Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Elderly Latinos & Speaking English


These is a lot of this going around... 

But it begs the question: since America is known as the great melting-pot, and almost every city has its cultural hotspots (Chinatown, Little Italy, etc.), why is it that people get really upset when there are language barriers? It's not as if the person is speaking another language to intentionally upset you or because they are consciously deciding to speak another language and completely disregard the native tongue. The issue is one of comfort, culture, and convenience. 

My grandmother--a main focal point and point of reference of this blog--came to the mainland from Puerto Rico when she was in her early twenties, and learned English at the insistence of my grandfather, who tutored himself religiously. Ultimately, my grandmother learned the language by becoming both a factory-worker (she had animated conversations with other women in her line who spoke English) and by becoming a hair-washer at a salon and interacting with her clients. Not to mention, when she had my mom, aunt, and uncle and they become natural English speakers at public school, she felt the need to become more proactive in learning the language. Through a unique set of circumstances she was able to learn the language during a time when the anti-Latino immigration movement wasn't so spiteful or heated. But many people don't have the same unique opportunities. 

Now, my great aunt Lulu, is moving to the mainland from Puerto Rico since she can no longer live alone. She--at almost 80--speaks only Spanish and refuses to interact with anyone in any other language. My mom thinks this could simply be her attempt at maintaining stability in her changing world, a refusal to give up the past, or the feeling that it's too late in life to learn anything different. The first two reasons could be true for anyone entering the U.S. who speaks a different language. Many time, immigrants create their own bubble of family and friends who are all from the same country and who speak the same language, and who understand the same culture and traditions. Is it that hard to fathom that during a tumultuous time in their life (moving to another country, perhaps?) there is a desire to cling to what is comfortable. But, if you look around, you'll notice that many Spanish-speaking immigrants (of all ages) truly make an effort to assimilate. In fact, most of them are crazy about America and its culture, and that explains their desire to get it here. I think most people would find that some of the most patriotic, idealistic Americans are those who are immigrants--they appreciate and hope for what they believe the U.S. to stand for: opportunity, freedom, and equality. 

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