Immigrants and learning English
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lurker extraordinaire
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From: the OC
Immigrants and learning English
One of the biggest barriers to high-quality health care for millions of U.S. residents has nothing to do with medicine.
It has to do with language.
It has to do with language.
Should we make them learn English or should we learn Spanish better?
... or should we get better translators?
MalleusMaleficarum
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Asheville, NC
I think we need to put ourselves in their shoes at some point. If you moved to another country, how long would it take you to learn the language?? It's very ignorant to just say "Learn english or go back to your country".
Thread Starter
lurker extraordinaire
Joined: May 2005
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From: the OC
i actually volunteered at a free clinic last year... spanish wasn't the only problem. there were a lot of random people who only spoke Korean or Mandarin.
I was also surprised by how well the doctors spoke spanish. There was always a medical English-Spanish dictionary on hand too. Would it be that hard to get resources like that to other hospitals?
i will. 
h:
I was also surprised by how well the doctors spoke spanish. There was always a medical English-Spanish dictionary on hand too. Would it be that hard to get resources like that to other hospitals?
You should take an english course
h:
Last edited by End of Eternity; Jul 20, 2006 at 02:17 PM.
Pull my finger
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Arizona
I had to take ESL :dunno:
It's a retarded concept to live in a country and not be able to speak the language. Learn it or go back to the homeland :dunno: Simple as that...
When I visit other countries as a tourist I have a translation book in my hand... I don't expect them to know English and I would rather attempt to speak their language anywayh:
It's a retarded concept to live in a country and not be able to speak the language. Learn it or go back to the homeland :dunno: Simple as that...
When I visit other countries as a tourist I have a translation book in my hand... I don't expect them to know English and I would rather attempt to speak their language anyway
h:
Pull my finger
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Arizona
Originally Posted by totalimmortal
I think we need to put ourselves in their shoes at some point. If you moved to another country, how long would it take you to learn the language?? It's very ignorant to just say "Learn english or go back to your country".
Took my sister around the same time... and she came here when she was in her 20s
My cousins, uncles, aunts, and other relatives all eventually learn within a 6 month period...
To me it's more ignorant on their part to expect me to know their native langauge in my country :dunno: *yes the U.S. does not have a national language yada yada yada... I heard
*
MalleusMaleficarum
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Asheville, NC
Originally Posted by RicoD
Took me 3 months to become fluent and be able to hold a conversation...
Took my sister around the same time... and she came here when she was in her 20s
My cousins, uncles, aunts, and other relatives all eventually learn within a 6 month period...
To me it's more ignorant on their part to expect me to know their native langauge in my country :dunno: *yes the U.S. does not have a national language yada yada yada... I heard *
Took my sister around the same time... and she came here when she was in her 20s
My cousins, uncles, aunts, and other relatives all eventually learn within a 6 month period...
To me it's more ignorant on their part to expect me to know their native langauge in my country :dunno: *yes the U.S. does not have a national language yada yada yada... I heard
*
Pull my finger
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 41,423
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From: Arizona
I think it's just me living near the border.... :hs: And working at a retail store for a bit...
Hearing, "Si Abla Espanol?" and have them give me shit for not knowing what they said... BTW I'm not taking shots on Spanish people, it was just the first thing that came to mind :hs:
Hearing, "Si Abla Espanol?" and have them give me shit for not knowing what they said... BTW I'm not taking shots on Spanish people, it was just the first thing that came to mind :hs: