There are significant challenges associated with moving from one country to another. These difficulties are experienced by individuals across the globe originating from different backgrounds. Dealing with these issues requires support from people in the surrounding. The reason is that the immigrants can be adversely affected by settling in new environments. Therefore, it is essential to understand these problems and what can be done to overcome them.
The language barrier is the most significant challenge facing immigrant families worldwide. The ability or inability to communicate affects every area of a person’s life. For example, communication is essential in schools, or when asking for directions. In the story “No Speak English” by Sandra Cisnero, the immigrant woman stays in the house all day because she cannot express herself. Additionally, the narrator explains her father’s ordeal as a new member of that society. She says that he ate ham and eggs for three months because that was the only word he understood (Cisneros 78). It is also challenging to acquire employment as an immigrant family in a country with inadequate interpreters. Essential services such as legal advice, mental health, or healthcare might be inaccessible because they can differ from those of an immigrant’s native nation. Travel from one place to another can hinder immigrant families from attending school or getting to employment areas. For example, Mamacita would go back home if she had an appropriate means of transport because she felt out of place in her new country.
Bringing up kids in a new environment is another issue faced by immigrants. In this case, Mamacita’s baby boy masters the Pepsi advert on television and starts to sing along. She becomes agitated and tries to stop him from learning the new language (Cisneros 78). Migrating from one country to another makes people isolated from society, as is the case with Mamacita. She does not leave the house, which makes people guess that she is ashamed of her body or inability to speak English.
Individuals invest significant effort, time, guts, and curiosity to learn a new language. This practice is accompanied by various challenging issues before a person can fluently communicate. Many learners are hesitant to talk to natives because they fear committing mistakes which can result in embarrassment. Moreover, individuals are afraid of using poor vocabulary and grammar when learning a new language. Most people think in other dialects, for instance, their mother tongue, but want to acquire new speeches. This can negatively impact the learning process; thus, individuals should think in the natives’ language. Attitude is another most significant obstacle in acquiring a new dialect. Therefore, it is vital to have a positive mindset and believe that everything is possible despite the difficulties involved in the process.
Maintaining one’s initial language is critical to a person’s identity, and it promotes a positive self-concept. Studying the mother tongue helps an individual to value their heritage and culture. Additionally, strong bonds are established and maintained among family members with similar dialects. On the other hand, assimilating new languages helps immigrants to blend with the natives’ culture, values, and beliefs. For example, if Mamacita learned the English language, she would socialize with the people instead of always being indoors (Cisneros 78). Interaction minimizes the possibility of conflict or discrimination among people because they understand one another.
I was born and brought up in a community that valued their native language. However, I joined the elementary school at five years where English was the primary dialect. I was hesitant and would refuse to attend school because I feared making mistakes. Although the dialect was difficult, I was confident because other children had the same issue. My schoolmates, whose native language was English were supportive and encouraged us. Therefore, I embraced the language through my teachers’ and classmates’ help and eventually understood the dialect and blended with other people.
The community plays a crucial role in ensuring that language learners understand the language. For example, societal members such as teachers can educate children about proper grammar and vocabulary. Additionally, these members can be incorporated in meetings where the new dialect is used. Community members can support learners by ensuring that they guide them and avoid criticism when errors occur. I can help people who want to understand a new language by encouraging them to get involved in that particular culture. For example, I can advise them to read books, listen to music and watch videos and films related to that dialect. Eventually, these individuals learn more and view the dialect as a means to an end but not an ultimate goal.
In summary, immigrant families face challenges when settling in new places. These issues include language barriers, transportation difficulties, children’s upbringing, inaccessibility to essential services, and unemployment. The problems associated with learning a new dialect have fear, poor grammar and vocabulary, and thinking in a different language. Maintaining one’s language strengthens the bond with one culture and family members while assimilating a new dialect enhances the relationship in the community. Support from society helps learners to adapt to the new form of speech.
Reference
Cisneros, Sandra. The House on Mango Street. Arte Publico Press, 1984.