why is white america afraid of the spanish language?

Question

is it because they feel threatened by the spanish language because it has 5 words for each one english word to convey the same message or mean the same thing? one note: if one learns spanish one will automatically understand its culture & be able to compete for bilingual job requirements, thus you hit three birds with one stone. isnt that a triple asset? keeping in mind that spanish is here to stay (it is not going elsewhere).

Answer 1

I live in Michigan too. Although I studied French and German in university, I have learned some Spanish. There are not so many opportunities in Michigan for a person who speaks English and Spanish. I imagine that more bilingual jobs are available in the Southwest than in the Midwest.

English vocabulary? For each English word, there are probably 5 other English words to convey the same meaning. English has incorporated words from several languages. It is an eclectic language.

I like Spanish. It is a mellifluous language. Words are pronounced just as they are written. The food is good too and the people are fun.

I am not sure because I do not know many people whose native language is Spanish, but I think that "sh" does not exist in Spanish. The people I know have trouble with the "sh" sound -- like in the words: fish, dish, wish and in the words, shoe, she and my name Cheryl.

Answer 2

Wow - some of these answers are pretty narrow minded, and even the question is based on some errorenous presuppositions.

First, across the country, I don't know anyone who is scared to learn Spanish. I don't believe that expanding your mind and learning how to communicate with another group of society is something to be afraid of.

Additionally - and here's the most obvious to me, learning how to communicate and breaking down barriers leads to a better understanding of others...for us to co-exist, and ideally exist in a peaceful world this is a necessity. You must drop your arrogance and extend yourself in the ways you can.

Second, learning spanish will NOT teach you its "culture" - which culture are you referring to? Spain? Mexico? Argentina? Puerto Rico? You may have a class where you learn customs and some tidbits of information but a regular classroom is not a cultural immersion. I have studied a variety of languages and received minimal cultural instruction.

And yes, bi-lingual jobs are a plus! You get higher wages and have more room to grow and travel in your field if you're bilingual.

Finally - again, back to American arrogance about you come here, you speak my language - um, right. What was the original language here? Why don't we speak Cree or Cherokee or some other native american language because based upon that theory, adapt or go home, we should all be living the native american lifestyle.

Languages, any language is a plus. It expands your mind and opens new doors. You can travel and communicate with others. I am confused by the assumption of fear regarding spanish. In my community it is the only forgein language offered in the public school system which requires at least 2 years to graduate.

Answer 3

I don't think people are afraid to learn Spanish, it's the fact that many people feel that it's more work to learn another language. In Europe, many of the countries are close together, and they are forced to learn at least 2 other languages in order to survive. Imagine traveling from MA to VT and hearing a completely different language. With our global economy, knowing another language and being able to communicate with a potential client in his/her native language is a definite plus. However, I do feel that people who enter this country to set up residency should seriously make an attempt to learn English. I agree with the person who had mentioned that if you go to another country, there is no pressing "1" to continue in English!

Answer 4

Who said we were afraid of the spanish language?? All college prep students are required to take 4 years of foreign language in high school - most choose spanish. Why can't people who move here to the US learn to speak English, as do most Americans - and not just the "white" ones??? That covers folks from ALL foreign countries, okay? and if the spanish language has five words for each one english word, doesn't that seem just tooo darned complicated to you?? Learn English, simplify life. Go with the flow - speak English.

Answer 5

Many white people in the United States have prejudice or racism towards people from Mexico in specific, and Latin America in general. This prejudice washes over onto their opinion of the Spanish language.

Answer 6

I guess many Americans have just gotten used to only needing one language and now that Spanish is catching on they feel uncomfortable or threatened because they can't get by in their own country anymore with just English. Maybe they just don't like the idea of having to learn a second language and insist on others adapting to them even though technically there is no one official language in the US by law.

Answer 7

If I were to move to a Spanish speaking country I would expect to learn the language. The same applies to any country where the native language isnt English. I think its totally ridiculous to expect the people in the country I moved to to adapt to my language.

Answer 8

Afraid? probably 3/4 of the "White People" that I know speak some degree of Spanish. Some very fluently. I'm from Michigan.

Answer 9

I think that (may) Americans think they are better that everyone else and that we foreigners must speak English and try to understand them. They do not try to understand other cultures. It it incredible how ignorant they are about the rest of the world. Other countries in the world study cultures and history of the rest of the world. American only care about America. They live in a little bubble and the rest of the world is out of it. (I am talking about many of them, but not all, OK?)

Answer 10

Not everyone is. Only the dumb people that know their IQs are too low to take up the challenge, so they turn it around and say eveyone in the USA must learn English. Guess what? Most immigrants do learn English, sooner or later. And they are happy about it.