Previously, chris wrote: >they at least know enough words to have gotten themselves past the >citizen exam... but I also heard recently that Newark is now offering >that exam in multiple languages lest we offened someone who moved to the >USA but decided it wasn't worth the effort to learn the local language). > Not to continue an OT thread, but....
My great-grandfather was a naturalized citizen of the U.S., a hard worker and a successful businessman. He was born in Germany and never spoke or read much English. In Wisconsin at that time, you could even buy newspapers in German. This is a normal process; a historical fact. The first generation to come here often never quite makes a complete adaptation. But they pave the way for their children to succeed. The second generation typically adapts so eagerly that they don't want to speak their parents' language. My grandmother didn't speak a word of German. I have worked with refugees and immigrant families, from many countries, and communication problems between the generations is a big issue for them. --Anna ___________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe send a mail message with a SUBJECT line of "unsubscribe" to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> or <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
