Language is the most difficult problems that foreigners are experiencing when they visit other country. Different nationality, beliefs, culture, traditions and most importantly language. You feel like a total stranger not knowing of what to do first. Guess what! Communication is the key for finding and adapting yourself to the new environment. If you do not know the language, "goodluck' is all I can say. Being able to communicate is an essential part of our daily tasks. In our daily interactions having good communication skills is critically linked to words and language. Not being familiar with the language could have some disadvantage to have a comfortable living.
My mother only finished elementary grade and lived in the Philippines all her life. She is a dressmaker working at home with her antique pedal sewing machine. Customers paid her a little amount of money to made them custom gowns and dresses. No patterns and instructions to follow, it's all in her imaginary creations. My father finished high school. As he grew up, he works in a construction and later in a beer manufacturing company as an electrician. Most of us in the Philippines find opportunities in other country to work. My dad sacrificed to be away with the family and worked in Saudi Arabia. Fifteen years of working in a foreign land was a challenge, most specially learning Arabic. Most of his co-workers are Filipinos and he learned most of the translation through them. With his little English knowledge, it helped him to learn more of the Arabic language because some Arab speak English. Daily interactions using Arabic and mostly English language help him to adapt in the environment. He was able to practice Arabic and English well. My parents did not have a formal education on their chosen career but successfully supported our family.
Immigrants biggest problem is "language barrier". My parents migrate from the Philippines to United States in their late 50's. Having a little English educational background is very traumatic for them. They can talk and write English, but very limited. During the first few years we have to accompany, guide and translate for them on their interviews. Being in the medical field, I helped them a lot with their doctor's appointment. I filled their medical history as well as symptoms and medical allergies. This would help the doctor to have a correct diagnosis and treatment for them.
My parents have a little savings from what my dad earned in Saudi Arabia. But to support their daily living, it will be not enough. We helped them a little bit at the start but fortunately my dad found a job. He was able to passed the interview and got hired as a dishwasher. First few weeks we dropped and picked him up at work, then he rode his bicycle. After learning the directions and his way, he managed to take the bus. My mom on the other hand, stayed home and took care of my friends children. With their little earning it help them to support their daily needs.
On their daily lives, Tagalog which is the Filipino language is still their preference even now that they lived here in America. They are more comfortable to speak it at home. They can understand each other well and they can express more of their feelings. But because of the reason to survive, they learned and practiced English language. They adopted the policies, rules and regulations to become a good American citizen. They realized the importance of English language in all areas of their life. They are able to obey those laws wholeheartedly, because ignorance in not an excuse in any legal system. They have a good communication with my husband who is an American and my kids. They gain a lot of friends and respectfully talk to them in English. Now, they can see their doctor on their own without me translating how they feel. My parents did not have a high education in English. But they did not limit themselves to learn and practice the language. I am so proud of them because they patiently adopted the culture, traditions, beliefs and most specially the language that we as a family could enjoy together.
I know all too well what it's like to live with a family who isn't fluent in this country's primary language. I consider my family to be honest working people and although they have a hard time understanding and communicating without the use of and intermediary, they try. Most importantly, however, is the fact that they are able to relate to many of the people around them who migrated here for the very same reasons. Having this language barrier hasn't been easy, but it definitely hasn't stopped them from getting to know those around them or being cordial.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that their language barrier is synonymous of an unwillingness to learn. My grandparents migrated to America once they were older and had very little education. My grandmother never attended a school and neither did my grandfather. They were the oldest of their many siblings and were required to work to sustain the family at a young age.
While I do believe that learning English is a possibility for them, I know that it would be a much more complicated process being that they can barely read and write. They would have a much harder time grasping concepts and understanding the language when they have nothing to compare it to.