How long would I survive in Mexico or any Latin American nation (not talking about tourist areas) if I decide?

Question

to immigrate there and could only or chose to only communicate in English or German (Costa Rica doesn't count because yes I AM aware they are basically bi-lingual because I actually have studied Latin America and been to a couple Latin American countries) because- lo siento, me habla muy poco Espanol. Just curious if anyone has any thoughts or any personal experiences on this. Would people from these other places learn my native tongue(s) because I feel it is my right to be able to use any language I feel like despite being in a nation which historically spoke another language? Could I expect everything needing to be communicated in these places to make sure it was also included in my language because it is more comfortable for me? Would people living in these places be considered racist and/or xenophobes for not trying to accomodate me, my language and/or my heritage? Do you think these things would happen or am I expecting a little to much?

Yep lots of "interesting" answers so far, some times it's fun to play devil's advocate. From people I know that have immigrated here from Latin American countries and vice versa, there is generally more tolerance/acceptance of those that speak languages other than Spanish (the language may not be written or included in instructions but people DO try their best to communicate). Funny, that the one responder mentioned "colonies" of American ex-pats that move abroad for economic reasons, weather, etc. and really don't know anything about the land they have moved to- kind of sad, actually that they don't want to integrate more into the place they have moved to; kind of similar to how I feel about people that immigrate to the US from various countries (not just Spanish speaking ones). I also think part of the difference in attitudes towards immigrants is that the numbers of Americans going to these foreign lands is much less than the number of people coming to immigrate into the US.

Answer 1

To be honest to you, many expats from the US do live in Mexico without knowing a single word of Spanish, and, even though that is definitively not the smartest strategy possible, they are able to live there and no, people from Mexico don't subject them to the hostility that aliens from Latin America that do not speak English are subjected to in the US. In my opinion, you would be able to survive, and people would help you even if you only communicated to them through sign language. While working as an engineer in Mexico City (from where I am), I actually had a couple of visitors from the US that were not able to utter a single word of Spanish and never showed any interest in learning any part of the language. They both worked for a while with me in the company I worked at during those times, and in both occasions, they both were very happy as to how people on the streets treated them, from the uneducated taco vendor in the corner to very well (graduate degree holders) educated people. In general, in my opinion, Latin Americans are far less xenophobic than the groups like the militia in the US that are completely closed to other cultures. I think you'd be fine without speaking Spanish, though you'd be missing a huge part of the experience of living in another country by not doing so.

Answer 2

Mexico as well as mostly of the latin countries are friendly and warm people, and starting a life in any place of the world, requires effort and good hearth! So dont play fulish games. respect people, dont be racist and try to integrate just as you would like them to do in your own country. That will even make people to be kind at you and help you.........you will then have the chance to learn a new culture and make new sincere friends............but that is up to you and how COOL you are.. one smile brings back a million!
good luck in your adventure!

Answer 3

Short answer: if an American goes to another country, even just to visit, not speaking the language, ignorant of the customs, and feeling smugly superior to the native born, he is the prototypical "Ugly American." When people come from other countries to the US illegally, not speaking the language, wanting us to observe their customs, and to change our laws to exempt them, and we fail to do so, we are "racists, unwilling to reach out to the undocumented." Go figure.

Answer 4

Well my dad lived in Argentina for a few years and he didnt speak a word of spanish when he got there. He was living in Buenos Aires, which is a big city, not exactly toursity though. Everyone was really helpful and he ended up learning some. I dont know, he loves it there and wants to move back. Where do you want to go?

Answer 5

There are many American colonies in Mexico and most Americans there don't bother to learn the language.

Answer 6

I agree with batteredwhiteknight. Your question is a great example of the hypocrisy that the illegals and their supporters are guilty of. Of course you wouldn´t be catered to in a Latin American nation as you are in the US, they couldn´t afford it! They can´t even afford to support their own people let alone foreigners!

Answer 7

Do you understand your own question? Is English really your native language? Because you don't communicate very well in it.
It would be nice if you could clear it up for us.

Answer 8

By judging your speech, 2 weeks

Answer 9

MEXICO doesn't ALLOW Illegals they deport them right away. No court date, No free health care, No jobs for Illegals, No Free education.

Answer 10

you can survive in latin america your whole life-time if you're strong enough...