Coca-Cola written in Arabic (read from right to left)
As an expat, I’ve learned how some immigrants to America must have felt. I immigrated to a Middle Eastern country where many signs, newspapers, and notices from school are all written in Arabic.
I can read a few words that make sense. For example, I can read the Arabic sign for Coca-Cola or hamam (public bath house) by sounding out the letters. But most other words I cannot understand (since I don’t speak the language) even if I can manage to sound them out like a first grader.
Now I understand why so many people moving to Western countries have trouble learning the language. They are so busy working they don’t have much time for language studies. It’s also easier to learn another language when you are very young. This is why children of immigrants generally learn the native language well, while parents of those children have far more trouble.
I’m greatful that I suffered through several years of no English-language TV or reading material, as that helped me become competent in French (a second language in my country). At least I can communicate my needs in French, or pick up something in French and make general sense of what it says (directions on medicine, a magazine, or a newspaper).
I have never been able to become competent in Arabic, even having made a number of tries. Now I really know what it feels like to be illiterate. I also have a lot more sympathy for immigrants to any country, and am much more impressed than before by those who DO manage to learn the spoken language of their new country!
Expat 21
Tags: illiteracy, immigrants, immigrants' problems, learning languages, literacy for expats, litercy, problems of immigrants
December 21, 2008 at 4:24 am
I remember living in Tunis, at first I was afraid to even buy tomatoes. I spoke French – which thank God, everyone spoke a little – but it took a while to overcome my hesitancy to speak.
Now, when I am back in the USA, I look forward to working with new immigrants, helping them get their feet on the ground. It takes a LONG time to feel at home, and oh! the loneliness!
December 27, 2008 at 1:01 am
It drives me nuts when people I work with criticize immigrants who have been here for several years because they still don’t speak English fluently let alone read and write it well. My colleagues clearly have absolutely NO conception of what it takes to learn a language!
December 27, 2008 at 7:18 am
You are really right about that. It takes so much time and effort to learn another language. People just don’t realize it. Furthermore, when one is working full time (and often two full-time jobs, as are many immigrants in America, in addition to supporting a family) there is NO time or energy left to devot to learning a new language. However, the CHILDREN of immigrants generally learn to speak the new country’s native language just like a native (and end up having to translate the business of life for their immigrant parents), as has happened to me here in the Middle East!
Expat 21
November 7, 2009 at 1:30 am
hey, I can’t find your contact information but your layout was messed up on firefox and opera. Anyways, i just suscribd to your rss.