Why haven the Mexicans learned our language instead of us learning theirs?
At this time, there is no official language in the U.S. Historically, many languages were spoken in the homes by immigrants. It was not as noticeable in the past, because people did not typically move much beyond their ethnic enclave. Also, the men were most likely to speak English, because they either conducted business with, or worked with English speakers. As women tended to have less contact with the world at large, they usually spoke their native language. Very few first generation immigrants spoke English.
Now that people live closer together and shop in the same stores, we are more apt to notice the difference. Not to mention, all Spanish speakers are not from Mexico. Mexico has a national education policy and part of this policy includes teaching the English language. English classes begin at the elementary level and continue through the secondary level. Of course, not all teachers are equipped to teach the language.In any case, most Mexicans who attended school regularly and who are under the age of fifty have some working knowledge of the English language.
It also takes time to become proficient in another language, so persons are naturally more comfortable speaking their primary language.
Well, first this is a land of immigrants. If your Avatar shows your ethnicity correctly, your and my ancestors came here as “forced immigrants.” We were stripped of our language and culture. We were blended in with people from all sorts of tribes to make SURE we couldn’t use our language. Still, small snippets of West African language survive today. Also, we try to reclaim one of our languages by learning Swahili, practicing Kwanzaa, and more. Further, are you going to tell me you do not speak differently when you are around Caucasians than you do at home? Most African-Americans are bilingual with our “standard” use of English and our “African-American Vernacular English.” Of all people, we have to remember how important it is to retain your language and culture even as we are part of and contribute to our larger American society. Look at the Hawaiian people. They, too, were not welcome to use their language or experience their culture when the “settlers” came to Hawaii. Now, they are
