How did language highlight the differences between generations of immigrants?

Question

any idea

Answer 1

One problem that it caused was based on people sticking with their own language and not being willing to assimilate into a melting pot culture.  Learning English gave them all a common bond and the ability to communicate with each other.

I still see that where newly arrived Latino people don't learn English, it sometimes creates a rift between them and English speaking Americans.

Answer 2

If you can´t communicate you will not raise very high on the totem pole added to which the natural distaste that most  natives have for foreigners ensures that most low class first generation immigrants do not do very well.