Why are americans so against trying to learn spanish or another language?
This just makes me mad. I visited South America and all there movies and television were in english, most kids new a pretty good amount of English from school. and they didnt complain. but americans, there like "why should i learn another language. Im from the United States of America bitch! we dont need to have another language!" People from other countries are willing to embrace another countries culture and langauge but people from the U.S are to cocky or lazy to. This is why people hate us, we all think we are to good for everyone else.
Thank u for all the people who politely argued against me. I appreciated it, But all u people who freaked the fuck out get a life. I love america I was not trying to offened anyone. I was just saying that most of the americans I know are so ignorant and hate any foreigners who speak another language. i didnt mean to make it seem like all. Some of y'all are racist not everyone who comes here is illegal and THEAmericanPatriot i kno 3 languages, its not like i was trying to type all perfectly on a freakin Yahoo answers shit board.
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Filed under: Spanish Lessons
I don’t think all Americans are that way. A lot of them want to learn new languages, it’s just that the official language of the U.S. is English, therefore if you live here you should speak it. That’s the same with other countries as well. If I went to Mexico to live I should learn Spanish.
Generalization is just stupid.
You are correct. Not all Americans believe that though, I’m sure you are proof of that.
speak English or get the fuck out!
Because having two languages here will cause chaos, and it would be far simpler for the illegal immigrants to learn English than force us to learn spanish.
I go to foreign countries I try to learn the language.
Not all Americans are that stupid. The time I think we shouldn’t have to is when they come to America and expect us to learn it.
So how come most Latinos don’t know Portugese?
HECK I live in miami, its either you know spanish or if you dont you wont get a job.
they r lazy thats y..or they dont have prober education cuz noones taking the class in skool and so the teachers r getting laid off of work
I am an American & speak German and French… bits of other languages
Americans are just lazy!! We expect everyone to speak English …we aren’t even courteous when visiting another country.
Most of us anyway LOL
I don’t need to learn another language because I already know 3.
Well, I’m American and I don’t think that. Neither do the people around me. But yes, some arrogant people do think like that. Which is their own loss, really.
i’m american and i’m taking spanish next year,
i like learning another language. but i do have
to argue the point that in florida there is a lot of
spanish. they can learn english if they want to
come here and work &stuff. I’m just trying to make
a point. We help out.. almost everything I see has spanish
on it too.
Those are the "Original Americans" that practically loved slavery and the sorts. I don’t think they would consider siding any time now.
What can you do…. Oh well but unlike me. I’m always up for learning a new language or culture. Currently taking spanish and later on am looking forward to taking a Japanese class.
And yes I in fact am from another country XDDDD.
we are the melting pot of america. We have so many different languages here (which is interesting) but learning one makes no differance if you are not going to use it. My family came from poland. Last I checked, speaking polish really did not help anything I do on a daily basis. I find english suits me fine. Also, My Polish grandparents were so proud to be here in America they forbid their children from speaking Polish, they wanted them to speak English…Americas Language so people would know we were american.
I don’t know, but I think we should teach a foriegn language in elementary school like most other countries do. You go to Europe and almost everyone, rich or poor, speaks at least two or three languages.
I went to Europe last month and visited eight countries. I noticed the exact same thing. I felt very ignorant. It made me come home with a goal to learn another language. I think part of the problem is that we have to travel so far to get to another country. Were over in Europe their countries are like our states here. Any ways, it sure opened my eyes. We stayed with friends in Belgium. The gentleman spoke four languages and she seven.
While I agree that English should be the national laungage and that you shouldn’t need to learn Spanish or anther launguage to get a job, I also think Americans are very arrogant about other people needing to learn our language.
because they think it is unamerican to learn spanish. they assume that it’s because of the immigration from mexico, and to them that just ain’t right. they also apparently believe that children should be ignorant of the rest of the world (anything outside of america, basically) and that if they choose to go to a spanish speaking country, or any foreign country they will be catered to because they are americans dammit! haha ridiculous, huh? what has this country come to?
it has nothing with being lazy or cocky, but English is the official language of the United States. people feel that they shouldn’t have to learn other languages to accommodate other races/culture. and they are right. if i was to move to another country, they wouldn’t change their language because i didn’t know the language. and you say that people from other countries know the English from school? then what is the problem? shouldn’t they know it?
i take spanish, and i like knowing another language. but it should be a choice not an enforcement.
i know..its ridiculous. people from other countries know that when looking for a job…it is a major plus to speak english. as for people who already speak english..it is a plus to speak spanish….i think we SHOULD embrace other cultures. i have been in other countries and cultures and i definitly see a difference in people from certain places. some people are very standoff ish about learning about other cultures…EVEN OTHER CULTURES THAT EXIST IN THE US… i think its ridiculous.
because it is at the point now that many jobs are being taken away from AMERICANS if they cant speak spanish. That is not fair, if you are coming to live in america you need to learn English. Americans have to work 40-50 hours a week and take care of their children. It leaves little time to learn another language
They are not need another language forever.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It’s not that we don’t want to learn another language, alot of us have and do. BUT, the difference is that we don’t want to be FORCED to learn a language just becuz we have immigrants that DON’T want to learn ours.
If you want to live here, peacefully, it’s better if you know the language. Communication is always key to successful relationships.
And Americans, when traveling, are wiser to learn the language of the land they’re visiting.
I have to disagree with you at the risk of sounding mean.
I would personally have no problem learning a new language because I WANTED to. But i think the problem with Americans is that we almost feel forced to now. Where I live in Florida, its hard to find jobs at a lot of places if you dont know Spanish. Im sorry but considering English is the first language in this country I think it should be mandatory to know it!!! Again, Im only speaking about where I live. But here there is a large population of Hispanics, which I have absolutely no problem with. But a large majority have been in the country for several years and dont know a lick of English. SO I ask, who is it thats lazy?
I’m American and I’m fluent in Spanish
I speak three languages in addition to English, none of them are Spanish. First, I have no desire (or reason) to learn Spanish. Secondly, the city in which I live has been inundated with illegal immigrants which speak Spanish. Guess what, many of THEM refuse to learn a second language and want me to speak to them in Spanish. Sorry, they came here. Let them learn OUR language, English.
You really shouldn’t generalize – I speak three languages fluently and am working on learning a fourth. I don’t think that Americans are adverse to learning different languages, specifically Spanish. I think Americans are adverse to the idea the we should HAVE to learn another language to accommadate immigrants.
Americans haven’t, historically, be less likely to speak a language other than English solely because we are cocky or lazy. We are isolated and outside of the southwest states didn’t have many dealings with non-English speaking people. There was simply no need. Even now in 2008 the vast majority of the American public has never been outside of the country – doesn’t even have a passport. A person who lives in Switzerland where they speak Italian, French and German has a far greater need to be bilingual.
P.S. The idea that Americans routinely travel abroad and don’t even bother to try to learn the language of the country that they’re visiting is a myth. The hospitality industry just released a study and in the category of attempts at native languages, Americans scored quite high…far higher than the French who are, according to the study, the worst tourist on Earth.
There are many Americans is Germany and I don’t see a coalition going on there stating Germans should learn English. People should always respect the host country and their beliefs. And don’t forget America is a free country so if someone doesn’t agree with Americas ways or policies they are free to leave.
That’s a whole lot of judgment from a person who really doesn’t know what he/she is talking about. Sure, some Americans are very arrogant and don’t feel the need to learn another language. However, most Americans aren’t -exposed- to people who speak other languages either. It is -incredibly- difficult to learn another language when all you hear, see or read is English.
Also, just because you learn a language does NOT mean you ‘embrace’ a culture. You just can speak to those people, you aren’t practicing their ways.
When it is necessary to speak other languages to function in this country, people will learn. But being resistant to change is NOT a unique American quality. I bet when you were in South America they spoke English but they also practiced their own customs. I bet if YOU had told them their customs and culture were wrong, those same English speaking people would have been offended by you…even if you said it in Spanish.
I visited Japan, many there speak English too. I don’t know much Japanese and I also do NOT think I’m too good for them.
Im from Australia, and I dont think that Americans should have to learn Spanish if they dont want to, I thought America was about freedom of speech and rights.
If I was told that I had to learn another language purely because there was a minority involved I would refuse, its about your roots and your traditions.
I think that if you move to another country, by rights you should learn THEIR language, not the other way around. My ancestors did it, my partners ancestors did it, why should it be changed now? If I moved to a European country or a spanish speaking country, I would learn their language out of respect for their countries traditions, I wouldnt expect people to learn my language if they already have their own, thats ridiculous.
It’s not about thinking you are too good, its about being pushed into something that you dont want to do. Foreign languages are taught at school, and people that are passionate or have the same opinion as you will learn another language, but that doesnt mean it has to be a compulsory subject for everyone else.
And if you think Americans are being ignorant with not wanting to learn Spanish, go to Europe, specifically Italy, no one speaks any other language except Italian in most cases. I wouldnt expect them to change, that is part of their culture and what makes it rich.
The problem that I have with another language is this: ENGLISH is the spoken language in the United States of America. If people want to enter and work here, they should be required to learn our language. If I was going to visit or live in another country that had a different language than English, I would try to learn enough to be understood. If I was going to live in their country I would learn their language. If Hispanics are going to live here and work here they should learn our language!!!!!!!!!
If I were going to visit another country I would prepare myself by trying to learn their language and culture-especially if I were moving there. I Do have a problem with everyone thinking we need to speak all the other languages here in the U.S. – If you want us to learn another language which one do we pick to start teaching kids as soon as they start school – Italian, French, German, Russian, Spanish,Dutch – which one do you think will make everyone stop hating us ? None
I’m not sure how it is where you live, but a foreign language is mandatory in all of our junior and high school programs. That has been the rule since I attended school here, many years ago. I don’t know that Americans are opposed to learning another language, but rather, perhaps feel that it’s best that all Americans have a good, working knowledge of English so that we can communicate among ourselves. Any other language that is spoken in the privacy of one’s home or in the company of one’s family and friends is totally permissable, as this is, after all, a free country. The problem lies in miscommunication that can occur if we aren’t able to understand and speak to each other. I think the reason why some may not like Americans is as varied as there are people in the world – sometimes it may be jealousy of our collective riches, sometimes it may be due to our political policies, or envy of our freedom. Also, the US is the most caring, generous, and helpful nation in the world proven by the amount of money we send outside in the form of aid. We are not perfect, but as a whole, we are good people.
I refuse to learn "spanish"… If I were going to Spain I would brush up on it… I have been there several times years ago… some very nice and friendly and good people… I did not know but a phrase or two of the language yet I was treated very well… would love to go back… but
I will not EVER give in to the invasion from the south… those people are not trying to "immigrate" to become Americans… they are invaiding to take over this country… there is absolutely no reason for any one seeking "citizenship" to not be REQUIRED to speak American english… and to be able to read it well enough to pass a driving test without an interpretor…and to read a Balot IN ENGLISH… the invasion from the south is a deliberate attemt to destroy the United States… I have been in every country on the Mediterainian except the former communist ones… and in every one they sought to preserve their own language and culture… why is The US and now the EU and UK, being threatened with extiction and forced to adopt the language and customs of the poorest and most backward of cultures…
STOP ALL IMMIGRATION NOW!
Throw out ALL ILLEGALS regardless of where they came from… regardless of age, gender, or wny "relatives who might have some how gotten here legaly…. EVER ILLEGAL OUT NOW…….NO EXCEPTIONS….. CLOSE the southern boarder and severily restrict the Northern… at least untill, or if ever, the Canadians realize they too are being destroyed and stop their runaway immigration problem…
Your questions and remarks are totally flawed.
For one, as tourists we are not ranked at the top for the biggest a-holes. I read a recent study, French fell first as the most annoying tourist/traveller.
And further more, I am an American and having been around Americans and talking to Americans, we do like learning other languages. Most of my friends like learning other languages. The people i work with like learning languages. Etc Etc.
The point of Americans wanting people to speak English is when THEY COME INTO THE US. Completely different. If we go to China we are nothing thinking everyone should speak English let alone we are accustom to at least having a way to understand the language in another country.
If a person from a foreign country comes into America speaking whatever other language, the Americans are simply saying your in America where the language is English, your not going to be so fortunate to always walk into a place where its not English. It makes perfect COMMON SENSE. If anyone not even Americans if ANYONE is going to visit another country they should know the basics of the language and or keep a small dictionary or book so they can find the words they need to speak.
Hmmm… to tell you the truth I don’t know. People in Europe know more than 2 or sometimes three more languages than us. Actually, any where else in the world everyone knows more than 2 or 3 languages. It is a must. I myself know Eng, Spanish, some French, some German and I’m learning Japanese. I love languages; I believe that my love for languages has enable me to break free from being a 1 language knowing American.
Other fellow Americans should embrace other languages and do away with the way of thinking of "I am American… I have special prividledges.. blah blah blah"
America should stop being so ignorant in this field.. especially the school systems. There should be more language classes in school, because I seriously didn’t like the same-o-same-o languages that were available at school: French or Spanish….
Anyways… America is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities… I don’t understand why people would get rid of their own identity to embrace that of typical Americans and learn english and teach their kids ‘only english’….. They are, in a way, dumbing themselves down, ne?
People in Europe are surrounded by different countries. We are bordered by two, and one of them speaks English. People in Europe would need to know at least 2 languages since the diversity of the area calls for it.
Also, that is the choice of the individual American, so I’m not sure who you’re speaking for, but please don’t put words in my mouth.
That is a generalization. Also, many. many legal and illegal Mexicans and other Central/South Americans come into the U.S. and refuse to learn English.
They expect us to provide multilingual signs and documents to accommodate them, but don’t have the respect to learn the language of the country in which they presume to make their fortune.
They send massive amounts of money out of the U.S., have their (excessive numbers of) children, and take advantage of our health care system and every benefit afforded by our society.
Usually, they have jobs that circumvent paying a fair share of taxes, yet expect full benefits without even having the decency to learn the predominant language in this country.
The "Ugly American" has become the "Ugly Hispanic"!
Where did you go in South America? That’s a BIG continent, and not all countries speak Spanish there.
It’s not that we’re AGAINST learning Spanish, but it’s being FORCED on us. "PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH" Give me a break! I’ve been in over 30 countries (some more than once) and I had to learn to speak THEIR languages. The French ‘pretended’ they couldn’t understand my French but in Tunisia and Mauritius I could be understood prefectly, and in several instances was given some additional words/phrases in French.
As for people hating the U.S., it ’s more of a JEALOUSY than hatred. We have freedoms and opportunities afforded us here in the U.S. that many countries wouldn’t DARE attempt.
If we are hated so much, why have so many people come to this country in the past 100 years (like my grandparents/parents/aunt/uncles from Finland)…many have died and are STILL dying trying to get here. They come legally and even SNEAK into this country. How many Americans have you heard of trying to sneak into another country? Sneak into Mexico and you get caught and go to jail…and rot there.
Most people here don’t need another language because most don’t come into contact with folks speaking another language. I learned 8 languages in 20 years (plus 3 since then) and have forgotten most of all of them because I haven’t used them in over 23 years. In fact, I was on a project in Sicily 3 years ago and had to speak to some local Sicilian workers on base and found it easier to speak Italian to them. The supervisor I worked for got in my face and told me, "Quit showing off just because you speak Italian. Those guys speak English!" Yup, they understood English and looked at me and said a phrase in Italian that was not a loving comment about him.
By the way, how many languages do YOU know? One, and that doesn’t seem to be your strong suit
.
Your lack of knowledge of English is quite evident. Not just your spelling but also your grammar and punctuation.
The A in your ‘americans’ should be a capital A…Americans
"THERE movies" instead of THEIR movies
"NEW A PRETTY GOOD" instead of KNEW
"..but americans, THERE" instead of THEY’RE
"IM instead of I’M"
"COUNTRIES" instead of COUNTRY’S
"LANGAUGE" instead of LANGUAGE
"TO cocky instead" of TOO cocky
"TO good" instead of TOO good
So climb down from your pedestal before you fall off. When you can express yourself properly in English, come back and gripe about Americans.
Come on, how many languages DO you know?
hahaha usa need to get wit program big business in south america
Because people think America is all great and everything. I mean, I’m american but seriously we aren’t even as "free" as people think we are. Look, we’ve got an idiot as a president and people are too lazy and racist.
Not everyone is so opposed to learning languages. I’m going into high school and learning Japanese and French at the same time. I love learning new languages.
But people think that English is all they need because they will never need anything else. And when people bring up about the Mexicans coming over and bringing a lot of spanish to the south, they say they need to learn English. I have to say, that is a bit true but we need to learn spanish or whichever language too.
It may actually create a bit of peace.
But….
People are too dense to notice things like that when there’s money in front of them. -.-
Lol I dunno! But I cant understand too! I think everybody needs to know at least 2 languages! Im not from the USA and English isnt my native so I got to learn it plus I learn Russian and Spanish too!!! But i know that I cant do anything if I dont learn English!!!
I am an American and speak my countries language. My grandparents came from Italy and France. They had to learn English and never demanded Americans learn their language or give them special consideration. Noone ever said to dial 2 for French.I resent having Spanish shoved down my throat. My grandparents spoke their French and Italian at home, and spoke English at work or when out in the community. Spanish people should not get any extra consideration. We are discrimating against other nationalities by having to dial 2 for Spanish.
This is a America. Speak English or get out. Go back to where you came from and dont look back. Im tired of calling american based companys and have to press 1 for english. Its ridiculous. Bad enough instructions and products now have spanish as well. I work in customer support and we get calls from spanish speakers in miami who get pissed off when i tell them i dont speak. Spanish. How about this. This is America Bitch. Learn English or haul ass!!. GO USA
Im an American and im quite the opposite of this stereotype. Im in love with other cultures and i am the first to want to learn a new language. I believe that languages are the tickets to understanding another culture and its customs. I am intrigued by how many languages we have in the world and wish i knew all of them. Unfortunatelty since our language development halts significantly after puberty it is hard to further learn all the languages i wish to learn but even so i am determined to learn as many as i can. I am ony 17 so i am sure i have a long time to acquire many new language skills.