I live in South Texas.
I have a lot of friends who are of Mexican descent and many of them do converse in Spanish with each other. Some others practically refuse to speak in Spanish because they consider themselves American and consider English to be the language of the land.
Most of those who use Spanish are trying to ease communication and may not even be aware that they are slipping back and forth between languages. I have studied enough Spanish that I often know what they are saying.
I don't have an easy answer. For Hispanic or Latin people I would suggest the courtesy of at speaking English or at least stopping and translating for the benefit of non-Spanish speakers present.
My father spoke German before he spoke English. I never heard him speak it when I was growing up. My mother spoke Polish and English when she was little. She speaks practically no Polish now. Their parents were immigrants.
I don't think it's asking too much for people to avoid creating language barriers when they converse. We are all entitled to be comfortable in the company we keep.
2006-08-16 16:45:41
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answer #1
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answered by Warren D 7
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Either they are saying things that they do not want you to hear as when I attempt to speak Spanish with my Puerto Rican husband in front of my son. Or they forget. My husband as a way of doing that when he's around his family. Even if his father, for example, is speaking English because I'm there, my husband still speaks Spanish. I don't think he means it as a slight, I just think it's easier and he doesn't get to speak it much when it's just me, so he speaks it with his family when they're around. I had a good Mexican friend who wouldn't translate for me, either, because he insisted I knew more Spanish than I do. Maybe he was trying to teach me. If those last two aren't the case, then I suspect they are saying things they don't want you to know. They may be talking about you. A friend of mine who speaks very good French went to visit a friend in France and this friend was telling another, in French, that my friend had packed everything she owned and brought it with her. To his surprise, my friend answered in French, "I did not! Don't tell him that!" Perhaps you should learn some Spanish and surprise them.
2006-08-16 23:42:14
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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You are right.
That is actually an Etiquette matter.
People are not supposed to Speak a secod language when with a crowd that does not speak that language. And they should do it even less if they do speak the language every other participant speaks (in this case English).
That goes in USA, Spain, Mexico, Japan and everywhere else.
If they are not addressing the English speakers, it may be different, but they should excuse themselves and part ways if they rather speak Spanish.
Goodluck!
2006-08-17 00:59:36
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answer #3
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answered by justasking 5
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Well sometimes if I'm speaking in spanish and I have a friend with me that doesn't speak spanish and I'm talking to another person that does speak spanish its just naturally I speak spanish to that person. And when my friend asks me what did I say, I sometimes don't want to repeat it. On the hand I could or my hispanic friend might be talking about her and don't want her to know, but thats the last thing anyone wants to think.
2006-08-16 23:44:30
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answer #4
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answered by Mila 2
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I've wondered the same. I always felt it was rude. Mexicans are the only people that do this without regard to non-Spanish speaking individuals. A Mexican friend said that this is practiced as a way of displaying their belief of being superior. It's just ignorance. Have a nice day.
2006-08-16 23:40:53
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answer #5
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answered by firestarter 6
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It is considered rude to speak a foreign language in front of someone who doesn't speak the language. If you must, then translating what's being said is the respectful/considerate thing to do. It's very natural for a person to assume other people are talking about him/her if they switch languages like that. It doesn't mean they are, but that's the natural reaction people have and that's why it's considered rude to do it.
2006-08-16 23:43:25
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answer #6
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answered by afk 4
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It's all about respect. I speak a different language, but if I'm with my group of friends, regardless if they speak the language or not, we speak in English. I don't want to leave anyone out of the conversation.
2006-08-16 23:39:54
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answer #7
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answered by mx3baby 6
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It's not very good manners, I suppose, but no more than that. Suppose you were all speaking English, and while you're concentrating on something else, one of your friends says something you don't hear, or don't understand. Same situation. Would you feel particularly insulted? People say unimportant things all the time, and don't necessarily repeat them for those who missed it.
Don't overanalyze things. They were probably talking about something that did not concern you, and was of absolutely no importance to you.
2006-08-16 23:52:07
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answer #8
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answered by nellierslmm 4
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Yes, I hate it also, it's not to criticize, and in some cases they do it because they don't realize that you're there... but I think is a lack of respect... It hasn't nothing to do with being paranoid, thinking they will talk about you, it's related that you feel you shouldn't be there... Here, in Spain I have some Catalonian friends that have the same habit, and when they start talking in Catalan, I start thinking 'well, what can I do until they finish...?' it's a bit annoying...
2006-08-17 10:24:57
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answer #9
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answered by esther c 4
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i agree with you. I speak spanish and when people talk to me in spanish i answer in english because it is more comfortable to me. I guess people feel more comfortable speaking in their own language and they don't do it purposely to offend people. And its not only hispanics who do this.
2006-08-16 23:41:48
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answer #10
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answered by spookydakat 2
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