Am I racist.................?

Question

I love learning other languages and about the cultures behind them. I learned French when I was in High School and got hooked. I then took Latin in college and am currently trying to learn Italian and Japanese on my own for the fun of it.

But I refuse to learn Spanish. I am protesting this language because I live in California and everywhere they want you to learn Spanish. This is America the only language I should HAVE TO learn is English. I go to stores and need to ask someone a question and they look at me like they have no idea what I'm saying because they don't speak English. My friend had a similar experience at Walmart.

I think if you come to this country the least you can do is learn the language. When I went to Paris, people were nice to you if you at least tried to speak their language, but for those who didn't they were completely mean. And I can't blame them for that because they have pride in the language of their country. Why shouldn't Americans.

So, Am I racist

My friend is Mexican and when they came here legally, they learned English and she even thinks those who don't want to learn the language or at least try shouldn't be here

For those saying I'm close minded. If they try I agree, its fine. but there's a lot who don't try. If I ask someone "Where's the bathroom at the store they work at, and they just stare and then smile. That's not trying. I know how to say Where's the bathroom in several different languages. Why can't they learn simple phrases to get by?"

To PFG: who say's I'm an elitist because I like to learn other languages for the fun of it. The fun of it is learning about other culture and being able to communicate better, did you not read the first sentence. I one day want to go to other languages and it would be fun to be able to understand what people are saying to me.

To Sexy 1: Part of my family is Native American and the other part of my ancestors were slaves. They didn't come here and kill the Indians, they were forced here against the will while they're country was being taken away. And did you not see the black avatar. DUH!

Answer 1

Absolutely NOT.

I, like you, live in CA.

Whenever I've visited or lived in another country, I have either learned the language, or attempted to learn the language. It's the polite thing to do. Most host countries will find it flattering and worldly of you to make an attempt.

However, California is a little bass-ackwards in this respect. The pushovers here expect that everyone has the right to communicate in their own language and that the rest of us must cater to their inabilities or unwillingness to learn English - the language of their host country (either legally or illegally).

While English is not the OFFICIALLY-OFFICIAL language of the U.S., it is the most widely spoken and is the primary means of communicating.

Have you noticed what stores in CA and NV are doing? The aisles are marked in English and Mexican. Why are they not marked in Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, German, or any other language. Do those other people not deserve to know where the shoes are located?

That's just my two cents worth. Maybe it makes me a racist like you. Then again, more than likely we're not - and we are sensitive to the Facist Liberalism that is kotowing to the needs of a few who are unwilling to participate and interface with the people in the primary tongue of the country in which they are living.

Answer 2

You may not be racist, but you are pretty dumb. Why on earth would you boycot learning the language that would be most beneficial and relevant to you? Especially if you love learning other languages. Don't be pigheaded. Broaden your horizons.

On a side note: I find it very interesting that the majority of the people arguing that you are doing the right thing and preaching English as the only American language, could use an English lesson themselves. Look at their terrible spelling and grammar! The only people answering who seem to have an adult grasp on the English language are the ones that support furthering knowledge and broadening horizons. Could it be because they actually practice what they preach? Here's lesson 1: "You're" is the correct contraction for "You are", not "Your". Lesson 2 is for Karen and I.Am.The.Storm: "Mexican" is not a language.

Answer 3

People need to learn the language, but it takes awhile to learn a new language. Think about how long it takes you to learn a language. While they are learning English, it would be a nice gesture, if someone could help them by speaking their language if they know it.

If someone has been in the USA a long time without making an effort to learn English, than I would have a problem with that.

I would say err on the side of charity.

Answer 4

You obviously don't HAVE TO learn Spanish. It is pretty stupid, however, to refuse to learn a language that could be very useful to you. Did you know that most europeans speak more than one language? Why do you feel that learning Spanish is disrespectful to your country? Also, you say you live in CA. Do you even realise that Californians have been speaking Spanish longer than they have been speaking English? Spain settled in what is now CA in the 1500s. So maybe you can have pride in your California heritage and get with it a little.

Answer 5

I certainly think it is very impolite for them not to try and speak english, it is after all the official language of the U.S. many people come here from different countries and learn english (even foreign exchange students) so why should a spanish/mexican speaker be an exception to this rule? It makes no sence to me either. No you are not racist, I know a few mexican- americans who would agree with you.

Answer 6

You are no a racist just because you refuse to learn a certain language. In your part of the country, it might be nice to learn some spanish, but it's your choice,you have the right to decide on your own. I'm sure you might know a few words, but you don't have to learn the whole thing or any language as far as that goes.We have rights & freedoms, practice them if you need to.

Answer 7

I dont think that you are racist, just by not wanting to speak the language! If you were racist you wouldnt have a Mexican friend, so no you probably arent. But..you are the only person that can tell if you are truely racist or not!

Spanish speaking people come to America to work, and hardly ever do anything but work and speak only to other spanish speaking people. They are not able to go to school to learn other languages like you are, and they are hardly exposed to it! But I do know alot of spanish speaking people that come into my dads restuarant and attempt to order in english..even though we know what they want, just by bits and pieces of the word..

Answer 8

It is stupid on your part to have such a nack for languages and yet try NOT to learn Spanish. You acknowledge that it is needed for people to learn English in this country, but fail to acknowledge that it may be needed for you to learn Spanish in California. Even if it is not needed, it will help you get a better job, understand people of spanish-speaking cultures, and help keep you in the loop. It is your decision, and not learning the language in itself is not racist, it IS racist if the reason that you arent learning Spanish is because you dont like spanish-speaking people or think you are superior to them.

Answer 9

Doesn't sound racist to me, stubborn yes, but I do agree with your ideology. Our country is enabling hispanic culture to not HAVE to learn the language here, and I'm not sure but I think that US doesn't have an "official" language. At the formation of our country there were a lot of languages spoken here, I wonder how they got on then.

Answer 10

You may well be a racist, but what comes blaring out to me here is that you are most certainly an elitist. You say you want to learn other languages for "the fun of it" but you have no interest in learning languages to broaden your communicative options, unless the communication is in a context of privilege.