Why must Latinos have everything in Spanish, and why won't they assimilate?

[Pumpkin]

We had both English and French since grade 1, but you know, bilingual country and all

[SuperMillionaire]

Here's the thing, though: if immigrants come from Europe, Asia, or Africa, they assimilate into the English-speaking majority, but if they come from Latin America, they continue to use Spanish as their first language. Why is that? They say that they want to preserve their culture, but so do the immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Africa, but at least those other immigrants assimilate into the English-speaking majority, so why won't immigrants from Latin America assimilate?

The official language of this country is English, and if they want to come to this country, they should speak English. If they want to keep speaking Spanish, why don't they just go to Argentina instead? Argentina is a country of immigrants, similar to the United States, but the main difference is that Argentina's official language is Spanish, so why don't they just go to Argentina instead?

And on a side note, I don't even think Latin America should be called Latin America. I think it should be called "Spanish America" or "Iberian America," if you want to include Brazil, because the majority of Latin America was conquered by Spain, with the exception of Brazil, which was conquered by Portugal, and Spain and Portugal together are referred to as the Iberian Peninsula.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

This is cute when Americans talk about language issues.

Also, SuperMillionaire, "first language" doesn't mean what you think it means. First language will always be your native tongue regardless of the proficiency in other languages. That means that it will always be the most comfortable language you can speak in and most likely the one you will speak at home and with your community.

Also, there are a ton of studies that show that second language acquisition prior to the age of 5 is the most beneficial and shows huge increase in brain plasticity. Moreover, those kids tend to test better and achieve better academically.

[sharkythesharkdogg]

Here's the thing, though: if immigrants come from Europe, Asia, or Africa, they assimilate into the English-speaking majority, but if they come from Latin America, they continue to use Spanish as their first language. Why is that? They say that they want to preserve their culture, but so do the immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Africa, but at least those other immigrants assimilate into the English-speaking majority, so why won't immigrants from Latin America assimilate?

It's....it's like you didn't even read this.

B) You singled out Spanish speaking immigrants as unique for some reason, when it's easy to point out pockets of immigrants in the U.S. and other countries where they predominantly use their native language when in that area. Little Italy, Little China, Little Korea, etc. Why? Because for better or worse, when you migrate to a new country it's difficult enough to learn how things work. Moving to an area where you have a lot of people who are going through a similar experience makes it easier as far as getting help, advice, and support.

Now, you may hear more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than other languages, but that isn't because other immigrants pick up English more readily once they move here, at least overall. It's because there's simply more Spanish speaking immigrants when compared to other types of immigrants. So statistically if you meet an immigrant from another area of the world, chances are they also speak Spanish.

When you combine that with the fact that many European and Asian immigrants (particularly China and Japan) teach English to their students in a much more effect manner than say a country like Mexico, then the odds of that immigrant picking up English, or already knowing English, also goes up.

Also, I don't know of too many immigrants who move to a different country simply because that country's population also uses their native tongue as a majority. It typically is a combination of seeking better quality of life while finding a country that will help them achieve that goal.

The official language of this country is English, and if they want to come to this country, they should speak English.

Okay, I know this has been mentioned to you before. The U.S. has no official language.

[Loony BoB]

And on a side note, I don't even think Latin America should be called Latin America. I think it should be called "Spanish America" or "Iberian America," if you want to include Brazil, because the majority of Latin America was conquered by Spain, with the exception of Brazil, which was conquered by Portugal, and Spain and Portugal together are referred to as the Iberian Peninsula.

Latin America represents colonies of Spain, Portugal and France. Notably, French Guiana is not even its own country - it is still a territory of France and therefore part of the European Union. French is the common language in this area.

[escobert]

The official language of this country is English, and if they want to come to this country, they should speak English. If they want to keep speaking Spanish, why don't they just go to Argentina instead? Argentina is a country of immigrants, similar to the United States, but the main difference is that Argentina's official language is Spanish, so why don't they just go to Argentina instead?

Because Argentina is a world leader like the US is?

[Colonel Angus]

Here's the thing, though: if immigrants come from Europe, Asia, or Africa, they assimilate into the English-speaking majority, but if they come from Latin America, they continue to use Spanish as their first language. Why is that? They say that they want to preserve their culture, but so do the immigrants from Europe, Asia, and Africa, but at least those other immigrants assimilate into the English-speaking majority, so why won't immigrants from Latin America assimilate?

The official language of this country is English, and if they want to come to this country, they should speak English. If they want to keep speaking Spanish, why don't they just go to Argentina instead? Argentina is a country of immigrants, similar to the United States, but the main difference is that Argentina's official language is Spanish, so why don't they just go to Argentina instead?

Blue parts are not true. Plenty of non-Latin American immigrants still use their native languages as their first language.

The US has no official language.

[SuperMillionaire]

And on a side note, I don't even think Latin America should be called Latin America. I think it should be called "Spanish America" or "Iberian America," if you want to include Brazil, because the majority of Latin America was conquered by Spain, with the exception of Brazil, which was conquered by Portugal, and Spain and Portugal together are referred to as the Iberian Peninsula.

Latin America represents colonies of Spain, Portugal and France. Notably, French Guiana is not even its own country - it is still a territory of France and therefore part of the European Union. French is the common language in this area.

But it's predominately Spain, though. Spain conquered the majority of the countries of Latin America.

The official language of this country is English, and if they want to come to this country, they should speak English. If they want to keep speaking Spanish, why don't they just go to Argentina instead? Argentina is a country of immigrants, similar to the United States, but the main difference is that Argentina's official language is Spanish, so why don't they just go to Argentina instead?

Because Argentina is a world leader like the US is?

That makes absolutely no sense. If Argentina is a world power, immigrants should be drawn to that country too. Why don't the Spanish-speaking immigrants of Latin America go to Argentina instead of the United States?

[Freya]

The American Dream. That's why

[escobert]

And on a side note, I don't even think Latin America should be called Latin America. I think it should be called "Spanish America" or "Iberian America," if you want to include Brazil, because the majority of Latin America was conquered by Spain, with the exception of Brazil, which was conquered by Portugal, and Spain and Portugal together are referred to as the Iberian Peninsula.

Latin America represents colonies of Spain, Portugal and France. Notably, French Guiana is not even its own country - it is still a territory of France and therefore part of the European Union. French is the common language in this area.

But it's predominately Spain, though. Spain conquered the majority of the countries of Latin America.

The official language of this country is English, and if they want to come to this country, they should speak English. If they want to keep speaking Spanish, why don't they just go to Argentina instead? Argentina is a country of immigrants, similar to the United States, but the main difference is that Argentina's official language is Spanish, so why don't they just go to Argentina instead?

Because Argentina is a world leader like the US is?

That makes absolutely no sense. If Argentina is a world power, immigrants should be drawn to that country too. Why don't the Spanish-speaking immigrants of Latin America go to Argentina instead of the United States?

I meant isn't.

[SuperMillionaire]

What is it about the American Dream that draws these Spanish-speaking immigrants over here instead of Argentina?

And why should the rest of us have to learn their language?

[Loony BoB]

What is it about the American Dream that draws these Spanish-speaking immigrants over here instead of Argentina?

Rubbish that "American Dream" thing. The thing they are more concerned with is whether or not the country will provide them with a better life. At the moment, America ranks higher than Argentina in a lot of things involving human rights and freedoms, amongst other things.

And why should the rest of us have to learn their language?

Here's the great thing: You don't have to, just like they don't have to learn yours.

[Pumpkin]

And why should the rest of us have to learn their language?

We've already explained that you don't and that the majority do learn to speak English. It's like you're deliberately ignoring the information presented and asking the same things over and over again.

Not to mention that assimilation has a high stress level associated with it and integration is actually a much healthier option. Which is what most of them do. So there's really not an issue.

[Madame Adequate]

We've been talking about hispanic immigrants from south of the border but has anyone considered the threat posed by quebecois?

[Old Manus]

We've already explained that you don't and that the majority do learn to speak English. It's like you're deliberately ignoring the information presented and asking the same things over and over again.

(SPOILER)he's just bumping his thread