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Immigration Stereotype: Language Diversity in America

Nera Richardson

Kennesaw State University

Abstract

In the United State while most people speak English at home a majority of others speaks other languages such as Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages at home. Due to the increase of globalization businesses and employees have no choice but to interact with people of a different language. Language barriers remains a big issue, especially in the service industry. Most retail stores and gas station owners located in metropolitan areas are owned by an immigrant who speaks English as a second language. Customer may find it difficult to communicate due to the language barriers. On the other hand, many cooperation and businesses speak English in the United State, this can affect intercultural service during an international encounter.

Immigrant migrating to different countries normally socialize with people with similar culture or language to feel a sense of belonging. Language enables a person to express their emotions, it a form of communication that allows people to understate and socialize with each other (Ellen & Anna 2011). The most immigrant who migrated from another country to the United State speaks with a foreign accent. Unfortunately, foreign accents and using a different dialect from native English can lead to discrimination (Eduardo 2012).

KEY WORDS: language barriers, intercultural communication, socialization, assimilation

The organization is becoming more multicultural due to the high rate of immigrating working in the United State. Some business becomes hesitant in hiring non-speaking English immigrant because this can create problems in productivity when co-workers not able to communicate well or when workers unable to tell their manager about problems affecting them. Companies use idioms to describe their products and most bilingual people have a problem understanding idioms. Another problem that may be a problem is that some companies use vocabulary that is different in everyday life such as abbreviations that can be hard to understand for a non-English speaking worker. Non-speaking Americans are not the one affected. English speaking American have a hard time dealing with business overseas that speaks a different language (Joshua 2003).

It is important to understand other people’s culture in order get pass misconception about a different culture. It is only natural to feel a sense of superiority when it comes to one’s own culture but that can hinder intercultural communication. It can also cause some forms cultural stereotypes and affects meaningful cultural exchange. Multiculturalism plays a vast role in unsolved cultural conflict and division here in America. It is important to acknowledge diversity in order to provide a safe environment for people of different culture. Learning a second language is vitally important it is one of the keys to the process of socialization which may contribute to solving cultural misunderstandings.

Immigrant migrating to other countries tend to gather in the certain geographic area since they depend on others in their network to guide them. They feel comfortable living in clusters which makes it easier for them to continue speaking their native language but that can hurt their ability to assimilate into American society. Immigrant need to be informed that learning English will not prevent them from keeping their culture, in fact learning the English language is beneficial for immigrants' economic status (Stevens 2013).

Methods

In this survey, two participants have interviewed a 47-year-old male and a 50-year-old female. The female participant goes by the name of Eunice from Nigeria and the male participant goes by the name Trevor from St. Lucia. Eunice is presently living in GA and Trevor in NY. Both Eunice and Trevor speak English fluently but speaks with an accent. The date was collected through an interview process. The interview was very easy since I am close to both of the individuals.

The participant was asked a very easy question regarding immigration stereotype via phone conversation. The participants were not compensated for doing this interview nor pressured in any way when answering the questions. I had a list of 20 question related to the immigration stereotypes. I asked both individuals the same question during a separate interview. The first person I interviewed was Trevor since I know him personally I know his answer was without bias. I was able to ask him 20 question without interruption while taking appropriate notes. The second person I interviewed was Eunice. Unlike Trevor who I relate to a lot because of we both from the same country, Eunice I share a different culture. We were a business acquaintance at one point and developed very good friendships. I asked her the same question which I asked Trevor. She was very honest when answering the question I asked her. After collecting all the data I needed I typed both answers on the computer and while comparing each individual answers.

Results

My hypothesis is that language barrier remains one of the contributions of racial discrimination. Immigrants migrating from a different country have to learn English to live a successful life in America. From what I gather the data shows both individual encounter similar experience when it comes to immigration serotypes. Language is a very important form of communication since most people living here communicate in English it is important to be able to speak and understand English in order to socialize or live everyday life in American. Trevor and Eunice stated they never encounter racism before moving to America. One main reason is that their country of origin is not as diverse as America. They both come from a country where most people there speaks the same language. There everyone shares the same culture so they were not exposed to racism.

The survey shows that the participants contrast in their answers when they were asked whether speaking with an accent affect their communication with native-born America. Trevor said he never face problem communication with native whereas Eunice said she experience some discrimination due to her accent. The language barrier was not the only issue they dealt with when they moved to America. Eunice said she was sock when she realized the weather was so cold here in America while Trevor was disappointed about the smells and crowds in New York. Language is a key factor in determining one future in a country where English is the first language people who migrate here have to learn English in order to be able to live the American dream.

Discussion

The result supports some of my hypothesis that English is an important language. All immigrant coming to America should learn English because language barrier can be challenging. The accent and dialect of people from a different country are different even if you speak the same language. The English language is very hard to learn but one coming to the United State should at least know Basic English in order to overcome challenges.

The study focuses more on immigration stereotypes the individual that I interview knew how to speak Basic English before entering the United State so they did not go through some of the barriers most bilingual people go through. Although they speak English prior to moving her they were still confronted with some obstacle. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough study that proves the discriminating effect of language barrier of immigrating. While the American encourages people to integrate the second language they should also find ways to motivate immigrant about the value learning English.

References

González, Eduardo. “The Language of Diversity.” EXtension, 6 Mar. 2012, articles.extension.org/pages/10009/the-language-of-diversity.

Kim, Ellen Eun Kyoo, and Anna S. Mattila .” The Impact of Language Barrier & Cultural Differences on Restaurant Experiences: A Grounded Theory Approach, The Pennsylvania State University, 2011, pp. 1–8.

Leer, Steve. “Study: Immigrants Who Live, Work Together Less Apt to Learn English.” Purdue University, 8 Apr. 2013, www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2013/Q2/study-immigrants-who-live,-work-together-less-apt-to-learn-english.html.

Tuner, Joshua. “Language Barriers In The Workplace.” Language Barriers In The Workplace, Workitdaily, 29 Aug. 2013,