In his article, “Bassackwards: Construction Spanish and Other Signs of the Times,” Jay Nordlinger expresses a sense of frustration and criticism. He provides an illustration of what he terms cultural defeatism, discussing the phenomenon of Construction Spanish. This is just one instance among many in which Americans have modified their behavior to accommodate immigrants. Nordlinger notes that Spanish has achieved unprecedented popularity in the United States.
According to Nordlinger, it is unjust for immigrants to be required to learn a new language in order to find employment in America. He believes that if they want to work in an English-speaking country like America, they should take responsibility for learning English on their own. Nordlinger supports his argument with various examples, such as the case of 450 employees in Fairfax County, located in Northern Virginia, who were undergoing Spanish language training. The county official responded by emphasizing the need to consider the needs of the county’s new residents. This type of thinking reflects the defeatist cultural attitude mentioned by Nordlinger. To further illustrate this point, he mentions an employee who was unhappy about having to change but felt compelled to conform since there appeared to be no other option.
Nordlinger acknowledges the possibility that not all immigrants desire to assimilate into American culture, but he cautions against the potential consequences if Americanization does not take place. He expresses his hope that Americanization will eventually occur, but also warns of the collective losses we may face if it fails to happen. However, I hold a different viewpoint from Nordlinger in terms of mandating the learning of Spanish or any other language for communication with employees or fellow citizens. In my perspective, America is a land of freedom where individuals possess the right to speak their native tongue. It should also be recognized that this country comprises immigrants who have arrived here for work purposes, regardless of their mother language.
