Last Sane Man Standing - Blog of Corey Deitz

The English Whisperer

On this morning's show, the idea of immigrants learning English when coming to the United States came up - again. It's no secret that I'm in favor of it. The English language is the most commonly used language in the U.S. If you come to this country and want to get ahead, you need to know how to speak effectively.

An email, critical of my view, arrived after this morning's show that said:

"In this country we should be able to speak what ever language we what, After all this is the land of the "free". if i chose tospeak Spanish that is my choice.and no one should have the right to tell me any different. It is all so your right to speak English. Would you not get offended if i told you not to speak English? Every body should mind there own business. And worry about more important things like china, Iran, Gas, Etc." - M Vasquez

Hey "M" - you're missing the point. When I say it's important to learn English, it's for the immigrant's sake more than mine. I already understand everybody, every road sign, the questions an interviewer asks me on a job hunt, exactly what a newscaster says, etc.

And, because I understand and speak English fluently, it empowers me and gives me an advantage. Being in the "communication" business all my adult life, I can assure you: communication is the foundation of all subsequent success. But, you're right in a sense: it is a free country and you can choose to speak Spanish. But, I just want you to know learning English is not that hard. Trust me: if my dog can learn it, anyone can.

More: Theodore Roosevelt's Thoughts on Immigration - short but important.