Why is Spanish an option at the self-checkout counters in US?

Question

I'm a naturalized American citizen, but I speak Eglish, and the official language here is English. It seems to me like an insult to spanish speakers to say: Oh you're too stupid to learn how to pay for your stuff in english. It's not like they have to learn the whole freegin language.

Answer 1

Actually i would say that the reason Spanish is an option as self checkout counters is for business. By having spanish option, the vendor is telling its spanish speaking clientelle that they are welcomed because they make it easier to communicate and to shop by having their native language. Its all business, its not that they dont want people to learn it, its that they want more people, and by having a language that is very common they hope to get those people that dont go because of the language barrier. Thats it, they are trying to break the language barrier between them and the clientelle that speaks spanish, and have it difficult speaking spanish. And i dont find it as an insult that they have these spanish options at the self checkout counters, its actually good so that people can feel a bit more welcomed in these places and can feel capable, because, as you should know, not everyone is capable of learning the language, but at least they can pay for what they have. Even it angers some of you.

Answer 2

The reason Spanish is an option, is because the USA is a capitalist society. While it costs the companies a little more money to make things available in Spanish as well as English, they make even more money by appealing to a market that was otherwise unserved.

This has nothing to do with official languages or the intelligence of Spanish speaking people. It's all about the money.

Answer 3

we are becoming a two language nation, is that so frickin wrong? In some towns in Europe sales people have to qualify with 4 or 5 languages. I am a naturalized American and speak the language fluently but I see nothing wrong with adding Spanish or heaven forbid French or whatever. We can survive with a second language. Come on!

Answer 4

I don't think it is an insult at all. I believe it is actually a compliment that Engliish speaking citizens accept the Spanish-speaking citizens as a whole. There are many Spanish -speaking citizens who do speak english, but are more comfortable with their primary language, when it is possible for them to use it.

Answer 5

No, English is not the official language...yet. I'm bilingual and I don't see it as an insult. The stores are only after the business because no matter in what language people 'check-out' , they all pay in greenbacks. It really is that simple.

Answer 6

I thought it was a courtesy, not an insult. I figure the stores are just trying to reach out to all their customers. The more accomodating they can be, the more they will sell, hopefully.

Besides, english is way harder than spanish (soy bilingue) and not everyone can learn it quickly and easily. (and not everyone is naturalized, or even a citizen)

Answer 7

Because there are so many people who spend money who speak Spanish.

I support English as the recognized official language, but I don't think private business should be prevented from making things easy for their customers. If we go to a Mexican resort they speak English.

Answer 8

And what about the ones that are in the process of learning our language but still havent got all the wording and stuff right? Should they be excluded from buying groceries just because they didnt pick up the language in one or two days?

Answer 9

America doesn't have an official, language, and Spanish is so common in America

Answer 10

We don't yet have an official language, and we have so many people living in America now that do not yet know English or know it very poorly.