Why Mexican Immigrants Can’t Get Ahead

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Most countries are bilingual and there are many benefits to being bilingual. Only in America are there people so arrogant to think that everyone else should be speaking English only. What an embarrassment to the establishment and origins of this country.

Australia's language is English and they have declared it as such. You must pass an English language test before being granted LPR. I think even for some Visas. You want to come to Australia learn the language. That's not arrogance. It makes sense and makes it easier on the immigrants to fit in.

America has not declared a legal language so for that reason I don't think it's fair to say "speak English!". But that said, it WAS the language here for a long time so I understand the bitterness at people coming here and stubbornly refusing to learn the local language. I have no issue with bilingual people but in a predominately English speaking country they should speak English as well.

Edited December 24, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Let me explain this one more time. The reason so many countries around the world teach English as a second language is for the fact English is the language of business. It's been my experience that if you have two people from different countries that don't speak either ones language they will more oft than naught revert to using English. Internet, music, Hollywood, the British Empire, and US businesses had a lot to do with that.. Go to any chat room and there's a good chance they are all talking in English to one another even though it's not their first language. English is global now and has been for awhile. Any doubts look at the protesters in Ukraine, Palestine, Egypt, Russia, etc... all using English language signs.

You're essentially arguing my point. If it is good for business in this country to market themselves to Spanish speaking consumers, then they do so.

We have no official language of this country and who says that if Spanish speakers become the majority, that Spanish wouldn't up being the spoken language? I know that must make some Americans' blood pressure go up, but it is very real possibility. So you better start brushing up on your Spanish.

Edited December 24, 2011 by Mister Fancypants

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

You're essentially arguing my point. If it is good for business in this country to market themselves to Spanish speaking consumers, then they do so.

We have no official language of this country and who says that if Spanish speakers become the majority, that Spanish wouldn't up being the spoken language? I know that must make some Americans' blood pressure go up, but it is very real possibility. So you better start brushing up on your Spanish.

There will be a serious revolution in this country before Spanish get's on the same level as English. If private business owners want to do business with Spanish speaking customers, that's their call.

As it is English is the global language of the world...meaning English is the ####### of the block.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

There will be a serious revolution in this country before Spanish get's on the same level as English. If private business owners want to do business with Spanish speaking customers, that's their call.

As it is English is the global language of the world...meaning English is the ####### of the block.

Actually, it's Chinese, then Hindi, then Spanish. English comes in fourth. So if you want to base it on numbers, we all should be learning to speak Mandarin.

Why would the domination of Spanish as the spoken language cause a revolution? Why would it matter what is the spoken language - it's all communication.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Please avoid the use of racist epithets in the discussion as this violates TOS. Thank you

[Danno 1,228]

Actually, it's Chinese, then Hindi, then Spanish. English comes in fourth. So if you want to base it on numbers, we all should be learning to speak Mandarin.

Why would the domination of Spanish as the spoken language cause a revolution? Why would it matter what is the spoken language - it's all communication.

But it's not about Numbers at all, English is the international language because if it's influence.

Name another language you can utilize in more countries than English?

[Danno 1,228]

We have no official language of this country and who says that if Spanish speakers become the majority, that Spanish wouldn't up being the spoken language? I know that must make some Americans' blood pressure go up, but it is very real possibility. So you better start brushing up on your Spanish.

It's absolutely a fact that as the South west and west goes past the tipping point, spanish will be the de facto if not official language of those states.

But where you are wrong is with the assumption that the country as a whole will "adopt it", people will gravitate toward areas which speak english .. if living in a place that resembles Mexico make their "blood boil" as you say.

Heck have you not seen this already with the recent movement of Whites leaving California?

ONe would be hard pressed to find such a large scale exodus in peacetime.

I think the truth is Steve, it Boils your blood that people can and do choose to leave.

It's just more evidence the country is balkanizing, not blending. Even those who are left in Ca. seek out areas to live where most folks "look like them."

What was it a couple years back I ran your zip code when you lived out there and even you...

Mr Diversity, who lived in an area that was as white as one could find in the state. ( It was like 75-80% ...or sum ungodly number)

I hear ya Bro.

While people love to visit diverse areas,

they typically like to live in areas where they are safe, speak the language and connect with the community, we connect with those we have things in common with, this is true of all peoples ...though not everyone of course.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You really can't function in my region, north of San Francisco, unless you have some sort of basic fluency in Spanish. It's not as bad as SoCal and MidState yet, where you will find whole areas where English isn't spoken to conduct normal business, but I run into enough people daily where my Spanish skills are better than their English skills.