Some you will think i'm a dick but....

[Gotti]

Originally Posted by Murco

I live in Florida and you're not convincing me that 99% of them are attempting to learn english....

I obviously dont know the exact figure... but every immigrant learns atleast a little english. They have to get by some how. They may not understand it well.


Whats your point about living in florida? Cause you walk by somebody speaking a different language, you dont think they know any english?

[twospirits]

Originally Posted by Murco

I live in Florida and you're not convincing me that 99% of them are attempting to learn english....

99% of who? The Cubans? The Haitians? Which group/race are you referring too?

Originally Posted by Gotti

I obviously dont know the exact figure... but every immigrant learns atleast a little english. They have to get by some how. They may not understand it well.
Whats your point about living in florida? Cause you walk by somebody speaking a different language, you dont think they know any english?

Yeah I am trying to figure that one myself.

According to the U.S. Census, these are the figures for the state of Florida.

Percentage	Quick Facts
78.0%	White persons, percent, 2000 (a)
14.6%	Black or African American persons, percent, 2000 (a)
00.3%	American Indian and Alaska Native persons, percent, 2000 (a)
01.7%	Asian persons, percent, 2000 (a)
00.1%	Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, percent, 2000 (a)
03.0%	Persons reporting some other race, percent, 2000 (a)
02.4%	Persons reporting two or more races, percent, 2000
16.8%	Persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, percent, 2000 (b)
65.4%	White persons, not of Hispanic/Latino origin, percent, 2000

This in turn is broken down by actual race at the US Census Bureau...
If one were to add the number of races other than White and Black living in Florida, it would add up to not more than 25% of the population. Out of those you mean to tell me that 99% do not speak English. I can't believe that, I think you are exaggerating that figure.

TS out

[Murco]

Originally Posted by twospirits

99% of who? The Cubans? The Haitians? Which group/race are you referring too??

Immigrants, the point of the whole question wasn't where they were from...

Originally Posted by Gotti

I obviously dont know the exact figure... but every immigrant learns atleast a little english. They have to get by some how. They may not understand it well. Whats your point about living in florida? Cause you walk by somebody speaking a different language, you dont think they know any english?

In Florida, as in other places, they create their own little enclaves were they can get by without using english. It doesn't matter if they are mexican, haitian, german, or brazilian if they cannot speak the language they will be limited in their access to education, self-determination, emergency care, and success. It's not racism, no matter what you think, it's the exact opposite!

Originally Posted by Gotti

Out of those you mean to tell me that 99% do not speak English. I can't believe that, I think you are exaggerating that figure.

You said 99% are trying to learn english, I questioned that assertion. If they are actively engaging in language classes or emmersed in english speaking surroundings, yes they are trying to learn. If they are in an ethnocentric community and remain in it to avoid learning, they aren't. This is not an assailment of them, we all take the path of least resistance. I worked at an auto parts counter for 4 years and dealt with many immigrants (not just hispanics) continuously and many never tried to learn english. I took the initiative to learn some spanish and I know french (for haitians) so that I could communicate with them. I would point out to them that I learned their language, they should learn mine. If I were to put a number on those actively learning english I would put it at 85%...

[Heep]

Originally Posted by Gotti

you think its bad in America?? Come to Canada... Canada loves the Multi-cultural image, and they dont want to offend anybody.

In Canada you dont even see any signs that say "Merry Christmas" its always "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" because they dont want to offend anybody. I think thats taking it too far

That's true in Toronto and area, and you're right, it is going too far. But again, you're assuming that all of Canada is like Toronto (in my experience, most Toronto residents do). There are huge, huge regional differences in Canada. For instance, I went to a high school of 1100 people, 6 of which were not white. While we welcome immigrants here, it is an extremely white area, and you most certainly do see "Merry Christmas" signs everywhere.

[Gotti]

Originally Posted by Murco

In Florida, as in other places, they create their own little enclaves were they can get by without using english. It doesn't matter if they are mexican, haitian, german, or brazilian if they cannot speak the language they will be limited in their access to education, self-determination, emergency care, and success. It's not racism, no matter what you think, it's the exact opposite!

Yeah but the ones that try to get by without english are an extremely small percentage, usually grandmas or grandpas who are too old to be motivated to learn a new language. And if it was younger immigrants (like you say you had come into your store) they were most likely really recent immigrants who are struggling because they just started to try to learn english.

and that last quote isnt mine........ edit

Originally Posted by Heep

That's true in Toronto and area, and you're right, it is going too far. But again, you're assuming that all of Canada is like Toronto (in my experience, most Toronto residents do). There are huge, huge regional differences in Canada. For instance, I went to a high school of 1100 people, 6 of which were not white. While we welcome immigrants here, it is an extremely white area, and you most certainly do see "Merry Christmas" signs everywhere.

Yeah i havent really been outside Tdot much.... just bin to montreal and cities nearby. Where did you live, you probably lived in a non-urban area... cause immigrants usually immigrate to major urban centres where there are many people that are their nationality. They dont just go somewhere with no immigrants because they wouldnt have anybody to connect with.

i went to a highschool with atleast 3000 people and i bet about 75% were immigrants

[Heep]

I'm born and raised in south New Brunswick, and currently live here, but I lived 2 years in Barrie, On (and went to Toronto most weekends), and lived in Mississauga for 4 months.

[Gotti]

Originally Posted by Heep

I'm born and raised in south New Brunswick, and currently live here, but I lived 2 years in Barrie, On (and went to Toronto most weekends), and lived in Mississauga for 4 months.

yea i dont think many immigrants come to the east coast... theres no point. Just big cities with large immigrant populations. I bet a city in Southern Ontario is completely different than a city in New Brunswick of the same size, right?