I recently did some research involving the hispanic community in the
US. When you ask what their aspirations are the number one answer by
a wide margin is learning english. They recognize that English in
this country is the key to success. However many don't have the
opportunity to prioritize learning english given the cost of classes
and the need to work to put food on the table and they can get by
without learning it as their frends, family and local communities are
often either Spanish dominant or Spanish-friendly.
I do think this is a bit different than past migrations to the US
which were more diverse and more of a "melting pot" with English as
the common denominator vs. today's spanish-language dominant
immigration. I've never been a supporter of a national language in
part because I always felt that it was being suggested more as a
punative anti-immigrant measure. But perhaps it is time if done
properly. And with that should be some way of trying to help
immigrants learn the language.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, Gary Wien <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
>
> On Jun 17, 2007, at 10:58 PM, justifiedright wrote:
>
> > The answer was assimilation. I don't recall them demanding any
> > street signs, applicaitions or 411 calls in yiddish.
>
>
> Once again, I'll stand beside Tommy on an issue most people
probably
> wouldn't believe a "liberal" would stand beside a conservative.
>
> I look at it this way. We have had waves of immigration from
> Germans, from Italians, from Chinese and other nationalities. The
> difference is that the current wave is simply not assimilating in
any
> way of the previous waves. And for good reason. As Tommy points
> out, it's easy to have 1 or 2 million Germans or Italians learn
the
> language but when you have 10-20 million of a different language
come
> over at the same time there is less reason to assimilate -
especially
> when we run ads in print and tv in Spanish and allow businesses
like
> bodegas to be completely in Spanish.
>
> This is far different from having a Chinatown that's a block long.
>
> Belmar, just ten years ago, didn't have a single bodega. We now
have
> 3 within a 5 block area. I have nothing against that (and
personally
> love Spanish food); however, I do think America would be better
off
> having an official language as I do see many problems for the
country
> in the next 5-10 years and I don't see the assimilation or desire
to
> be part of the "melting pot" that previous immigration waves
showed.
> This immigration wave is very different. If you don't believe
that,
> please show me a part of America where my German ancestors still
> speak solely German. I doubt there is such a place.
>
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