I am stunned this LTE was written by a foreign language professor, who should understand and promote the learning of foreign languages INCLUDING English.

I do agree that most Americans do not learn foreign languages, but they are living here and do not have to. Frankly alot could stand to learn better English, witness the other LTE about blacks using the "N" word.

Where I really disagree with the writer is in giving immigrants materials in their native language. That certainly makes it easier for them not to learn English and serves as a permanent crutch. Most stores now have signage in Spanish and the infamous "para espagnol oprima el dos" when you call somewhere.

I've been on the other side of this issue having lived in a foreign country (LEGALLY). No one handed me materials in English, in fact part of the time I lived in a small town where no one spoke English. I simply learned the language through hard work.

I don't think encouraging immigrants to learn English is xenophobic. It actually will help them economically and socially if they can communicate with the rest of us.

Dan I agree. I think your last sentence hits the nail on the head. It's not just for us, it is also for them.

I think it is important that all Americans communicate in a common language. I don't underestimate the difficulty of learning a new language. I know it's hard and I don't expect someone to be able to do it instantly. It will take time.

Perhaps that is the issue. Part of any plan to immigrate to a new country should include learning at least the basics of the language and cultural norms of that country BEFORE you arrive.

There are many institutions that are more than willing to assist immigrants in that process. However, when you've got multitudes of ILLEGAL immigrants rushing into this country, those institutions are overwhelmed.

I totally agree with the letter. The writer speaks from experience. She says:

You couldn't keep the kids of immigrants from learning English if you tried. But you could probably provoke them to hold on to their heritage language longer by harassing them for using it.

This is very true. Its so true. So, what is the worry?

I dont get it? Is it that Americans just cant handle other people being able to speak two languages?

NOLIES,

I welcome people who can speak 2 languages. I just hope that one of them is English if they plan on staying here for long.

I think Dr. Campitelli has some excellent points in her letter. As a teacher of English to non-English speaker, I hear their stories about people mocking them for their poor English. And these, by definition, are the ones who are desperately trying to learn English!

And let's not forget that not all immigrants speak Spanish and that not all of them are illegal. Dan, the non-Spanish speakers are in the same boat you were.

They know they need to learn English, and most of them are trying very hard to do so. It's just very difficult to do when you work two jobs to survive.

Nolies, the children of immigrants will learn English, I've already seen this at our church, the children have to translate for the parents! I don't see them revolting from learning English at all.

It's the same as European immigrants in previous times, the children learn the language of their new country. I'm of Irish and German heritage but speak neither language, nor do my parents.

The problem is for the current generation who does not learn the language, they are segregated economically and socially from the rest of us. Maybe it's different in Miami, but you are not going to succeed economically in this and many other areas if you cannot speak English.

"I dont get it? Is it that Americans just cant handle other people being able to speak two languages?"

I can handle two languages, in fact I like other languages and speak French fluently. However when I lived in France I learned the language and did not expect everyone to speak English. Imagine that? Likewise I think if you live here then you should learn English. Sure speak your native tongue with family and friends, but learn to communicate with us Anglophones as well.

One time I spent a two week vacation in Denmark with a Danish buddy. We spent a week on a small island. I felt so isolated when everyone around me was speaking Danish, laughing and joking. I did learn a few words but learning a new language isn't easy. I would assume some of the immigrants here feel equally isolated here, but it is their responsibility to do something about it.

"And let's not forget that not all immigrants speak Spanish and that not all of them are illegal. Dan, the non-Spanish speakers are in the same boat you were."

How come I don't see Lowes putting up signs in Chinese, nor do I see Wachovia ATMs in Arabic?

They are not in the same boat as me. I studied French before moving there and had a basic vocabulary and understanding of grammar. However I learned more in the first two months living there than in my prior studies.

Just a basic ability to speak is fine with me, I don't expect someone to go on a lecture circuit.

When I bought my Christmas tree this year, the lot was manned by two Hispanic men. Neither knew English, they both tried Spanish with me and made hand signs. If they want menial jobs like that for the rest of their lives fine, but learning English will open up a new world of economic opportunity as most of them are very hard workers.

Good points from lots of folks. I do think that we should require students to speak and understand English before they are put into classrooms. Not doing so is unfair and frustrating to both the student and teacher.

Dan, I'll bet they knew how to say "fifty dollar", right?

The problem in this country is that most of the people have no idea of what its like to speak two languages.
In Northern Europe they dont worry about kids from anothher country coming into their classrooms not speaking the countries language. They just throw them in there and know that in three months time they come out speaking the language.
It just take a little tolerance. I am American and I speak Spanish with my wife so I can practice it. We do get a lot of strange looks from people as we speak it. I dont know why, we are talking between ourselves and my wife speaks better English than a lot of Americans I know.

Once again, I agree with the letter writer.

NOLIES,

I respectfully disagree with your summation of what's wrong with this country. Foreign language has been offered, and in most cases required, in high school for as long as I can remember (I'm almost 61). If you took college prep courses, it was mandatory to take a foreign language.

IMHO, the problem is too many Americans making it too easy for those non-english speaking folks to remain non-english speaking. As Dan said, other countries do not placate the people invading their country by furnishing translators (at $25-35/hour)and publishing everything in others' native tongue. We bend over backwards to make sure the spanish-speaking individuals are able to continue to segregate themselves. There's no incentive for them to learn the english language.

Even the one's that know enough english to get by will claim they "No habla english". I'd bet if Dan had said he would not buy a tree if they could not communicate in english and started to walk off, one of the men would have spoken "un poco english".

You can argue how things are done in Northern Europe all you want. Personal experience is a very reliable teacher for me. And my personal experience is most of our southern neighbors are running a game on Americans while those with power dictate American taxpayers pick up the tab. We are in a lose-lose situation as long as those who allow this sham to continue stay in office.

I'm sitting in Yvonne's Amen corner for that last post.

Nolies, Northern Europe isn't a valid comparison to the US. There you have a number of smaller countries with different languages all close together. Imagine speaking English in NC and travelling to VA where French is spoken or SC where Spanish is spoken.

Here we have one big country with ONE language. Look at the problems they have in Canada with Quebec.

This summer I travelled to Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lituania, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. English was spoken everywhere, particularly by the young. Don't mean to sound haughty, but English is the dominant language of the business world and there is a reason why so many people speak it worldwide.

I encourage Americans to learn foreign languages, particularly if they are going to live abroad. Those who choose to live here should learn our language and businesses should not encourage them not to by putting everything in Spanish.

My illiterate Sicilian grandfather fled Italy in the early 1900's because of organized violence against small shop owners. He caught a steamer owned by a company that he bought bananas from and sailed to Africa, and from there made his way to America. Somewhere on that voyage he learned enough English to make contact in Pennsylvania with other American-Italians, and by the 1920's he had a small fruit and vegetable store in Greensboro. My grandmother and mother told me he never spoke his native tongue again (except of course when he would smack his thumb with a hammer!)
I think those who immigrate here have a hard time reaching their potential if they don't speak the dominant language of free enterprise.
Merry Christmas to all.

Amen, Yvonne!