than in the public venue where there is a vast array of usage possibilities!

On that note, in Food Lion a couple of nights ago I came across a small display of Jell-O. I knew it was Jell-O due to the packaging, design, etc. However, I was unable to read the package. It was in spanish! Where is the need/desire for the non-english speaking people to learn english if companies continue to market products packaged in spanish?

And regarding the word "neighbor" used in Christian scripture, I believe that a useful way to look at this deals with how a New Testament prof from college stated; your neighbor is ANYONE that you see that you are able to assist, in whatever way is needed!

Shalom

"Dan, I must agree with you to a point on CC's post."

Bright rays of sunshine abound.

if i visited or moved to france (for example) then i would do every thing i could before i got there & after i arrived to learn french. i wonder why our city, state , county & federal governments contribute to this problem by using tax payers money to hire interpreters & printing literature in mexican. The government has a monopoly , retail stores dont have a monopoly so they do this for profit. what gets me is when i have to talk to a mexican & i ask him something he just nods his head yes, hes pretending he understands me. so i ask the question in a different way, asking him to tell me some thing more specific. he just nods his head yes. or he talks to me in mexican , i dont understand any of it. for example ,i say whats your favorive food ? he nods his head yes or he says si (which means yes). from what i have seen their parents dont eagerly learn to speak, read or write american. neither do the children. its very good news that a wall has been built on the us-mexico border keeping more mexicans from invading the usa. plus they are locked up for 2 weeks on the 1st offense & longer (up to 6 months) on repeat offenses if they swim across the rio grande river,(some of them actually have made tunnels). most of them just walk. a year ago the us would drive them back to Tijuana or the nearest border, they would come right back, the jail term is preventing many others from returning.

NC22:

I think you are jumping to conclusions - perhaps you can correct me:

1 - Aside from the silly corrugated metal walls we watch being breeched - I was not aware "a wall has been built on the US-Mexico border". Yea YOUR money was appropriated but first off that was just a "down payment", and second all they are doing is thinking - afaik no or very limited actual building is taking place.

Besides - as you say - they'll just tunnel under it - or come up with a hundred other way to get through. Did you get to Berlin before THAT wall came down? Anything short of that is pissing away YOUR money.

btw - what happened to the country that was maintaining that wall in Berlin?

2 - I heard they are locking 'em up for a while - tell me what's better: Weeks in the desert crossing or 6 months of food, clothing and shelter? Show me some evidence the jail term is preventing many others from returning. Of course you can't cause they just changed the program.

BTW - who is paying for that 6 months in Jail?

3 - I know "France" was an example .. but if you don't at least try to speak their language, their ugly side shows real fast.

humility aside - America is doing this exactly wrong - treating the symptom not the problem.

WHY do folks come here? Everyones knows it's for the opportunities America offers.

Is it possible the opportunities in their home land are limited? Are they lacking natural resources?

Is it possible the we cold use a fraction of the money we're pissing on "the wall" and jails and enforcement and ...

The minimum daily wage of the folks crossing out bordr is less than $4 / day - and that's if they have a job. For a mere $1 billion a year we could pay them to stay the hell home.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/02/26/MNGHIHDUQF1.DTL

.. we could also figure out a way to get their home towns rocking with opportunity. HINT - Banana Republic is not exactly what I have in mind.

nc22, Mexicans speak Spanish, Americans speak English.

"3 - I know "France" was an example .. but if you don't at least try to speak their language, their ugly side shows real fast."

JDR,

I've never been to France but my wife tells me that they would rather you speak English unless you are extremely fluent (at least as a tourist, don't know as a resident) & that they act insulted if you "butcher the French language" (envoyez à la boucherie la langue française). Apparently no "A" for effort there.

Thanks for the update, Fire Fly .. my info was a couple decades old.

Rufus, I've been to France about 8 times including a one year stay as a resident. What they really object to is Americans coming over there and assuming everyone speaks English. Not to mention acting obnoxious, after all you don't want to out-obnoxious a Frenchman.

I never had a problem as I speak the language fluently. Soooo, I'm not sure how it is from the perspective of someone who doesn't.

One thing, when I lived there I learned and spoke THEIR language and didn't expect them to speak mine. I wish our Hispanic friends would do the same.

BTW your translation reads: "Send to the butcher the French language."

Dan,

Hey don't blame me... Blame AltaVista.

JDR,

My info is older than that. Who knows? The French may be the politest folks on the Earth.

"didn't God tell the Israelites to shun all other peoples lest they pick up bad religious habits? Well, that was certainly true then -- and now."

You had me in total agreement, Keith, up until this sentence, which should have been clarified better. I say that because, taken out of context, it would appear that you had sidetracked your linguistic argument into a religious one.

Dan,

"after all you don't want to out-obnoxious a Frenchman."

That's an awesome concept!!

Many of the immigrants who come here desperately want to learn English. I know. I teach them. On the Wendover campus of GTCC, the Basic Skills teachers in general prefer to teach ESOL rather than American students. Most of them are hard-working and come to class before or after work; they respect teachers; and they are extremely motivated. As Dan knows, learning another language isn't easy and it doesn't come all at once.

Glad you like my concept Rufus. Truth be said they can be rude in large cities like Paris, but hey it's the same way in most large cities.

I lived in a small town with my "French family" and they were some of the most awesome people I've ever had the joy of meeting.

I still keep in touch with them 23 years later.