Schwarzenegger: Don't Watch Spanish TV

California Gov. Says Immigrants Should Shun Spanish-Language Media To Learn English

(AP)  California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's remarks that immigrants should avoid Spanish-language media if they want to learn English quickly left some Hispanic journalists shaking their heads.

"You've got to turn off the Spanish television set" and stay away from Spanish-language television, books and newspapers, the Republican governor said Wednesday night at the annual convention of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "You're just forced to speak English, and that just makes you learn the language faster."

Schwarzenegger, who immigrated to the U.S. from Austria, was responding to a question about how Hispanic students can improve academic performance. The audience included many journalists who work for Spanish-language media outlets.

"I know this sounds odd and this is the politically incorrect thing to say and I'm going to get myself in trouble," he said. "But I know that when I came to this country, I very rarely spoke German to anyone."

Some members of the audience said they were surprised by Schwarzenegger's comments.

"I'm sitting shaking my head not believing that someone would be so naive and out of it that he would say something like that," Alex Nogales, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, said Thursday.

Nogales said immigrants need Spanish-language media to stay informed and "function in this society."

Pilar Marrero, the political editor for the Spanish-language newspaper La Opinion, chuckled at the governor's comments, saying many Hispanics did not have time to learn English.

"They're too busy working," she said.

Rafael Olmeda, president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, said most NAHJ members would agree with the governor's statements.

"Most people I've spoken to walked away believing that he was trying to say that we must learn English to succeed in American society," Olmeda said.

The governor's office said the statements were no different from what he has said before.

In a 2006 editorial published in the San Jose Mercury News, Schwarzenegger said English-language immersion was the best way to learn the language.

In October, the governor was criticized by Democrats when he said some Mexican immigrants "try to stay Mexican" when they come to the United States and urged them to learn English and U.S. history and "make an effort to become part of America.

Schwarzenegger has garnered more Hispanic support than most Republican governors in the past two elections despite some seemingly anti-immigration blunders — such as praising the Minutemen border militia group on a talk radio show.

On Wednesday, Schwarzenegger also lauded President Bush's push for immigration reform, saying the country has its first opportunity for change in decades. But he said the Senate's current immigration reform proposal, which failed last week, still needs more fine-tuning so it can be enforced.

[infidel_us]

"Bush keeps claiming he's dying to enforce the border, but he just can't do it unless we immediately grant amnesty to 12 million illegal aliens. I wonder if that worked on Laura Bush:

Laura: George, it's time you quit drinking.
George: OK, honey, let's discuss it over cocktails.

How about Bush enforce the border and then we'll discuss his amnesty plan?"

From Ann Coulter's website.....and I couldn't agree more!

[one_american]

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is giving Hispanics good advice.

It remains to be seen if Hispanics are smart enough to take good advice, or if they are going to continue to self-impose segregation and isolation from American society...

[randalds]

I think Arnie stuck his foot in his mouth a bit (though not too badly). Here in L.A. we have Spanish language TV along with Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, etc. and I see nothing wrong with it. Of course immigrants should learn to speak conversational level English before being granted citizenship, but i see nothing wrong with them speaking their native language in their home or seeing it on TV. They have a right to maintain a connection to their heritage just as every other group of immigrants to America has in the past and just as in the past by the 3rd generation they'll all be speaking English as their first language.

[pared1]

I think anyone who lives in a country whose main language is (insert language here) Should learn that language period. People that have lived in the U.S. for years and do not know english are lazy.

[wiccantexan]

It remains to be seen if Hispanics are smart enough to take good advice, or if they are going to continue to self-impose segregation and isolation from American society...
Posted by One_American at 01:04 PM : Jun 15, 2007

What gives you this idea? All the Hispanics I know around here (including my husband's family) are perfectly integrated into American society, consider themselves Americans with Mexican heritage, and are bi-lingual.

[cathaleen]

You should speak the language of the country you live in. Isn't it better to learn to speak english than to expect everyone to cater to your inabilities or ignorance.

[bareemperor]

Watching Ahnuld is like viewing the Austrian Steroidal Recovery Network, so I changed channels to watch the Stupid White Guy Channel...

[randalds]

I think anyone who lives in a country whose main language is (insert language here) Should learn that language period. People that have lived in the U.S. for years and do not know english are lazy.
Posted by pared1 at 01:13 PM : Jun 15, 2007

They are also very very very rare.

[pghlady3]

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!! Thank you Arnold!

[walt1944-2009]

As I have been saying all along, illegals know that there are certain benefits to remaining illegal, using someone else's identity, and not letting the country know you are here. A lot of illegals don't care if they can't vote (with the country heading for dictatorship, who needs to vote?), they get paid below minimum wage and have no benefits; they can still go out and get a bank account, buy a car, get credit cards, free medical care, even buy a house and not get caught.

Building fences and getting rid of the Spanish ads, TV, and radio stations isn't going to stop them. The Chinese couldn't stop the "barbarians" from invading China when they built the Great Wall, and the East Germans couldn't stop German people from trying to cross the Berlin Wall into West Berlin; and both walls were built a lot better than George Bush's chain link fence!

[dragonmouse-2009]

When in Rome do what the Romans do. If you go to another country to "visit" that's one thing if you go to another country to live you need to learn how to communicate to the best of your abilities. You don't see voting booths in 50 different languages. If you can't vote in English...don't bother. Go to Mexico and vote.

I personally am TIRED of pressing "1" for English. I'm tired of spending tax dollars to modify tests so students that probably shouldn't even be here because their parents are illegal...can take tests. OTHER nationalities that come here as immigrants European or Asian seem to have the capability of learning the language. I'd like to know what makes these people think they're so "special".

I'm behind Arnie ALL the way. He's the voice of personal experience...they really ought to listen to him...oh wait...I forgot they need to "PRESS 2" so that it can be translated in Spanish.

[xzavierbrown]

the first thing that most illegal mexicans needs to understand that the thing that is expected from this populace is the willingness to ASSIMILATE into our american society..EVERYONE does it..however, then think it is up to us to 'understand and change' for them. What Arnold said was very unpolitically correct but it is TRUE.

[consciousnes]

THE TRUTH HURTS, DOESN'T IT ! ! ! ! !

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is correct.

The quicker the Spanish speaking people, that come into this country legally or ilegally, learn to speak english so they can actually communicate rather then just get along, the quicker they will realize their part of the American Dream.
That goes for Somali, Mung, and all the rest.

[cpaide]

The question asked of the Governor was how Hispanic students can improve academic performance. The answer is simple: by learning math. Language doesn't matter much when you're talking numbers, and a good math background prepares you for high-paying high-tech careers.

The problem is that Hispanic children are illiterate in two languages: Spanish and English. Sure they can speak Spanish (poorly) and most of them "am speeke english," but basic conversation does not equal literacy in either language.

Basic conversation might get you a job sweeping floors at Wal-Mart (which is nothing to be ashamed of, but nothing to be proud of either). Literacy might get you a job programming routers for Cisco or starting up your own Internet-based company (ask the Chinese immigrants).

Spanish-language media seems to want a permanently language-handicapped underclass they can pander to. So do all politicians and many of the Hispanic activist groups.

[rushman71]

"I am the Governator: I'll be baaaack to shove English down your throooaaat!!!"

[jdubs63]

RandalDS............ Well said and I agree. I just wonder which is bigger The Governors feet or mouth?

[xzavierbrown]

"I am the Governator: I'll be baaaack to shove English down your throooaaat!!!"
Posted by rushman71 at 01:50 PM : Jun 15, 2007
+ report abuse

**********

it will hurt but THAT might be the best thing we can do for these people, I dont think the 'lets understand and care' PC approach is working and is backfiring, they are on to us and using our compassion to thier advantage.

[emmac6]

Arnold's advice works! My family are immigrants (asian) and they credit their learning English quickly from watching American tv! One of my cousins who came here as teenager, barely speaking any English, now works for the government as an intrepreter!

Why is anyone criticizing Arnold? He is not saying it's wrong to be bilingual--he's bilingual--my entire family is bilingual--he's just offering an easy suggestion for those who want to learn English quickly.

[hawksprings]

Ahnold is exactly right.

Learn English if you want to want to succeed at more than picking lettuce or bussing tables in the US.

Way to go Ahnold!! Keep speaking the truth.
Maybe even Maria will learn something.

[rushman71]

emmaC6: I couldn't agree with you more.

I think what Arnold was trying to say was that in order to learn anything, you have to go at it full force. If you watch TV in your native tongue, you will take longer getting used to hearing and thinking in the lanquage that you want to learn. Its like going on a diet-you either do it or you dont! As for immigration, I think that we need to take a look at what we are saying. Do we want to encourage law breaking by giving amnesty to those who came illegally? As a responsible nation, we have to control our borders to protect our citizens and way of life. We have to think in terms of how much our system can handle. I think that Mexico has a hidden agenda-let its people come to the US, earn money to send back to Mexico, and tax our health and welfare systems. This sounds cruel, but think of our system's budgets if we could send 5% of the people on it to another country. Dont get me wrong. Im all for legal immigration. I think latin people are great and that we do them injustice by letting a few undesireables destroy opportunities for the masses.

[wiccantexan]

As I mentioned before, get rid of the bilingual education in California public schools, which is primarily where these kids would need to be immersed in English. "Turn off Spanish TV" is a shallow attempt by Gov Arnold to seem like he's doing something, when, in fact, it would really have very little impact.

[mike71067]

What can I say?? Arnold is absolutely correct. If immigrants truly want to assimilate into the population (which is what they should be doing), they should do exactly as Arnold suggests. Otherwise they will form isolated communities with little connection to the rest of us. When Arnold came to the U.S., he could barely speak a word of English. Now he's a governor. That's how you succeed in America and contribute to the country. You don't do it by speaking a foreign language and staying isolated.

[tesscass]

I think people who insists that they can't be without Spanish TV misses the point. Surely they aren't saying someone will forget his heritage because he doesn't watch Spanish TV. From most of the literature out there, linguists seem to generally agree that immersion is one of the surest way to learn a new language.

Governor Schwarzengegger isn't saying one must forego Spanish media forever. It is a choice - do you want to learn English better and faster or not?

[trillion1]

These illegals don't want to learn English. They don't want to be Americans. They expect us to bend to their whims. They send tens of billions dollars back to support the Mexican economy while they bleed ours.

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by WiccanTexan at 02:05 PM : Jun 15, 2007
+ report abuse

*****************

what you are asking is for California to get rid of those bleeding heart liberals who always have an open ear that unconditionally cater to these unfortunate populace. every little thing helps, isnt that the same thing as "nude" protests?? very shallow and has no impact.

[randalds]

RandalDS............ Well said and I agree. I just wonder which is bigger The Governors feet or mouth?
Posted by JDUBS63 at 01:51 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Must be his mouth since he always seems to find the room for his feet. But hey I like Arnie and even as a democrat I voted to re-elect him. his hearts in the right place since he decided to stop following the party line out of Washington and started listening to the people of California instead. he is right of course to the extent that Hispanics should learn English, but I wish he'd go further and put the lie to people who say that they can't or won't learn it and the same to the people who lie and say that Hispanics won't assimilate either. Both ideas are of course ridiculous. Hispanics are assimilating and learning the language no faster or slower then any other group who have immigrated here.

[mike71067]

"Cruz Bustamante, whom the fair-minded(?) voters of California rejected in favor of Arnold, is actually truly bilingual. His English is far better than Arnold's and he speaks it without any Spanish accent."
-Posted by hopetrumps at 02:09 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Yes, but Cruz Bustamante is a leftist wack-job that even Californians can't stomach.

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by freddyfrugag at 02:16 PM : Jun 15, 2007
+ report abuse

**********

I dont think you can afford to have a German pick you lettuce, or bus you table, nor do I hear a German milking our welfare system.

THAT IS THE POINT.

YOU ENCOURAGE THESE PEOPLE NOT TO ASSIMILATE AND MAINTAIN THAT LEVEL OF POVERTY IN THE PROCESS..

stop saving these people and save an arse tick instead..

[nyckate]

freddyfrugag - oh for the love of..... How SILLY are you??

Germans did come here - and so did Austrians (Arnie is Austrian not German you doofus). - and so did Italians and Greeks and French .... and they all learned English.

It is PAST time for the hispanic community to learn english - I've met many who've been here 20 years and still can't speak English.

In fact - if one wants to remain here legally then english classes and exams should be mandatory - along with physicals.

[randalds]

The writer should probably learn English first before trying to learn a second language and is in no position to criticize those who know two languages!
Posted by hopetrumps at 02:23 PM : Jun 15, 2007

And perhaps you should be just a little less anal about typos? Just a thought.....

[sero5]

Cruz Bustamante could not distimguish himself from Gray Davis. Californian voters are in fact fairminded and are of sound judgement. They recognize that when they get hit with unscrupulous tax increases, they are civic-minded enough to demand political change.

[billpl-2009]

Arnold's only problem is that he keeps forgetting that he's the governor of Mixico Del Norte.

[hollyt2-2009]

"LEARN THE LANGUAGE" There are [people that I know that have been here for years and years also that cant speak english. sometimes I think they do it on purpose. Yet we are expected to search on the directions of something in english. some companies are putting spanish directions above english.

[klingon69]

I think Arnie stuck his foot in his mouth a bit (though not too badly).
Why am I not surprised.

Here in L.A. we have Spanish language TV along with Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, etc. and I see nothing wrong with it. Of course immigrants should learn to speak conversational level English before being granted citizenship, but i see nothing wrong with them speaking their native language in their home or seeing it on TV.
And he did not say they had to stop watching the stations, he said if they want to assimilate into mainstream American culture, they need to speak the lingo.

They have a right to maintain a connection to their heritage just as every other group of immigrants to America has in the past and just as in the past by the 3rd generation they'll all be speaking English as their first language.
Posted by RandalDS at 01:07 PM : Jun 15, 2007
Why must Americans always change to accomodate people who will not?

[jfinster10]

I am taking a college Spanish course this fall. Part of the class requirement is to watch an all-Spanish drama on Telemundo. For this to be an effective learning experience, I will have to sacrifice English programs for one semester.

[gwagener]

Doesn't Arnold know that most of the Spanish language TV is produced and distributed by California companies?
Why is he trying to hurt CA business interests?

[xzavierbrown]

Posted by freddyfrugag at 02:26 PM : Jun 15, 2007
+ report abuse

******
Take a look at Canada..you tell me (since you started it with germans..I thought you will get it using germans.

Proof???????????!!! well have you actually been to california?? are you oblivious of the social and economic conditions of these mexicans??

starting to use every means to LEARN english is beneficial..it is not COMPLETELY STOP WATCHING spanish TV BUT STOP being to depend on things of that nature because it inhibits thier ability to learn english culture which includes the language.

neo-con??? you must be one of those radical left-winged liberals who is causing all of this c rap. like I said, you feel like saving something or someone?? save a whale

[randalds]

Why must Americans always change to accomodate people who will not?

Posted by Klingon69 at 02:31 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Nothing in my entire post said anything about Americans having to change to accommodate anyone. If you don't want to watch a foreign language broadcast of station then turn the channel. No one is forcing you to accept anything.

[mike71067]

I think Arnie stuck his foot in his mouth a bit (though not too badly).
-Posted by Klingon69 at 02:31 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Arnold said what had to be said, and he's absolutely correct. More politicians need to be as honest as Arnold is about this. Being an immigrant himself, he certainly knows what he's talking about.

I personally don't think these Mexicans want to assimilate into the population and contribute to America - they want to remain isolated in their little communities and send their money back to Mexico.

[cpaide]

I'm getting a really big chuckle out of all the idiotic comments this article on Schwarzenegger is attracting.
Posted by hopetrumps at 02:09 PM : Jun 15, 2007

Yes, and your comment takes the cake!

Cruz Bustamante can lie in two languages; that doesn't make him truly bilingual.

Really, making fun of Arnold's accent: shame on you! Do you make fun of Asians also? We know you stereotype the Irish as a bunch of drunks.

Your boyhood trauma was imagined and exaggerated. Everyone has been in a contest they "should have" won but didn't. They get over it and so should you.

BTW, your writing skills are good but not exceptional.

[gpot9883-2009]

At least Arnold practices what he preaches. As an immigrant, he knows the importance of learning the local language, and he realizes that immersing oneself in the new language is the quickest (albeit hardest) way to learn that language. He did it, and he suggests that immigrants who wish to "improve their academic performance" follow his example.

I see nothing wrong with what he said, and applaud him for his comments.

[klingon69]

What Arnold said was very unpolitically correct but it is TRUE.
Posted by xzavierbrown at 01:34 PM : Jun 15, 2007
The truth usually is not politically correct.
But, Arnold was speaking out to all hispanics, and all immigrants that to assimilate and become integrated into the mainstream American culture, that they need to be able to communicate, and that by listening and reading only english, you learn better. Called total immersion.

[randalds]

I personally don't think these Mexicans want to assimilate into the population and contribute to America - they want to remain isolated in their little communities and send their money back to Mexico.
Posted by mike71067 at 02:35 PM : Jun 15, 2007

And I personally think you're wrong. Every wave of immigration that has ever hit America has done the exact same thing as this wave. The older ones (who are old when they get here) refuse to learn more English or assimilate, but the 2nd generation learns more and assimilates more and so on. As far the fact that in the meantime the form into small neighborhoods like Little Tokyo or Little Armenia (a few blocks from here) etc. to me just adds to the fabric of America. Besides after awhile all of these neighborhoods blur around the edges and become mainstream, with just a little of their old world flavor left for us to enjoy. I welcome immigration. And yes that includes the current ones who are "illegal".

[gpot9883-2009]

At least Arnold practices what he preaches. As an immigrant, he knows the importance of learning the local language, and he realizes that immersing oneself in the new language is the quickest (albeit hardest) way to learn that language. He did it, and he suggests that immigrants that wish to "improve their academic performance" follow his example.

I see nothing wrong with what he said, and applaud him for his comments.

[honest_news]

"I, the Mexican-American, won the contest defeating a host of participants, but when it came time to award my school's General Excellence Medal, though I had the highest grade, the Irish priest, who spoke English with a pretty heavy brogue, and in a rather confused sort of way, since he was usually, shall we say, under the influence, couldn't bear to award it to me and instead awarded it to the Irish runner-up!"

-- Posted by hopetrumps

Interesting run-on sentence. Perhaps the Irish student knew how to use a period. ;P

Your praise of bilingual people is fine: fluency in two (or more) languages has it obvious merits. But that's not Schwarzenegger's point -- he correctly asserts that there has been stiff resistance by many Hispanic immigrants to learn English. As Schwarzenegger also points out, past immigrants made a concerted effort to learn English in order to better assimilate into their adopted country. This lack of effort by the Hispanic population is troubling, and the well-intentioned social service organizations that pander to this resistance are doing both the new arrivals and our nation a disservice.

[ubikvalis2]

Arnold has got it 100% right. I did the same thing he did. Came to America, was fully immersed, learned the language and became successful. Being insulated in your own culture and language means you cannot take advantage of the full opportunities America offers!

That doesn't mean you should abandon your roots, of course. But learn the language as quickly and thoroughly as possible!

[pensacola8-2009]

I have been watching this issure for years in Texas and Florida. The California attitudes are different and do not apply to the rest of the country. I agree that more is needed to teach English to immigrants, but no one wants to pay for them unless they can be proven to be lawfully permanent residents. I have personally watched families loose their children to childhood disease because they couldn't understand a public service announcement given in English for free vaccinations. They weren't spanish speaking immigrants. The sorrows were horrific and cruel. I also watched others unaware of a coming hurricane and shared my supplies because they didn't understand the order to prepare in English. All the supplies were no longer available in the stores by the time that particular family was aware of the pending danger. I don't buy in to California Governor's recommendation until it is clear that English language classes are offered to all people at no charge reguardless of their legal status. It is cruel to strand a family over something they can't change. The barriers to change have to be torn down on both sides of the language issue.

[honest_news]

Well said, UbikValis2!

[acauble1]

If Arnold was just some old white Republican from Texas, his words would have no credibility with the immigrant population, (or anyone for that matter).

But since Arnold is an example of an immigrant who came to America and practiced what he just preached...

...then there's no better example of credibility than that!