Shouldn't Americans learn at least one other language?

Question

It bothers me that so many people in this country have no desire whatsoever to learn another language, and yet the rest of the world is pretty much required to speak English. Americans know this when they travel abroad, so they actually expect the rest of the world to accomodate them by speaking English. Isn't this wrong?

Answer 1

I think that we should at least learn Spanish and Sign Language.

Answer 2

I think it's a good idea for Americans to learn at least one foreign language. It's definitely a good thing to be able to speak a foreign language. It makes relations and communication with other countries easier and better. A lot of Americans think that English is always used in international relations, but it's not. Other languages are used a lot too, although knowledge of English is very widespread. But I guess they've just gotten used to not having to speak another language because others have adapted to them. I wonder if they even realize that when they don't put an effort into learning another language it means that someone else has to put an effort into learning theirs in order to be able to communicate with them.

I think it's ridiculous when native English speakers are abroad and complain if somebody there doesn't speak English. I've personally witnessed that several times, people complaining about the lack of English knowledge abroad and ridiculing the locals for not speaking English, which I think is rude and stupid. They can't expect the whole world to adapt to them, they should do more to be able to communicate with others. It's not always the others who should be making an effort.

Answer 3

I speak two languages and am working on my third. It embarrasses me when I go abroad, and I hear a fellow American complaining that people can’t speak English, or speak it poorly. I think when a person visits a foreign country it is disrespectful to shout in English very slowly, as if not speaking English is akin to stupidity. I'm sure the Americans that do this are the minority. However, it makes all Americans look bad, despite our efforts. Even if one doesn’t plan to travel outside their native home, I don’t see how learning another language can be harmful. In fact, I'm sure it would create new career opportunities, and open ones mind to a new culture or view point. I hope this was helpful.

Answer 4

I guess as long as you stay in English-speaking countries it's not wrong, just self-limiting. But going abroad and making no effort whatsoever to learn the local language is definitely rude.

The problem is that it takes a lot of work to learn a language. The standard two years is not enough to really learn it. I've taken two years of Spanish, practiced on my own for several months and spent two weeks in Mexico and I'm just starting to get to the point where I can carry on a conversation.

Answer 5

Several years ago, the General Assembly of the State of Illinois passed a law that required two years of foreign langage as a condition for graduation from a public high school. I am surprised that the requirement has not been established by other states. Learning another language, even a dead language such as Latin, helps a person understand English better and does a lot to expand a person's perspective on other cultures.

Answer 6

No - I am in no way beholden to learn another language.
Most American who travel abroad don't expect people in other countries to speak their language - regardless of what you think. If we are on a tour that was put together by our American Travel agency - sure we expect our tour guide to speak English - but we can't expect the average person to speak English.
We, in the US, however, are expected to have someone onsite to speak Spanish or we'll be sued by the ACLU.

Answer 7

i believe yes and no. Since america does so much buisness thruout the world with many other countries must know english to do buisness, but i do think that tourists sould try to learn a little bit of the culture and language before going to a different country. It doesnt have to be alot just the basics.

Answer 8

english is not the only language....... but we feel we can get away with it hence never try to learn new languages. Personally I think learning another language is great. and I have also read article about how learning more than one language helps in keeping memory loss at bay!
By the way I can read and speak 3 languages and write 2 of them fluently.

Answer 9

I used to have a pretty good working knowledge of French, but lost it due to lack of opportunity to use it. I think you are right. Europeans have a much easier opportunity to learn other languages due to the proximity of the different countries. So, we have Spanish to the South, and the country to the north speaks English.

Answer 10

Very wrong - and rude. Funny how WE expect illegal aliens to come into our country and "speak English". In fact, many think it should be a requirement for citizenship. But if we go to another country, we don't even make the effort to try and learn their language. Just another sign of Americans arrogance, hubris, and selfishness. -RKO-

Answer 11

I think so. I think we should learn other languages. I don't expect to be automatically accomodated when traveling to other countries. It's called respect for another culture. I've noticed though that alot who come here expect to be accomodated too. It's a two way street.