why do people say foreigners should speak english in america? just imagine?

Question

you're in france with 5 American friends,,sure you'll try and speak french when need be..waiters,taxi drivers etc......but can you honestly say you will speak french around your friends the whole time? no, its a comfort thing..think about that before you tell someone to speak english...

Answer 1

Good point and well said.

Answer 2

I not moving to France to be assimilated. I'm no looking for a job in France. I'm not accepting the charity of France. I'm not sending my 13 year old pregnant daughter to a school that the French government provide for her. I'm visiting France. If I were going to live there, I'd damn sure learn the language, and those that show up here can do the same!

Answer 3

I don't care if people speak their native language, it's none of my business. But this is an English speaking country. People living here need to be able to speak enough English to communicate with 911, the police, the fire department, the McDonald's drive through worker, the toll booth operator, the guy who works at the Subway making sandwiches, etc. The fact that there are people who expect me to speak another language to appease the people who move here on their own free will is ridiculous to me. To sum up: Speak your own language all you want, but recognize that if that's all you can speak, you shouldn't leave the house and if you do, don't look at me crosseyed when I can't speak your language.

Answer 4

It's the same for France. If I was French I would want Americans to speak French. It's the U.S. If you live in a country with a certain language then you need to learn it and be able to speak it.

Answer 5

Yes, I spoke French as much as possible, to be polite. Also it is up to Americans to be supportive and helpful of those attempting English. I was in France a year ago, and they were very nice to me speaking my terrible French.

Answer 6

Actually, I think people say that in reference to foreigners moving to the US. It makes sense since most Americans speak English. Imagine how difficult it must be for those who don't speak English but are living in the US.

Answer 7

I think that if I moved to France, I had better learn to speak it.

I think the problem that people have is people who live here but aren't learning English, not visitors. Also not people who speak their native tongue with friends.

I checked into moving to a European country some years ago. One of the qualifications toward citizenship was to learn the language.

Answer 8

Completely understand your point of view. The issue is not the speaking of english all the time, I think the issue is with people who do not attempt to learn the language and expect an interpreter in every place of business, not going to happen.

Answer 9

If I am an American and I am going to live in France, I will learn the language. So if there are foreigners here and they are going to live here, LEARN THE LANGUAGE.

Answer 10

I agree with your point. I recently had a discussion with someone who thought it should be mandatory that all foreigners fluently speak English in America. I thought she made absolutely no sense to think you should have the authority to force a person to learn a completely different language than their native language. I think it should be optional if they want to learn English fluently. They should be comfortable when speaking.

Answer 11

Depends on if I am there as a tourist of wanting to work and live there. If I move to France I should learn their language.