English Spoken Here
The woman behind the counter looked at me with an expression that might best be described as the textbook-definition of the word “blank.” She shook her head. And then, just for added benefit, she shrugged.
And then she said those three little words I so despise.
“No hablo Ingles.”
Despite her apparent inability to understand my words, I spoke, flabbergasted. “Seriously? You’re working behind the counter of a store in Manhattan and don’t speak English?”
Again, the blank look, and again, those words.
“No hablo Ingles.”
There was no other employee in the store with whom I could speak, and even if one were lurking somewhere behind the scenes, I’d first have to get the woman at the counter to understand the words “Can someone else help me” and that was obviously not going to happen.
Un. Acceptable.
And yet, you see it all the time. People who have been in this country for years and yet can’t speak the language and don’t seem all that interested in even attempting to. Children who have never been taught English are plopped into classrooms with teachers who suddenly have to deal with a language barrier which takes away from previously-planned lessons.
Personally, I could never imagine moving to another country and not wanting to learn the language. And it seems perfectly reasonable to expect that in this day and age, immigrants be expected to. How about we put forth a new rule: Upon arriving in America, immigrants have four years go learn the basics of the English language.
College students do so in less time, as do professionals who want to take part in the international business community. Or perhaps we have our reasons for not encouraging newcomers to learn the lingo. After all, by not “forcing” immigrants to learn the language, we are, in essence, encouraging them to remain the low men on the socio-economic totem pole. It’s a new take on the age-old tale of “the man” workin’ to keep people in their place.
But one thing is for certain: If you are working behind the counter of a store in this country– or if you are hiring someone to work behind the counter — the ability to interact with English-speaking customers isn’t an option. Because until further notice, English is spoken here.
It actually bothers me that Spanish is considered the second language here. I have nothing against Spanish speaking people at all, but this is America. The country where we get to CHOOSE what our language courses are going to be.
I firmly believe that if you want to live in America, you better learn English.
I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes:
“Every immigrant who comes here should be required within five years to learn English or leave the country.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Wow… I had no idea he and I were on the same page! That’s pretty amazing!
I have some friends that refuse to teach their daughter English. When I asked why? “Because, this is who we are and she can be taught when she starts school.” I will not even start on how this bugs me.
I needed to go and buy those Valentine conversation hearts for my son’s Kinder class. I grab 22 boxes from an end cap and head to the counter to pay (remember, I am currently disabled. So this is a hard task). When I got to the counter I noticed that they were in Spanish. Now, I live in Oregon. Maybe if I was back in Cali. I could except it more. But an end cap at a Target in “The Hills have Eyes” Oregon?
It’s SO completely wrong that she expects the school to teach her children English! most kids come into the system with at least some basic language skills!
I agree.
Short and sweet. That’s the way to go.
no ingles?
no problemo!
no dinero.
adios.
I’ve got news for you…even spanish speaking people who know both languages prefer to speak English. The immigrants that come from spanish speaking countries are so uppity (sp?) about pronounciation that if any member of my spanish speaking family is having a conversation they tell them to speak in english to them. We kind of just blended english and spanish as what you all come to know as Spanglish, which is a no no is Spanish speaking countries, it’s not proper.
When an immigrant comes over from ANY country or GOES to any country and doesn’t know the language I believe it cripples them from thriving in that country.
I know of an Italian guy who came over from Italy to work for his families business here in America. They all spoke both languages so it was never forced upon him to speak anything other than Italian because that’s all they ever spoke to him. When he decided to leave the business and move to California, he came back within 2 months because he couldn’t speak a lick of English and hindered his ability to get a job that wasn’t manual labor. Slowly but surely he is learning English and surprised me when he was able to say to me (in English) that he was happy to be learning the language.
I agree. Just like I disagree with some ignorant in-laws and friends who, when traveling in a foreign country, were livid that the shopkeepers, etc. did not all speak English. (Hang my head in shame…)
FANTASTIC!
If you want to read a reader’s feedback
, I rate this post for four from five. Decent info, but I just have to go to that damn msn to find the missed pieces. Thanks, anyway!
After reading the article, I just feel that I really need more information on the topic. Can you suggest some more resources please?