yep, 1st gen American born has a foot in both cultures and is fluent in native language of the older family +English, acts as translator for elders in certain situations. 2nd gen will say they are _____-American, but are only fluent in English and only marginally involved with the ‘old world’ culture and customs. By 3rd gen fergeddaboudit.
My great grandfather was from Sweden. Half my grandfather’s siblings were born there the other half in the US. If anyone spoke Swedish in the house they would be severely disciplined, you needed to learn English to succeed and prosper. My grandfather didn’t speak a word of the language only English. Today with foreign language media and the internet not to mention governments who bend over backwards to accommodate a myriad of languages, people don’t need to assimilate.
My grandfather studied English while he saved for the trip to America, out of money made working as a field hand. On the boat coming over, he taught what English he knew to those who were interested. Two weeks off the boat he got a job in Chicago, speaking English in the job interview, and during his life bought three rental houses and a small apartment building with the money he made on that job. His wife spoke only English and no one in the family knows his native language. I realize that some people are caught up in situations where they have to come here with little warning, but once here, it is just plain rude to expect people to learn your language. You came here, you knew it was an English speaking county. If you don’t have enough respect for the country to make an effort to fit in, don’t expect other people to be inconvenienced by your problem.
People do assimilate. Nevertheless, there are still cultural events like Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day, Highland games, Mardi Gras, etc. Maybe we should end all of those and have a real American event like (add one).
Assimilation is also what the Borg like to do. Acculturation is a preferable path, maintaining the uniqueness of one’s culture while also making new traditions taken from the adopted homeland. And while second and third generation immigrants have no excuse for not knowing the common tongue, there are plenty of newcomers who still need a leg up while they adjust. When we have the capacity to provide that, it is a moral obligation to do so.
On another topic, there is a joke among those of us in the multilingual community: What do you call a person who speaks two languages? Bilingual. Three languages? Trilingual. Just one? American!
Templo S.U.D. about 6 years ago
what can be done about it?
blunebottle about 6 years ago
Nothing.
Nada. Nichts. Amugeosdo. Méiyǒu. Rien.
cabalonrye about 6 years ago
Two generations for assimilation, usually.
jpayne4040 about 6 years ago
Watch it, Carl. Nowadays that’s more of a bad word than curse words are.
Russell Bedford about 6 years ago
yep, 1st gen American born has a foot in both cultures and is fluent in native language of the older family +English, acts as translator for elders in certain situations. 2nd gen will say they are _____-American, but are only fluent in English and only marginally involved with the ‘old world’ culture and customs. By 3rd gen fergeddaboudit.
rhpii about 6 years ago
My great grandfather was from Sweden. Half my grandfather’s siblings were born there the other half in the US. If anyone spoke Swedish in the house they would be severely disciplined, you needed to learn English to succeed and prosper. My grandfather didn’t speak a word of the language only English. Today with foreign language media and the internet not to mention governments who bend over backwards to accommodate a myriad of languages, people don’t need to assimilate.
Diane Lee Premium Member about 6 years ago
My grandfather studied English while he saved for the trip to America, out of money made working as a field hand. On the boat coming over, he taught what English he knew to those who were interested. Two weeks off the boat he got a job in Chicago, speaking English in the job interview, and during his life bought three rental houses and a small apartment building with the money he made on that job. His wife spoke only English and no one in the family knows his native language. I realize that some people are caught up in situations where they have to come here with little warning, but once here, it is just plain rude to expect people to learn your language. You came here, you knew it was an English speaking county. If you don’t have enough respect for the country to make an effort to fit in, don’t expect other people to be inconvenienced by your problem.
Plods with ...™ about 6 years ago
When did the Borg land?
Scoutmaster77 about 6 years ago
People do assimilate. Nevertheless, there are still cultural events like Oktoberfest, St. Patrick’s Day, Highland games, Mardi Gras, etc. Maybe we should end all of those and have a real American event like (add one).
Seeker149 Premium Member about 6 years ago
Assimilation is also what the Borg like to do. Acculturation is a preferable path, maintaining the uniqueness of one’s culture while also making new traditions taken from the adopted homeland. And while second and third generation immigrants have no excuse for not knowing the common tongue, there are plenty of newcomers who still need a leg up while they adjust. When we have the capacity to provide that, it is a moral obligation to do so.
Seeker149 Premium Member about 6 years ago
On another topic, there is a joke among those of us in the multilingual community: What do you call a person who speaks two languages? Bilingual. Three languages? Trilingual. Just one? American!