I wish this was not so, but it is what it is. To be clear, I am not against legal immigrants retaining the knowledge and history of their culture, including language, as long as there is an intentional process of assimilation--which must include basic history of America, and a grasp of the English language. It goes to show for the need for better efforts towards integration and assimilation in the major immigrant states. This quote comes via IconCulture email Iconwatch.
In California, Spanish is more important than English. I haven't found any inconvenience because I don't speak English & I don't need to speak English. If you can speak Spanish, you can drive, employers can have clients, you can order in restaurants, you can do anything.
MARTIN PAIK, A SPANISH-SPEAKING KOREAN IMMIGRANT TO LOS ANGELES BY WAY OF ARGENTINA, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS 9.26.05
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