I believe that Miami is a smaller representation of the entire American society. This is primarily due to two reasons: unity despite of cultural diversity, and having a shared or universal language. Now, this specific form of English used in Miami caters to all racial descents of Spanish origin, such as Puerto Ricans, Brazilians, Cubans and Valenzuelans, to name a few. This is Standard English, whereby regardless of racial origins, we, the ‘citizens’ of Miami become one in expressing our viewpoints or even in simpler everyday conversations.
Perhaps it would help to enlighten that Standard English is used “to ensure accuracy and clarity in communication” (Roy 39). This is indeed helpful considering the many racial variations that comprise the whole Miami populace, which can only function smoothly when using a single form of English. As such, given that I myself am a Miami ‘citizen’, I have seen firsthand how we can sometimes lack the necessary communication skills due to racial differences. This discrepancy is in no way an abnormal social reality, since even in other great cities as New York, cultural division has always been a constant hurdle towards attaining social harmony.
Examples of cultural identifying factors that contribute to social division are replete in Miami in accordance to an immigrant’s home town, such as in style, food, commerce, language and even in one’s accent or intonations. Perhaps these differences are also the bases why huge Brazilian populations tend to amass in Pompano Beach, Cubans in Coral Way, and Venezuelans in Weston and Doral, in that each of this racial minority opts to live within the confines that are similar with their own home town. Hence, in this manner we the ‘citizens’ of Miami still feel at home despite living in a far-away land of the United States of America.
Nevertheless, racial differences should never in any circumstance be a hindrance to achieving social accord in Miami. Sadly, I have witnessed quite often how lack of communications could affect the entire city. One of these times was when I passed 10 minutes inside a Subway franchise observing a typical American lady who spoke zero Spanish trying to explain to the Hispanic employee how she wanted her sandwich. That simply cannot happen! So, am I saying that we should fire everyone who does not speak English? Am I saying that whoever does not speak proper English is not good for working in Miami? No! I am basically saying that there must be a better way to establish communication, and this is where the benefit of using Standard English is best applicable.
Using Standard English is important even if it is “morphing in many ways, andis a moving target” (Gilsdorf 365). This is because Miami is comprised of perhaps too many racial variations that there is lack of communication and businesses are losing clients. As such, what is needed is for Miami to have a homogeneous Standard English that will suit with the diversity that is very common in the said locale, regardless of the original racial descent of a person. After all, despite of the differences in each racial group that comprises Miami, we all are still part of the United States and that all people included in this great nation ought to be able to speak what I call Standard English.
Works cited
Gilsdorf, Jeanette. “Standard Englishes and World Englishes: Living with a Polymorph Business Language.” The Journal of Business Communication 39.3 (2002): 364-378.Print.
Roy, Sumita. Mastering the Art of Business Communication. New Delhi, India: Sterling Paperbacks, 2008. Print.
