After reading Rochelle Kelz`s ”Habla espanol, Doctor?”, I find myself very annoyed. I agree with the need for second-language skills, but I believe her effort is misdirected. Instead of teaching hospital personnel Spanish to accommodate Hispanic patients, would it not be better for the Hispanic patients to learn a second language: English?
By accommodating Spanish speakers, a greater disservice to these people is being done. How many other doors are closed due to this language barrier? I do not wish to appear biased towards Spanish-speaking people. I recently went to Madrid for two months to learn Spanish. Needless to say, I can understand the frustrations and difficulties of learning a second language. But when in Spain ”se habla espanol” and when in the USA . . .
