The Cultural Diversity - Essay Example

The view that migrants should be made to pass an English language proficiency test three years after arrival is racist, and insulting. Most of the countries in the world that allow immigration in their countries have a code that naturally accepts cultural diversity (Fearon, 2003). This cultural diversity promises prosperity in the country. The promise of prosperity can be traced to countries like the United States, Nigeria, South Africa and Brazil. These countries have embraced cultural diversity despite the problems that come along cultural diversity. Cultural diversity in country results in the prosperity of the country in different fields and categories. Cultural diversity often comes along with high rates of racism and prejudice. Asking immigrants to undergo an English proficiency test pushes the racism too far. The requirement that the migrants should undergo language proficiency tests within 3 years also undermines the work needed to be output in order to achieve this task. The language proficiency testing and learning process requires a person’s substantial investment in time and capital. This when compared to the hardships that new migrants have to go through in order to have a balanced life proves to be inhumane. The average immigrant needs to have an average of two jobs in order to balance between bills and food. The case becomes harder if the migrant has a family to support. This excuse of an English proficiency test can be compared to traditional systems of keeping the poor in check in order to avoid their dominance. This method of requiring an English proficiency test may prove dangerous since it can be easily interpreted as mockery. The requirement can be as strong as denying a place in the country of destination’s society. When a migrant passes the test, he or she has a weapon of resentment which may be unleashed when the said person achieves their dreams and ambitions. This resentment may be in the form of reverse bias whereby the person found it hard to cope with the society, he or she may reciprocate the same to the society. A traditional saying states that: “If you want to know a person’s true character, give him or her power”. This goes on to show that the migrants, who often move to other countries in an effort to achieve their dreams, may end up reciprocating their treatment. This reciprocation can happen when the individual accomplishes his or her dreams and ambitions and in a place of power (Diversity and cross-cultural issues, 2011). The biggest concern for locals in regard to migrants revolves around jobs. The locals always have the phobia for their jobs taken away or acquired before them. This phobia may exceptionally well explain the excuse for the requirement of an English proficiency test. The proficiency test seeks to undermine migrants from acquiring the desirable white collar jobs with the excuse that they cannot communicate efficiently professionally. This quid pro quo may not be favourable with the majority of the population who would prefer a security guarantee on acquiring jobs. The acceptance of only the English proficient may mean that the most desired jobs may end up with foreigners as locals compete for the blue collar jobs. In essence, if a government accepts the immigration of foreigners then it should do it without double standards (Diversity and cross-cultural issues, 2011). The need to pass English may not be thoroughly favourable because a country with cultural diversity has diversity in languages spoken. The target for an immigrant may not necessarily be speakers of the English language. For example, the US has a significant number of Spanish speaking immigrants from Mexico. This population of Latinos freely engages in the Spanish language. Additionally the population also has TV channels and radio stations that fully use the Spanish language. A Mexican immigrant who aspires to be a journalist in the Latino targeted media may be inconvenienced by the English proficiency test. This test may end up being useless and time wasting. Additionally, the test may create a substantial diversion of energy from seeking a job to passing the test in three years. The disregard to specific issues like this may lead to the reduction of popularity of a country as an immigration destination (Piller, 2012). The insistence of English as a superior language hence mandatory to learn gives the impression of a supremacist model. This image can be compared to the white supremacist model who believes that only a Caucasian can achieve the greatness of this world. This viewpoint has the capacity to offend many people who have faced victimisation in a similar fashion. The supremacist ideology can lead to many conflicts, which can have massive damage lines. Most of the countries with a significant cultural diversity have undergone considerable conflicts that have threatened to tear the countries apart (Fearon, 2003). An example of conflicts includes Nigeria, which has ongoing conflicts between the Muslims in the north and Christians in the South. The conflicts involve serious bomb attacks and arson. South Africa had an intensified antiapartheid era in the 80s and early 90s. USA has suffered a civil war and civil rights movement in the 60’s. It would be wiser to avoid any forms of conflicts along cultural bias since these conflicts have a history of being the worst (Fearon, 2003). The main reason for the call of an English proficiency test perhaps could be to allow understanding between the party and others. Fortunately we live in a time whereby technology has overtaken all aspects of life. Technology has also catered for language barriers. Translators whose use goes as far as the United Nation’s meetings can be of significant help in a situation like this. These can be used in places where understanding between different people has major significance. Interpretation can also be used where technology cannot be applied. When a non-English-speaking immigrant goes to an English speaking country, perhaps he or she has other priorities that do not require them to be proficient in the language (Diversity and cross-cultural issues, 2011). The test may also end up being disrespectful to immigrants from English speaking countries (Crikey, 2012). This will be a total waste of time and humiliating to the individuals. The necessity for the proficient test cannot have a valid argument in a situation like this. The test for individuals like these can be dismissed by the fact that not all citizens of the host country are literate or proficient in English. Demanding for the test may as well be backed up by testing all the citizens of the country for their proficiency in English. This may as well end up being a nationwide call for English proficiency among all the members (citizens and immigrants) of the country (Crikey, 2012). The question of whether someone has the proficiency in the English language should be left to hiring managers. These people can decide whether an immigrant’s English will or will not affect his or her firm. If the immigrant finds out that his or her language happens to be a significant barrier between him or her and getting a job then the immigrant will take the test willingly. The immigrant will take the test if he or she finds the necessity for it. Not all jobs require proficiency or have the need to talk hence the person can switch jobs. Some jobs like industrial based jobs do not require a person’s efficiency with a language hence can be an option. The pursuit of the job can go hand in hand with the learning of the English language. This freedom of choice to learn the language can be the best practice. This results from the fact that experience happens to be the best teacher hence the best way of learning. This method of learning may be chosen by many instead of the dictatorial method. The diversity of languages in a country may also have some advantages. Movies have roles which involve a person speaking in a foreign language. This method mostly seeks to imply that the character originates from a different country. This role can be best suited for foreigners especially those who aspire to be actors. This method of searching for jobs in film roles can be highly advantageous. People like this do not need to learn English since they may as well have interpreters who can inform them on everything they need to know. Acting has some of the best paying flicks in the world hence could be a promising feat for foreigners aspiring to be actors/actresses. This goes on to prove that the English proficiency test should be optional, and not something forced down someone’s throat. The test may prove to be useful in some instances and utterly useless in other situations. Either way taking the test should be a person’s choice and not due to forcing it on a person to take it (Bugajski, 2012). The test may be a necessity in interviews that need efficient public relations but not all situations. Even in the field of public relations, less embarrassing tests can be conducted. This can be done through interviews whereby the interviewers can decide whether or not the interviewee’s English meets the required standards. The taking of the test as a result of immigration and denial of immigration permission due to the same can only be an insult. This insult goes as far dubbing some as illiterate and all immigrants, not worth being in the country if they do not meet some standards. This evaluation of immigrants in such a manner can kill a country’s image by a large extent. The country should decide to either have immigrants or not instead of going as far as making people take tests. The row over the standards of immigration needed has lingered for a long time. In the USA, a huge debate about the Southern Mexico border has persisted for a long time now (Are immigration issues along the Mexican border a larger threat to homeland security than the threat posed by terrorists?). This may be as a result of the massive number of Latinos who cross the border every day. Issues raised in the line of debate range from drugs, insecurity posed and taking of jobs. This shows that an attitude that nears racism has developed due to the Southern border issue. This debate has also found its way to politics leading it to being a hot debate. While the issue of concern may seem valid (drugs), the main reason has a racist inclination. Most of the concern revolves around the over population of Mexicans in the country who have a higher tendency of taking advantage of the resources around them. This debate has led to drastic measures taken such as an effective electronic border that monitors the movement along the area (McFadyen, 2011). This has also led to the adaptation of the word illegal immigrants. This shows that issues concerning immigrants go deeper than proper English and may have bias tied to them. An instance whereby an immigrant does not need to learn the host country’s language can be illustrated by a wildlife photographer. The photographer can also widen his or her field to natural features. A company that employs the photographer to take photographs in another country may not necessarily need to learn the country’s language. The photographer can hire interpreters for communication purposes for the time he or she is in the country. Some of these jobs go on for decades and photographer may end up learning the language in due time. This. however, may not be necessary because his or her interaction with the natives may be limited due to his area of specialisation. It would be extremely insulting to demand the photographer to learn the language yet he or she does not need mastery of the same (The new immigration system & Multiculturalism, 2012). In conclusion, the issues pertaining to the English proficiency test should not be a necessity in migration cases. This quid pro quo status can lead to the dissatisfaction of immigrants and result them to be insulted. The test should be taken willingly by a person who seeks to improve their mastery of the language because he or she finds it necessary. The test should not be an excuse for denying people entries to a country because not everyone needs to master the language in order to achieve. As discussed success has many faces and not all require that someone be proficient in the language. Bibliography Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2010, 06 04). Retrieved 9 23, 2012, from Australia's Linguistic and Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Previousproducts/1301.0Feature%20Article32009%E2%80%9310?opendocument&tabname=Summary&prodno=1301.0&issue=2009%9610&num=&view=. Diversity and cross-cultural issues. (2011, June 3). Retrieved 9 23, 2012, from Peace Corps wiki: http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Diversity_and_cross-cultural_issues_in_Kenya. The new immigration system & Multiculturalism. (2012, July 28). Retrieved 9 23, 2012, from British Expats: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=766493. 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