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Viral video after Mexico’s Gold Cup win sparks a conversation about speaking Spanish

Discussion in 'Too Hot for Swamp Gas' started by mrhansduck, Sep 21, 2023.

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  1. Sep 21, 2023 #1
    mrhansduck

    mrhansduck GC Hall of Fame

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    I think this is an interesting story on several levels. One is that more recent data seem consistent with historical norms; there is a trend toward cultural and linguistic assimilation, particularly among second and third generation immigrants. This happens despite social pressure within the community to maintain the ethnic language and traditions. This is not to say we don't have issues and challenges with respect to legal immigration, illegal immigration, worker programs, and the number of folks seeking asylum. But I think it puts into perspective fears about the erosion of the English language and American culture as America becomes more diverse, and in particular, more Hispanic.

    Viral video after Mexico's Gold Cup win sparks a conversation about speaking Spanish

    Criticism quickly ensued across social media in reaction to the video, with commenters criticizing the child’s parents for not teaching him Spanish — “our heritage,” one person said on Twitter, adding, “That’s a Latinos responsibility.” They lamented about a “missed opportunity” in not teaching the child Spanish at home. “RAISE YOUR KIDS NOT TO BE “YO NO SABO,” a man said in a viral tweet. Many others directly poked fun at the child.

    ***

    The Pew Research Center found that in 2021, 72% of Latinos ages 5 and older spoke English proficiently, up from 59% in 2000. U.S.-born Latinos drove this growth.

    Meanwhile, the percentage of Latinos who speak Spanish at home declined from 78% in 2000 to 68% in 2021. Among the U.S.-born population, it has decreased from 66% to 55%.

    ****

    Nájera picked up some Spanish words, hearing her parents speak it to each other or with their siblings, but she acknowledged growing up as a “yo no sabo” kid. It wasn’t until college that she realized how normal it was for the third generation to be monolingual English speakers.
     
  2. Sep 21, 2023 #2
    G8tas

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    In the past you were looked down upon if you couldn't speak spanish and it looks like that has carried on
     
  3. Sep 21, 2023 #3
    mrhansduck

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    Conversely, many Hispanic Americans are looked down upon (though probably by different people) if they do speak Spanish.
     
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  4. Sep 21, 2023 #4
    AzCatFan

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    English is very common in many areas of Mexico as well. Rocky Point, which is nicknamed Arizona's Beach, not only is the US dollar accepted 95% of the areas, about 75% or more of the locals are conversationally proficient in English. Many are surprised when a white guy like me says something in Spanish.
     
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  5. Sep 21, 2023 #5
    slocala

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    Speak English and assimilate… but not too much.
     
  6. Sep 21, 2023 #6
    Trickster

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    IMHO, parents with children should speak their non-English native language at home. Being bilingual is a great benefit. I found that it also makes it easier to learn other languages.
     
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  7. Sep 21, 2023 #7
    mrhansduck

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    Yes, not to mention various neurological and cognitive benefits more generally.

    How learning a new language changes your brain | Cambridge English
     
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  8. Sep 21, 2023 #8
    slocala

    slocala VIP Member

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    Agree

    Hot take: accent neutralization is more important than bilingual proficiency.
     
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  9. Sep 21, 2023 #9
    Trickster

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    Not sure what that means.
     
  10. Sep 21, 2023 #10
    slocala

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    not speaking English with an accent.
     
  11. Sep 21, 2023 #11
    Trickster

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    I sometimes find myself unable to quickly access a word in English that I immediately know in German, and I learned German over 50 years ago and don't often speak it now unless I meet a German who speaks perfect English (don't they all!) and I want to show off. Reminds me of Twain's piece titled The Awful German Language. Germans marvel at mine as they did to Twain's.:D
     
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  12. Sep 21, 2023 #12
    OklahomaGator

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    upload_2023-9-21_19-53-54.jpeg
     
  13. Sep 21, 2023 #13
    tampagtr

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    Spoke Spanish before English because I stayed with my abuelita before starting school. Mother forced it out on me before I started school in 1967 because at that time, you were held back and considered slower if you spoke Spanish as your primary language.

    Some mockery when young though nothing substantial as English became predominant and primary with time.

    Complex issue.
     
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  14. Sep 21, 2023 #14
    mrhansduck

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    Interesting take. Accents are strange. For example, even when English is being spoken, I have more trouble understanding some British accents than French or German accents. Seems counter-intuitive to me.

    From the perspective of a non-fluent gringo with an intermediate level of Spanish, my accent is far better than my vocabulary, real time conjugations to the subjunctive mood, etc. I would definitely trade places with those who are fluent yet have worse accents. What I wind up with is native Spanish speakers who drastically overestimate my level of comprehension and completely lose me. But it’s all good!
     
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  15. Sep 22, 2023 #15
    wgbgator

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    If that kid supports El Tri, the only Spanish he needs to know is Dos a Cero IMO
     
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  16. Sep 22, 2023 #16
    phatGator

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    We have a good friend who a number of years ago was head of adult education in a large Southern California school district. She met with Hispanic community leaders in her district to make sure the district was offering enough resources for learning English. The leaders told her straight out they don’t need English. They said they could get by just fine speaking only Spanish.

    I found that quite surprising because it would still limit their ability to work and travel in the US.
     
  17. Sep 22, 2023 #17
    gator7_5

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    Seems pretty simple and logical (unless you are here just to argue or pick a fight). Utilize English as a primary language and take advantage of the situation you have at hand and become a compete bi-lingual individual.

    Any fluent Spanish speaking parents who are not teaching their children at birth to be bilingual are doing them a complete disservice. It's very useful in today's American society.
     
  18. Sep 22, 2023 #18
    phatGator

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    What other language do you speak?

    My boss in Belgium is married to an American and they raised their kids to be fluent in both English and Dutch. That is such a great benefit for them.

    As far as multiple languages, I went to high school with a girl who spoke seven languages. She said it kept getting easier to learn new ones.

    EDIT: I saw later that it is German. Why did you learn it 50 years ago?
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2023
  19. Sep 22, 2023 #19
    wgbgator

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    But not French, eh, are you some kind of anti-Walloon nationalist? :)
     
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  20. Sep 22, 2023 #20
    mrhansduck

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    Yeah, learning a second language is daunting for adults, particularly if they don't have a solid foundation with reading and writing in their native language. And even if they know more than it appears, it can be embarrassing to have a strong accent and/or feel like you're communicating like a two year old. Makes sense that native Spanish speakers can get away with speaking Spanish only in some communities. Notably, their kids and grandkids are learning English. I've wondered whether it might be fun to teach ESOL but not sure there's a big demand for it where I live.
     
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