AllDeaf.com - View Single Post - Melting Pot--The Expanding Languages: Cultures and Barriers

**Reba** · 12-17-2004, 06:33 PM

Yes, America is the great "melting pot". For over 300 years, that melting pot blended people of all backgrounds, nationalities, religions, colors, languages, and cultures, into AMERICANS. The problem now is, immigrants into America no longer want to become AMERICANS. They want America to adjust to their languages and cultures.

When my great, great grandfather arrived from Portugal, he learned to speak English. He married an American woman from Nova Scotia. When their son was born, he gave him an "American" first name. My gggrandfather was not ashamed of his Portuguese heritage. In fact, he wrote a book about Portugal, became a translator of Portuguese for other immigrants, and eventually became a consul to Portugal, and a vice consul to Brazil (Portuguese-speaking nation).

I grew up in a neighborhood of first and second generation Italians and Greeks. They learned English, worked hard, and became AMERICANS. They didn't expect other people to learn their language and customs.

In high school, my best friend's parents were from Holland. They spoke English.

When I was in the Navy, many of my shipmates and their wives were from the Phillipines. They spoke English at work and in public.

If I were to move to another country, I would expect to learn the language and culture of that country. That is natural. Why can't we expect that of people who move to the United States?

What has happened? Has the fire of love for America gone out under the melting pot?

12-17-2004, 06:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Reba Granny Terp Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: South Carolina Posts: 39,155	Yes, America is the great "melting pot". For over 300 years, that melting pot blended people of all backgrounds, nationalities, religions, colors, languages, and cultures, into AMERICANS. The problem now is, immigrants into America no longer want to become AMERICANS. They want America to adjust to their languages and cultures. When my great, great grandfather arrived from Portugal, he learned to speak English. He married an American woman from Nova Scotia. When their son was born, he gave him an "American" first name. My gggrandfather was not ashamed of his Portuguese heritage. In fact, he wrote a book about Portugal, became a translator of Portuguese for other immigrants, and eventually became a consul to Portugal, and a vice consul to Brazil (Portuguese-speaking nation). I grew up in a neighborhood of first and second generation Italians and Greeks. They learned English, worked hard, and became AMERICANS. They didn't expect other people to learn their language and customs. In high school, my best friend's parents were from Holland. They spoke English. When I was in the Navy, many of my shipmates and their wives were from the Phillipines. They spoke English at work and in public. If I were to move to another country, I would expect to learn the language and culture of that country. That is natural. Why can't we expect that of people who move to the United States? What has happened? Has the fire of love for America gone out under the melting pot? __________________ Tell us the truth about Benghazi!