I should not have to "Press 1 for English"...but...

So, lately, I see all over Facebook how my friends "like" a page called, "I should not have to press 1 for English" (or something like that...).

And, even though I am all for those coming here from other countries to learn English, I still find this expression a bit offensive. And I have more than one reason for it.

First reason: English is not my first language. Just for that reason, I have to sympathize with those who are not fluent and need the additional language assistance.

Second reason: Lack of compassion and empathy. No, I don't think that a younger person should come here expecting everyone to cater to him/her in their own language forever and ever. I think language assistance in the beginning, while adjusting to new surroundings, culture and a different language should be provided but only temporarily. It is the responsibility of those who come here seeking a better life to learn the language and the culture (while allowing me to continue to speak my language...but that is a different post).

However, how about those who come here having an obstacle to their learning? We all know that children learn languages faster and better. The older we get, the harder it is. So what about the elderly parents that are brought to this country because they no longer can live by themselves, so their US resident relatives bring them here? Perhaps they can try to learn. But after a certain age, that gets harder and harder.

Or what about the disabled (mentally or physically, or both) relative brought here for medical treatment, or because of the same reasons mentioned before? Or the teenager with a learning disability who will need longer time to learn than the average newly arrived person?

This is where the whole attitude changes for me. No, I should not have to press 1, or 2, or 100, for English. I know the language, right? But, as irritating as it may seem, I have to stop and think about those who don't...and about me when I was in that position, 20-some years ago, not feeling completely fluent and wishing to find someone who knew my language. Yes, I did learn. I got over it. But a little assistance during transition is not a bad thing.

So think about that the next time you have to press 1 for English. And maybe, do something to reduce the amount of people who need that feature. Offer to tutor someone in an English as a Second Language class. Teach such a class in a community center for free. Instead of complaining, give a solution, and stop bitching about having to press 1 for English! Your fingers will not fall off from it!

The Accent of My Life

I have always loved accents. Growing up, I loved listening to people from other Spanish speaking countries, and their accents. Specially, the accents from Spain and Argentina were my favorites. Argentina has a very strong Italian influence. So people there speaks with that Italian intonation...is very melodic. And the Spanish from Spain...with the strongly pronounced S's and Z's and J's...oh! Back then, I could have fallen in love with a man from there just for his accent.

Little I knew, one day, I, too, would have an accent.

From those growing years, fast-forward: 1989. I move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And, the first time I enter a bar by myself, I order, try to have conversation with the bartender, apologize for the fact that I am having a hard time understanding her, because back then I was not a very fluent English speaker, and I say that I am from Puerto Rico and still learning...she smiles and says, "Oh, I know; I noticed your accent..". Huh? Accent? I don't detect an accent listening myself speak. As a matter of fact, in Puerto Rico, I was always complimented on how well I pronounced my English words. In my group of single friends, I was the most fluent...now, how ironic: from being the most fluent in Puerto Rico, I went to being less fluent and an accent. If we met guys from the States that were visiting, for example, during spring break, I was the one called upon to interpret for everybody. The first time I heard the phrase "social butterfly" was during one of those occasions when I interpreted, because I went from group to group, person to person, transporting messages in both languages, and one of the gringos said I was the "social butterfly." And of course, someone else ended taking the boy home, after all the work I've done...kidding!

So, now, in Milwaukee, I happen to discover that I am the one with an accent...how funny! That was the first encounter with that reality, but not the last. Since then, I have encountered all the possible situations. I have been on the end of jokes, people imitating my accent (and not because they want to pay tribute to it). I have been told to quit faking it by some guy who thought I needed to make an accent up to appear sexy...as if I wanted to appear sexy for him...ugh! And I have been genuinely told that my accent IS sexy. I have been told my accent sounds other than Spanish. I have come a long way with the fluency of my language since my first days here. But I refuse to lose my accent. And I have also learned to appreciate other English accents as well. I particularly like the British accent.

For those who like my accent...that's great-thank you! For those who don't or those who are stupid about it (oh, yes, there are some people outthere who is stupid about it, although I am happy to say, not many), this is my message to them: go learn a foreign language. Then, because that language will be your 2nd language, you, too, will have an accent. And, to those Americans who are really ignorant and mean about it...go to Puerto Rico, and attempt to communicate in Spanish. Your accent will be so funny people will be spitting their drinks when they start laughing. I thought so growing up. As a matter of fact, that accent was my LEAST favorite: a gringo speaking Spanish. But, you know what? In Puerto Rico, everyone is required to learn English, and anyone working in the tourism industry HAS to be bilingual. Most people will help you if you get stuck with your Spanish, and actually, only a few ignorant will spit their drinks when they hear you talk. So, go ahead, make fun of my accent, but before crossing the line from fun to mean, remember, it could be that someday someone will be laughing at YOUR accent...And in the meantime, my accent will still be beautiful...

What is wrong with speaking MY LANGUAGE!!!!

A few months back, our city's newspaper published an article regarding a worker in a nursing home who had been disciplined for speaking Spanish on the job. The woman claims she only used Spanish on the phone when speaking to her mother, who does not speak English, and to a Spanish-speaking co-worker during breaks. She had worked there for a number of years, and never had a problem until a new manager came on board. This manager did not like hearing her speaking in that language. So she started to find all kinds of things to "nit-pick" on this woman. The woman ended up quitting-but first filed a complaint with the EEOC(Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)- and taking a job at a hospital where-guess what?-she is paid EXTRA for speaking Spanish!!!

Then, last Saturday, I read in the paper one of those famous advise columns. In it, a couple complained that their daughter-in-law repeatedly engaged in conversations with her children and parents in her native language, and that they had said to her many times that they felt hurt by it, but she continued doing it. They asked the column's writer if, in her opinion, their daughter-in-law's behavior is rude. The column writer answer she did considered rude unless the parents did not know English.

In both ocassions, I wrote back to the publication where the article originated, expresing my feelings about this. I grew up in Puerto Rico, but it was mandatory to study English every year of my school years there. When I moved to the States, I was not exactly fluent, but I was able to get by until my language skills developed and I became more fluent and comfortable. Not everyone feels like this. Some people, depending on many factors, never achieve a level of mastery where they feel comfortable. I agree that, if I come here to work hard and get ahead, I should learn the language. I also agree that bilingual assistance should be provided for those newly arrived, or people who, for some reason, are not going to learn the language to a desired level of proficiency: the sick, elderly, or those with a learning disability. But even if everybody learns the language, I believe that speaking our language with others helps us retain a sense of connection to our past and the countries we come from.

How is it that some people feel so righteous that they can dictate what language I can speak in? Many times I have been told, "Speak English!", to which I respond, "Learn Spanish! It is a wonderful skill to have, to be bilingual!" That usually shuts them up! If people is paranoid and think I take the time to speak about them in my language...maybe they are right (if they have done something to deserve it). Otherwise, people, don't assume the world revolve around you when I run into friends and start speaking in Spanish. Is not about you...it really is all about ME!!!