The high birth rates of Hispanics has increased their population in the U.S. These Hispanic Americans are the second generation and they speak English and prefer to read and watch English-language media.
I am one who likes to watch the "Novelas" (Mexican Soap Operas), with their voluptuous female stars and macho leading men. Even though I don't understand what they are saying, I know what is happening and what is going to happen, as with any good soap opera. What are the Mexican Television stations going to do when the large number of Spainish speakers in the U.S. are no longer there to view Spainish only television? Spainglish Novelas? After the 2nd or 3rd generation of American-born Hispanics are assimilated they will not speak Spainish at all. Wouldn'that make these "Novelas" obsolete.
As Hispanics assimilate they will affect the American culture. It has been the history of the United States. That is what has made us great. That diversity is what has made us the greatest country in the world. Every religious or ethnic group that came to the U.S., made it better while keeping the basic American ideals. Hispanics will influence U.S. culture, but the American culture, with the English language, is influencing them a lot more.
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I have heard that watching soap operas in spanish will help someone learn to speak spanish. Is this true? You say that you don't speak spanish but you can follow the story on t.v., maybe watching soap operas in spanish will not help you speak the language?
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you feel as if one day hispanics will be fully assimilated into our country and stop speaking spanish. I feel as though many other peoples who have migrated to our country have not assimilated they keep their roots as do many hispanic families. Maybe if you could show how other cultures have something in common with hispanics, i.e. Jewish people, canadian people, it might help make your point as well.
I truly think a person can watch cartoons and learn enough Spanish to become fluent enough to communicate. With all the information so easily accessible on the internet, at book stores and through the public education system, the only things that a person needs are the desire, discipline and dedication to learn a foreign language.
ReplyDeleteDoesn’t the first Amendment of the U. S. Constitution protects Citizens from assimilating is they do not want to? Doesn’t the Freedom of Speech mean that Citizens have the freedom to speak freely without censorship or limitation. Does it not suggest that a person can receive and communicate information or ideas, regardless of the method or language that is used? This amendment also covers the freedom of religion the same way. Congress cannot "prohibit the free exercise" of religious practices.
In my experiences I have felt that I had to assimilate because it was one of the laws of life. For every gain there is something that is lost. When I go camping I lose the wood to get a fire and heat. I lose heat to cook breakfast. I lose breakfast to feed my body. In my life so far, Spanish is just something that I have had the desire, discipline and dedication to learn.
Ray, you're right about the desire. That is really all you need to do a lot of things in your life. I have a feeling that in some way, you feel a bit ashamed or embarassed that you do not already speak Spanish. Do you feel ashamed or embarassed for taking an English 102 class? I am an English teacher, and I still learn something new about English every day. Maybe think about taking classes.
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