God has amazing creativity.He, in His wisdom, didn’t make the human race to look like clones of each other. We don’t all have blonde hair and blue eyes. We’re not all size 4 or 16. We have different talents and interests.
We’ve also developed many different languages. How many can you speak? Are you fluent, or are you able to recognize a few, simple words?
Many people from other countries have immigrated to the Seattle area. Friends and acquaintances from other parts of the world have enriched my life. Some of the countries include: Japan, China, Viet Nam, Korea, Russia, Ethiopia, Mexico, and the Philippines.
It can be frustrating to have customers call or come into my place of employment and either speak very little English, or speak with such a strong accent, that it’s difficult to understand or help them.
I agree that immigrants should learn the language, but it’s not as easy as I think some Americans presume. I wish people could be more patient and understanding of those who are trying.
How well would I do if I moved to Japan or Viet Nam without knowing the language? To be honest, it would be pretty intimidating. Whenever I mentally put myself in that situation, I admire even more what my immigrant friends have managed to accomplish.
I received the following in my email today. It’s fun to read through, but no wonder people have a difficult time learning English. Take a look at what they have to deal with…
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
10) I did not object to the object.
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.
13) They were too close to the door to close it.
14) The buck does funny things when the does are present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
Let's face it - English is a crazy language!
Dawn
Interesting subject, and I agree it's difficult for many of our friends from other countries to understand the English language. However I'm compelled to ask "What about the people living here?" . I've recently witnessed through several different sources the alarming degree of illiteracy in the U.S. We have among us those adults that cannot read or write, let alone spell their own name. I certainly don't fault our educational system, because these are not all kids that have 'dropped out'. I would also wager that the illiteracy rate in some countries mentioned is not as high as our own.(if we speak of a given countries native language as English is ours). I just thought I'd present a different perspective,and I appreciate your forum that allows this type of commentary!
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