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hunter

(38,310 posts)

6. If the children don't speak English, the grandchildren will.

Reply to riverine (Original post)

Mon Apr 15, 2019, 10:55 PM

Apr 2019

That's the way it's always been.

My wife's dad was born in a tent near a small farm my parents used to own. His parents were Spanish speaking farmworkers. They encouraged their children to learn English. My wife's dad is a fully fluent English speaker even though his parents were never quite.

My wife's first language is English.

My mom had a grandma who spoke Danish. My mom and all her cousins by this grandma spoke English.

In spite of high school and college courses in Spanish and German, my own facility with languages other than English is pathetic.

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20 replies

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Obama says it's OK to ask immigrants to learn English [View all] riverine Apr 2019 OP

Love Obama, but too many who say that, mean it as hatred and a way to Hoyt Apr 2019 #1

Many want to learn, and attend ESL classes. It just makes life easier in most situations The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2019 #2

Exactly. Hoyt Apr 2019 #3

And those who don't learn enough? Igel Apr 2019 #15

Exactly loyalsister Apr 2019 #7

That's the thing, those who want to hate are like water; they'll always find the bottom uponit7771 Apr 2019 #14

I agree with him. Doreen Apr 2019 #4

Uh no... uriel1972 Apr 2019 #10

OK, thanks for letting me know. Doreen Apr 2019 #12

If you go to China NewJeffCT Apr 2019 #18

I do too, since he said 'ask' not 'require' Amishman Apr 2019 #19

Teachers in CA were required to have ESL training to get a job BigmanPigman Apr 2019 #5

If the children don't speak English, the grandchildren will. hunter Apr 2019 #6

That's how I look at it. Newly arrived adults want to live with others of their culture if they can Hekate Apr 2019 #13

I should think that immigrants would be very motivated to learn the language of their new country. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2019 #8

How about Republican Presidents ? W Bush and Trump ???? JI7 Apr 2019 #9

No, but it's racist to "be offended" by someone speaking another language in your presence meadowlander Apr 2019 #11

If I moved to a country with a language I didn't understand I would be eager to learn it. Vinca Apr 2019 #16

He is exactly right. We have the same issue in Germany. DFW Apr 2019 #17

"language of the country" WTF is that? aikoaiko Apr 2019 #20