Why do people from English speaking countries think that all the rest of us should learn to speak English too?

Answer 1

English is the common language of international business, so that's the main reason.

Answer 2

It is the most used language in the Civilized World. At any rate, if you are residing in an English speaking country, you should speak the language as it will make life easier for you and others around you. If I am living in a non- English speaking country, I would expect to need to learn the language and would not expect people in that country to provide me materials in English. Part of this is just courtesy.

Answer 3

I understand your question and I am also angered by the arrogance of some people, but it's important to ask yourself what the alternative is. How is your question more valid than this one...

"Why do people from Non-English speaking countries think that all English speaking people should learn to speak their language."

Learning a new language is difficult for anyone regardless of which language you learn first. If you need to express your anger you get in touch with it first so you can clarify what really drives your rage. Maybe your question should have been...

"Why do I feel like I can't tolerate western ideas and culture?"

Answer 4

I don't think "the rest of" you should learn to speak English... But If I was in a non-English speaking country, It would be in my best interest to learn the language, since the people speak it, the street signs are written in it, and the products are identified in it.
People who come to an English-speaking country shouldn't expect any kind of special treatment if their own country wouldnt extend the same courtesy to English speaking people.

Answer 5

I have no idea. When I go to a foreign, non-English speaking country, I consider it rude to assume that everyone must speak English like I do. When in Rome, do as the Romans do and that goes with languages, too. If I'm in Italy, I'll try to learn a bit of Italian because not everyone speaks English. If I'm in Pakistan, I'll try to learn a bit of Urdu so that I can communicate. To believe that everyone should speak English just because you do is a sign of arrogance.

And the Chinese langauges are the most spoken of langauges in the world. Mandarin rules the world.

Answer 6

Who said that. If you are from a country and the native language is not english, then speak that language....in that country. If you are visiting an english speaking nation, there will be more tolerance. If your new you get some but less leaway. However, if you live in an eglish speaking country and have been here awhile then its time for you to learn how to communicate with us...not vice versa.

Answer 7

Not all people from English speaking countries think that way. But it is hard for those ignorants English-speaking people to realize that there are other languages that people speak in this world, and that people have all the rights not to speak English. Funny, I know.

Answer 8

Well it is great to know another language, and yes it's true that many people speak english in the world. Many Americans don't know that in other countries students learn not only their own language but also at least two more. Here you must learn a second language but you only need about two semesters of it, and most people in the U.S don't fully learn it, they just do it to pass the class. Knowledge of a second language opens many opportunities, not only in the U.S but also in other countries. I wish that when I went to school they pushed us more to learn other languages, and to actually speak them fluently.
So don't get mad at people from "English speaking countries" for making you learn the language, because in the long run YOU will benefit!
Good luck

Answer 9

Can you imagine English speakers learning every language they encounter to communicate? How many languages do you speak yourself? Do you know all of the hundreds of Bantu, Asian, European, etc., lauguages in the world?

If you wish to avoid speaking English in an English speaking country either don't go there, or stick to the people that are there from your place of origin who also don't speak the language. Many people do this; although I don't see the point in migrating if you don't want to participate in the culture.

The short answer is so they can communicate in a common language. Its simpler that the person who wants to communicate with the larger society learns to do so!

Answer 10

As an english speaking American, I don't expect other countries to learn english. I am not presumptuous enough to think I would go on vacation somewhere like Japan, and just expect everyone to cater to me and know english, I think that is wrong. I think many Americans don't expect other countries to learn english, its just that other countries are more advanced in languages- like in many countries it is common to know 2 or 3 languages and even learn at a young age. This has made Americans lazy, thinking we don't need to teach our children other languages because the world already conforms to us so much.

If people move to American though, and they don't learn any english, I find this to be very rude. If you are going to live here, you should at least learn moderate english...that's one of my pet peeves, the way we have everything here in spanish too and other languages when those people should have to learn to speak english!

Answer 11

Only if you move to an English speaking country should you be required to learn English.