Most Mexicans are fluent in Spanish and learn English as a second language, though there are other many indigenous languages. The Law of Linguistic Rights recognizes 68 Mexican indigenous languages yet, there are over 130 indigenous languages. The government has made efforts to keep the customs and culture of these indigenous languages so they do not fade away. For instance, even though Spanish is the dominant language, it is not spelled out as the official language in the Mexican law. This is to grant more rights to the rest of the languages, among other the right to use indigenous languages in official documents and daily communication. At the regional level, Mexicans speak Spanish and English throughout Mexico. In eastern Mexico, Otomi and Totonac are the official languages. In central Mexico, Nahuatl is the official language while people from southeastern Mexico speak the Mayan languages.
Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Mexico, about 95% of the population speak the language. Over 6 million people speak indigenous languages, with about 10-14% of the people classified as an indigenous group. English is common in business settings and by US retirees living in Guanajuato in Chiapas. About 1.2% of people do not speak Spanish at all, and around 7.1% of the people are monolingual or speak several indigenous languages.
…show more content…
All the same, the vernacular language and dialects of each region is different. Further, the Mexican vocabulary is more old-fashion than the continental European. A distinct characteristic of Mexican Spanish is the significant difference in the accent as compared to the European Spanish. Some common phrases one would hear in daily conversations include: “¡Orale guey!” to mean “Right on, dude!”, “¿Habla Ingles?”, to mean “Do you speak English?”, and “Estoy loco por ti” to mean “I am becoming crazy for
One of the quotes in “Legal Alien” is “drafting memos in smoothly in English, and ordering fluently at a Mexican restaurant.” It talks about how they can do anything in English or Spanish, which seems like it would make things easier, but I think it would throw off people that are full English or full Spanish. People would wonder if they are English or Spanish and would look at them strangely.
In this country, we live in a mix culture and a mix race. When we walk out in the street, the first thing we notice is people from different ethnicities. The United States has always been the country where we come to make our dreams come true. Yet we never forget the country we came from. The languages is one thing we do not forget about our country but we should also know the English language. In this country it is essential for a person to know 2 or more languages. Regardless of how many languages we know, we all have a language we prefer over the other.
Being Mexican-American, means that I am able to speak both English and Spanish languages. This is something that is a good to have with you, to be able to read and write the Spanish language fluently. English is also a language that I can read a write because I was born here and grow up with people talking that language all around me. If there were someone that didn’t understand the English language or the Spanish language, I would be able to translate for him or her so that they can understand.
Therefore, the Spaniards have Spanish as their native language while the Americans use English as their indigenous dialect.... ... middle of paper ... ... This is a group of Hispanics in America and is composed of many subgroups.
communication in the “real world.” It wasn’t the difference of Spanish and English, it was the
Hispanic American language is one that is adorable to many people due to its pattern of communication. In the article, there are many of the languages used in that exist in the United States some of which includes; African Americans, European Americans, Hispanic Americans among others. Some of the communication patterns of these languages have been clearly stated by identifying various factors like; emotions, eye contact, gestures, identity orientation, pacing and pause time, vocal patterns and the volume of their voice whenever they speak to someone. The article depicts Hispanic American languages as one of the best which can be used in public or businesses since it shows the one talking as a very humble individual.
feels warm and calm with Spanish or their native language, since Alvarez even said that “like
Language is part of the few benefits that immigrants bring with their culture. United States benefits from cultures of the many immigrants that migrate to the U.S. the variation of different languages brings great benefit to the U.
A large number of people in the Hispanic community whether Hispanics are not able to get the English literacy skills that they need not because they want to keep born in Latin America or the United States, speak Spanish primarily. This is basically because in present day time, Hispanics are more likely to pass Spanish to their kids now than they have done in the past. (Ortiz, P.149) This is seen as a social problem, especially because of the fact that there is an increasing demand that English should only be taught in public school and it should also be spoken within the Spanish community. Even though Hispanics do speak a lot of Spanish most of the time, they still do learn English also, especially the young. But, because of the large flow of immigrants, the use of Spanish is used more often because they are constantly encountering immigrants who speak no English. (Ortiz, P. 150) Before hand there has been said to have been lower achievements when Hispanics make frequent use of the Spanish la...
Lorna Dee Cervantes said that: “the children run to me, laughing, spinning me blind and silly. They call to me in words of another language.” (lines2-4) I can feel her loneliness through her poem. Because she doesn’t feel she is American or Mexican, even though she doesn’t know who she is. The Native Mexicans call her a prostitute because she gets the influence from America for a long time. Cervantes thinks isn’t her fault, is her ancestor’s fault because she can’t control that. So that’s why I think immigrants should keep their “old language” alive. If we learn English and don’t know our own language, we won’t be able to communicate with our cousin. Even when we came back to our home country, we can’t communicate with other people. I don’t want to feel like I am a stranger in our home.
My parents did everything they knew to help my sister and I learn and respect our Mexican culture. Born into American culture but raised by Hispanic parents, often was difficult for me. Since I was little I had to manage and balance two very different cultures at the same time. There were many times while growing up that I encountered complex situations in regards to language, whether to speak Spanish or English and when it was appropriate. I felt a lot of pressure having to act as an interpreter for my parents when we were out in public. At home I was told to speak Spanish so I would not forget, but at school I was taught to only speak English with my teachers and friends. However, when we would go visit family in Mexico, I was expected to only speak in Spanish, since speaking in English in front of family members who only spoke Spanish was seen as disrespectful. So learning two languages has been very beneficial to my life and for my family. By
According to the 2011 census, over 20.8 percent of the United States population spoke another language other than English (www.us-english.org). Language barriers, cultural differences, and immigration have been a part of life in the United States for decades. Language is considered a vital tool in the construction of someone’s identity and an expression of culture. In the last 200 years immigrants have chosen to make the United States their home, but some proceeded with caution by slowly adapting to the English language and culture.
population. Among the Hispanic population there are various subgroups. (figure 1.1) Current projections suggest that, “the Hispanic populous will almost double by 2060 representing 31% of the population” (CDC, 2015). It is typical for these subgroups to share the same traditions, beliefs, and share one common language, Spanish.
...g and holding their traditional language. In the famous office of Congress John Fund among others legislators overturn some regulations laws. After some employees were fire for not speaking English on the job, violate the 1964 civil rights act. “a general right to be left alone, and to define one circle of intimacy; to shield intimate and personal characteristics and activities from the public gaze; to have a moment of freedom from the unmerited assault of the world and unfettered will of others in order to achieve some measure of tranquility for contemplation or other purpose, without which life loses its sweetness.”(Source CNN) New state or federal or city ordinances have adopted principles outlined. Of course, if one takes the native language of non-English people, then one would be violate the main principle of this country the right to be free no matter what.
Language can bring people together but can also isolate. The United States is known as a melting pot, not only does that refer to culture but also the many different languages. We know of language barriers, but very seldom do we think of the language barriers within our borders. Even with the language barriers it solidifies the need for a national language, the United States of America should allow the freedom to express one’s culture while maintaining English as our national language, therefore offering common ground to its citizens.