Only About 20% of Americans Consider Themselves Bilingual or Able

question 49

Essay

Only about 20% of Americans consider themselves bilingual or able to hold a conversation in more than one language.Discuss the cultural reasons for why it may be difficult for a native English speaker to become fluent in another language in the United States.Discuss the cultural challenges in learning English as a second language for an immigrant to the United States.

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Definitions:

Start Codon

It is a specific sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that signals the start of protein synthesis.

AUG

A nucleotide sequence that serves as the start codon in mRNA, signaling the beginning of protein synthesis.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.

mRNA

Messenger RNA, a type of RNA that carries instructions from DNA for the synthesis of proteins.