Attending college allowed me to interact and have experiences with different people from multiple cultures and backgrounds. I became interested in every little aspect that these individuals could present to me. From food to dress and everything in between; I tried to soak up as much of it as I could. Each person had a different story to share, and they all had the accent that put an emphasis on the key aspect that I would take as my main point of learning.
That main point is about language and culture, as some of you may know there are more languages than just English in this world. Even though I’m joking, there is a huge section of people who refuse to acknowledge that there is more to the world than the USA. That’s cool, if you believe in being close minded; I will not stop those from enjoying their fanciful journey to the bottom of the educational and global outlook. I myself have wallowed there for years regarding certain acts in music genres (that’s another piece to be written later).
Yet, even with glaring ignorance we continue to place our importance above others, and demand all who arrive to our country to have an elaborate command of English as soon as they arrive to customs. Not be able to get their bearings and adjust to their new country. Although, I will say that if they have been here for a reasonable amount of time they should be able to speak English well enough to communicate. That range for me is between three to six years, because learning a new language and culture is not easy.
It always amazed me how people could come here from other countries and not only speak their native tongue, but be fluent in English as well as a couple other languages. I spoke with several persons from Africa who spoke seven different dialects, and when I heard them say that it really opened my eyes. It let me know that not only were they prepared to communicate and speak with other people across the continent and countries of Africa (which is a continent not a country, there are people in the USA that don’t know the difference… sad but true), but that they were well equipped to come here and take advantage of what we had to offer them.
Not only Africans, but Asians have come from their native countries to the US without a full grasp of English. They arrive knowing phrases and pieces, but after time learning and getting acclimated you would be hard pressed to find fault in their communication abilities. Take Yao Ming, who was the number one pick in 2002. I remember seeing Yao speak through an interpreter to relay his responses to questions asked of him. Throughout his career, you saw less and less of the interpreter, and by the time his career was done Yao was peaking clear and distinguishable English. Again, his hard work illustrates, how you can move to a new country and with time learn the culture and language to improve yourself.
I have always hoped that we as Americans would look at these persons as examples of how the world truly works. I applaud those of us who are willing to step outside their norm, and learn a language, or travel and learn about a different culture. There is nothing wrong with increasing your cultural base. I have listened to so many people who have never stepped outside of their state. Furthermore, there are those that haven’t been to the other side of their own city. How is this possible? How can you live in a city and never been to another section? People live in Northwest DC and have never stepped foot in Southwest DC. It’s hard to fathom, and yet it happens every year, month and day in cities across the country.
Even though there is majority of people in this country who don’t even try to learn another language or culture, and don’t want to try (the stigma of failing and being close-minded again as I mentioned in the beginning). There are a handful of others who are venturing out and taking that step to integrate themselves to other languages and cultures.
I have tried to be one of those who has taken on the challenge to be more than just the typical American. Some may see that as being elitist; I like to call it expanding my horizon and outlook on this world. I have earned a certificate in Spanish as well as working on a Minor in Spanish. After that I plan to take courses in Portuguese, Italian, and other languages. I hope that by reading this opinion and editorial piece that others will be challenged to step outside their comfort zone, and join other countries in enhancing our education, while enjoying what other languages and cultures have to offer.
