Should we insist that immigrants speak our language?

When I was inGP in Wednesbury, it was normal for young boys to come along with their mothers to translate gynaecological problems! I got used to it as these people preferred their ladies to be examined by a female doctor!
I was the only one in town!
In those days, medicine was very much male orientated!

I can't understand jingl. We are all thinking about the extra difficulties of such a tragedy happening to people who can't speak the language of those around them. Our discussion does not alter the situation of that family, nor does it belittle the tragedy of it. Even though we feel for them and their daughter we can still take part in a discussion. If everything that is tragic is removed from GN then we can only make jokes - or have laugh and then some of us would leave.

It is bad enough when you post on a thread and then Bamm! from jingl she thinks it is crass and accuses you of being heartless.
It happened to me and I was really upset by it.

charlota
I agree . Jings has got the wrong end!
But on the other hand:- perhaps it would have been more sensitive to bring the problem of non English speakers, up on on a different thread!
The two are not connected!
I think we all feel for the child concerned? It was a disgusting incident!
I have to work all the time with non English speakers! On one occasion I had to have welsh translater!
Nothing wrong with that, I don't speak welsh, the judge did!
It is much more difficult got all concerned!

i've found jingl very supportive...

[Hmm]

I think we can all imagine the parents' feelings without them having to express anything in English. And I think the support and comfort would have come from people in their immediate community who speak their language.

I'm sorry but I think the wording of the original post was unpleasant.

And it wasn't a better life for them was it, PRINTMISS.

M

Well Greatnan, I've really tried to be friendly to you.

I enjoy talking to you anyway.

(that was to GN)

And I enjoy talking to you, jingle, and granbunny! And all the people who join me in debates about politics and religion. I don't really get upset about anything anyone says on a forum and I don't intend to upset anyone else.

It is always helpful if people can speak the main language of the country they live in but sometimes that is not easy. Sometimes the 'host' country makes it tricky for newcomers and sometimes the newcomers are scared, reluctant or just find it very difficult. A few may just be unwilling. I think it is also a class issue. Immigrants with a high level of education are often more able to integrate into the host society whereas those less well educated tend to just get on with earning a living and surviving and will have less opportunity for integration and opportunity to learn the local lingo!

Pretty much anyone can learn pretty much any language (enough to get by in the country) at pretty much any age - if the language is taught properly. Volunteer schemes, such as that mentioned by Annobel, were terific because women who for a variety of reasons were unable to attend classes could be taught at home. One of the most successful lessons I ever gave centred around playing with a pack of Happy Families cards - we were practising "Have you got", "please" and "thankyou" as well as learning useful vocabulary such baker, butcher etc. By the end of the lesson - in a tiny bedroom with two sets of bunk beds, I had granny, grandad, auntie and fsix children playing, as well,of course, as mum whjo was my pupil. I left the cards with them at the end oif the lesson. Unfortunately, many local authorities have discontinued these schenes.

I am not illiterate. I just can't get to grips with this ergonomic keyboard of my daughter's. Sorry for the stray letters that creep into all my postings at the moment.

I wonder if I might just add my own personal view on 'communication' which is what this is all about. I understand the difficulties, because our son does not talk, and only understands about 80% of what is said to him. He has difficulty telling us what the trouble is, if he is upset, angry, or ill, so we, and those around him have to work hard to find the cause and put things right. This must be the same for those people who come into this country and do not speak our language.
And yes, I do hope the family will have a better life here, despite the tragedy, and that they will receive all the help available. On the whole I believe we are a charitable nation, and I am glad I live here and have the freedom to express my views.

After living in England where I had enjoyed successful careers it was odd to find myself with the vocabulary of an average ten-year old in France. (I don't have an ear for language, or music. I am told I am tone deaf). Whilst I have enough French for everyday living, I can't discuss politics, religion, literature, etc. Perhaps if I had had to work in France, rather than being retired, and if I had lived in less remote villages, my French would have improved. I did once attend an Over-60s club in one village, but a combination of the local dialect (Catalan), very rapid speech and my own partial hearing loss made it a struggle. I am now happy to get my communication via the internet and phone calls.

I don't think they will have a better life here! What could possibly make up for your child losing the ability to walk, run, climb, and do many the things children love to do!

Not to mention the fact that their child's future which will be hugely restricted.

Still, at least she will be able to speak the language.

It depends where they came from, jingle, and what quality of life they had there. At least the girls won't be murdered for going to school and they won't be picking food from the rubbish on tips.

The life of an immigrant has never been easy. Most don't emmingrate for themselves but for their families and this has almost always meant a better life for the next generations. Better than the one they had before. Look at America's story. We know about the Pilgim fathers but millions of Europeans left as well. Farm workers who lived in the cowshed with the cows in remote areas to name but one example. They are propbably wealthy families now in the US.

Immigrants always want to learn the language but host countries don't want to foot the bill of good tuition. I have taught immigrants enough that they can read where the bus is going to or phone 999 if there is a fire. They are often scared and shy and if working just worn out at the end of the day to take in the complexities of a new language.

I hope that this familie due to the publicity they have received can see a way through their problems. They will not have been ale to read GN so there is no danger that they can feel upset by what we have written about them. I didn't find it heartless but maybe others did.

Well, you know I did.

According to the local paper of the area in which this unfortunate child lives with her family, the local authority has announced that it will do all it can to provide suitably adapted housing etc. to make the little girl's life as easy as possible.

Good!

that's alright then.

Pathetic that they even felt the need to publicise that fact.