When I first brought my then Thai wife to the US, she spoke almost no English, and we had to converse in Thai. Got her enrolled in and ESL class, plus her self studying, and within a few months she could speak English to the degree she got a job a local restaurant.
It was a funny household, with me, the tall white guy speaking Thai so I could maintain my language skills, and her speaking English to enhance hers.
I don't understand how people come to the US, and after 20yrs still need a translator.
The people who work in the salon where I get my nails done came here *legally* from Vietnam. They’ve taken on English names that their customers can pronounce, so it’s a place filled by David, Susie, Vivian, Andy, and Louis.
The nail techs are *all* speaking English their customers, with varying degrees of success. But, they learn fast. I’ve watched them for two years now.
One of the guys is working on bringing his wife and baby from Vietnam. He said it could be another two years. I asked him if it was costing a lot of money and he acknowledged that it was indeed. So he flies back as often as he can.
These people come here legally, get themselves professional licenses, work hard (10 hour days), learn English, and assimilate into our culture. Meanwhile, a bunch of entitled jerks jump the line, suck up our tax dollars and demand more.
Quite the contrast.
Makes you wonder what kind of job opportunities this person would have had if she spoke fluent English all these years. Enough to not need a housing lottery, perhaps.