Ariel Dorfman “If only we all spoke two languages” reaction

Dorfman's article about bilingualism really interested me. I always wondered why people in other countries called America a "mixing pot" when we focus on one language, English. To live up to the title of "mixing pot" I feel that it should be mandatory for people in America to learn a second language of their choice. I mean it isn't fair for other countries to learn our language if we can't do the same. As Dorfman wrote this argument, I felt that she was very on point with his feelings about America's school system rejecting bilingual education. She referred to America as a "stubborn monolingual country" I totally agree with him. In my opinion, the more languages you learn equals numerous opportunities knocking on your door, cultural diversity, and self-gratification. I can relate Dorfamn when she was a child sick in the isolation ward of a Manhattan hospital. She was shocked that the doctors and nurses only spoke to her in English and from that point on, she didn't speak Spanish for the next ten years. When I just entered in high school, I was kind of apprehensive about the deaf people there and I was asking myself, "Are they going to hate me because I don't sign? Would they accept me?" After that first day of being immersed in the deaf world, I loved it. I even caught myself signing to my parents at home numerous times. I loved everything about sign language how different movements, emotions, and your fingers are used to create a story. Now, looking at myself I can call myself a bilingual American since I do know how to sign and talk. Learning a second language is challenging but it's worth it. The feeling you get when you push yourself to learn something new is amazing. In the process of learning a new language, you'll learn more things about yourself, relate to another individual's culture and their way of life.