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Learn the language?
- Thread starter Randy
- Start date
Feel like we've had this question before...
Yes, definitely, you're moving to a country, that country doesn't need to adapt to you, you need to adapt to it. If there's a community of people from your country in that country and you can mingle there, absolutely go for it, but understand that to live in a country, you must learn at least the basics of the country's language, laws and customs. I wouldn't want to move to China, for instance, and try to live as I live here, that would be ridiculous.
Yes, definitely, you're moving to a country, that country doesn't need to adapt to you, you need to adapt to it. If there's a community of people from your country in that country and you can mingle there, absolutely go for it, but understand that to live in a country, you must learn at least the basics of the country's language, laws and customs. I wouldn't want to move to China, for instance, and try to live as I live here, that would be ridiculous.
Well said! I couldn't agree more.
Yes, it helps you adjust to the country you're living in and its' also a sign of respect for the prevailing culture.
Yes, because you will survive better. Also, as Webster said, it shows respect.
I have to agree with Webster. I see so many immigrants from Mexico in my town.
Some people do get offended over people moving here illegally who dont bother learning English or contributing to paying taxes and driving without a license. The police can't do anything since they're undocumented other than report them. They just expect Americans to learn Spanish and do for them. I'm sorry, that's not how that works.
Some people do get offended over people moving here illegally who dont bother learning English or contributing to paying taxes and driving without a license. The police can't do anything since they're undocumented other than report them. They just expect Americans to learn Spanish and do for them. I'm sorry, that's not how that works.
I'm not real sure that a Gringo could expect the same accommodation if the situation were reversed.
I'm not real sure that a Gringo could expect the same accommodation if the situation were reversed.
I feel strongly about it. I didn't used to until my ex sister in law got with an undocumented national. She had 3 kids with him. He's still not legal. He's domestically violent. He's rude. He's come to my house and threatened me. He's broken the law, got arrested, and police could only hold him for 3 days and report him to ICE. Red flags started coming up because he bragged that he used to work for the Sinaloa Cartel, bragged about beating up and killing people, bragged about how Americans are trashy people, etc. I got sick of him pretty quick. My ex in-laws and myself reported him to ICE multiple times because of his toxic & immoral behavior. He ended up taking his girlfriend moving to Oklahoma just so he could avoid being deported.
That is how it works where I live. A lot of jobs around here require you to be bilingual and speak spanish or they won't even call you in for an interview. They expect everyone to speak spanish because the majority of the people they serve can only speak that language and nothing else.
That sucks he was like that, but I've known white guys who were born in America who behave in the same exact manner your described. Issues like that are specific to an individual person and it has nothing to do with their ethnicity.
Well, I know that. No True Scotsman intended. I'm not saying it from a racist perspective. I don't hate immigrants. I'm not saying that every undocumented national is an asshole. I'm saying he's an asshole.
He sounds like one!
I get it. I'm not a racist either; for the poor and afraid and oppressed and willing to adapt and learn & work, if able, I say, "WELCOME". My 'bitch' is with our backasswards governmental policies. I believe the immigration laws are on the books, we just seem to overlook and get around them.
From what you're saying, I think you're totally entitled to your strong feelings on the subject!
Good points here already, and YES, learning the language is key. There's no need to speak it like a native, but it’s important to get good enough to do things on your own without always needing help
Exactly, Aura. Even if you only learn enough to get by, it's a start. You can build on it and can at least make yourself understood.
