Language is a way to communicate among other people. Communication is one of the first barriers encounters by all immigrants when coming to America. For many, learning English is a major cultural challenge. In my opinion, it is a real problem because they cannot express themselves in English; consequently they are losing part of their privacy. Everywhere they go, they need a translator; for example, during a doctor visit, some of them may not like others to know about their health condition, but they are constraint to do so. Their confidentiality is legally violated. Furthermore, a lot of people consciously omit to talk about their real concerns; as a result the problem become worse. Sometimes it’s not easy to find someone who they may trust that is available to accompany him or her. Without a third party, that person is not able to do anything, this constitute an unwanted inconvenient. No matter who you are, you would like to be independent, especially when communicating with others.
Language barrier
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/08/06/national/main517706.shtml
For example, my former unit manager, a few months ago explained to us this sad situation about her mother. Following iers cause problem a business merging, the hotel she used to work forced all employees to reapply anew. Most of the personnel only speak and not English and to make matter worse, a lot of them were illegal.. The employers wanted them to accept a new contract that could consider them as new employees, therefore, own them no benefits.. After two weeks, the new administration changed the status of most of those workers from full time to part time. Any protest or negotiation would require them to speak English, their only choice was to accept the bad deal.
I share the idea that immigrants want to preserve their ethnic identity, but at the same time they have to adapt to the American culture. “ Three-fourths of Puerto Rican families in the United States speak Spanish at home, compared to about half of Mexican American families” (Sowell, 1981; Stevens & Swicegood, 1987).NCPA - Immigration Issues - Language Barrier Problems
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3 comments:
I totally agree with you on this one Marjorie. I know when I first got to the United States I had a very hard time understanding some of the things people were saying. Not because I did not understand English but mainly because the speech was completely different. Today in society if you can't speak English it a hindearance. You are less likely to make it in this contry. Did you have any issues with the Language Barrier?
You make great points here, but an immediate thought came to mind: wouldn't the patient in question generally just find a doctor in their community who speaks their language? I know that there are some communities where this isn't the case, but other issues come up then: people not losing privacy but not going to get health care.
Your second paragraph is pretty hard to follow. What's "iers"? I would suggest some substantial rephrasing here. Remember that readers need easy access to information; smooth writing is the best way to ensure that.
And, finally: are you making a broader point about Puerto Ricans? Is there a relationship (documented) between social home languages and knowing English? What about Chinese or Japanese families, or Russian families? Make a bigger connection here: does speaking a native language at home represent problems in the community?
Marjorie,
I also had a hard start when I first came to the United States from the Islands. In Barbados, My Mother spoke mainly French, my grandmother who raised my brothers, sister and I spoke the Barbados slang patios it is almost like pig Latin. I had to take an English improvement class in high school when I migrated to Boston. Still some words or sentences I say, my husband and my co workers have to ask me to repeat them.
I have a tendency to get my verbs and phrases mixed up a lot. I am not a fan of English, when I knew I had to take this English class, I was scared to death, because I knew we had to write and speak. I cannot write speak nor spell and people always say I will do fine in every English class I take. Eventually I will get over my fear it is getting easier
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