How long does it take to learn English?

That guy must have been trying to catch attention by speaking his native tongue or sending a signal that says 'hey, we are here already and we are increasing our numbers and influence' and that give us a good rehearsal of what's its like to be on the hands of a different culture.I am a product of a colonial power. But however, this world is created for all of us to live regardless of who we are and the place we came from.It only requires patience and understanding.It is hard to accept at first but thats the world it is sometimes not on our side at times. At 23 years that guy really can speak American-Spanish English.You only have to devise a plan of questioning where you can trap him the next time around using a combination of his native tongue and your language.

no sé english, the problem IS there's so many illegals they dont and wont learn english

My wife's Scottish great-grandmother lived in Bristol for 20 years (at least, I believe) and refused to speak anything but Gaelic. In those days, of course, one had servants and her husband spoke English, too, so the household was run. Even today we have British subjects who have migrated here from parts of what was the Commonwealth and who can hardly speak any English. They rely on their family to translate for them. It seems to me that such people must be very isolated, though they probably don't feel it too much, since all they need and desire is to be living with their families. Not so many years ago, I stayed in a village in the Lleyn peninsula in North Wales. Most of the people there COULD speak English but it was not their first language and it was clear that they had to think (translate) when they spoke in English. Fortunately for them, Wales has two official languages and, if they needed to conduct official business, they would be able to do so in either Welsh or English, as they desired. I know that there are many States in the US where it is very difficult to get a job in some fields unless you speak both Spanish and English and there are many communities of different nationalities (but still, somehow, American citizens) where the common language is not English and whose members need an interpreter if they are to do something complex like contest a legal ruling. The fact is that many people can understand English very well and may also speak it enough to carry on a conversation but when it comes to dealing with complex issues, they are more comfortable using an interpreter and have a perfect right (under your Constitution, I believe) to ask for one. Some people NEVER attempt to assimilate to the country they live in simply because they don't see the need to do so. Their families and their communities will support them in dealing with the 'outside world'. Are you denying their right to American citizenship on a mere accident of whether they understand and can communicate in your very specialised brand of 'legal English'?

I think it is shocking to think that an immigrant after 23 years living in this country does not feel "comfortable" speaking the language of his country. When I lived in Germany and France I made every effort to speak the language of the country. I think it is insulting not to speak the language of the country you are living in.

My grandparents on my moms side spoke fluent German until my mother, the oldest of seven, started school. The teacher said it would be beneficial to encourage English at home because that was the primary language in the United States. They were still not speaking fluent English when their children were having children. My point being some learn languages faster than others. As the evolution of man continues so will the language requirements of the world. In the end commerce will dictate what we will do and when we do it. Money wins!

From what I understand, English is one of the hardest languages to learn. I know that they're are in some cases many ways to spell words that are spoken the same ways. Also, there are different meaning for some words. I know that if I was not born here in America, I would have a hard time learning it.

1988, and still in need of an interpreter? That's absolutely unbelievable. Even if one is relatively new to the country, which he clearly is not, they should learn the language before getting involved in politics. A thick accent is OK, just as long as they can be understood.

I did not record the time taken to master this foreign language. I learn English language from scratch, a few hours a week from my school text books with a local teacher who can hardly pronounce the English words properly. Luckily I am quite a linguist and was able to master this language without problems. There is no excuse for anyone not being able to master this language when they are in the country of the native speakers.

That's a tricky one for the USA. You use English as your principal language but you have no legally defined national language. Therefore why should he have to learn to speak English? Even if his choice not to hampers him in daily life. I would have little confidence in his ability to represent me if he can't manage a fluency in the most widely used language in the US. Equally I find the Senator's comments offensive and xenophobic. The Court provided an intepreter, that should be good enough.

English is an international language. If given enough time, it can be learned easily. Graders in our place can already speak English, if not very well at least it can be understood.

Hi Laglen, Its quite true. Though I would say English is not so tough to learn, but some people find it difficult when they have mother tongue of different language. And they feel it more comfortable in addressing in mother languages.