I keep reading answers from people regarding immigration, English as a proposed official language, and other topics where they say that speaking a language other than English in public is rude. Why do they think this is the case? It's one thing to say that not knowing how to speak English at all if you're in immigrant (or perhaps even a tourist) is problematic. It's a completely different thing to say that people shouldn't speak their native language in front of others.
If you're one of those who thinks it's rude, ponder this situation first before you respond to the other: How many languages do you speak? Do you ever travel? If so, what language do you speak when you're in public overseas? Even if you speak French fluently and use it to order food, purchase tickets, etc..., don't you speak English when you're talking to other Americans, even when in France? If you do, then by your very own rules, you're being rude. Sounds kind of stupid if you look at it that way, doesn't it?
2006-06-11
04:18:47
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28 answers
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asked by
magistra_linguae
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in
Languages