When traveling abroad, Why do Americans expect other people to speak English.?

Question

I have seen it many times on tv that when some Americans travel abroad they expect the locals to speak English. Although many of those locals are able to commuicate slightly, they are often called names sush as stupid and ignorant for not speaking English Fluently. Are they suppose to take English classes so they communicate with foriegners or is it the pther way around.

Answer 1

They are egocentric people...
People who speak three languages = Trilingual
People who speak two languages = bilingual
People who speak one language = Americans

Answer 2

Unfortunately, what you saw on TV is not fiction or something that should be put to doubt just because it was in the "telly" as a good many of the learned answers like to pretend. I've seen many Americans in France and other European countries who were quite surprised that the 'locals' don't speak English.
Many Americans would learn the language of a foreign country, but in most cases it's because they have to! If their business interests implies it, if they feel they must seem corteous to the host, if they'd be spending a long time in a foreign country, etc.. This is the average American, and not an academician, a politician, a journalist.
Admittedly, English is an international language. It's even used for communication between citizens of the same country if they're of different ethnicities like in India. But this does not answer the question here.

Answer 3

First of all, that is a loaded question. Not all Americans expect other people to speak English when travelling. The origin of America is the fact that we are made up of an abundant amount of races, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds. Many people speak more than one language, so sometimes it is not the case that WE travel without knowledge of other languages. Now, to address your question. There are many other languages in the world, for any one person to feel that they are not allowed to travel to another country because they don't "speak the language" is abusurd. However, as English is very international and most educational systems outside of the US teach English starting from grade school, we are very aware that people can speak English and therefore may ask them to do so in a time of need.

Now, to turn this question back to you, why are you denying that most people speak English? It is a very safe assumption to think that other countries speak English, as they do. When I travelled as a child, I've witnessed, on several occassions, multiple cultures that needed to communicate (A russian and an Italian). The common language they knew was not German (where we lived) but English..and that's how they communicated; which was awesome for me!


On learning things on TV: It is ok to pick up information from the telly, but to assert that "a whole group" will insult people for not speaking English, is ridiculous. It is, from this form of word of mouth, that Americans have a bad name when travelling. Trust me, if you have an American travelling at all, it is a good thing. Stop listening to what others have to say and just keep an open mind and enjoy people.

Signed,

An American that grew up in Holland and Germany, speaks German, but will travel to other countries without being fluent in their language.

Answer 4

Any nation of people who does a lot of traveling run into similar problem. In america there is not as much stress placed on learning a foreign language while growing up and that does not help. But when you are visiting an area where you have never learned the language learning a couple of phrases will only go so far. The ones that call the people that they are trying to talk with stupid and ignorant for not being fluent are just stupid and ignorant people and they can be found world-wide also.

Answer 5

Do not believe everything you see on TV. In America the education of a language does not start, for the most part, until 7th or 8 th grade. By this time we are older and thus making it harder to learn another language. Also the fact that we are not expected to use this language beyond the classroom provides a poor environment for learning and laguage and being able to remember it. Since most other countries are advanced in having to learn a language at a younfer age we assume it should be english because in all honesty americans are lazy. It takes hard work a dedication to proficiently learn and speak another language, I know because i was a german major.

Answer 6

Because they know no other languages.

To be honest I have seen many many people in other countries who do speak english.

Calling someone ignorant or stupid in their own country is well stupid and ignorant. Too many americans may just feel that their country is the greatest and all should speak the greatest language. It doesnt matter in 100 years it could likely be another language or group acting like this.

English is one of the key languages right now. Just as French was in the past. Its require for many airline jobs.

Answer 7

I think when one travels to another country, they should at least take the time beforehand to learn a few saying in the language of the country they're going to. (For example, not everything ends in 'o' in Spanish...) "Hello", "How are you?", "Can you tell me where_____ is?", and "Do you speak English? (in the country's language, of course)" are good. At the very least take along a traveler's language dictionary. Not every American is the ignorant stereotype you see on TV, but unfortunatly the media likes to show the ones that are...

Answer 8

Because most of us are arrogant enough to believe they should speak our language, not the other way around. Yet, some idiot restaurant owner in PA won't serve food to those who can't order in English.

Having lived in Europe (and visited Morocco) for some years, I was amazed at how many Europeans and Moroccans spoke English, as compared to the multitude of Americans who often mangle their own language.

The patients and kindness extended to me while I struggled with my host's language was so appreciated and I had to laugh with them when I really messed up.

Answer: Some Americans are arrogant!

Answer 9

What TV show have you been watching? Is it a scripted show? If so, you can't base what you see there on the real world. If it's the travel channel.... I'm gonna have to call BS.... they feature savvy travelers.

I would say there are some obnoxious people in any country that would like things to be their way no matter where they go... that honor is not soley American.

Answer 10

Actually, in the countries (Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Mexico, Caribbean) I've been in, most of the educated residents have learned English. The ones in smaller towns have learned it, but haven't practised enough to feel comfortable with it.

I never *expect* them to speak it, and I always learn some of the language of the country we are going to and make an attempt, but they usually enjoy speaking English back. Making the attempt is usually more than enough to make them happy. : )

Answer 11

I don't know but I think it would be the American's duty to learn some words and phrases from the other language because it is THEM that is traveling there. I think it should be like that for everyone traveling to a different country.