¿Tu Hablas Espanol?
Submitted by Betsey on Fri, 07/02/2010 - 12:30
As surprising as it might seem, America has no official language. English is obviously the main language spoken within the country (seeing as how you are reading this article right now), but it is not official on any kind of federal level. Various proposals have been made throughout the years to make English the official language of the U.S. but none have become law. I would like to make a proposal of me own: to make America officially bilingual.
Growing up in school we could pick either Spanish or French to learn as a foreign language. We took half a semester of each and then chose from that very limited exposure. Seeing as how I grew up in Maine- which is much closer to Québec than to Mexico- my twelve-year-old self chose to learn French. I then proceeded to practice speaking through my nose for the next ten years.
I do not regret learning French as it has allowed me to read some wonderful books, to study abroad in Paris, and to understand the plaques under the pictures at the Louvre. It has also greatly improved my odds of pronouncing things on a menu correctly. But other than helping with the superficial- and dare I say it, bourgeois- aspects of life, I have yet to use my French with someone outside of France who does not also speak (at least passable) English. And this is not for a lack of trying. I've looked. Trust me.
On the other hand, if my twelve-year-old self had made the decision based upon pragmatic rather than geographical factors, I would be able to use my second language daily. Approximately sixty percent of my co-workers were raised either as Spanish speakers or bilingually. If I were to go for a walk right now, I would hear someone speak Spanish within at least the first block. And mind you- I live in New England.
I struggle daily at work to communicate even very simple things. And the entire time that I am using hand motions and trying to draw pictures, what I am really doing is kicking myself for making the wrong decision way back in middle school.
So I propose this: make Spanish and English classes mandatory in all classrooms in America. They are both already the two unofficial languages of this country, and I think it's high time that we begin to recognize that. I have already downloaded some Spanish podcasts to practice with and the other day I watched some of a World Cup game in Spanish. Although I know I have a long way to go before I will be able to have a conversation beyond ¿Cómo estás?, I am working on it. As should the rest of the country.
- Betsey's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Comments
ralph lauren polo
Polo shirts gain ralph lauren polo emerged although ralph lauren polo the entire frontline world logo as well as are really at present bringing ralph lauren hats its fashion ralph lauren store world ralph lauren shoes by storm. Curiously, this particular Argentinean wardrobe provider to start together ralph lauren polo shirts with came ralph lauren outlet inside cheap ralph lauren of highlight ralph lauren store when you are polo shirts cheap ralph lauren have in effect proved to be launchedralph lauren shoes within ralph lauren outlet the specific sector. This should be far ralph lauren clothing from cheap polo ralph lauren uncommon ralph lauren jackets education that a majority of polo polo ralph lauren is polo ralph lauren certainly bestowed upon aristocracy additionally, cheap ralph lauren shirts any prime quality of polo shirts turned instantaneously being successful cheap ralph lauren polo in ralph lauren sale exclusive circles.
On the web ray ban sunglasses
On the web ray ban sunglasses appearance thought inside our lifestyles will likely keep on being with this sunglasses ray ban document considering the fact that individuals find getting task glasses ray ban. When lots of individuals are generally ray ban sunglasses outlet bad when it comes to enjoying on the web mmorpgs ray ban wayfarer, utilized indoors right remedy dose many people ray ban clubmaster absolutely even more remarkable very bad ray ban aviators.
Pretty section of content. I
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly mitsubishi uk / nissan uk
In other music related news,
In other music related news, Laptop Battle Mannheim and Laptop Battle Stuttgart are both on the horizen and still taking demos for contestants. (I was helped out a bit with the Mannheim one last year and will be on the jury again this year.) If you happen to live in those areas and are produce electronic music, consider sending a demo in! mazda uk / mercedes uk
We love it. Keep looking over
Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your way of expressing the opinions and sharing the information. It is good to move as chance bring new things in life, paves the way for advancement,642-427//640-721//642-647//646-205//642-457//ISC2//9l0-008//HP0-Y12//646-206//HP2-Z21//CISSP//642-661
JK Information Technologies
JK Information Technologies is a php development world wide IT Group which providing outsourcing affordable design and development services. Now a new project of learn Islam and learn quran If you learn about islamic termonologies then vist what is Islam \"and what is quran . Now a days everyboddy want to get pure knowledge about islamic law , European legal systems therefore we introduced islamic websites and islamic centre Now you can you can chase your dream with the help of amazing flash designing tips & tricks.Cancer is also big issue cancer symptoms , breast cancer , skin cancer Presented By: funny clips , pakistani singers music, men health, women health, jobs in pakistan, online training
A fun time to take the girls
A fun time to take the girls out and see what is new Coach Outlet on the fashion scene for girls spring outfits 2012. Bright colors and beautiful prints Coach Outlet Store Online to help little girls feel fresh in darling spring dresses. Coach Outlet Online supply Halter dresses and perky tops with matching bottoms can chase away a winter day. Just as louis vuitton purses is a renewal time of the year, what better time to clean out the closet, get rid of Coach Factory Online and replace with bargains from the clearance rack of girls clothing. Coach Outlet Online Save money and get your daughters wardrobe updated for the new school year early. Many Coach Handbags Outlet offer lay-a-ways to help customers spread their payments over a period. Spring is a perfect time to take advantage of the clearance sales in girls clothing and for boys as well.
great blog
Thanks for this very useful info you have provided us. I will bookmark this for future reference and refer it to my friends. More power to your blog.
assignment Help | Programming Assignment Help | assignment writing service | Statistics Help
Reading the newspaper
Reading the newspaper pacquiao vs bradley or even a magazine during the summer is an excellent option to help your kids learn about current events and what's taking place pacquiao vs bradley tickets in the world. During the school year, agendas can get a little too busy to allow for this essential learning. Many students essays might like keeping a journal in the summertime, as well. This has the extra benefit of improving their writing skills
display
greece escorts directory no1 in all greece ellada
http://www.best-greece-escorts.com
turkey escorts is directory in all turkey istanbul antalya ankara bursa irmir and more city escorts girls
http://www.turkey-escorts.com
anemona
escorte si dame de companie din bucuresti escorte romania
jkitgroup
JK Information Technologies is a php development world wide IT Group which providing outsourcing affordable design and development services. Now a new project of learn Islam and learn quran If you learn about islamic termonologies then vist what is Islam "and what is quran . Now a days everyboddy want to get pure knowledge about islamic law , European legal systems therefore we introduced islamic websites and islamic centre Now you can you can chase your dream with the help of amazing flash designing tips & tricks.Cancer is also big issue cancer symptoms , breast cancer , skin cancer Presented By: funny clips , pakistani singers music, men health, women health, jobs in pakistan, online training
Well I truly enjoyed studying it.
Thanks. it is your great Blog.i liked this your post. Essay writing||Assignment Help||Assignment Writing Service||Coursework Help||cheap custom essay writing services||Dissertation Writing Service||Buy Essays Online||University Essays||Statistics Assignment Help||Accounting Assignment Help||Do My Assignment For Me||C++ assignment help||Statistics Help||Cover Letter Service||Essay Editing Service||Scholarship Essay||Personal Statement Writing Service||Computer Programming Assignment||Finance Assignment Help||cheap custom essay||pay someone write my essay||custom research paper
nice one
This is one of the most incredible blogs Ive read in a very long time. The amount of information in here is stunning. Your blog is great for anyone who wants to understand this subject more. Great stuff; please keep it up!
Article directory submission
marvellous
Substantially, the article is really the best on this laudable topic. I concur with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates.Just saying thank you will not just be enough, for the wonderful lucidity in your writing.
Scholarship Essay Writing Services | Research Paper Writing Services | Need Someone To Do Your Assignment | Lab Report Writing Services | Assignment Writing Help online.
bravo
I just found your site and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your posts.
Scholarship Essay Writing Service UK | Research Paper Writing Services UK | Need Someone To Do My Assignment | Need Someone To Do Your Assignment | Lab Report Writing Service UK | Assignment Writing Help UK.
Thanks for sharing this
Thanks for sharing this information. I really like your way of expressing the opinions and sharing the information. It is good to move as chance bring new things in life, paves the way for advancement, etc. But it is well known to everyone that moving to new location with bulk of goods is not an easy task to move or shift from one place to other place because I have experienced about that and I face the problem like that. There I go to village near to my city faced that problem there.
70-431
70-433
70-450
70-451
70-630
70-640
Great Buddy , Thank you for
Great Buddy , Thank you for sharing information. congratulation flowers | flowers by post
Low carbohydrate weight loss
Low carbohydrate weight loss meizitang is a kind of only eat meat, vegetables botanical slimming soft gel and don't eat carbonization water combination of botanical slimming method reducing weight. When not to meizitang botanical slim provide body carbohydrates, your body will return to burn meizitang botanical slimming soft gel the fat to provide heat, achieve the goal meizitang botanical slimming that reduce weight, but the method reducing weight is not for everyone.
Buy Back Textbooks
Our Textbook Buyback> comparison website allows you to compare book buyback prices to ensure that you receive the best possible prices and service for selling and shipping your textbooks. Unlike other textbook buyback comparison websites, Price Books 4 Me prides itself on offering price comparison with only the highest quality vendors with proven track records of successful customer service and reliability. Why sell yourself short when it comes time to sell college textbooks?Buy Back TextbooksHey friends, always remember, your college bookstore should be the last option when you sell your textbooks, as they will undoubtedly offer you the lowest price around. So stop by our site, bookmark it and send it to your friends so that you can all compare book Buy Back Textbooks prices and receive the highest offers and best service possible! Ujjain Darshan
yeah, making Spanish into one
yeah, making Spanish into one of our official languages is too extreme..People don't even want English as their official language, how are we going to make Spanish into one? But, I totally agree that knowing more than one language is useful and also pretty fun in my opinion..But even if we require students to learn Spanish in high school, I don't think it helps us become fluent. I have taken four years of Spanish and after my last class, I could understand and speak Spanish proficiently. Although I can still understand most conversational Spanish, my speaking ability is very low. I just forget a lot of the vocabulary because I don't have enough chances to speak Spanish everyday.
I think making any foreign
I think making any foreign language a requirement for students is an excellent idea. In my school district, we weren't required to take a foreign language class (or even offered one I think) until high school (and like you, we were presented with only French or Spanish, but with no introductory semester to help us choose), when we were well past the prime age for learning a new language. There are tons of benefits to learning a second language, and it's so much easier when you're young. Tons of other countries require learning English, it seems logical that our children should learn another language as well.
As for which language, since Spanish is so prominent in our country, and since many schools might be hard-pressed to find teachers of other foreign languages, I agree that Spanish would be a great choice for a language to teach young children. I'm not sure about making the official languages of America English and Spanish though. It seems like that might increase discrimination for other foreign-language speakers. But without that official designation, it might be hard to gain support for teaching kids Spanish.