is speaking Spanish a burden or an asset?

Question

i know of some people who think they shouldn't be teaching spanish in America , is this people aware of how enormous the spanish market is not only in America but in AMERICA ?

have us seen the huge number of spanish artist that come every year to America to entertain the spanish speakers ???

have u seen how they fill huge buildings ???

do u know that not only all the first world countries but Mexico promotes speaking as many languages as u can ???

would it have a negative impact not being able to do business with as many people as possible ???

asians , hindus , muslims they all have tell me GRACIAS AMIGO at least once , isn't that a possitive attitude coming from them ???

whats on your mind about this ???

by the way just to make sure you understand i do think spanish speakers should learn english but i do not think they must , if they chose to have less oportunities is their problem what i have a problem with is people promotin ignorance in America .

very interesting people who think it is an asset has given more thoughful answers , keep answering if u have a better answer .

Answer 1

I believe speaking spanish along with other languages is an asset it shows that you have initiative.People who claim that they only need to know English apparantly aren't very cultured and never plan on visiting another country even if its for pleasure.Also myself personally I have found that by knowing spanish its easier to learn another language as well.Like for example french,Italian and the spanish they speak in spain because some words are similar and the main ideals of how the language is spoken is the same.Like for example in spanish everything is either femine or masculine and in french its the same way.though I also agree that if your living in the U.S you should make the effort to learn the language and if you don't then its your own fault for not doing so,I also believe that people who complain about people talking in spanish around them and them not knowing what they are talking about is their own fault too.If I live in a prodominently Asian community and am around people that speak that language do i have a right to be mad at them because i cannot understand them?No i don't because if i'm that curious to know what they are talking about then I would make the effort to at least learn some of their language otherwise tough for me.

Answer 2

I believe it is an asset. The more languages one knows, the easier to get better jobs and easier to communicate with others............although I only speak English and Spanish but where I live, that's all I need to know. The city where I live is pretty much Hispanic culture whether it be Chicanos, Mexican American or Mexican, some Cubans and Puerto Ricans but mostly Hispanic.

I actually went to see Marco Antonio Solis last week at one of the Casinos here and the place was packed to the top! It was a great concert.

Answer 3

For the guy who said that English is the National Language... You are dead wrong!!!

There is no official national language!!! You won't find it anywhere in the Constitution.

And the truth is... we Americans are ignorant when it comes to the outside world. While in other countries one, two or even three additional languages are taught in the school. The kids are multilingual in Luxembourg for instance. They learn science in German, Literature in French and Math in English... also speak Luxembourgish, which is similar to German... not quite the same but mostly understandable... Imagine if students in the US learned 3 languages at an early age?

The truth is, we are lowering the bar when it comes to education in this country. All kids should be required to learn a foreign language. It opens their opportunities.

This English-only crap means we stay ignorant. I don't mean that my grandparents should be forced to go out and learn Spanish, but since it does it exist, and is not going away no matter how you legislate (see Basques, Catalans, Welsh, etc to see how well that works), maybe our kids should start getting a jump on it!

Answer 4

Having the ability to communicate in multiple languages is such an asset! My five year old is bi-lingual (English/Spanish), when she's here in the US she speaks perfect English/when she's in Argentina she speaks perfect Spanish. My husband and I understood that it was our responsibility to make sure she was able to communicate in either country, especially entering into the school systems. I'm trying to become more fluent myself-it helps me when I travel, communicate with my patients (I'm a nurse)and just challenges my brain. I think people become frustrated with others that don't realize the importance of learning to communicate in the language of the country they reside in. If your just "traveling through"-noone expects you will speak that country's language; but the moment you decide to reside and utilize any or all of a nation's "benefits", you absolutely must learn and communicate in that country's common language. I myself can't even imagine traveling to another country without at least learning some basic language skills-how much culture and experience would you miss not being able to communicate with people there and enjoying all that country has to offer.

Answer 5

Language is the medium of a culture, isn't it?

Studies have shown that bilingual persons do better in school, and it's true that in Europe, it's not uncommon for people to speak more than one language.

There's nothing wrong with traveling, and learning to say at least "please" and "thank you" and "where's the bathroom" in the native tongue. It flatters the other person that you respect them enough to learn something about their culture.

Respect works both ways, though. I don't go to Japan and insist that the Japanese speak my langauge do I? I don't go to Mexico City and demand that DMV registration forms and voter registration cards (should I choose to live there) be in English, do I? I wouldn't do these things because I have respect for the dominant culture of the country I'm in. I would realize that I need to assimilate into the communities around me, and learn their language.

Like it or not, as unpleasant as it is to talk about, Mexico is invading the United States. There are legal organizations, student organizations and well-funded racist organizations that are setting about supplanting the indigenous culture of the U.S. Their leaders have even come out on public record and said they intend to replace "whitey". That's racism no matter how you cut it.

Answer 6

Speaking only Spanish (or only one of any of the languages, for that matter) can be a burden. But speaking Spanish IN ADDITION to speaking other languages can definately be an assest. This is true not only in business, but in life in general. If you are able to speak other languages, you can communicate with more people about many different things. Although I'm not fluent in proper spanish, I'm working on it. The only language I am very fluent in besides English is Pig Latin, but I don't think that counts lol. In fact, our daughter is going to know Spanish, English and we are going to try and teach her (while learning ourselves) sign language, as well. And hopefully as she gets older, she will be interested in learning other languages.

Answer 7

Speaking more than one language is an asset to anyone. My ancestors did not speak English but that was a different time, and although we learned, I think it only strengthens a person to be able to speak more than one language. And what's wrong with helping a person new to our land with the language barrier? A lot of people are just rude, and we act like spoiled children at times. Learn to speak English but don't expect our assistance!?!?! How rude is that? Seems like we could be a little more cordial to new people in America...when we travel overseas how would we feel if they were as rude to us, as we are to some of them? No, we should be gracious and welcome people and help them become a part of our culture instead of being so rude and trying to exclude them. Peace.

Answer 8

Knowing more than 1 language, culture is always an asset. Not knowing the Language of the country you live in just shows ones ignorance.

When I was growing up I had no where to practice. Today I try to practice, because I wish to change the economics of Renewable Energy. It will take the co-operation of 2 countries to enable economic viability. Neither country has all the ingredients for Sellable spin-off benefits to subsidize the cost of the infrastructure.

Answer 9

It depends on what sense you're using it in. In America, you NEED to know English first and foremost! It's rude to come over here expecting us to change our ways for them.

Mexicans come here for a reason, and we don't need America turned into another Mexico. If they like Mexico so well, let them stay over there! Otherwise, what's the point? Now, if I'm visiting Mexico, then I'd be expected to learn Spanish... otherwise, I have no need for it.

I don't understand why we're bending over backwards to try and accommodate the illegal law breaking criminals here. It's time we took our country back!

We shouldn't need to hear twice the commentary when we make a phone call, and especially when they list Spanish first! We also shouldn't have to read twice as much to get to the English portion of things.

It's downright rude to listen to these people jibber-jabbering in another language so we can't understand what they're saying.

I agree completely with "GETMYCOUNTRYBACK". S/He summed it up perfectly, as does the website, especially in the letter to President Bush.

Answer 10

Spanish was the first European language spoken in the new world! It is a sacred language , it is symbolic of the powers that be! Spanish has given us ,Florida, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, California and the delicioso mojito! It is the language of the heart, of music and mothers , of love and soul! Arriba the language of the grandmothers, ESPANOL!