The use (or lack thereof) of English here in South Florida…. What’s going on?
Executive Brief: LEARN ENGLISH!
A few weeks ago, I made a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula (my first trip to Mexico in over 30 years…). I discovered something disappointing yet very ironic about the use of the English language, both in South Florida and in Mexico.
My flight originated from the Miami International Airport. Prior to my departure, I and my traveling companion went for a meal at a Cuban-style buffet-type restaurant there at the airport. In trying to ask the server behind the counter a couple of questions about the selections, I got a cold blank stare, an arm pointing to the menu on the wall, and something about “No anglesse….”.
Not being able to speak English at a US airport restaurant? Isn’t this taking the “International” part of the airport name to an undesirable new level?
Once in Mexico, we stopped by a small out-of-the-way restaurant in a small town south of Playa del Carmen. We were greeted with a smile by a young lady who, (in halting words), was able to speak to us in English. In fact, she was going to school in the evening to learn English and was happy to be able to converse with someone from the US. She said she wanted to be able to learn English well enough so that she could visit the US at some point in the future and communicate.
“If you go to Miami”, my friend said, “you won’t have to speak English at all”.
What’s happened to us here in South Florida where not being able to communicate in a common language is now deemed acceptable? Many people (including drivers of large commercial trucks) who drive on our roads can’t speak a word of English. What happens if they get into an accident? Many people can’t get jobs in Miami if they are not “bi-lingual”. More and more products for sale have labels in both English and Spanish. We are making it too convenient for people to avoid learning English. This is wrong.
One of the reasons that so many of us enjoy South Florida is the multi-cultural aspect of our area. In fact, the diversity of South Florida can be looked upon as a beautiful quilt, with different patterns and colors and fabrics. But there must be a common thread to hold that quilt together, or else it will fall into pieces.
Just like that quilt, our multi-faceted culture here in South Florida can fall apart if we cannot communicate effectively with each other. Not understanding what is being said in a group, or not being able to get your point across to someone, can cause doubt, suspicion and frustration. There has to be a common thread that runs through all the cultures we have here in South Florida and that thread should be the English language.
I felt like I had met a new friend in that Mexican eatery by being able to effectively communicate with her; but with that lady behind the counter at the Miami airport I felt unease, suspicious if I was even getting what I had wanted.
Remember, there is a fine line between Diversity and Divisiveness.
So the next time you are trying to communicate here in Fort Lauderdale with a delivery person, a cleaner, your landscaper, your neighbor or anyone else that feels that English is not important enough to learn, tell them otherwise. Tell them to learn proper English, even if it means going to school at night! Let’s make sure that our cultural fabric here in Fort Lauderdale remains strong and that we can all communicate easily and effectively with each other!
Earl Rynerson
Reader Comments
amen! no one has the guts to say the obvious except you earl. i wonder, had you won the mayor’s post, would you be so outspoken?
common sense! we need more of it.
Matthew: I don’t see it as being “outspoken”; I see it as just plain common sense…”
I couldn’t agree with you more. My Great Great grand parents came from Germany. They learned English and were proud of it. This is America where English is still the first language.
It’s called respect and entitlement. Some Cubans have no respect and feel entitled to the freedoms of the US. Castro labeled them as “guzanos” and rightfully so. Others follow in the foot steps of the malcontents and then you have an entire culture of “@@@@ you, gringos”. If they will not assimilate into their new culture, maybe they should go back to the land of milk and honey whence they came from. Unfortunately the U.S. has lost it’s backbone and will be overcome by the flaccid policies of all segments of it’s goverment. Almost all industrialized nation have an official language, but not the U.S. The assumption of respect and wanting to join a better society was inferred onto all waves of immigrants. THE GOVERMENT IS THE PROBLEM AND ALL IT HAS TO DO IS ENFORCE THAT WHICH ALREADY EXISTS, BUT IT NO LONGER SERVES THE PEOPLE AND MUST BE REPLACED.
Does the writer of response #3 blame this on our president?
Calvin, it is not the fault of anyone person or political party. America has been very weak at enforcing it own laws for decades. The American culture is selfish and self serving. Congress as a whole is a pit of “pay to play representatives” and D.C. is a gaunlet of special interests that no longer have the serve the people of America. The larger question is what are we going to sacrafice for change? Taxes, less freedom, anarchy, responsibilty, not being a superpower,…
Calvin, it is not the fault of anyone person or political party. America has been very weak at enforcing it own laws for decades. The American culture is selfish and self serving. Congress as a whole is a pit of “pay to play representatives” and D.C. is a gaunlet of special interests. The larger question is what are we going to sacrafice for change? Taxes, less freedom, anarchy, responsibilty, not being a superpower,…
Earl,
Haven’t you learned to gravatate toward the St.Louis Arch if you want to recieve good ole American hospitality. Early today I listened to my daughter and wife day dream of a vacation in Rome and other European destinatons, I didn’t share those dreams. Travel I20 or take Route 66 through the dessert,there are other places to go and spend your money. Next time try skiing in Salt Lake City, it will help our country, and you won’t be treated like an outsider in exchange for a burrito buffet!
When my family legally immigrated to the USA I was a young boy. Did I ever work at learning the language (English) and culture. Had a lot of abuse, paid my dues, but came here to be a US citizen. The 1st year being a citizen I was drafted for Vietnam, then joined the AF for 4 years. I love my former country Holland…beautiful with fine people. When I want to speak Dutch I go back there.
…Hmmm, can we put Dutch on the voting ballot and waste some more taxpayer dollars?
Florida became a U.S. Territory in 1821 after 300 years of Spanish rule. South Florida has always had a Spanish influence. Take some night courses in Spanish and embrace Florida’s past and you will find exchanges in airports and restaurants throughout the Americas less stressful. “Unease” and “suspicion” at an airport lunch counter seems a bit dramatic. Cultural diversity is a two way street. I’m sure a Spanish visitor would feel they had “met a new friend” if they were met with some kind words in their native language while in Fort Lauderdale.
Sorry David, but I believe you’re wrong. Prior to Spanish rule, our country was inhabited by different Indian tribes. Does that mean we should all learn those native languages? Of course not. What about people moving here from Finland, India, or France? Should we learn their languages too, to make them feel more “comfortable”? If I planned on moving to Spain, I would learn Spanish, so I could integrate in and communicate with others there. The fact that we have millions of people living in this country (Not just Spanish-speaking, but others as well) who choose NOT to learn English represents a “rotting” of our one multi-cultural, diverse fabric. Those people apparently want separate, not shared cultures, and don’t want to communicate with those who don’t speak their own particular language. That is dangerous for our country in the long term. LEARN ENGLISH! Earl.
Calvin:
I cannot agree with you more. My mom is from Puerto Rico (PR) and my father is from Italy. Both have mastered the English language and are proud of it. I was born and raised in New York City, Moved to S. Florida in 1992. I worked in Miami for the first 2 years and I felt like I was in a foreign land. My father served in WW11 in the Navy which has afforded us some of the freedoms we now take for granted. My husband who is also from PR and has a masters in business and is proud to speak English and Spanish as a second language. We can maintain our heritage and still honor the the country in which we chose to live in. It is OK to be bilingual but it should be a must to have English as the language of the land. Thank you for having the courage to speak out.
Calvin:
I cannot agree with you more. My mom is from Puerto Rico (PR) and my father is from Italy. Both have mastered the English language and are proud of it. I was born and raised in New York City, Moved to S. Florida in 1992. I worked in Miami for the first 2 years and I felt like I was in a foreign land. My father served in WW11 in the Navy which has afforded us some of the freedoms we now take for granted. My husband who is also from PR and has a masters in business and is proud to speak English and Spanish as a second language. We can maintain our heritage and still honor the the country in which we chose to live in. It is OK to be bilingual but it should be a must to have English as the language of the land. Thank you for having the courage to speak out.
Earl,
Congratulations, for being the man with a hammer, that hit the nail on the head! I try to avoid Miami, because I don’t speak the language, in my own country! That’s just wrong! What really aggravates me, are the politicians that campaign in another language! If the people can’t speak English, how can they be granted the privilege and right to vote! Changes need to be made, our immigration laws need to be, at least, as strong as the immigration laws of the countries, from which they come. If you want to enjoy the benefits of this country, learn the language of this country, it’s English! If you don’t want to learn and adapt, stop being a burden on our social system, just go home!
THE TRUTH 95% OF THE TIME IS THEY DO UNDERSTAND AND CAN SPEAK SOME ENGLISH BUT ARE RUDE AND PRETEND TO NOT BE ABLE TO .TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN HIALEAH FLORIDA FOR 15 YEARS . THEY FEEL WHY SHOULD THEY BOTHER YOUR IN THERE TERRITORY . THERE NEIGHBORHOODS OR PLACE OF WORK AND HAVE NO RESPECT FOR AMERICANS IN AMERICA AND FEEL THAT THEY DO NOT NEED TO SPEAK A LANGUAGE NOT USED IN THERE EVERYDAY ENVIRONMENT AND HAVE NO NEED OR DESIRE TO.
AND THATS THE TRUTH.
The news reported that an Administrator at the Cleveland Clinic was fired because he asked his staff to speak English in the workplace unless speaking with a non-speaking English client
If you become a citizen you should have no reason to VOTE in any other language but English unless you cheated or lied on the exam and then should have the right to vote taken away. Seems they only speak the language for free food, medical care and housing
I feel like an outsider when I need help at a store, mall or restaurant!!!!!
I could not agree more. We are the UNITED States of America; yet we do not communicate in an United language.
A few months back I was in MIA. I walked from one end of the airport to the other it was somewhere near the beginning of terminal J, I heard English spoken. Miami Airport is not a good representation of America. Show respect and loyalty to the USA and learn English.
Those foreigners who have made Miami their home and feel that we gringos should be more open minded and accepting of our new “more diverse culture” should imagine going back to their own home town and visiting their favorite diner only to find that the menu is in Russian (and spanish), that everyone in the restaraunt is speaking Russian and that while the waiter speaks some spanish, it is now impossible to explain exactly how you want your food cooked. Do you think they would still get a warm fuzzy, multi-cultural feeling?