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Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 18:34:53 -0500 (EST)
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From: james phillips <jphilip@tenet.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4277] migrants/international/migrants
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40% of the migrants and 40% of the seasonal framworkers of
Texas live right here in this county, Hidalgo county. That's about
65,000 of 160,000 students in public schools in three counties.
There's migrants passing through here from Mexico. They're
not running across the border in large groups like the news media shows
the same footage all the time. And, passing through Mexico are the
international migrants from Central America. Also, there are the ones
from Asia, eastern Europe, and other locations being smuggled by
'coyotes.' Some who tried to swim across the river were from Bulgaria
and most had Phds. Before the rest of the country sees these different
groups we usually see them first. For example, at the health clinics.
Our ancestors came by ship and landed at Ellis Island. Many
now get here by walking across the northern Mexico desert. Some get
caught by the 'migra'. Others by the 'coyotes'. Those from Mexico
probably didn't get any education in Mexico. They themselves might even
think 'pa' or 'pos' are real words. Translators from other areas of the
USA not familiar with their speech can't transcribe them, much less
translate what they say. An example is the word 'pared' where someone
switches the 'd' and 'r' around and say 'pader'. Or, use archaic
Spanish like 'ansina'. And, many will use Mexican Indian Spanish. Some
words are 'guajolote', 'papalote', chapulin', 'zempasuchil'. They will
also use the expressions and words found in the web page 'el
consultorio' @ http://www.stcc.cc.tx.us/library/guides/elconsultorio.htm
The demographics of Mexico has changed a lot the past tweny
years. Many have come up from the interior thinking they might get a
job with a NAFTA company. An ol' friend, a retired college Spanish
teacher, goes to the NAFTA companies in Reynosa to teach the Mexican
workers English and the American management Spanish.
Those uneducated in Spanish and can't a job with a NAFTA
company are probably in your area right now. They can't learn English
effectively if they're looking for a job. And, these places in some
states that hire them for about three months before the next arrivals
come to take their places. The management can't speak Spanish. The
workers don't know English.
And, those in Mexico who are getting educated and have a job
are learning English. Some learn in school. Others use Ingles sin
Barreras, Harmon Hall, and Disney. When they shop here they can make
inquiries in Spanish or English. And, often they are the
representatives of their companies sent to work at branches in the USA.
Many who are here have to go to the hospital or clinic or
emergency rooms before they've mastered English. The can't express
themselves in English. No one in the hospital understands them or
understands them enough to help. They might be speaking a variety of
Spanish that is difficult even for other Spanish speakers to
understand. Or, they can follow what is being said. They just don't
understand the vocabulary being used. I think folks here don't always
understand that. Not all Spanish speakers can understand what other
Spanish speakers are saying. It's either a different sound or
different words and expressions or both.
James Phillips, MLS
Librarian
South Texas Community College
Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health Center
1101 East Vermont
McAllen, Texas 78501
956-683-3121
956-683-3190 (fax)
www.stcc.cc.tx.us
www.stcc.cc.tx.us/nah
phillips@stcc.cc.tx.us
jphilip@tenet.edu
se habla español
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