“Why don’t Hispanics just speak English?” This is a question that we frequently hear in our society with the ongoing immigration from Mexico and other countries, and despite its controversy, is a reasonable question to discuss. The correct answer is a little more complicated than you might expect, however.
Heritage
- First, the word “Hispanic” encompasses many different kinds of people with heritage from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America.
- Some Hispanics actually do speak English because they were born and raised in places where it was spoken, and grew up hearing and seeing it every day.
- In this case, despite the stereotypes of our nation, Hispanics do often speak English as much as their native language.
Education
- There are many reasons why Hispanics do not speak English, but it is most important to view these reasons without bias. Many simply cannot speak it even if they want to. The most significant factor being that they do not have access to learn it.
- For those who were not born in the United States, they speak Spanish as their dominant language and have a much more difficult time obtaining the education in their native tongue.
- The education system in our nation is very expensive and English dominant.
Teachers
- It is incredibly difficult for a Spanish speaker to find an English class that is taught by another Spanish speaker.
- Many teachers only speak English and cannot actually help the student, unless an interpreter is involved.
Respect
- They do not speak English because it is not the language of their family.
- Imagine speaking to your grandmother in a language that she does not understand, and how alienated you may become from your other family members.
- Speaking Spanish is essential for strong family ties and the future of the language so that it does not become endangered.
Employment
- Finally, and possibly the most important reason that Hispanics don’t speak English, is because they are often hired at jobs where the dominant language is Spanish anyway.
- They are grouped where their employers think that they belong, and learning English may not be beneficial to their employment.
All of these factors can put a lot of pressure on Hispanics to speak English and to be a part of the American society, but it is not as easy as many people believe.