when you visit other countries, you speak english and expect everybody to understand you!!!! so...?

Question

why do you require every immigrant in the US to speak and spell perfectly??? Think about it, when you visit other countries, people are not obligated to understand you, and you don't give a s*** about it!!!

Answer 1

Maybe YOU visit other countries and expect people to speak English. I certainly do not. When I visited France, although I found that many people spoke English, I kept a French/English translation book with me at all times, so that I could make myself understood and could understand the native speaking people of France. Additionally, I learned several pertinent phrases before I went.

If I were to MOVE to France, I would endeavor to learn French. I would not expect that the people of France should learn English to accomodate me, thank you very much.

Oh and by the way? English is the universal language of business and of learning...and not by decree of the United States, but by a general consensus of the majority of the industrialized world. Learn it or be left behind.

Answer 2

Like others have already said, you're wrong. Maybe some Americans do that, but most don't. Most are very apologetic about not speaking the language of a country they're visiting for only a few days.

Besides, almost every country in the world has, as part of its immigration and naturalization procedures, proof of an ability to speak, read and write the native language.

Grow up.

Answer 3

I think the key word here is visit. There is a difference between visiting a country and moving to a country permanently.

I am an English teacher. I live in China and teach at an international school. Most of my students are not native speakers of English. They come from many different language backgrounds from Europe and Asia. I am very forgiving of mistakes and spelling errors due to language proficiency. I do not expect any immigrant to speak perfectly or write perfectly. However, I do expect an immigrant to at least attempt to learn the language. I understand the difficulty, especially for older immigrants with little education, and I can make allowances for them, but I do not think a country should have to provide services in the language of the immigrants.

Here in China, though I do not plan to live here permanently and my job requires that I use English all day long, I have attempted to learn Chinese. I could not survive here if I did not learn the language necessary for every day life. When I need more in depth language, I have to provide a translator. I do not expect the business or the government to provide one for me, and none is. I either have to pay for the service, or my husband who is fluent in the language does it for me. That seems only fair to me. Our school, though all the subjects are taught in English, expects every student to learn Chinese as well. Even though our students will nearly all return to their countries of origin before they reach adulthood, or will attend university in the US or England, we respect the fact that we live in China and that we need to pay homage to the culture of our host country. What's wrong with that attitude?

Answer 4

I certainly don't expect them to learn English for me although in most countries, the people know English since its more or less the universal language. And haven't you ever seen tourists in other countries walking around with their little books trying to communicate with the people? You certainly don't get that with the illegals coming over here - they have no interest in learning English - they just run to cousin Jose's house in the barrio and keep with their own kind. Supposedly, sooner or later, the way they breed, they'll just take over and then everyone will have to know Mexican (which is a bastardized form of Spanish, just like what we speak isn't really English) - I hope I'm not alive to see that day happen and if I am, I'm moving to Canada.

Answer 5

Language is a big barrier, but largely english has become the international language, and it wasn't even an idea that originated in the United States. The British Empire spanned the globe, and during the years of their reign, english was widely taught. The Empire went around the world, from Australia to Hong-Kong, from India to Madagascar, even the United States was part of the British Empire, at one point. Now, they're like this little island but they do speak english there, proper english they'd tell us, most likely, we speak 'american', which is different.

Luckily, there's the World Wide Web, and things like babel-fish.
If you're having trouble talking with someone, look for resources on the web to help you....be it Chinese, Swahili, or even Inuit, there's probably a web resource available to you to help overcome communication barriers...

Answer 6

The English language has become the world standard for business, science and yes, tourism. Facility in English isn't expected by most visitors of foreign countries and most try to make themselves understood. I live in Mexico and we speak Spanglish, a communication combo that doesn't offend anyone.

Answer 7

No I don't. In fact I bring phrase books and listen to tapes, and particularly in Germany it is very disappointing when everyone wants to practice their English when I want to use my German.

When you move to a country to live, much more than in a tourist situation, you should be trying to join the society. That requires knowing the language. If you don't care about learning it it leads to the conclusion that you are only here to get our stuff, which we pay for, and are not one of us, at all.

Answer 8

Thats not entirely true, and I'm pretty sure you know that. Before most people visit foreign countries, they at least take the time to learn enough of the language to get around. We don't expect everyone to cater to us (like the illegals expect us to cater to them). Grow up.

Answer 9

English is the universal language.

Answer 10

thats why most americans abroad . have those little books how to speak in 24 hours. besides most americans who can afford to travel have tour guides and translators. you dont see this when they come swimming across the rio grande. they search for other hispanics to translate for them.