Welcome to the U.S.A. - aqui, se habla español

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Marie Castro on April 29, 2009 at 12:50pm

I wish my parents would have kept teaching us spanish, Yo prefiero solo habla espanol, once I learn it to the fullest, I do not want to continue speaking English unless I absolutely have to. I want to be a certified bilingual. My daughter will be going to dual language classes this fall. I think there's more advantage now than ever to know Spanish and better job opportunities.

Thank you for posting this discussion.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hugo Balta on April 29, 2009 at 1:32pm

Thank you for your feedback.
I was born in the States (first generation Peruvian-American).
My parents insisted that I speak Spanish at home (since it was all English at school and in children's programming).
It was difficult because as a child you don't want to be different, but I certainly benefitted from that experience (if not I would not have the position I have now).
It is a very competitive world out there (no matter what industry you are in) and having more resoureces (like a dual language and in the U.S. -- specifically Spanish does help you stand out in the crowd.
It's never to late to learn....learning to learn is key to reaching ones potential (in this or any other economy).
Hugo

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alma L Sanchez on May 1, 2009 at 3:49pm

Hugo,

You make a strong point in noting how powerful the Hispanic presence is in the U.S. More specifically, Hispanics do not simply respresent an emerging market component to the U.S., but the face of America. That is, we are not mere limbs, but rather up front and personal.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hugo Balta on May 1, 2009 at 4:09pm

And that is what makes many people uncomfortable...change is inevitable. In the next two generations the majority of Americans will look more like Hispanics than the founding fathers of this nation.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alma L Sanchez on May 1, 2009 at 7:27pm

That would be something. I guess it would take a physiological transition to transform what appears to be an unyielding perspective. I must say that I long to see the day when arroz con leche becomes as American as apple pie.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hugo Balta on May 2, 2009 at 8:15am

:)
In most major cities - that's the case...try walking thru miami dade county and not speak Spanish let alone know what a "tres leches" is!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marie Castro on May 3, 2009 at 9:17pm

And in order to be "comfortable" we must get "uncomfortable" and step outside the box, speak up and speak out.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hugo Balta on May 4, 2009 at 6:40am

Not many people like to get out of their comfort zone...and who would blame them? Many immigrants (before the history changing wave of Spanish speaking immigrants) forced their children to learn English and practically forget their ethnic roots because of the severe discrimination (often violent) they experienced.Many Italian immigrants stopped speaking their language during world war 2 bcause of the american propaganda "don't speak the enemy's language"...as if speaking Italian. automatically made u a fascist?!!
We also need a leader....Hispanics tend to see their differences much easier than their similarities....we can learn a lot from the civil rights movement in the 60s to today.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marie Castro on May 4, 2009 at 8:51am

I experienced some prejudice at 9yrs of age and I remember feeling sad and not understanding why. My parents said back then it was not encouraged to teach us kids spanish because of this but now theres such a need for bilinguals more than ever. I want to teach my daughter to be culturally diverse and aware not only of our culture but others as well. I agree we need a leader, I also believe our differences is what makes us unique and when we use that, we can be united to come to a common ground.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hugo Balta on May 4, 2009 at 9:49am

Yes, we must be inclusive in order to be included.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Martha E Galindo on May 2, 2009 at 8:25am

Yes Hugo
Very much true...
There is such a mix out there of language capabilities... the skills to write, speak and read are not the same ... let alone the ones to translate effectively.
I got a message recently from a Swedish contact, saying how surprised he was because of his diffciulty to conduct business in Miami in English in a recent trip he made... he felt lost. Once he went to Orlando, his anxiety went away :)

The transition to a bilingual nation has a long way to go... but, the more we can encourage and show results that second and third generation Hispanics can learn and speak well both languages, we will be in better shape...
It demands an effort but it is worth it. Trips overseas, homestays with relatives during summers, etce tc.. every bit helps to raise a bilingual kid...
don't you think so?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Hugo Balta on May 2, 2009 at 10:45am

Agreed -- the US educational system does not do enough to teach different languages at the elementary level. You visit any other country and English education is a staple. It's not enough to learn Spanish at home (as it wouldn'tbe for English or any other language), children need formal training to effectively communicate and compete (business). It is arrogant to expect others to speak English...besides the true sign of power is ones effectiveness to get a message across to reach all people. First and second generations need to understand that assimilation does not have to be the termination of your culture or history (family roots)

▶ Reply to This

• First
• Previous
• Next
• Last