Language Unites

In L.A., immigrants bypass English---

In ethnically diverse Los Angeles, many immigrants find that learning Korean, Spanish or Mandarin is more important than English.

Manuel Aliga, a Peruvian immigrant, has spent years studying Korean. He runs a store that sells soccer supplies in Koreatown.

At the beginning, English was very important -- and it still is, if I need to go to a government office or court or get a license, Aliaga told the Los Angeles Daily News.

Aliaga began learning Korean because he worked in Korean owned groceries and wanted to talk to his employers and customers. Now, he needs to communicate with his own customers, suppliers and other business owners in the neighborhood.

But he has also become an admirer of Korean ways and now spends his spare time studying Korean history.

Martin Paik, a Seoul native who emigrated to Los Angeles by way of Argentina, does not speak English. He writes a column on conversational Spanish for the Korea Times.

In California, Spanish is more important than English, Paik. "I haven't found any inconvenience because I don't speak English.

That's because English speakers are the ones being inconvenienced.

Our country was founded by Englishmen. English is our language. If you don't want to learn it, then go back to your own country and speak your language there.

I don't care what people speak in their own homes, but they better not dare demand we change our systems to accomodate their selfishness.

The United States provides such opportunities to people from all over the world, and this is how they repay us.

By not expecting immigrants to learn our language (ENGLISH) and our culture, we are contributing to the division of this country. People leave their home countries because of oppression, religion, etc. and we welcome them in. Shouldn't they say thank you by joining us in our ways. They can keep their own language, customs at home.

I believe English should be made the official language of the United States. This isn't about race or country of origin. This is about retaining our American identity.

Here are some great websites promoting English as our official language:

English First

U.S. English

(Curtsy to Drudge for the story link)