Diversity spinoff...sort of

In England there was a recently a debate about the influx of immigrants and the "dilluting" of the British culture. They even went so far as to define what it means "to be British" and discussed giving immigrants who are English speakers (ie Australians, New Zealanders and Americans) tests to make sure they're familiar with English terminology.

Do you think that immigrants to America should have to embrace the American culture??

DH and I had a debate about it...I'm in an interesting situation because I myself am an immigrant, yet I have no plans or desire to "embrace British culture"

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

I don't think immigrants should have to embrace American culture, especially since American culture is so diverse itself. How an individual defines culture depends on so many factors- what part of the country you live in, your age, education level, income, etc.

On the other hand, I do think some
immigrants should make more of an effort to assimilate, at least as far as the language is concerned. While I think bilingualism is very important, it seems that you don't need to know English any more to live here and I think that hurts society and the individual.

I have students who were born here (11-12 year olds) and have always lived here, and yet their parents don't speak any English. It makes it harder for them to participate in their child's education and limits job opportunities.

My ancestors came here and learned the language, and now there are so many more resources for learning English. Free classes seem to be all over the place, at least in NYC.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Posted by mommy2Alex

Posted by MrsProfessor

I don't think immigrants should have to embrace American culture, especially since American culture is so diverse itself. How an individual defines culture depends on so many factors- what part of the country you live in, your age, education level, income, etc.

On the other hand, I do think some
immigrants should make more of an effort to assimilate, at least as far as the language is concerned. While I think bilingualism is very important, it seems that you don't need to know English any more to live here and I think that hurts society and the individual.

I have students who were born here (11-12 year olds) and have always lived here, and yet their parents don't speak any English. It makes it harder for them to participate in their child's education and limits job opportunities.

My ancestors came here and learned the language, and now there are so many more resources for learning English. Free classes seem to be all over the place, at least in NYC.

Very well said. I agree with this 100%. DH is from Argentina and his mom moved to the US with him when she was in her 30s and he was 9. She can speak English fairly well and DH speaks both Spanish and English perfectly. It is upsetting to me that immigrants don't make the effort to learn English. It is our language and sometimes I feel it is now made too easy for them not to have to learn. For example DH's uncle's wife took the citizenship test and became a citizen and she doesn't speak a word of English. How is that possible???

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Posted by usuk2004

See, what's interesting to me about this is that I'm on the reverse end of things...I know it's not EXACTLY the same, but I only use English terminology where it's absolutely essential in order to be understood. But I've joked that I'll never ever say to-mah-to! I just sound stupid when I do. Maybe that's part of it for non-English speakers too. They're embarrassed or afraid to sound stupid or screw up, so they don't even try.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Posted by mommy2Alex

Posted by usuk2004

See, what's interesting to me about this is that I'm on the reverse end of things...I know it's not EXACTLY the same, but I only use English terminology where it's absolutely essential in order to be understood. But I've joked that I'll never ever say to-mah-to! I just sound stupid when I do. Maybe that's part of it for non-English speakers too. They're embarrassed or afraid to sound stupid or screw up, so they don't even try.

I know what you mean about the "English" words, it was the same in Ireland but to me that was just pronunciation and a few different words than when use such as chips are french fries. If your DH was French and you moved to France would you make the effort to learn French and try to communicate with the locals in French?

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Posted by usuk2004



Yeah, I know it's not a very good comparison. If I had to move to a country where they don't speak English, of course I would try to learn the language...but I think it would be more out of necessity than desire...maybe it's just because I'm bitter that I'm displaced
but I intend to hang on to every last shred of my Americanisms!

Message edited 1/18/2006 8:34:13 AM.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

I dont neccesarily think they should embrace the American culture as the culture is so diverse and thats what makes it America. The nationalities are all different and therefore we dont share too much of the same culture in the end.

I do think immigrants should though embrace certain things that all Americans share. That being, following the Laws here and speaking the common language.

I think that speaking other launguages, native languages etc is great and should be taught to your children, BUT I think English is our 1st language in the US and I believe it should be spoken, and if you dont speak it, you need to learn it. Like mentioned, there are too many FREE opportunities to learn English that it makes no sense not to. I think it limits people when they dont, and if your here in the US because its a better oppurtunity here versus wherever you are from, then why would you limit yourself in such a severe way? It doesnt make sense to me. I would feel this way though about anywhere.
If I had more oppurtunties in France for living, money, success and happiness, would I go there and not learn French or even try? YEs English is spoken there but its not the 1st language of the country and would limit me and make me look as though I couldnt be bothered. It would put added pressure on those french who didnt speak English and had to help ME.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

I think I would be expected to speak Japanese if I went to Japan to live so I do feel that someone coming here should learn English to try to make it here. That said, English is still, from what I know, not the official language of the US.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Posted by usuk2004

Posted by mommy2Alex

Posted by MrsProfessor

I don't think immigrants should have to embrace American culture, especially since American culture is so diverse itself. How an individual defines culture depends on so many factors- what part of the country you live in, your age, education level, income, etc.

On the other hand, I do think some
immigrants should make more of an effort to assimilate, at least as far as the language is concerned. While I think bilingualism is very important, it seems that you don't need to know English any more to live here and I think that hurts society and the individual.

I have students who were born here (11-12 year olds) and have always lived here, and yet their parents don't speak any English. It makes it harder for them to participate in their child's education and limits job opportunities.

My ancestors came here and learned the language, and now there are so many more resources for learning English. Free classes seem to be all over the place, at least in NYC.

Very well said. I agree with this 100%. DH is from Argentina and his mom moved to the US with him when she was in her 30s and he was 9. She can speak English fairly well and DH speaks both Spanish and English perfectly. It is upsetting to me that immigrants don't make the effort to learn English. It is our language and sometimes I feel it is now made too easy for them not to have to learn. For example DH's uncle's wife took the citizenship test and became a citizen and she doesn't speak a word of English. How is that possible???

See, what's interesting to me about this is that I'm on the reverse end of things...I know it's not EXACTLY the same, but I only use English terminology where it's absolutely essential in order to be understood. But I've joked that I'll never ever say to-mah-to! I just sound stupid when I do. Maybe that's part of it for non-English speakers too. They're embarrassed or afraid to sound stupid or screw up, so they don't even try.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

I don't think that immigrants should be forced, required or expected to embrace American culture because American culture is really just a mixture of so many other cultures from around the world. They should try to assimilate, to some degree, though yes. And that includes learning the language. They are putting themselves at such a disadvantage by not learning to speak English so it's really for their own benefit.

As far as the "to-mah-toe" thing...that's silly, IMO. That's like asking a Spanish American immigrant to learn english and then telling her that she cannot say "Jou", she must say "you" or it's wrong. It's an accent - not an incorrect way of speaking. I think accents are a beautiful addition to the diversity of this country and the UK should try to see it that way too. People having accents isn't going to change the way the rest of the country speaks english.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of

Message edited 1/18/2006 9:34:53 AM.

Re: Diversity spinoff...sort of