Native Language

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Language is universal. People voice their ideas, emotions, and thoughts across to the world through language. Multitudes of people across the country speak a varierty of languages. However, a foreigner is reduced to their native language, and sometimes has difficulties mainstreaming English into their dialect. A native language is a foreigner's blueprint for the world to hear. Native language gives homage to a foreigner's culture and home life. Native tongues open doors for education and job opprutunities. A native tongue is translated in books and plastered on signs across the communites. Imagine if language decreased to just English, and no another language existed. People would mirror each other, and have no idea of diversity. So where is it written in stone that language should be limited to English? A native language provides different contingencies in a foreigner's life.

First, a native language builds a content home life for foreigners. Joan Youngquist and Bárbara Martínez-Griego, both involved in early childhood education, report in " Learning in English, Learning in Spanish", "approximately 60 percent of enrolled families were Latino, with 40 percent speaking Spanish as their home language." (92). A native language utilized loosely at home offers security. Robert Rodriguez,a Mexican- American author, admits in "Aria: Private and Public", the ease it gave him to hear Spanish at home. Waves of relief washed over him to hear English vanish immediately (215). Also,a native language practiced at home provides confidence, and allows foreigners to take up new experiences. Bárbara Mujica, a Spanish professor, explains in "To Succeed, Learn in English", about an educational program called ESL (English as a second language) taug...

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...& Martinez-Griego 93). Mujica reports,"79.3 percent of children who entered ESL programs in kindergarten tested out," (218). Mujica summarizes by stating students that are taught in English are likely to learn the language faster, helping students in the classroom (219). Dual language programs are a stepping-stone for a foreigner's education.

A foreigner's native tongue can be an advantage or disadvantage in different sistuations in their life. English or Spanish are barely the tip of the iceberg when discussing languages. A variety of languages are shouted, whispered and sounded out in vast amounts through out the world. And in some cases, a native language is a person's only way of communication. People need to try befriend a foriegner's native language. It can open up the lines of communication for everyone, and omit the communication by word of mouth.

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