English is a second language in Miami
 

I don't mean this to be critical; if anything, I'm more worried, perhaps even a bit frightened. As a long-term (30 years) Florida resident, I have traveled periodically to Miami for various reasons. In my latest trip a couple of weeks ago, I came to the not-so-bright conclusion that in a few years, English will indeed be a second language. Everywhere you go in Miami now, you will hear some version of Spanish, or you will hear a patois that is a melange of Spanish, African dialects, Caribbean accents, and a bit of French thrown in.

In New York, you can visit various areas where Italian, Spanish, Chinese, or other languages are spoken. Still the major working language is English. Not so in Miami. It isn't just the working class who don't speak much English in Miami; it's almost everyone.

This isn't necessarily bad for our country except for one aspect: English is our official language, and one would expect it to be so everywhere. I suppose Miami, southern Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Calfornia might be in the same boat.

There is no official language of the United States. And Yes, in parts of South Florida English is the second language. The last time I moved into the state I found it difficult to find a voters reg card that was printed in English. When I ask the jerk, I mean clerk at the drivers license place for one printed in English he ask, in a sarcastic tone, if I was trying to be funny. The newcomers expect the people living in the US to conform to their ways.

"English is our official language"

No, it's not. The U.S. does not have an official language.

Now that I've eliminated the one bad aspect you can come up with, do you have any more?

English is not our official language - we have none.

And yes - there are many areas of the country where immigrants speak little english, or both english and their native language.

As with all other immigrant groups they will gradually be absorbed into the general culture and use english more.

Separately, I think it would be a major benefit to the counry as a whole if we required much more foreign language instruction in schools - as they do in europe - so we could communicate with others rather than simply demanding they learn to communicate with us.

(In my area of NYC you will see many signs in both english and spanish and many people communicating in a mixture of both - which is all to the good since it helps improve my Spanish.)

We're not alone in the world you know.

Ethnocentrism is really growing tiresome.

Surprising for a travel board, no?

I used to live in San Antonio where English-only speaking people are a minority. A city of a million people. We were/are called Anglos. There is a lot of pent up resentment and group behavior on both sides. A friend was in jury duty and she said the line was drawn exactly alone ethnic backgrounds in the jury room.

I had no problem with the difference between Mexican (yes they refer to themselves as Mexican and not latino) and Anglos. Some of my good friends were Mexican. One of whom I was the best man at his wedding.

The only "problem" for me with this racial/cultural difference was that I could not communicate with some Mexicans who did not speak English. However most Mexicans in San Antonio are bilingual.

It makes no sense to me to complain about English vs Spanish. Its just the way it is and there are more important things to think about.

Yes Wayne we in California are in the same boat. I believe English is the official language of California, but you would never know it. As far as assimilating and gradually learning English is concerned, it's not going to happen, not as long as there are numerous Spanish only radio/TV stations signs, necessary forms, etc. are in both English and Spanish. It might help you improve your Spanish nytraveler, but it's going to keep our newcomers doing exactly what they are doing now. Moving to the US and continuing to live in their native country. No more melting pot these days.

Hi Giovanna, California does not have an official language either. If memory serves me right it was on the ballot some years ago but it didn't pass (to have English declared the offical language of California).

I was at the supermarket Friday. While in line I noticed the family in front of me spoke Spanish. The couple behind me spoke some sort of Asian language. The mother and little girl behind them were speaking Spanish. I was the only English speaking person in the line. The clerk was having a difficult time trying to communicate with the couple ahead of me. I sure don't live in a "vacation spot" where international travellers come to visit. These were obviously all residents. I find more and more that it seems like English is not being spoken. I should have kept up with that Spanish I studied in school, lol.

Of course they will learn English. Hispanics, like every other immigrant group, genereally become predominately English speakers by the second generation. They are no different from the Italians and Germans and Greeks who came to this counry in earlier times.

Yes, there is a Spanish-language media because of the large number of people who speak Spanish. But that doesn't mean those people only speak Spanish. Most acquire English the longer they are here.

If you in line at the grocery story, why should a Spanish-speaking family (that probably also speaks English) speak English in personal conversations? teh same goes for the Vietnamese or Korean family. They speak English in their "public" lives, they just don't communicate in it in their private lives.

<i> &lt;&lt;...California does not have an official language either&gt;&gt;</i>

You might want to read Article 3, Section 6(b) of the Constitution of California:

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/const-toc.html

FYI:

CALIFORNIA STATE CONSTITUTION,
ARTICLE III, SECTION 6
(Proposition 63, 1986)
Section 1:

(a) Purpose.

English is the common language of the people of the United States of America and the State of California. This section is intended to preserve, protect and strengthen the English language, and not to supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the people of this Constitution.

(b) English as the Official Language of California.

English is the official language of California.

(c) Enforcement.

The Legislature shall enforce this section by appropriate legislation. The Legislature and officials of the State of California shall take all steps necessary to insure that the role of English as the common language of the State of California is preserved and enhanced. The Legislature shall make no law which diminishes or ignores the role of English as the common language of the State of California.

(d) Personal Right of Action and Jurisdiction of Courts.

Any person who is a resident of or doing business in the State of California shall have standing to sue the State of California to enforce this action, and the Courts of record of the State of California shall have jurisdiction to hear cases brought to enforce this section. The Legislature may provide reasonable and appropriate limitations on the time and manner of suits brought under this section.

Section 2: Severability.

If any provision of this section, or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this section to the extent it can be given effect shall not be affected thereby, and to this end, the provisions of this section are severable.

LOL, yes California has been the leader in the &quot;English Only Movement&quot; -- they have done a fine job of dismantling bilingual education with restrictive legislation (Prop. 187, Prop. 206, and Prop. 227). And the aftermath of the Oakland resolution sent a clear and powerful message that the only acceptable and culturally valued language with society is English.

Ethnocentrism at its worst.

rather...

Enthocentrism at its <b> best</b>

Lived in Ft.laud. for 12 years, the last six years in Germany. Recently I traveled to the US. When I arrived in Miami I wanted to take Tri-Rail to Broward Blvd. where I was to be picked up by a friend. I asked no less then five employees, of the MIA, how do I get the Tri-Rail...no one spoke or undestood english...no comprende(sic), it's not my language.Yes, I was lost in my own country because I could not &quot;speak&quot; the language.

&quot;The last American out of Miami Dade please bring the flag&quot;

Hi Giovanna, well so much for my memory, lol. I thought it hadn't passed.

We have a lot of immigrants around us (probably not all legal residents) due to all the agriculture in my county). Many of the adults do not speak English. Their children (if they have any) generally try to translate for them if they are old enough to do so). It is a problem for the schools, medical offices etc. I noticed that my medical office has a sign showing what languages can be translated if they need a translator. At our county court house they have translators also.

Anyway, English may be the official language of California but it seems that people who do not speak English can get help. Am I wrong..isn't our California ballots translated into different languages? They use to be.

Well, folks, I have only a few comments on your comments:
1. If English isn't the official language of the United States (even though it might not be in the Constitution) then what is? What is the language of all of our laws, our courts, our armies, our Congress? Those who wish to trivialize the issue by saying English isn't the official language of the U.S. are showing their lack of basic knowledge.
2. The references to &quot;ethnocentrism&quot; are like other nasty words for simple things. If it is sensible for this country to have a common language, why try to make a racial or ethnic issue out of it? Pure and simple, there are people in this country who don't and won't speak English - ever - and that puts an extra burden on all of us.
3. It shouldn't be a matter of 2 or 3 generations before people learn English after they arrive here from another country. If they can't learn they shouldn't be admitted as citizens.

Well, that may be a bit harsh. When you're over 30, even learning the lyrics to a song can present a problem :-) But that is frustrating when people in goverment jobs or in the travel industry don't speak English! I, too, wish as a country we had better language skills, but just like Mexico...we are huge and not exposed to different languages and chances to practice them as are Europeans, who can hop on a train and within hours hear another language.

I hope that what I'm about to say will be viewed merely as a statement, not as an opinion of any sort.

I work in a school district with a lot of immigrant children. I remember reading that there are close to 30 different first languages spoken by children in the district. But the most common languages spoken in the homes of these children are Spanish, Polish, Urdu and other Indian/Pakistani languages/dialects.

Over the years it's become very apparent to me that the non-Spanish speaking children pick up English much more quickly than the Spanish speakers. I think there are two reasons for this. One, there are more of them and it's easier for those kids to make friends without learning English. And, two, ESL is geared toward Spanish speakers.

A few years back, a family of Afghani girls moved into the district. They not only spoke no English, but thanks to the Taliban, they'd never attended school before. They spoke a combination of Urdu and another language. And, fortunately, there were Urdu speaking children in the class who were usually able to translate. However, we noticed with the little girl my son's age, that because she was in ESL, she was picking up Spanish more quickly than English!

What I'm going to say now is an opinion!
I couldn't care less what language people choose to speak. And I feel strongly that there should be much more emphasis on teaching American children a foreign language. This should be started in first grade, not in high school!

But I also feel that we are doing Spanish speaking children a disservice by making it so easy for them to not learn to speak English. The harsh reality is that, without good English skills, they will find themselves working minimum wage jobs the rest of their lives.

&quot;If English isn't the official language of the United States (even though it might not be in the Constitution) then what is?&quot;

There isn't one. For someone who's so concerned about everyone else being able to read and speak and understand English, why is it so difficult for you to understand this, in plain English: the U.S. does not have an official language. :)

Stating facts is not trivializing the issue, it's simply pointing out that you were incorrect in your statement.

As for your suggestion that those who can't learn English not be admitted as citizens: are you also willing to strip citizenship from U.S.-born citizens who fail to demonstrate a solid grasp of the language, both written and oral? There are plenty of illiterate U.S. born people in this country, and plenty of high school grads born in this country who have atrocious language skills. By your standards, they can't learn English and shouldn't be citizens, right?

Actually, 26 states have English as their official language. Scroll down to the map.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languag..._United_States

My sister teaches elementary school (600 students) and one year they had students from 74 different countries. Are we supposed to learn that many languages or should the students be expected to learn English?