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!

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!!!