Why don't people in the U.S learn a second language and stop whining?

Question

You people complain to much saying you hate it when people speak in another language you don't understand like spanish for example. Why you don't make it an obligation to be learn in school, and learn another language that is common in your country.

I can't believe a country full of diverse people only has English as an official language. In Europe many people know three language at leasts which is great because most of those countries are surrounded by other countries that speak other languages which is a great to gain more oportunities and be more cultural and smart. Props to them.

Also I was obligated to learn english in my school since kindergarten and my language is spanish. Why can't you people learn another language and be smarter and more cultural instead of pointing their fingers at other people.

Is easy to say excuses but not to make actions.

Is not my problem because I know english and understand it pretty well. It's you that whine too much. Learn the damn language if you can't understand what it says.

Answer 1

You have answered the question yourself. We are one huge continent larger than Europe who speak predominantly English. There are virtually no chances to practice a foreign language and English is the dominant economic language now internationally.

Maybe you need to tell the Swiss here to learn some languages. I live in the Swiss German speaking part of Switzerland now and most people see no need in learning any of their other national languages (French, Italian) or English. Any of these would be easier for me. Yet, Switzerland is about the size of Mississippi. 21 percent have only nine years of school and don't speak standard German either which would also be easier. Instead they speak a crude nasal dialect and I have no interest in speaking as "country" as they do.

I have never known many French or Germans to speak much English. Only the Scandinavians and Dutch are masters of the English language in Europe. So, I presume you are Latin American or went to a special international school.

We are supposed to be a melting pot and not a mosaic so everyone is supposed to learn English. This is why we had a free public school system before other countries.

We should be learning other languages but they need to be Chinese or Japanese perhaps. These are the future economic powers of the world. But, even they may choose English as their economic language. In Luxembourg, for instance, they speak a Germanic local dialect and French for business.

I am a fluent French/English bilingual and French has been virtually useless to me. I also have studied Danish, German, Spanish and Italian as well as some Arabic, Russian and Chinese.

Any knowledge of European languages is to read old classics, for historical purposes or mental exercise. These languages are of the past and not of the future.

And, I will note that most Americans who study foreign language are studying Spanish. So, there are efforts by Americas to accept Latin Americans. But, the economic language is English. Montreal Italians have long known this and prefer English over French. Obviously, your parents or school know this too or you would not speak English.

And, what Spanish should we learn? Catelan? Castellan? Mexican? Argentinian? Cuban? Or what?

Louisiana is teaching French in their schools but "which French" and why is a big issue.

Answer 2

EVERYONE, no matter how little or many languages they speak feel uncomfortable when a group is speaking in front of them when it's not in a language they understand. No one likes to feel disincluded amongst a group of people talking with them. I don't feel it's complaining, but more feeling inferior, not superior.

Although I do not agree with you that Americans complain, I do agree that Americans are spoiled and don't know it. I wish we were like other countries that require you to learn a new language at a young age that way all of "us" Americans don't have to go through hell trying to do it now that we're older. I live with people who speak 2-4 languages and it's beautiful and I wish I could. Unfortunately people in power do not feel it is as important as a lot of people to teach at a young age. And more than just teach. Our classes here are very bad. Memorize a word, take a test. Repeat.

Most people who speak more than one, have been learning since they were in preschool if not earlier, by my experience. Without parents that speak these languages, it's harder. I've seen SOME improvement. I've seen a lot of elem. schools teach in 2 languages. Kids have to say somethings in both languages before a teacher will respond.

I think American's want to learn another language, unfortunately we aren't given the greatest catalysts for that.

Answer 3

I think everybody must have the choice of learn what they want, so, I study English, because it likes me, the same with French, I find it amusing, but my husband don't like and he will never speak any language different from Spanish, of course, we live in Spain...

Your question may offend someone, it's like if I'd ask why the hell people don't study computering and stop whining everytime their computer have a problem...

In my opinion is interesting to have a knowledge about other languages, so if you travel abroad, is more probable that somebody understands you, but actually in most jobs in different countries you must speak English (overall if they are related to tourism), so, I think English speakers, don't have a real need to learn any other language...

It's my opinion :)

Answer 4

Americans are spoiled. We like our English language, and our measurement system as well (metric sucks-ha ha) Every country has only one official language, do they not? Why wouldn't ours be English?

Using English and our old measurement system, we became a major world power. So naturally, we are going to teach to our children those things that have made us successful.

Now, with the world growing smaller, other languages are starting to make their way into our elementary schools. You were probabaly too busy hating us to notice.

That being said, I do wish I could learn another language. And, I think we're a little behind the language curve. But I'm well out of school age, and it's not like I'm in Europe and can hop into the car and drive an hour to go immerse myself in another country's culture. That would be very cool. But it costs thousands of dollars to get to Europe, and I suspect my learn-a-language software just doesn't come close.

And think about it, the people that migrate here and don't speak English have a better opportunity to learn our language than we do theirs, because they are immersed in our culture, not vice versa.

You sound very uppity, just because you know more than one language...you're being just as close-minded as the Americans that you love to hate.

Answer 5

Since we are all citizens of the world, its helpful to know English, the language of business, industry,science, and medicine. In the southwestern United States a knowledge of Spanish is necessary. There have never been more language classes and schools teaching English and Spanish and thirdly, Mandarin Chinese. So glad you had the opportunity to learn at an early age. Note...the S in Spanish language is always captialized.

Answer 6

I am a part-Hispanic woman and I somewhat have to disagree with you. Although it IS an asset to know multiple languages (especially professionally) we ARE in the United States which has been designated an English speaking country. Yet we do continue to cater to others who come to this country and don't understand it. Instead of them at least TRYING to learn the country's language, they look for Americans to learn theirs. If I were to go live in another country, I would have the courtesy to learn THEIR language and not expect everyone to cater to me....after all, it was my choice to go there. And as far as schooling, as long as I can remember, we do offer electives in which a student can choose French, Spanish, German, etc if they'd like.

Answer 7

The United States has no professional language on the federal degree, however English is the de facto country wide language. This implies that English is probably the most spoken and authorized language within the US, however there's no professional language. I recall listening to approximately a legislation they had been looking to move making English the professional language, however I wager it failed.

Answer 8

I speak a second language, but I would never dream of going to a different country and asking them to speak English because I don't want to learn theirs. This is America...we speak English. And the reason so many Europeans know more than one language is because Europe is small, and they also have more opportunities earlier in life to learn them.

Answer 9

I agree that we should learn other languages. I think languages should be taught to school children at a very young age so they can learn it easier and quicker. But this is America. We don't have an official language. However, anyone that comes here knows that English is the primary language. If a person comes to live in my country why should I be expected to learn their language to accomodate them. I shouldn't be. They should be expected to learn English.

Answer 10

It would be helpful for all of us to learn a second or third language. I think why people complain about it is we are being told we have to learn Spanish to help people who are in this country illegally and not paying taxes, but rather who are sucking dry the free services paid for by legal citizens who DON'T get the free services. Also, if Europe and the "other Americas" are so full of "cultural and smart" people, it's a shame that they keep pouring into our ethnocentric country. Maybe they should just all stay home and take advantage of the multitude of opportunities in their own countries and leave us to wallow in our monolinguistic mire.