Bilingual Discrimination Is So Real
82Think not? Think again. It happens in the work place all the time and while there is no discrimination law against it, there should be. If all candidates are equal in skills and experience and the only difference is that one can speak Spanish and English and the other is only English, you know who will get the job. The person with the bilingual skills. Why is this? Well, in America, we cater to languages from other countries. We accommodate them by having many items in their native language. Thus, this catering to other languages, reinforces the concept to non-natives that there is no need to learn English. California is a perfect example as Spanish is becoming its second language. Spanish is everywhere. Granted, all is not bad, but if you go to Mexico, Germany, Spain, Russia and elsewhere, there is no catering to English whatsoever. You, as a visitor, or immigrant, are expected to learn the host country's language. If you do not learn it, you cannot function in it unless you find someone who speaks it. The other countries do not accommodate English in most places.
How many times have you, as a job applicant, have the required experience and skills for the job yet lack one thing- Spanish or whatever. When the ad states a "bilingual applicant" is preferred, you might as well be discriminated against because you are white or gender because you will not get the job. They really want a bilingual person and even if their skills are below others to select from. This is language discrimination.
This has happened at Kaiser, where they have whole Spanish speaking sections to cater to anyone who could care less in learning English. They require Spanish nurses and doctors. When jobs appear and white English only nurses who have far superior education and\or skills, the job is given to a bilingual Hispanic with less experience and skills. This causes a huge rift amongst the white English only staff and their Hispanic counterpart.
One could say the language is a job skill, like COBOL, but because America caters to other languages, now Americans have to learn a foreign language to work in America. This is simply bad policy.
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You certainly are wrong on this "there is no catering to English whatsoever" There is some effort to do so, or where have you travelled?
Not wrong at all, been to europe, if you are in and about towns or parts a city, you will not find English catered to, sure, some places, but not in department stores or elsewhere.
Interesting hubs - I can see how the bilingual person would get the job over one who can speak English only. I guess this would be discrimination.
I don't see how that is an example of discrimination at all, that seems an example of skills. Learning a language is a skill everyone can do, and is good in many job markets. I know I just applied for a job at Nintendo that would prefer Japanese/English language speaking skills because that's what Nintendo of Japan speaks, obviously.
It's good practices to hire people who have the skills that will help out, it's not discrimination because someone may not be able to communicate as well with people.
All depends how you want to look at it. One can use gender or age in similar manner because of the nature of work, yet, an employer would never state you did not get a job because you are too young or old or a man or woman. I see no difference.
How is gender or age a skill everyone can do?
Didn't say it was a skill, you know what I mean.
I know you're trying to draw a comparison where there isn't one, that's for sure. You just can't use gender or age in a similar manner as I mentioned in my previous post. Speaking two languages is a skill that can sometimes help out depending on your job and location, gender and age most often can't.
I get it, you see a difference, you just can't admit one.
I am currently experiencing what this article states; I am a daughter of recent immigrant parents. However, they knew they had to learn and speak English when they came to the United States. If I moved to Germany or Greece, I would learn those languages.
Alex is in denial that this issue is real and used against those equally qualified. He just wants to argue for the sake of it. America's great weakeness is to some extent its diversity. Diveristy is great but only if it does not divide, which is happening. Instead of catering to other languages, we should just say no, which will force English to be learned. But it's too late now.
I was just thinking this same thing today. I feel like a lot of people are having to learn different languages to have a better chance at getting a job. I feel like people should have to learn English as well. It is a huge barrier when working with people who don't speak or understand any English.
I am not at all in denial that English/Japanese speakers are hired for their language skills over plain English skills. You aren't equally qualified if you don't have the same language speaking skills, just as you aren't equally qualified if you don't have the same programming language skills or the same software experience skills.
The more languages the better, of course. Are you equally upset that the military hires people who can be arab translators over people who don't speak foreign languages? You shouldn't be, those are skills very helpful to the job.
You are in denial that there is a difference between language, and age and gender... as is apparent when you try to compare the two then can't when asked.
If I apply for one more job that excludes me because I am an American, born and raised in the U.S. yet do not speak spanish, I am gonna scream. Make em go home or learn English.
Right on heather, it use to be like that 25 yrs ago. They were SOL if they did not speak English.
Yea, its all part of immigration/slavery thing, they need more and more bilingual (spanish) people to talk to the growing numbers of illegal immigrants. It's like a downward spiral that will destroy the employment prospects for the middle class eventually. Sorry to say we have to kick them all out.
Csome to Canada if you don't speak french you cannot work for the government. That excludes a good percentage of people in Canada. I'm born and raised Canadian yet never needed to speak French. We do not live in France this is blatant discrimination and continues even today.
this is definetly discrimation if i moved to mexico i would'nt need to be bi-lingual. i could only speak spanish and land any job i wanted!dose that sound fair?
I don't feel it's discrimination but people who don't speak English are just being catered to. English is the primary language in the U.S. and immigrants should learn it!!
For example, If I went to live in Italy, in order to communicate properly I would have to learn Italian - point blank. Why? Because Italian is the primary language - there. Yes it is nice to be bilingual - but that should not be the requirement of a job. Whatever country u migrate to you should learn the language of that country.
I live in Ottawa which is right beside Quebec. You NEED to know how to speak English and French to get any type of job other then fast food. I don't speak a word of French because I was raised in Cape Breton and I don't think it's fair at all.
Even if I were to go to college for 3 years get an Executive Office Administration-Legal Diploma I wouldn't stand a chance against someone who graduated high school who spoke French.
Which is why when finished my courses I am moving :)
Hey, I understand, but here, it's Spanish
Hey, I understand, but here, it's Spanish
Hey, I understand, but here, it's Spanish
This is totally CORRECT! I have not gotten jobs because i don't know SPANISH. Screw that. It makes me sick how we carter to the bastards. You should see all these sorry employers posting for jobs stating "bilingual only" and if your not BILINGUAL you are not getting the job. I worked for an ignition interlock company (breathalysers on your car after you get a DUI) and let me tell you how many ILLEGALS had em. Made me sick! My work place did not require we learned SPANISH! If they didn't know English they learned real fast.
I hear you, for sure, but bastards they are not. We, the state, government, businesses,are. Even 25 years ago, this bilingual requirement was not around much. Fact is, it is economically profitable for everyone to cater to Hispanics, enabling them to function here without ever learning English. so, learning Spanish is the most enabling aspect (not a bad thing per se). It use to be many state offices had signs stating, English only, now it is bilingual.
This country is made up of immigrants from all lands. We are all immigrants. Our ancestors came here and went through the immigration process legally. They were grateful to be here and did not expect hand outs and worked hard. They assimilated to the American way of life and learned to speak English not expecting anyone to learn their languages. Now they come here illegally and even some who come here legally expect special treatment and cry discrimination if they don't get their own way. They are a drain on our resources, i.e. free medical, food stamps, cash assistance and any other special perks. I am so tired of seeing their flags in their cars and other places. If their country was so great go back there. If they went to any other country they would be expected to learn the language and customs. We should NOT be shut out of jobs because we can't speak their language. They need to appreciate and be thankful for the freedoms and better way of life they will have here. As long as people cater to them and let them get away with requiring someone to be bilingual to get the job they will never learn English. Sounds like a bunch of ungrateful people to me.
It is illegal. Sue for discrimination based on national origin.
If enough of us file via the EEOC, we can get class action status. California voters passed prop 63 in 1986 that made English the official legal language of CA. An employer can not mandate that an applicant speak Spanish. Think of this. If an employer is mandating bilingual spanish, it means they are hiring illegals. Report the employer, sue and let's take back CA. At the rate the illegals are breeding (sorry folks, this is accurate. over their lifetime they have 32 offspring generationally to our 4), their swelling numbers will outpace us much faster than any statisticians estimated. In the next 5 years (not 20 like was guessed) Mexicans will out number all other races combined in California. Because of the hormones and fat in the American diet, mexican females are having their periods at an alarming early age. Because of the catholic dogma attached to birth control and the mexican culture of welcoming large families, these girls now will be able to bear children from age 10 into their 50's (potentially). Think about that. By sheer numbers and catastrophic growth, we are doomed. So what happens when the tax payers (us) who pay into Social Services can't find work, but the illegals who work under the table and don't pay taxes while they pull social services (they are eligible due to the children being born in the U.S. and being considered American citizens), what do you all think is going to happen?
The whole thing is a real dilemma because of the number of those who speak little english in Calif, the gov and business all provide spanish because if they do not, the competition will, then spanish customers will go there.
I live in California - Imagine how I feel about the issue. I do agree that it is a form of discrimination. I have either been passed over or discouraged to apply for a job purely based on the fact that I am not fully bilingual. I can however carry on a casual conversation but it's really not enough.
I volunteer frequently for various causes, one being homeless outreach. Helping people find resources to get them back on track so to speak. Naturally you reach out to local resources. In doing so I encountered numerous people who I felt were EXTREMELY underqualified to do their job meanwhile they're in their position because of their ability to communicate in Spanish. These are county and state jobs.
So what the equates to...... Tons of resources are being handed out to who?? And further more, who is deciding whos is qualified for these resources?? Underqualified people.
California also has a career advancement education program..... Enrollment meetings in this county are as follows... English: 1x per week / Spanish: 4x per week. I asked about resources for language training... Spanish speakers to learn english - FREE, English speakers to learn Spanish: Their feedback - Go to Adult Ed and pay 150.00!
I am native to where I live. I'm accustomed to being one of the only caucasions in school in Safeway in Target etc. It's not an issue of race for me in the slightest but.... it is what it is and it SUCK! Like it or hate it I just paid the 150.00 because it's to a degree of irreversability!
P.S. My neighbors for a lifetime and very good friends had to learn fluent english in order to get their citizenship... It was a very proud day for them!
One last thing..... It boils down to Money! California is a bilingual encouraged and driven economy because Major retailers etc. want the money / dinero / greenbacks. In the land of Sheep the Wolf is god!
Learn Spanish, it's fun and easy! Since you know English, that means you understand THE HARDEST LANGUAGE TO LEARN IN THE WORLD!
So simply reading a book in Spanish will get your mind thinking in the right patterns, and you will be able to communicate your thoughts to a Spanish speaker more effectively.
Language learning is fun, and while certainly not a requirement, leads you in many directions for you in life.
As a native English speaker, bilingual in English/Japanese/Spanish, (trilingual is a ridiculous word...) I have had my world opened to an entire new way of thinking.
Not to mention the PILES UPON PILES of literature that are written by EXTREMELY BRILLIANT writers that a simple translation will not deliver.
The world is open, will you hide or seek?
It is just plain wrong!! My grandparents who immigrated here had to learn english. They were not catered to, or even given the option to preserve thier lanuage. Stop telling me as an American citizen I need to stop being lazy and learn Spainsh. No ,the truth is all you immigrants need to look at the history of immigration in this country and learn ENGLISH just like everyone else had to. Why after hundreds of years do we need to change for you! If you dont like it stay the hell where you came from. Yes its true America is made up of immigrants, but at least they tried unlike some of you lazy ignorant people, some of which have been here 20 plus years and cannot even say how are you!! YOU MAKE ME SICKKK!!!
well,I agree with the last three replies in varying degrees. Learning Spanish fine, but when a job requires it or "prefers" it, it bothers me.
WE DO NOT HAVE THAT CALIFORNIA PROBLEM HERE IN MIAMI.
ALMOST EVEYBODY ARE BILINGUAL!!!
BE BILINGUAL, YOU WILL GET MORE $$$$$
DISCRIMINATION IS NOT ABOUT THE LANGUAGE IS ABOUT WHO SPEAKS THE LANGUAGE!!!
Very similar situations...
Bastards they are by legal advise ie: The level of the crime they committed to sneak into our country a an "Illegal" is of a less serious charge if they are considered "Illigitimate" Mexican social work Lawyers are using this term for legal purposes... Either way an Illegal/Illigitimate Alien has committed a crime. Hence, no citizenship for criminals!
Great Article. I'm in the job market and in particular, the banking field. I easily qualify for Personal Banker positions, but the ones nearest me clearly state "Bilingual - Spanish A Must".
This is not a small, local only bank, it's Chase bank!
So then, virtually any job that deals with the public, and the lower class in particular, will require Spanish. This puts more middle class Americans out of the qualified range, and therefore increases that demographic's unemployment. My job prospects have been significantly diminished due to certain people's ignorance of English. This is ridiculous.
It really is a slippery slope. First the tellers must speak Spanish, then the loan officers, then the business bankers, then the assistant manager, then the manager, etc.
Where does it end? Reagan caved to the Liberals and gave millions of illegals amnesty with the understanding that illegal immigration would stop. Well, here we are, 20 million illegals later, and the Liberal Left is preaching amnesty yet again.
It's depressing to think about. All I have is my one vote but I'm going to make it count in 2012!
well, with one in six Americanos being latino, what do you expect? I agree though. At wells fargo, it is the same. All I can say learn Spanish. If biz would quit catering in spanish, english would be required as it was 20 yrs ago.
Well regardless if people want to say it's a "skill" reality is if I did posses what ever language they are requiring at the time, because of my name I would be looked over for a position. That is why this is discrimination. Perrya I totally agree with you. We need to quit catering to people. Nobody catered to my family when they came through Elis Island. My family not only had to prove they could read and write English, but they also had to prove they had means to support their family.
City Center in Las Vegas (the largest private enterprise project undertaken in the USA) was inundated with illegal aliens in its construction. The Mestizos, who are of the working class and do not claim to be Spanish openly admitted they were illegal and could have cared less due to the Government's "free money" collection activities. Social securitty benefits do not have to be paid to dead card holders who were in posession of the numbers untill the illegal alien stole their identity and claimed citizenship. The dependants were claimed in high numbers to eliminate any income tax, the money paid to these illegal aliens was sent in large quanities to Mexico, in support of a second wife or other family.
Spanish was the main language spoken in staff meetings with roofers, tile setters and semi skilled trades. Only spanish ids painted on trash cans and other group use facilities.
Thank Harry Reid, Senate majority leader for keeping this project alive, Mexico surley should. no?
I do not care what nobody says it IS discrimination. I live in Elizabeth, NJ and what used to be mostly African American city but is the city is overrun by immigrants and it's not even funny, to the point where that is all you see. I remember walking down strips and actually being able to read the signs the companies had posted. Not anymore! So when I go to apply for a job I know it's going to be hard, not because if the competition for the job, but the simple fact that you speak Spanish and I don't. Come on now this is ridiculous! You say it's a skill, yes it is to an extent. If your growing up in a household where Spanish is your primary language when you get to school your going to learn English but all the while you already can speak Spanish. Now us for example (Americans). We get two years in high school to learn another language while they get thier whole lives to learn two. They are going to have the upper hand regardless and it's not fair. You get a job over me because you speak Spanglish It's not right. I bet if I moved to Mexico or Haiti or Japan or Italy I would have to learn thier language, so why can't they do the same. Why because idiots who cater to them. I should not have to learn a new language to work in AMERICA! I'm sorry that is beyond ridiculous. So now if I go out shopping no one can help me because they don't speak damn English. Now does that make sense? I don't think so. People who disagree obviously did not experience this headache. I should not have to take a 30 minute drive twice a day to get to and from a job that is in another city because they are not overrun by immigrants. People may say stop whinning or complaining, but I wont because it's not right. They should not be catered to the way they are. We all know there are to many argue points for this subject, but my main one us this. We should not have to learn another language to survive in our own country. If that was the case I'd learn Spanish and move to Spain. I'm hoping someone recognizes my point. We live in America not a country with immigrants taking over and turning it into the states of the united languages. But then again I think we are getting there.
It's true. Most jobs now say that bilingual Spanish is needed and if you have more experience or education it is still less likely that you will be picked unless you know Spanish.
The problem is that most people that know Spanish and English are not taking classes to learn the Spanish language and "improve" their resumes. They are children of immigrants and/or Spanish speaking families who come over here with their parents and are put into schools where they learn English, already knowing English. They even have Spanish for Spanish speakers in High Schools.
It shouldn't be my fault nor cause me not to get a job because I was not learning Spanish at birth. If it's so multicultural then I should be able to learn any language but statistically Spanish is the most catered to by businesses. So much so that I've been in stores or called customer service and the operator does not know enough proper English to assist me correctly.
Yes, America does not want to put an official language but let's be serious. It's English. Being multicultural means we here in America REALLY need to establish the base language of communication as English.
Both statements are very true, sad, I know.
Yes perry it is sad. I'm 22 yrs old and I work and go to school. In September I'm going to take courses to learn frikin Spanish. It sucks because it gives me an extra class and extra homework to do LOL!
Another thing about my city since it is so overrun by immigrants is that your going to get the short end of the stick regardless. Say the COMPANY wants two or three people to speak English ok fine. But once a Spanish person gets into a hiring or manager position all they will hire is Spanish people. So there goes all the jobs for Americans. I remember going to a Walmart and needing help and when I tell you no one in the aisle I was looking through could speak English you wouldn't believe me. It had to be 8-9 of them just packing things out but not knowing English. Then to top it off they are beyond rude. Though it might not be the COMPANIES intention to discriminate but the people who work for the company will. I've seen it and I've been a victim of it. So has my siblings. Beings that the economy is so jacked a couple of my brothers were laid off. So they had to look for whatever. My two brothers went to a local temporary agencey to look for jobs and the Spanglish speaking receptionist told them there was nothing available at the time, but maybe later. They sat down and waited 10-15 minutes before a group of Spanish guys walked in signed thier names and went out to work. My brother asked why didn't she send them out she said because she was holding a spot for them. Can you believe that! My brother told me he went there numerous times only to see black people just siting around waiting for jobs when every single last Spanish person gets sent out for work. If that's not discrimination I don't know what is. Things really need to change, but it just seems like it is getting worse.
I hear you and know the pain. The old saying, "numbers rule" applies here. Knowing basic spanish is seldom enough, you really need to know it. There are many spanish people who do want to learn English, for the same reason.
In certain CSR positions I can see needing bi lingual reps.
But when warehouse positions insist on Must Speak Spanish, it is not because they will be dealing with Spanish speaking customers, it is because you will be dealing with Spanish speaking warehouse associates. And that is because the company hires them in droves because they can pay them less money and no benefits. Therefore we must adapt to them because the cheap labor is who they will keep over more qualified, costlier labor. Get rid of illegals and watch all the jobs open up.
Equal Rights and Responsibilities for all! Enforce the law who in this country realizes we are in a depression;/recession. Why is it we even bother hiring any law breaker that snuck into this country. Legal residents are paying the price due to this discrimination against legasl decendents of legal entranc=ts to this country. How about pressing 3 for Swedish. Learn only Spanish! B>S>
I believe it is discrimination mainly because only one race can qualify.They should be able to train us on basic bilingual CSR conversation or something like that and then that gives everyone a fighting chance they should make it a law because its not fair to good Reps.I think we should do something about it not just talk we need to march and protest this.
Why don't you just say latins or Mexicans instead of saying illegal. Just say Spanish speaking instead of bilingual.
Call it as it really is.
There are Italians, Jews, French, Asians, middle eastern Persions, Lebanese, Africans who are bilingual too and they bothered to get off their lazy ass to learn English a long time ago. The latin mexicans are just lazy and to
anti- american to learn english. The women get drunk on taquila, have sex and
pop 3-5 babies before they are 29 years old and the babies have different fathers. Then they go the hospitals for free medicaid baby delivery because ofcourse they can't afford to pay $15,000 to deliver each babies. Make the mexicans pay to deliver their own babies and the mexican women will stop fu**cking.
Then these women go to WIC, Foodstamps, Section8, for free help$ and they sell weed, drugs and bootleg CDs from Mexico on the side, but tell the welfare office they have no income coming in.
Most workers at the welfare office are Mexican or latins because a politian was stupid enough to come up with the Welfare to Work program, which hired all the mexican welfare recipients. Ofcourse these newly hired mexican wellfare workers will approve all their mexican people for welfare.
know because I am from California and had been friends with these mexican females to see how it's been done for the past 15 years.
White people hold all the political seats and are CEO of companies have allowed the mexicans who are only in the USA to loot the welfare system and have screw up the job market.
No other race from other countries have fu**cked the US job market and bankrupt the hospitals and looted the welfare system like the mexicans. Alot of Mexicans don't even pay taxes to the US goverment ( they know how to fraud that too), they take all their money back to mexico after they get their USA job paychecks. Just like the pregnant mexican women will sneak across the border to give birth in the US so that she can stay here, then pop more babies and collect welfare and her children refuse to speak english so companies will only hire her spanish speaking US born kids and have taken your jobs.
I've worked at a few school districts here in Ca. and I can tell you "bilingual" for Hispanics doesn't translate to "bilingual" for Caucasians (or other people who just say "I'm an American"). For them, they only have to be bueno at speaking Spanish, not English at all. TEACHERS could not speak English, barely Spanglish, and Administrators would come in all sparkle sunshine smiles and fairy dust and say how great they were. I'm nauseated reading what I just wrote, must go. And, to note the double standard, an American applying for a "bilingual" job must speak, write, breathe excellent Spanish or no trabajo : )
I am experiencing this right now in McAllen Texas. Yes I do live in the United States of America but I can't even get a job because I am NOT biligual. I am a college educated individual with many years of experience and yet I can't even get a job at McDonalds. Did I say that I live in the United States of America!!! There is something terribly wrong with this picture!!
Still out of work after 1 1/2 years and every single HR job and social services job I apply for mandates Bi-Lingual Spanish. So I started asking employers why. Turns out that the first issue is companies employing droves of illegals because they are cheap labor. The companies don't pay taxes or work comp on these employees and there is an endless supply of "brothers and cousins" to fill slave-wage positions. The second issue is the majority of social services is now going to the children of illegals as they outnumber us. So all those Medi-Cal Clinics clientele is mexican by majority. Social workers are now sent out to fill out the SS paperwork for illegals so their children can get benefits such as Section 8 housing, food stamps, Medi-Cal and cash aide. I have been parked outside a WIC facility while waiting for my finacee to get off work and you know what I saw? Black Escalades and other large, expensive new model SUV's with litters of mexican children in them. The mother's get out of the roughly $45,000.00 to $65,000.00 vehicle and go into the WIC office for their free government subsidized food. This is INSANE! and ILLEGAL! Yet no one is doing anything about it while our middle class dissappears, our seniors starve and our schools are dumbed down to teach illegal children in spanish.
They probably have $700 a month car payment
I am a registered dental assistant and i cannot find a job in Sacramento, CA without being bi-lingual. I'm sorry but for those of you that say you should "just learn another language", you're WRONG. Unless you have been trained in the medical field, using terminology in another language, you certainly have NO RIGHT to just pick up Rosetta Stone then start offering medical advice based on a box of CD's. THIS IS AMERICA. LEARN THE LANGUAGE. I shouldn't have to be bi-lingual after I put myself through school for some immigrant off the street that was most likely trained by a Dr.
Most kaiser hospitals have full Spanish wings and the assistants there ask the anglos why don't they speak Spanish? LOL.
American business owners need to have a policy of not hiring anyone that speaks anything except English. When I get my business running, I will be sure to never hire anyone that knows Spanish. Give them two options: 1. Learn English 2. Die of starvation.
Thank you for this hub! A very good friend of mine who has been out of work for a few years was in the running for a supervisor position. She had all the skills and experience required for the job. The employer had her back for 2 interviews and she was told no one else who had applied was as qualified. Her expertise is in a specialty class and not everyone has her experience, especially since the job was located in the Central Valley of CA and area mostly inhabited by farm workers. She was basically told she had the job but as a "formality" they needed to interview one more candidate.
She lost the job to a guy who was "bilingual" of course Spanish. Why do they say bilingual when all these employers really want is someone who can converse in Spanish. I mean, if she spoke French or German she would be bilingual but still would have lost out to the Spanish speaking applicant.
Her job did not require her to interact with tons of Spanish speaking people. On average she would probably only need to speak to Spanish speaking people about 1-2% of the time, so really being Spanish speaking was not a mandatory thing.
It only enables people to NOT learn English when everyone continues to speak Spanish. Why is it that most Mexicans in Mexico speak English? Especially those in the (former) tourist areas?
IT SHOULD BE ENGLISH ONLY, DONE! NOT FAIR TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IF YOU GO TO PURTO RICO NOBODY THERE SPEAKS ENGLISH, WE IN AMERICA ARE BEING CRAP ON...........
This is america, my mother and father came to this country in 1945, from Italy and they had no choice to learn the english language,and they (DID) both got far in life, without any hand outs from the goverment. Today we cater to these ricans they get all the jobs,,,,,,, plus hand out's from the US goverment. That's total B.S. IT SHOULD BE ENGLISH ONLY, so it's fair to all..
I agree, but with 40% of the population Latino, think again,
My grandparents also immigrated from Mexico, both learned English perfectly (no accent) because they were not allowed to use there native language in public schools. My grandparents made the decision not to teach their children Spanish because they did not want them to be treated badly in the local community and school system(CA). Now, I am an American with Mexican heritage, I have very strong Hispanic features and do not speak very little Spanish ( I cannot carry a conversation). The moment I got an interview, the first question the potential employer asked me was "Do you speak Spanish?" I am honest and say no, but I am familiar with the heritage and working with a variety of cultures...,however, this got me nowhere. I still don't have a job. This is very frustrating because I also feel like this is language discrimination. This very issue made me go back and finish my degree in Management. I hope to find a way to address this issue and make some changes in the future. This blog has given me some ideas. I just don't think its right to the American people past,present and future.
Correction: I speak very little Spanish (I cannot carry a conversation.
Not all Hispanics, especially those in their teens now, speak decent Spanish.
I want to point out first that I live in Canada and the problem may be different but I know this really good chinese restaurant and the guy and his wife that work there are as far as I know from China and speak English with a strong accent. Most languages our country doesn`t speak. I know that Americans don`t have to speak even two extra languages, only the extra one. Being bilingual can be a very important thing and I think that in part it is wrong but it is also right that they hire BILINGUAL PEOPLE! English is supposed to be the hardest language in the world to learn and we`re lucky we speak it. English though, should be a requirement just as much as Spanish and from what I`ve read it seems it isn`t. It`s not bilingual problems you face so don`t blame the Spanish speaking. Blame the Spanish only!
I had that happn the other day. This medical facility only wated a bilingual employee althou I would haveworked just as hard or more. Honestly, people going to wrk in this country need to learn English. I don't care if its the hardest language to learn, if you know English your smart enough to learn anything then. A law shouldbe passed, things need to be done,you don't see any of the 'political figures' speaking anoter language other than English at work do you? Things need to be done. You have my support.
I think it is complete crap! I just cannot believe it! This is blatant discrimination..especially since now whites and blacks and other non hispanics are the minority in states like california..there needs to be lawsuits and legislation made to protect the rights of the american people who do not speak spanish..
News Flash! Going out for a bid need Landscape contractor. One (1) employee must speak English this is America one out of five must communicate with supervision/owner. 400 home HOA.
To the person by the name of USA who posted: "IT SHOULD BE ENGLISH ONLY, DONE! NOT FAIR TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, IF YOU GO TO PURTO RICO NOBODY THERE SPEAKS ENGLISH, WE IN AMERICA ARE BEING CRAP ON"
EVERYONE in Puerto Rico knows English. We are required to take English class from Kindergarden to 12 grade. Every single year. Also in college. That's around 15 years of English classes. They may not WANT to speak English. They may not be comfortable. But they know it.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, spoke only Spanish for 20 years. When I moved to the states I wouldn't speak much English because I wasn't comfortable. And now, I speak English more often than Spanish. And by the way, we are American citizens (I know a lot of you don't know this). I am not even 30, even though you wouldn't know this by the way I communicate myself. I feel a lot of you are generalizing and I wanted to bring the other side of the coin to your attention.
Also, before moving to the midwest I lived in Florida for a bit. Please remember, that while this is not always the case (I know there's reverse discrimination out there) there are areas high in tourism that require bilinguals. And on those cases it is NOT discrimination. It's called BFOQ (bona fide occupational qualification) and what it means is that it's in the essence of the business to need two languages. Because just like when you go to other parts of the world to visit, you pray and home there is someone that speaks your language, same thing occurs when we have tourists from Latin America. It is in the best interest of the business and after all, this is capitalist America.
Please note, I am not defending those that don't even make the effort to learn. But I am letting you know that there are a lot that try and are in the process of learning.
And I will stop being mature with this last comment: a lot of you, who are probably 20 years my senior, should probably go back and learn English before you expect spanish speakers to do what you say. Writing and overall speaking skills are pathetic.
When I say "you pray and home" I mean "you pray and hope". I typed too fast.
@joann- thanks and learning Spanish, even the basic elements is easy. The hard part is having confidence to speak it. Reading it is fairly easy.
I just lost out on a job to a co-worker who has less time then I do, less education, a lower position and is in bad standing because she is bilingual. I stated during my interview that I spoke Spanish and studied it in highschool and college, but none of that mattered. How come nobody hires the best applicant anymore?
if you don't speak spanish...than I won't hire you. That's perfectly legal and within my rights PERIOD. They don't necessarily need to speak English at all...I do that quite well thanks, but Spanish is non negotiable! The best applicant THAT SPEAKS SPANISH will be hired. I'm an accountant and that's just the way it is!
still unfair........
This is bullsh_ _ !!! We do not require the hispanics to speak English...Im tired of missing out on jobs that I am fully qualified for with the exception of being bi-lingual....We dont go to Mexico and expect them to speak English.
Hell the Californian's and US military practically built Tijuana and when they wanted our business they learned our language...I dont want to learn to speak spanish on either side....Especially in AMERICA !!!!
Well, can't really argue with you. Consider it a job skill.
Wow, I'm Hispanic, Latino, and other various labels but when I'm in Europe, I'm just an American who happens to speak three languages (English, my native language, Spanish and French). Yet, my job rejection is "too over-qualified." Speaking three languages has expanded my vocabulary and my ability to communicate with more people worldwide. Learning to speak any language in addition to English is a good thing.
Can't really argue with any of the opinions stated. It is all about how it has impacted you on a personal level.
I have worked in the Dental field and for over 30yrs, I am unable to get a job because I am not bilingual. The other reason they mainly hire Hispanic girls is that they will work for less money. I was just recently told to learn Spanish if I want to get a job in my field, pretty pathetic, and Calif wonders why we are broke.
The situation is similar to Kaiser. Whole parts of the hospital are mostly Spanish from the bottom to doctors. Most are bilingual.
Yes. Ive seen it too. Most jobs in los angeles require spanish speaking skills. makes no sense. the american will lose out to the one who speaks spanish...who is usually the immigrant.
so they come here, expect us to speak their language,make no effort to speak english, employers say "ok fine" and then they have no issue finding a job. wonderful
Time to organize and file a civil rights lawsuit in Ca. I've been, I'm very sure turned down for being an English only speaker. If you look at it, its perfect for the larger agenda, (I believe there are conspiracies happening, and this is one of them) many black and white people being displaced from the job market by design in my opinion. All I see mostly unemployed are black and whites, more blacks or course, but all I see working are everyone else (Spanish, Filipinos, E Indians and Asians) It isn't right.
I am an African American Nurse that is highly skilled. I am also discriminated against because I am not bilingual. I hate that California do not make people who comes to our country learn English. It is sad that immigrants have more opportunities then English speaking Americans. What Can we do to change this. Blessings!
How is that discrimination? An employer choosing someone who can speak a second language over someone who can't, but both have same qualifications, is not discrimination. The person who is bilingually obviously has more skills and deserves the job more. And yes, we may have to accommodate to people who don't speak English, but live with it. There is always going to be language barriers. Not every single person who comes to America is going to know English. It's part of life. And it's not changing any time soon.
So I guess spanish speaking-limited cashiering position seeking applicants are also being discriminated for not speaking english...at mcdonalds, burgers kings, etc...wonder who will advocate for them? Speaking a second language is a skill, some jobs require that you have said skill to drive a better business. Whos to say spanish speaking applicants arent just as experienced/educated/qualified as non spanish speaking applicants? Maybe they are, and alas, they were hired because of that one skill youre hating on so much...tsk tsk
Perrya,
This will sound haughty however I do not apologize. I am Japanese-English bilingual and I also speak Spanish, Swedish, German, French, and am now teaching myself Thai and Mandarin. You are perfectly right that I will the job over you. Why? Because if a candidate has the tenacity and skill to teach himself or herself other languages that directly translates into adaptability and problem solving skills which are tantamount to success in most jobs. Another way to look at the situation is the following:
Candidate A) 5 years experience in Account Management plus 4 years experience in customer relations.
Candidate B) 5 years experience in Account Management plus a 4 year degree from a univesity.
While candidate A has more direct experience in the field for which both candidates are applying for candidate B would still have a leg up because he/she has demonstrated not only diversity in education but also being able to respond to a variety of situations and more importantly candidate B should be able to have better critical thinking skills which are a must to earn a BA or BS.
Should this be considered discrimination? Much as some of the other posters have said, no, it is left up to the discretion of the hiring party. I have no doubt, and have experienced, being turned away from a position(s) because I didn't have enough direct experience.
Your example of bilingual nurses can be taken in any number of ways however there are two trains of though that should be emphasized. 1: Are you taking into consideration the patients/cliental that will be receiving care from the nurse in question? Would you rather have someone who cannot speak your language instruct you on how to properly take your medication or begin preliminary diagnostic investigations? Trust me when I say, moving to a foreign country and getting bronchitis in your first month causes more headaches than you can imagine (hence why I immediately set out to learn the language). 2) There is no reason why being "White" will not land you a job in the medical field. There are now fewer white doctors per capita graduating from med school than immigrant/2nd generation immigrant doctors.
If Aesop were still around and your neighbor he most likely be getting a new idea for a story based off of your woe-is-me account of being passed over for a job.
best regards, ??????????un cordial saludo, vänliga hälsningar, mit freundlichen Grüßen, Cordialement,
JRN
MUY BUENO!
Learning a language, is hard, painful and a skill. What I think many people are failing to realize is the manner that most bilingual English/Spanish people learned English. They were in American schools in ESL classes, extra tax dollars were spent on them to teach them what they did not learn at home. The majority of children if giving the opportunity to be immersed in 2 languages will easily be fluent in both languages on a native level. These English bilingual speakers did not pick up and learn English, they were forcefully taught English by the US School systems. Imagine if every child in a spanish speaking only family went to Spanish only schools here in America? It would be nearly impossible for them find decent jobs. English is the language of business in America always will be. Spanish only speakers cannot find decent jobs, as an English only speaker can still find. The issue is the advantage that English/Spanish bilingual people have. The problem I have is with our government giving them this advantage that hurts English only Americans. Like someone else said, why is it free to learn English here, but we have to pay to take Spanish courses? If you go to any Spanish speaking country, Spanish courses is a big source of income, and would never be free! If were willing to cater to non English speakers, by offering information in their native tongues, and teaching them English, we HAVE to offer the same to Americans, have immersion programs in different languages in ALL schools, and offer free language courses to adults.
Engish ONLY....I work in a goverment office in Southern california..yes the Welfare, food stamp, and medical system....My daughter applies and passed the test with flying colors...but to our disappointment..she was never called in for an interview..you know why..she is not speak spanish..I watched all the prospective candidates going in for their interviews..and you know what..they were all hispanic...and I am positive they were bilingual...It is the governments fault...we need to take action and put an end to this...our forefathers came to this country and with blood sweat and tears worked and learned to speak the language...not my fault all of these immigrants came here and are too lazy to learn to speak the primary languange which is ENGlISH....I was born here and we all have our rights too..I am tired of catering to the spanish speaking public....
@SYL, I am with you 100%!
In which of all those points you have made you are NOT a racist and NOT discriminating? I understand your frustration but let me tell you a story... In the majority of cases, when employers look for "bilingual blah blah" -and even more so in the case of Spanish- they are actually targeting cheaper labor, hence offering to pay less for something a monolingual would do, probably for more pay. THAT is discrimination, to be paid less for having MORE skills.
The truth of the matter is that we live in a competitive, capitalist society where companies just want profit by whatever means possible, including governments (in this case less spending is probably more accurate). This is the harsh truth, you are directing your hate and frustration to the wrong target: honest people just like you who know two ways of expressing instead of one, and you want to punish them for it.
You are also wrong about Europe. I come from Spain and I can tell you that over there a promotion or a job will depend on your knowing English, and not having gone to work in London or Dublin may hinder your career. So please, do not blame your inability or laziness to learn a skill on the population that do have that extra skill.
The only thing you actually pointed which makes any sense at all might be the idea that people who come to live here should make an effort to speak English to a practical degree of proficiency. This is merely practical. Of course, the reality is that many immigrants may be too old or uneducated to learn the language, because the older you get the more difficult it becomes, in case you did not know that, and you probably should not worry about them anyway because they will end up harvesting crops (which you do not want to do) or working the night shift (which you probably will not want to do either).
But the reality of facts is this: you need to learn HTML5 if you want to be a web designer in the coming years, even if you have been one for a decade. You also need to learn Spanish because companies want to fight that market segment. If anything, companies should get sued for demanding a job be bilingual when it need not be, this is the most you could claim. They should also be sued for not paying more when the candidate has more skills, but then the job market is so competitive after the crisis that you can hardly complain if you do get the job. But I want you to realize though, that the root of the problem here is the company's hiring strategies, not those people getting hired.
If, after all this, you still feel like you want to direct your hate and slander towards the Hispanic population, at least show your true colors for what they are instead of hiding under a fallacy of false discrimination.
As of 2005:
9% of the population in the USA speaks a second language fluently.
50% of the population in Europe speak a second language fluently, of which 34% speak English, followed by German, then French.
From 2005 source: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8CQJUE02&
Also, as a side note, "The United States does not have a national official language. [...] As of April 2011, out of 50 states [in the USA], 27 established English as the official language, including Hawaii where English and Hawaiian are both official." (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_Unit
I cannot tell you how many jobs I do not qualify for because I can't speak Spanish!!! This is insane. We need Senate action NOW because it is getting worse with time.
Consider Spanish a new skill to learn because we have decided to cater to them. This was not the case 20 yrs ago.
I agree with Perrya. I'm from Europe (Poland)and have not seen such a selling out or catering taking place over there. I could not speak English twenty years ago when I just came to the US. My parents constantly reminded me about the importance of learning the English language, and I had. I even graduated with a masters degree, so I would become a contributing citizen to this country.I'm shocked to see how so many employers in California are requiring from their applicants to Spanish. Have l learned to speak English for nothing?
My Mexican American friend told me that the Mexican people will own California, again. I can see this happening. Truly, I'm disappointed and sad. I don't like the sound of Spanish language (if I had, I would emigrate to where it's spoken)I love English. For all the employers; Please, consider where this is going to lead to, you have the power to say NO to this, perhaps it''s easier for you to make money, reach more customers, but be very careful, because at the end you'll loose. Instead think how to encourage others to learn English, and stop enabling them by catering to them. At the end we'll all loose.
thanks Koshia, I doubt if Calif will end up back in Mexico, at least not officially!
Great article...
You know, I speak both Spanish and English and, because I work in a customer service related field, I have to interpret and put up with a lot of _____? My gripe is that many individuals whom claim not to speak English, do in fact speak it very well. My second gripe is arrogance on the part of the Spanish speaker - they feel entitled to have their needs met. I had to tell a Spanish speaker who complained to me one day about having to be on hold for a long time one day, "we have 24 patient service reps and only 4 speak Spanish, so even the English speaking patients have been waiting to be helped for a long time, so please bare with me...."
Voted up
John
John, thanks for the insight, no surprise to me. Many hispanics pretend not to speak english or shocked that there is not a translator.
I read through this article and see all the posts of English speaking americans who get passed over for jobs because they do not know a second language. It makes me smile when you get upset and use the excuse that you shouldn't have to learn a second language to get a job because you already know "the greatest language in the world"! I burst out laughing when I count over ten spelling mistakes in a one paragraph post. If you can even speak your own language right, why would an employer hire you over someone who can speak TWO! As it was posted earlier, languages are a SKILL and the discrimination defence can't be used here. Fuck americans are some of the only people in the world who know only one language and get all upset when it comes time to learn a new one! Have any of you ever heard of globalization? The world is changing people, learn a new fucking language and you'll be a better person for it. I'll leave you with a French quote that I love using when it comes to ignorant englishman. If you guys can't figure out what it means, send a protest to your government claiming internet discrimination :
« Un homme qui parle trois langues est trilingue. Un homme qui parle deux langues est bilingue. Un homme qui ne parle qu'une langue est anglais. »
A man who speaks three languages is trilingual, two langauges is bilingual, and a man with only one language is english. Simple. I agree with your statement but still, the hub is also true with some employers.
Did anyone see Cheech of Cheech and Chong on the Food Network recently? He's on some "celebrity" cooking show. Anywooooo, he said he wanted to win for his charity, the Hispanic Scholarship fund, because the Mexicans are "taking over". How would that go over if Joe Caucasian said that on national tv? Happy Day to you all!
@ John your very right about that, at my job, I had a guy tell me in unaccented English "I want to speak in Spanish" I told him, but, You speak English? He said, "Yes but I prefer to speak in Spanish" I told him there wasn't any Spanish speakers in the office, I could get a translator on the line, because my co-worker had gone on lunch. He told me " I don't want to speak to a translator I want to speak directly to someone in Spanish". I was appalled, but in the defense of Spanish speakers, theres only a certain type, that have an attitude that they do not have to learn English, and even when they do, have an attitude that they are not required to speak it.
"Bilingual Preferred" is discrimination. I have a college degree and can not get a job in my profession, because of "bilingual preferred". Since my career deals with front line employees who are usually low-skilled and the jobs that "we Americans don't want to do", I can't get a job unless I can converse with them. This is so unfair. I spent all these years in school and now I have to know Spanish, too? I've learned about 500 words and to be honest, I can't stand learning this language. It is unpleasant on the tongue and in the ears, and I don't appreciate being forced to learn a language that was an ELECTIVE when I was in school. No one ever said that we need to be bilingual to work in America: Our government is conducted in English, our schools teach in English, and yet, we are expected to learn a language that the majority of Americans don't speak. I think that we have to put pressure on our Congressmen to outlaw "bilingual preferred", because it is absolutely discrimination. I was very disheartened to have a Mexican college student tell me that I better learn Spanish or there won't be any jobs for me. He said it in a very condescending and hateful manner, indicating that hahahaha! to you English speaking people: you're getting yours. It's complete reverse racism.
It is absolutely reverse racism. You can not land a decent job in SoCal without being bilingual. The United States is supposed to be a melting pot of DIVERSITY.We do not provide this service for Legal Immigrants from any other country!
@wendy-northern cal is similar, but mostly in the medical field
Hi All,
I am very much impressed with American Culture. I am from India and I can speak Spanish,English, as well as Portuguese also. I respect American as they respect all the culture. For few years America is having lots of problems of employments ,not because of people are entering in USA , The only reason is Crime, Terrorism from out side and made more restrictions in US so People are having problems to come America this time to trade or anything. American also are thinking a lot for anything. You know what i observe that America can Get all jobs for outside people and inside people and I think more requirement from out side but there are many problems going on in US . There are billions of people want to come or visit America but America is Scared to take them in side and if you see the business of Switzerland , you find 90% business from tourism and In America the Business has down so much , There are many issues going on with Islamic countries and they don't want do do business with America and Oil issue .. America is a great Country and I respect America so much, I have studied for 7 years only on American Culture, Business, and all and I can say that America Can build it self with in one year if they start thinking positive not negative. Do not think that any body from out side can snatch your Job , no never , They have still billions of ways to earn the money. with in few months. People believe on America as they do whatever they say , not like China ,they are like Japan , I Love Japanese people for their honesty and handwork and we should become like them. Really they are amazing people. I am looking for job in out of India.
True Indian.
We respect you for your hard work and be with you when you need us.
This is AMERICA you want to live here speak our language I can't get a job because I am not bilingual in spanish.here is a lesson from my language go fuck yourself
Well today I was called on my phone and thje guy on the phone told me who the company was and the first question he asked me was am I Bilingual ? I am not gonna be considered for the job cause I dont speak the language. I was like well as far as im concerned I have been discriminated cause I dont speak Spanish. Its not right at all that I should be discriminated against cause the customers that this company serves I guess are all mexicans ? Its just not right
I have a good job luckily , have been doing the same trade for 20+ years . Have ran a couple different companies. Got offered a job with better money , closer commute , a job I didnt even look for they came to me. Went thru two interviews that went very well. Recieved a phone call friday morning and was told that they had forgot to ask me a very important question , Im sure you can guess what it was " DO YOU SPEAK SPANISH " lol i was like well very little and all he said was "oh we we actually would like someone who can speak spanish since there are alot of non english speaking customers in that area lol .. havent heard back from them since. I have never had to deal with any kind of discrimination in my life till now. Before i went thru the interviews why didnt he just say that they cater to illegal immigrants who dont or wont learn english so your out of luck !!!!!!
well, some discrimination is subtle-age, is one. Happens all the time. Unemployed for over a year-ads even state "must be employed" in some cases. Other times, they say nothing.
True .. I can understand that , but when it all came down to language I was totally shocked . I never realized how rampant it was until now. I live in Southern California where you can go get a haircut and everyone in there is speaking spanish. I sometimes feel im in a different country , well I am I guess.
I know, I am up in the wine country, north of SF. Same here.
"50% of Europe speaks a second language". Then, my suggestion is you haul your happy ass on over to Europe.
I am spending 2 to 3 hours a day of MY LIFE learning Spanish so I can eat. I AM PISSED. THIS IS MY LIFE I AM WASTING learning the language I can't even stand. I am so disgusted by the way our government has allowed the flagrant flaunting of our laws, so that they can now TERRORIZE us with their language. PFFFTTT! I'll learn your language: but know this, I will always RESENT YOUR INTRUSION INTO MY LIFE!
P.S. Learning Spanish is not FREE. We American citizens have to pay out of pocket for classes, and/or books and/or audio and video tapes, etc. I have to PAY, yet, people who come here illegally get FREE classes to learn English. Hmmmm... it seems discrimination is going further than employment.
I hear your pain, fairshake, but it is what it is.
I too live in California and have no way out. I have been unemployed for the last 18 months and have been unable to find work because I can't speak Spanish. It just floors me to know that it is now a requirement for most places. I know, I know....if the job requires it, it requires it.
Our government is to blame for most of this bull! We cater too much to the Spanish speaking only. What about us hardworking Americans who have been here ALL our lives and now are hurting because we are the ones who are losing our jobs along with being told we are "not understanding."
@walker-tell me about it, but the recourse is either learn it or apply for jobs that do not require it
Ugh, the whining on this comment thread is so annoying. The fact is, California is a bilingual state. Period. 30% of the state speaks Spanish, and you can't blame the government or businesses for needing employees to speak to them. I accepted that fact a long time ago. I learned Spanish, and guess what? I got those bilingual jobs! And I'm not even Hispanic! Fact is, if you are not bilingual, you are not qualified to do a good portion of the jobs in this state. You can either learn both languages or move to a state more suited to your abilities. Either way, stop being lazy and stop whining.
I think for many, the issue is a little deeper....
As one who migrated from West Virginia to Texas last year, let me tell you this issue is alive and well. After losing my job to a business closure in WV, and having to try and compete aggressively in a job market that is terrible, I had the opportunity to move to Texas to try and start over. I have been here for 10 months, and I finally found a temporary job with a local tax preparation office. Now, if I want to flip hamburgers (as an adult in my early 30's) the jobs here are abundant. I live in an area of TX that is superbly oil rich, and the quality of most folks lives are exceptional. The issue? The 'most folks' are hispanic immigrants. I have applied for and submitted resumes for over 100 jobs at least. I have had 2 call backs. TWO!!! Why? BILINGUAL ONLY NEED APPLY! BULL CACA! This is AMERICA, we speak ENGLISh, you knew this before you crossed our borders! However, there are more illegals working here and receiving higher paying blue collar jobs than actual born and bred citizens. It makes me SICK. If I decide to move to Mexico are they going to accomodate me? Nope. I actually had a co-worker tell me, when I asked for her spanish speaking skills when dealing with a client, "You are going to have to learn Spanish". Frankly I wanted to cuss her and everybody else in the office who spoke Spanish til a fly wouldn't lie on them. There needs to be laws abundant about this issue. We can't not hire someone because of their race, well by god we shouldn't be able to discriminate against language. If they can't speak English that is their damn problem. There are enough Americans here to suffice.
wow, thanks for the story.
I just moved to McAllen, TX from Georgia. Moved for a job. 1200 miles and $5000 later, the job I moved for was no longer available. Now, I cannot find a SINGLE job that does not require one to be bilingual. This is ridiculous. THIS IS AMERICA. And to the poster above who so pointedly advised everyone to LEARN SPANISH, well that would be great, but learning a different language in a matter of days is impossible. This is so frustrating! Wish I had researched this area before moving. And do you know the kicker here? Almost all Hispanics here speak ENGLISH! They just won't hire you if you don't speak Spanish.
Well, the irony to this dilemma is that it even happens to american-hispanics who are citizens, raised 100% here, american in all ways but never learned Spanish. I know of a few hispanics in this dilemma and now wished they had spoke Spanish at home as well!
I live in California and let me tell you, getting a job is at times challenge because a good number of the job ads have tacked on "bilingual required". I worked at Kaiser and some of the patients I serviced REFUSED to speak English, although some could, they wanted to be spoken to in Spanish. It has become an entitlement mentality. I remember being in a grocery store a few months ago and the customer and the cashier (both hispanic) were debating weather or not to raise their children bilingual or just speaking spanish. the cashier shared that her husband has been in the US for 10 years but did not bother to learn English because there was no need and he said he was too lazy to learn. Another story involved a colleague whose friend (a single mom) had a Spanish speaking nanny who unknown to her only spoke Spanish to her son when she was working. the result? by the time he was 3 the child could not understand her, he only understood Spanish. To be bilingual is not a crime but it seems to me that we are being discriminated against in our own country. Why won't this country enforce English. My father was born in Central America, he came here on a student visa, became a US citizen and is 100% fluent in ENGLISH!!!!! So it can be done but out of fear of being called racist, the powers that be won't do it!!!
Other nurses at Kaiser would agree with you 100%, some wings of Kaiser are Hispanic, as the primary language because so many members are that-so they cater to them. I guess they have to.
Want to know something truly ironic? My brother married a Hispanic woman, here in McAllen, TX. She is bilingual. But her Hispanic children from a previous marriage, do not speak Spanish. They teach English only to elementary school children. This woman's son actually took Spanish in high school and failed. He is now 18, NOT bilingual and guess what? He cannot get a job for this very reason.
This is coming back to bite them in the arse. Sadly, I need a job NOW and waiting for these people down here to realize they are raising "English only" speaking children and to change their policies won't do me any good when I can't pay my rent and utilities.
Unfortunately I'm off to apply for public assistance, which is ridiculous, because I have 37 years of professional work experience. Well, let the Dept. of Labor find a job for a NON-bilingual person. It will be interesting.
It is a real dilemma, for sure.
I can read Spanish and I can speak VERY slowly.My vocabulary is about 1,000 words. This is after spending numerous hours of my personal time studying. However, this would not qualify me to get a job. I went to a Mexican market and although I could read every sign, understand what the people around me were saying (barely, they talk much faster than what I can comprehend), I could not form sentences fast enough to carry on a conversation. This is so unfair. I DON"T WANT TO LEARN THIS LANGUAGE. It's not pleasant to me. I graduated from college with a high GPA, yet I'm not qualified to do a job? The only reason, I am not is because we have accommodated people who came here illegally and milked our system and everyone's afraid to do anything. I would vote for any candidate from any party that promised to eradicate bilingual requirements from jobs in which that would not be a necessity if we hadn't been catering to illegals.
Well,part of the problem is that corporate America looks it as a new market, so they cater to them. From a business perspective, their numbers will only get bigger.
How about hiring people because they are bilingual, but are less qualified? But, then the employee has to come to me, the gringa to explain their job to them. Adding insult to injury paying them more! This is in the tax preparation industry.
If I need to hire somebody for my business and I have to choose between two same skilled candidates, but one of them is bilingual I will hire the bilingual in a heartbeat. I don't know were you giys have travelled, but I have been to South America and Europe and in every respectable hotel or restaurant english is spoken. By the way, not everyone who speaks Spanish is an illegal, in certain areas of the American Southwest Spanish was spoken way before those territories became part of the United States.
The people who speak spanish only speak it because their parents taught them (most of them). Because I am white I don't feel I have to go take a class to learn spanish. When I already had to spend most of my life in college while trying to work full time and raise my children. My husband is mexican and we argue about this all the time. They are only catering to peple who can't speak english....if you look it's mostly social services and doctor' offices. If you want to have americans pay your bills and feed your kids then I think you should learn english. Most of these jobs are good jobs that I can't get. I dont' care that peole want to come here for a better life but all I ask if that they have to learn english. If I went to mexico they sure as well wouldn't cater to me.
A much more concerning case is not the language discrimination against English speakers in English speaking countries but instead against non-native English speakers in non-English speaking countries.
In developing countries we often see that only those who can speak English will have access to the top jobs and to a new world of international opportunities. As a result, students from other countries are forced to learn English often at a loss to their own traditional languages.
A clear example was an Arabic language teacher who I met in Indonesia. He was hoping to advance his career from high school teacher to university lecturer. What languages do you think you should need to get a job as an Arabic language lecturer in Indonesia? I answered "Arabic and Indonesian". Right? Wrong. There was a requirement in the form of English language proficiency and even a TOEFL test.
Often univesity students who want to go on exchange overseas also have to go through these sorts of tests. Students wanting to go to Korea or Japan often have to face these kinds of tests even though English will not be relevant to the study abroad experience.
It is terrible to see that just because English is the most commonly used language in media and hollywood, that it is displacing the importance of other languages and thus creating incentives for people overseas to learn English at the expense of their own languages.
I hope that we never have to face such a world where diversity is lost and English is the only language spoken.
While I am from Australia, I believe in supporting diversity in other countries. Make more of an effort to learn languages which are becoming extinct, respect other cultures and traditions. Do not impose English upon others.
Thankyou.
Poor english-speakers. English language is so endangered everywhere around the world.... Seriously...
Nurses have to learn English in all parts of (the very french) province of Quebec. Recently, nurses from the bilingual town of Cornwall (in the so english Ontario) made a protest because bilingual nurses are more likely to be hired.
@Nick, while that is an interesting story, that is not what this discussion is about. First, saying "do not impose English on others" makes little sense. WE are not imposing anything on anyone. The United States of America's government and educational system, including university is conducted in English. Therefore, when someone forces us to speak a different language, we are the ones being imposed upon. I should not have to learn another language to work in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. If I move to Mexico or South America, etc. then by all means, I should have to learn Spanish. After graduating from university with a valuable degree and then being told AFTER THE FACT by employers that I must learn Spanish for them to hire me, then I am the one being discriminated against. And further, we wouldn't have to learn Spanish if businesses weren't accommodating the people who have BROKEN THE LAW to enter this country. We have immigration laws and they just ignore them! Every industrialized nation has immigration laws for a reason, because uncontrolled immigration is unsustainable and a burden on the resources of an economy. I did the right thing: I have not broken the law, yet, I am the one being punished.
well, the English problem also impacts local schools, court systems in ways you would never think of. Of course, not all hispanics are illegal, but it is because of their large numbers that it seems like businesses accommodate them. Just went to iHop and the menu was bi-lingual, why? because many of their customers are spanish.
sum ting wong here in merica saba !
I was just trying to take this same issue to the news in the bronx alone places like metro pcs can put a now hiring sighn if your a man born a raised here you have no chance the first thing they ask is do you speak spanish I have watch this place turn down a college student and tto date they still have not filled the position this has got to stop or those of use that have work really hard to get where we are will be pushed out to.
lol I cant wait for this country to have two national languages, which is inevitable. If just for the simple fact it will enrage these ignorant people that say "speak English or get out!". I hope they make Spanish a requirement for graduating high school. I would hire a bilingual person over an English only person just for the fact he is most likely smarter than the other guy. If they have equal skill sets and one has taken the time to also learn a second language.... that's just an easy decision. We are becoming a global society, the more languages you can speak the better off you are in most cases. The world is becoming smaller and smaller and this American delusions of grandeur shit is getting older and older faster and faster.
@lulz- what languages do you speak?
I will agree with what you said to the point that a multi-lingual person will get hired over a non multi-lingual person should the position/environment either require or benefit from it. That is the nature of business, supply and demand. in your example of the hospital the increase of Spanish speaking customers/patients in need of help is the demand and the bi-lingual employees are the supply. The bi lingual employee can do both Spanish AND English customers and you can only do English customers. Simply put, you cant do their job but they can do their job AND yours. The bi lingual employee is simply the better choice for the position.
As for your statement of "The other countries do not accommodate English in most places." I find it that English is probably the most accommodated for language out of all the languages. Try to speak Japanese in France or German in China.
1: English is regarded as the global language of business, that's pretty darn accommodating. Since its so difficult to learn there might even be a new language based off of English because of it for everyone to use, time will tell.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/frederickallen/2012/03
2: Every international airport in the world is required to speak only in English in Air Traffic Control and between pilots radios etc... What more are you looking for? World domination?
http://www.proenglish.org/news/mainstream-media/24
As a little side info here is some Extra less "known for" countries that have their populations that haf English Learned as a Second Language and how much.
India - 232 million people - 23% of population
Nigeria - about 79 million people - over 50% of population
Philippines - Over 55 million people - 55% of population
Germany - 46 million - 56% of population
France - 23 million - 36% of population
Pakistan - 18 million - 11% of population
Italy - 17 million - 29% of population
Sadly, It is pretty clear however that your post is racially motivated and basically a racially fueled rant with a bit of anger because you refuse to learn more then one language for whatever your personal reasons are. I also found it interesting that you believe that every single person at the hospital you mentioned that speaks Spanish is less experienced and skilled then every single person that doesn't speak Spanish. I'll never understand why people in this country complain about people coming from other countries and speaking other languages. Your family came here from another country too and I don't see you speaking in Aztec or Apache, you brought and spoke your own language as well, just like the people you are complaining about. Such hypocrisy.
One Last bit of information that might be worth mentioning. California (not all of it) used to be Mexico so technically the people that are complaining for people to go back are the ones that went into Mexico not the other way around. That why their are so many cities named San... and Las... etc. (If I remember they are named after the Mexican abbeys or some other religious building that used to be there). Try to keep that in mind the next time you think or say go back where you came from, you/we/our did what you are complaining about... twice.
Actually the united states bought california territory so the complaont is legitimate willpv2. it like you selling me you car and i pay for it fair and square but then your grandson comes along and tries to take the car because you at one time owned it. d
The only 'Americans' that should be complaining about being forced to learn a foreign language in their own country are the indigneous tribes of the area known as the USA since the 17th century. Everyone else should shut the heck up!
In Kaiser hospitals, some doctors are resigning after being assigned to Spanish wings of the hospital. when you enter those wings, all you hear is Spanish. When patients enter seeking help, they have to ask if they speak English, if they don't, a translator is sought. I know a person, out of work for sometime, tried to get a job at a pet store selling aquariums and fish. He had the experience, but in the interview, he was told, we prefer a bilingual person. This is the same as saying, we prefer a man or woman, or Hispanics, or Blacks. The only difference is-language discrimination on the job market has not been included in the discrimination class.
Nice to know that there are still Americans in this country.
California was Mexican territory.
Wake up people; you have no idea what these racist, bigoted francophonys are up to. They have been bragging about it for decades.
“My roll as Secretary of State of Canada is first and foremost to ensure that my French compatriots in Canada feel with deep conviction, as I do, that this is their country and that it reflects their image”. “I too had some difficult years as a politician; I’m still having them, in fact, because everything we undertake and everything we are doing to make Canada a French state is part of a venture I have shared for many years with a number of people”. “You know the idea, the challenge, the ambition of making Canada a French country both inside and outside Quebec — an idea some people consider a bit crazy, is something a little beyond the ordinary imagination”. – Serge Joyal, Secretary of State – Page 2 ‘ENOUGH’ by J.V. Andrew. – Serge Joyal – Now in the Senate.
This is THE biggest scam, the biggest fraud and lie ever forced upon the Canadian public. People have no idea what this man Trudeau did to this country.
“Quebec can make French the only official language in spite of the Constitution”. Pierre Trudeau, .
“There is no way two ethnic groups in one country can be made equal before the law….and to say it is possible is to sow the seeds of destruction”. Pierre Trudeau,
.” ….Given these facts, should French-speaking people concentrate their efforts on Quebec or take the whole of Canada as their base? In my opinion, they should do both; and for the purpose they could find no better instrument than federalism”, Pierre Trudeau,.
“I cannot swear it but I think we were thinking to ourselves,… we are a small group, Trudeau, Pelletier, Marchand, Lalonde, Chrétien, myself and a few people in the civil service, say 50 all told…we were bringing off a revolution. We held the key posts. We were making the civil service bilingual (French), kicking and screaming all the time”. Jean-Luc Pepin, Minister of Industry, 1970.
50 years of spin, lies…thats what we have got. They are changing the names of towns, streets, counties, bodies of water, riding names…and I’m not taking about kebec any longer. It’s now going on all over the country; it’s a mess in Ottawa where they name things after anti-English language bigots and racists all the time. They are slowly wiping out our English, Scottish, Irish, United empire loyalists history. Just like they’ve been doing in Quebec for the last 5 decades (bills 22, 178, 101…)…This is one of the main reasons we are not teaching any history from 1760 to 1982 in our schools any longer. These racist people control government, the curriculum, our money…we get a daily dose of spin, lies and propaganda.
Remember one thing folks – The liberals brought in a lot of this expensive nonsense, bilingualism (forced french, only outside Quebec), multiculturalism, the charter, rights this, rights that…but the Conservatives have done nothing to repeal any of this crap federally or provincially. ???
The Conservatives have allowed all of these expensive, divisive liberal polices, and departments to remain??? How come?
What would you eliminate Conservatives, well tell us! What fees will you reduce and eliminate, what departments will you cut, will you bring down hydro rates…how will you pay off debt…will you bring in a government hiring freeze, a salary cap…?
Until bill 8 (French language service act) in Ontario is repealed the french will continue to take more government (hospitals, policing, law…) jobs, and wipe out more of our real BNA, UEL history, and also bankrupt the province in the process. They have been bragging about it for decades and the Conservatives have allowed all of this to happen. Liberal, Tory same old story.
It's not just whites who are suffering it's all non Spanish speakers, I am African American I've worked hard and this economy crash was the downfall of many but now you have to speak Spanish for almost any job especially in Miami. My skills and resume are both impeccable and to be passed over for a less experienced bilingual Spanish and sometimes barely English take a job that should have been mine, but instead of talking about we all black and white as well as others need to join the fight and get a petition with as many signatures of other fed up people, they don't cater to any others so its time to stop catering to the Spanish speaker's everyone here should know English, I feel they should control the numbers of immigrants coming here period it's costly America is a boat and think of what happens when you never say no more, the boat sinks ... now I'm not saying stop all immigrants but control the numbers and limit the amount that can come over during a certain frame and they must know English ... that's another topic, it's time we get all of the frustration into signatures, yes the have denied English as as the official language but the numbers weren't there once they see the numbers it can no longer be overlooked.
Petition to make English the official language, you have to start somewhere, don't be lazy start the movement and stick with it until we are heard it's us or them and we have no right to feel like we are rhe immigrants in a foreign country trying to survive... http://grassfire.com/202/petition.asp
So basically what ur advocating is affrimative action for monolinguals, right? Why should the job go to someone who only speaks English if more languages are necessary? I am trilingual (English, Spanish, and French), and it would be unfair for the government to force businesses to ignore all the hard work I did just so a bunch of entitled rednecks can get jobs they aren't qualified for. Sorry, but it's hard to argue that lazy white people deserve preferential treatment from the government.
To classify all white people as lazy is profiling. Stupid. But, you have a point, just like the lazy Hispanics who cannot learn basic English because businesses cater to them. And yet, if a business did not cater, there would be more incentive to learn English, which is language of the US. But, you go to Kohls, everything is bi-lingual. Why? It doesn't need to be. Do stores do this in Mexico, Spain, France, Germany- nyet!
Hi perrya, you're definately the "polemic guy" of HP. I'm of Cuban background and speak English and Spanish (only 3rd grade Spanish education) and I have to translate and proof read letters, etc.... What I've noticed is also that many Spanish speakers have very arrogant attitudes, sometimes even more so than English speakers; this is a dark side of some immigrants that rarely if ever gets discussed in our media today.
Interesting article - voted such
John
Being bilingual is great, but when employers openly state in their ads, "bilingual preferred" that is discriminatory no different than back in the 50's when a restuarant would say, "whites only". Oddly, the job playing field is slanted towards Hispanics now as 2nd+3rd generations are fluent in both because each went through the English only school systems.
So, an ad that posts "Bachelor's Degree preferred" or "Master's Degree" preferred - would you consider those to be discriminatory as well?
Speaking Spanish is a skill that can be learned by anyone. You cannot control race or gender, which is why those are considered discriminatory.
I have a number of friends who are white and were Spanish majors in college. They would be a perfect fit for a number of those jobs.
The degrees you note reflect education and maybe skills that are specialized. An employer asking for bilingual capabilities will often overlook the actual job skills needed. Why should those coming to the US be mandated to learn at least basic English? There are many white hispanics from south America, so this has nada to do with race.
Awahili, thank you for your comment and I would be able to see your point if it was correct but unfortunately it is not. Look up The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
During the Mexico American war, when Mexico was defeated in the war and they surrendered to the US the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was eventually signed which basicly redefined the boarders giving the US land and the US gave Mexico 15 million dollars.
So yes we took the area away when we won the war. Unless you consider someone coming to your house, breaking in, beating your whole family, then giving you $10,000 and telling you never to come back as "buying” your house from you then no, we did not buy the lands from Mexico, we took it.
War is hell and there are always winners and losers. The US was very generous for paying 15 million, the victor is never obligated, but throughout American history, when the US wins, they always help out the defeated. Most countries do not.
Unfortunately, I have no reply in regards to a solution. As an African American, from a historical perspective African Americans have been marginalized out of jobs in America by different groups since the 1660s starting with the Irish. The preferential treatment as far language goes is discrimination because it is exclusive and not inclusive. At 58, I have been out of work since 2003 and at the moment, I am not interested in returning just as much as I am not wanted. Despite the popular beliefs that are disseminated in American thought, African Americans have never been catered to over anything. The original intent of affirmative action as it was written law was to atone for the hardships incurred by African Americans during slavery and Jim Crow. It was fought against since the very beginning and taken out of context. I have grandparents who were college educated yet my grandma had to work as a domestic and my grandfather had to work as a painter and subsequently died from lung cancer from inhalation of lead paint. So, to be concise, I do not have much sympathy for someone else discrimination. For years in the community I live in which is highly populated with Hispanics, for many years employment of Blacks have been at the bare minimum due to the practice of "Bilingual preferred". I told my Hispanic girlfriend in our discussion of the morality of this issue that as long as this issue only affects Blacks it would not be discussed. On an end note, I told her this over 10 years ago. I bear witness to my insight through this discussion today!
Pcb9990 you are wrong is soooooooo many ways and points. you really need to back up each point with a provable reference. without them your story is just that.. a story.
The story only exists in your mind. Many ads openly stated prefer spanish speaking. there is no illusion as to who, if all things are equal, they would hire.
OMG I don't understant why are you angry, with all the bilingual people they help this country a lot,and you guys know it, so why you don't stop complaning about all those people and start taking some classes, sepan reconocer que nos necesitan
Not angry at all. Being bilingual is the south or west is a good thing, but employers should NOT prefer candidates with those capabilities and if all candidates are equal, base the selection on this ability. That is discrimination, no different than saying, you are well qualified but your disabled. How can you function in this job?
si, yo habla espanol pero........
quit complaining and learn spanish. i did. My paycheck is larger than yours. Survival of the fittest.
"I agree, but with 40% of the population Latino, think again."
and they can learn ENGLISH if they want to live here. I was born in this country and more than half the jobs I am qualified for are only hiring bilingual candidates. This is discrimination, hands down.
Thanks Steph!
I recently moved to a border state in Texas that is literally On The Border. Everyone here is hispanic and as I am blonde and blue eyed, I stand out signicantly! I love this article because as I was previously uninterested in the issue concerning spanish in america, my views are QUICKLY changing. NO ONE here speaks english because there is no reason to. I go to the bank, grocery store, mall, etc and I am addressed in spanish. And when they realize that I am an english customer I get pieced together answers and obvious uncomfortableness with the language. I cannot find a job down here because I DONT speak spanish. I am in America. My interest in learning spanish for my husband has been dramatically altered. I dont want to contribute to the feeling that these people have that they dont need to know english at all to do anything- including even becoming a citizen. I know I sound racists, but I want to stress that I have nothing against the culture or hispanic people. My husband and inlaws are from Mexico. I have a problem when they come here and dont have to learn english-forcing americans like myself to feel like aliens in our own country.
Dear willpv2,
You obviously do not know much about American history because if you did, you would not dare state that what I am saying is just a story! As to the history of Affirmative action, you can Google that for confirmation. As to my grandparents’ history, it is their history which I do not have to justify to you or anyone else because you can take it or leave it! I know that what I have to say may be uncomfortable for many but you can check out "Then I'll Be Free to Travel Home: The Legacy of The New York African Burial Ground" documentary film for more information on American's early colonial history and the role that African Americans played. One thing that is certain, until historical analysis is made of the problems in American culture; we will continue to move backwards instead of forward as we are doing now in so many ways. I personally see all of the dissension in America as being purposely created so that no real discussion on the fact that all of us, the 99% are being exploited by the 1%. As I look at it, Willie Lynch's "How to make a Slave" thesis is being used on all of us!
Steph, I can sympathize totally. Living along the border is far worse because of just that reason. What I find odd is that you look obviously like a gringo, so they would presume you spoke no Spanish, yet they never greet you in english or speak it? even in banks? hospitals? retail stores. I suspect you will not be working there.
The United States of America has never had an official national language. As such, it becomes impossible to insist that others speak English, since English is not the national language of the US. Therein lies the problem. I dare say it is a dilemma that cannot be easily solved.
This country has a history of f@cking people whats new.... Try looking up... http://www.americanpatrol.com/REFERENCE/MEChAindex Todo para nosotros nada para los otros!... Si se puede.... Oh and your tax money funds it.
Well, I can speak over ten languages perfectly, so this is absolutely nothing hard for me at all. :)
But it does suck that knowing only English may not get you far, or anywhere at all.
Better hit the lessons. Learning more languages is good anyways.
All of you white educated people complaning on here. You are the ones hiring all of these immigrants. What are you crying about now?
There are many black and hispanic also. Just because you look Hispanic does not mean you know Spanish. It is very arrogant to think so.
I am now 61 years old and find myself in the position of needing to return to the work force to afford medical care. Although I have a BA and an MBA, the jobs that I am applying for also indicate "bilingual preferred." When I apply for those jobs, I do not even get an email response or phone call.
I agree that learning other languages is a good thing but it has never been supported here in the U.S. educational system. Proficiency has never been emphasized. And, as some have stated, learning a new language becomes increasingly difficult as you get older. Becoming fluent, to the extent of qualifying for most of these positions, would take many, many years. Years that I don't have. So, now when I thought the worst thing I would be facing would be age-discrimination, I find that not being bilingual in Spanish is what is going to keep me out of the job force. I have paid a great deal of money for my education and now it cannot repay me when I need it most. This is pretty infuriating: I cannot get a job in my own country, in my own native language, because I do not speak the language of another country. When did the rules change? Our government did not prepare us for this.
I truly do not believe this article is at all about racism--for my own part, my ex husband is half Cuban. It is simply that many of us are angry at a government that practically dissuaded its people from learning other languages and now has basically sold them out for business interests. Had I had time to prepare for this when I was younger, I certainly would have. No other group of immigrants to the U.S. has ever in our history been accommodated in such a manner.
There seems to be much unnecessary hatred and labeling as whiners towards those of us who are confused as to what has happened in our own country. I am fairly certain that every poster here, if they were to decide to move to another country (any other country) would know that they have to learn the language of the country where they are moving. It is common courtesy and most countries do not accommodate foreign speakers, even English speaking ones, once you get off the beaten path (tourist areas).
Not racism at all, discrimination. However, if you are older than 50+, you also face age discrimination.
America is a Tossed Salad Country so its not discrimination at all because if you know more languages in a Tossed salad country then you are quote on quote more "qualified" for the job.
It's frightening to me how a good portion of the people ranting about the so called lack of English skills struggle with basic grammer and punctuation. Not to mention how politically incorrect 80% of comments are. I work in Home Depot as a bilingual cashier, I learned Spanish in college. Only about 60% of the Hispanic customers I deal with are from Mexico. The rest come from all over- Latin America. Also, for the 90% of ignorant, uneducated a/o racist participants of this blog, the politically correct term that you're lacking is "undocumented", not "illegal".
yes, I think we know that. But, usually if undocumented they are illegal. I suppose as a PC type person, you object to the word use of illegal alien? Cleansing the semantics does not improve the immigration situation. It is what it is.
First of all, I am like 14 yrs Old and I take spanish and took Italian. This will put me at an advantage when I get opder because it is a skill I have acquired, not something unchangeable like race or gender. Therefore this isn't discrimination, but simply the best wins,
Thanks, beth. while you may be the wave of the future, it does not make it fair.
Is it really the hospital's fault that they need to hire enough Spanish-speaking staff to handle the caseload? How can you diagnose disease and symptoms if you don't speak the language and ask questions? How can you explain treatment and so on?
The non-Spanish speaking staff may have better MEDICAL qualifications, but they are NOT better qualified to treat Spanish-speaking patients due to the language barrier. The hospital can't pick up and move to area with no Spanish-only speakers. Thus, the staff must adapt.
Lamenting about lack of English skills in patients does not get patients treated. Hiring Spanish speaking staff does. It has nothing to do with fairness. Life is not fair.
True. Its the how the system has developed. Its too late.
Anyone with half a brain should be able to master Spanish in a weekend. Look at the people who speak it.
carl is a funny guy.
The only Spanish you can learn over a weekend is stuff like cerveza (beer) and bonita (pretty). :D And you'll still speak it with a gringo accent. :D (and yes, i do speak Spanish, among other languages)
Spanish in a weekend, then the dialects one evening after work
Ha, ha, ha. It takes years to be fluent, and considerable time just to say short phrases. It is not THAT easy.
First of all, while I'm sure this is an issue that needs to be adressed beyond a simple "just learn Spanish!" it cannot be called an unreasonable discrimination either. Speaking another language, no matter how you put it, is a skill and not a predestined characteristic. This kind of thinking displays a poor attitude towards language learning in general. Also, the statement that other countries do not "cater to English" or other languages for that matter, is simply ridiculous. In most parts of Europe you will not make it far without English; often even that isn't enough. Even just to complete certain degrees, English is an absolute necessity. But maybe that is precisely the problem, in Europe at least one KNOWS this. We start learning languages in primary school (grade/elementary school?) but from the experiences I've read about on this site it seems to be a developement that is not being recognised and handled properly. American companies, of this I'm sure, will also be in need of new skills to stay competitive on a global skale - so of course language skills will be in much higher demand. If children aren't being taught the skills they need later on, then of course they will be put at a disadvantage. Complaining about "catering to non-English speakers" will not change the current developement and the resulting rising demand of language skills in America. In the US there seems to be a great deal of negative feelings towards learning other languages. Many consider it anti-American, or as your article states "catering to other languages". While it might be true that historically, in order for the great cultural melting pot that is the US, to find a common footing to grow together as a nation, it is necessary to have a common denominator, in this case the Enlish language, it should not serve as a reason/excuse not to give foreign languages the place in school curriculums and priority lists that their importance in todays world demands. Globalisation means that your country, as well as mine, will be affected by developements that go beyond national and language borders. It is unfortunate that todays work seekers find themselves affected by their lacking of a skill their environment did not deem relevant, but no law regarding "English only" will change the truth of a very real need for foreign languages.
Even Iran, at the K-12 level, makes students take 1-2 yrs of English.
OMG, I AM LIVING IN THE WRONG CITY. I live in SC, I SPEAK SPANISH AND ENGLISH and I HAVEN'T FOUND A JOB IN 7 YEARS. PEOPLE HAS TREATED ME AS GARBAGE WHEN I APPLY FOR A JOB, JUST FOR BEING HISPANIC, so when I read this "When jobs appear and white English only nurses who have far superior education and\or skills, the job is given to a bilingual Hispanic with less experience and skills". I REALIZED THAT I AM DEFINITELY LIVING IN THE WRONG CITY. IN MY COUNTRY WE STUDY ENGLISH SINCE 5TH GRADE TO UNIVERSITY, WE HAVE MULTI LINGUAL PEOPLE IN HOTEL, YOU KNOW, TOURIST IS OUR PRIOTITY.
Deerwhisperer Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
I totally agree and strongly feel that all immigrants should learn English if they are going to live in our country. The only other language that should be excepted is Native American because they were here first.