I’m writing in response to Mr. John Rutt’s Opinion (“Thoughts on gun debate, immigration”). During the American Revolution, there were whole brigades fighting for American independence who spoke no English at all. They spoke German because they were volunteers from areas where many Germans had settled.
Spanish settlers lived in Florida, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas (whose name is based on the Native American/Caddo word, “Tejas”) and other areas of the Southwest for a century before the English landed in Virginia. New York was named “New Amsterdam,” until 1665, when the English took over. We have always been a multilanguage country. I don’t think you need to fear being forced to learn another language.
You state that immigrants haven’t been assimilating for years. Bilingual street signs in Miami are your proof? How many immigrants do you know who don’t speak English? And, if they speak with an accent, that means they speak two languages. Do you? I don’t. Have you ever celebrated St. Patrick’s Day or Oktoberfest or gone to a Chinese New Year festival? These are all foreign holidays. Is that assimilation?
I taught many first- and second-generation immigrant citizens, and they all spoke English. I don’t think you have to fear another language.
And, yes, my grandparents were Italian immigrants.
Steve Caporiccio
Magnolia
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
