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When they were little. When I was small I grew up in Hermann Mo, a small German town on the Missouri River. I spoke German as a second language from the time I could speak. These were all first, second or many generations German immigrants, and all could and did speak English. But they kept their language and culture around as a comfort and identifying matter. And I've found that there are many small towns around the country that did that. Of course it has died out now. Hermann has gone from an isolated, self sufficient farming community to a tourist trap, many other small towns just dried up and blew away.
I do think that immigrants should learn the language, and actually think that the vast majority do. But they are just like those old time Germans of my youth, keep their language and culture around as a comfort. Their children will blend in, and their grandchildren won't even speak the mother tongue, so what harm is there in allowing them to use their old language? It is part of what makes the US unique.
Now I want some bloodwurst and kraut, see what happens when you get nostalgic, the comfort food kicks in!
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