Language A Barrier

Language is the Single Greatest Barrier

There is a current news item that language is the single greatest barrier to communication in the community in the UK today.

Furthermore it is suggested that newly arrived immigrants should learn English before they are able to apply for a job. This does seem to be a practical solution for everyone. English is the language spoken in this country and it really should be spoken by everyone. This holds good for the mother tongue of any country and if a person wishes to move, live and work there why wouldn't you want to speak the language, understand the culture and learn the history.

I know I would not wish to live in a country without being able to communicate and relate to the natives of that country. There does not seem any point. That does not mean that you should give up all that you hold dear from one's own country, but you should fit in with your adopted homeland. Why else would you move there?

Of course the argument can be presented that a person may be a refugee from persecution in an oppressive regime and why would they want to learn English? My father and grandparents were refugees from Nazi Germany and would not have dreamed of living in the UK or the US without speaking English and learning the culture and history and were happy to do so.

By learning the language of your adopted country, you are adding to your skills, as you will still speak the language of your native country and there are plenty of language jobs around requiring bilingual people.