I'm a non-Hispanic, English-speaking American who has a degree in Spanish with a minor in German. I also took four semesters of French in college. I always enjoy practicing speaking these languages with native speakers when I get the chance. Usually, other English-speaking Americans are impressed with my ability and smile when they see me do this, but unfortunately, some seem to be put off by it. Why?
2006-07-20 03:54:38 · 17 answers · asked by tangerine 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Actually, I most often encounter this situation when I am at work. I work as a cashier, and when I'm sometimes conversing with a customer in a foreign language, I'll occasionally see another customer or a co-worker glare, even though they're not a part of the conversation group.
2006-07-20 04:06:22 · update #1
I have a degree in Spanish as well and I've seen the same thing. Some people seem to think that people speaking any other language is a threat to their own. Many Americans especially are guilty of this. People in other countries are multilingual and it doesn't affect their patriotism. I'm not sure why, be we seem to want to close ourselves off. This isn't true of everyone, of course, but I have seen it.
2006-07-20 04:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by francesfarmer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly jealousy has nothing to do with it. Its probably people thinking you're being rude. I don't mean to offend you I'm just answering your question. If you are around people that speak english and you speak perfect english and so does the person you are speaking a foreign language with then there is no point in speaking anything but english. It's kind of like when you are little and your classmates or your brothers and sisters are all whispering to eachother. You don't know what they are saying and its annoying. They are foreign for a reason.
I hope this answered your question.
2006-07-20 14:45:34 · answer #2 · answered by K<3C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you that you are able to speak another language(s)
to my shame I only speak english
I appretiate you want to practice your gift, but, sometimes it is taken as though you are saying somthing behind the others back.
when I was out and about once there were two (older ladies) (maybe in their 40's) they spoke english, then all of a sudden they were speaking another language, it might have been Dutch, I don't think it was german, and they were both looking at me while they spoke, then they reverted to english. In that particular situation I felt that they were talking about me, on a subject that they did not want me to know about. It may have been quite innocent, but, do you get my point here?
it gives others the impression you have somthing to hide.
choose your locations with more care
2006-07-20 11:05:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's rude...Sh!t I do it all the time!!! =] people give looks because they think that you are hidding something that you dont kwant them to know about. you know damn well everybody is nosy!!! they can;t help it. They want to know what your talking about. so they look. If you were speaing english they can just look the other way and listend to your convo without starting.
And people wish they knew what they hell you were saying...or there are cases where people do understand what language you are speaking. And they think that it's horrible to their ears and think that you sound like a clown...But they dont have to say anything for you to know. You just know those things. If you are not fluent. I would advise you to practice it in your own privacy, in class or with friends. Like I speak Mandarin. But I really i like to speak it with my chinese friends when we are hanging out. but if we go to like a chinese restaurant, chinatown or something. People look when I'm there babling. So i stopped doing that. Because I know I have this heavy accent. yet understandable. but whatever when we are in a place where no speaks chinese. we speak chinese to the fullest.
And when I'm with my sisters out in public all we do is speak french. And get a lot of looks. But i could care less bcuz not many people speak it here. So we can talk all the **** we want.
good day!
2006-07-20 13:49:43 · answer #4 · answered by blah blah 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the situation. Are the ones that are being put off part of your 'group'? If that's the case, did you explain yourself before speaking? If they are not part of your 'group', its their problem and I wouldn't worry about it.
My wife was French Canadian and often, when I was with her family, they all started talking in French. It does makes one feel left out and somewhat insulted.
2006-07-20 11:02:15 · answer #5 · answered by williegod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sure you already know the answer to that and are just gleaming comments here, so this is my response,
When you speak a language in a group that not everyone is conversant in, how do they know you aren't talking about them?
Personally, I think it is rude.
2006-07-20 11:00:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably because they are jelous. But not everone's jelous. I know 3 languages and my friends want me to teach them a little of the other two languages.
2006-07-20 16:39:52 · answer #7 · answered by ¤DS¤ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jaleousy.
2006-07-21 00:08:05 · answer #8 · answered by Beauty_Queen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inferiority complex, ignorance, narrow minded
2006-07-21 18:48:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ling wo gandao huai yi.
2006-07-20 14:39:43 · answer #10 · answered by Mr. October 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋