A barrier

The other day I was in W@l-M@rt, doing what I was hoping would be the last grocery trip of the year. The jury is still out on that one.

When I was in the baking isle I was surrounded by a rather large family, all speaking in Spanish. And then a little girl turned around and asked me a question in English.

I have no idea if the parent's could speak English or not, but my mind immediately jumped to the conclusion that they couldn't or were not comfortable enough to ask me the question. And I think I did this because when I was in high school I had a French-Canadian friend who spoke French at home, English at school, and sometimes did translation for her parents because it was easier.

My mind wandered and I wondered if the parents were trying to learn English or if they were unable to find the resources we need.

There are London English Schools in very many schools in London, teaching English courses in eleven different English London Schools. They offer social events and meet ups for practice and even have classes geared to take a London English course specifically for work or study.

If something like that were available in Chattanooga, I wonder if this family would be quick to sign up or even to get information. Is learning the language that important to them, or are they content to get by with their daughter translating for them?

I answered the little girl's question and moved on to get the salt, but I still felt like there was more I could have done for them. Or at least, been able to tell them where the cumin was because I looked and looked and heck if I could see it.