I realize that America is the land of the diverse. Many people come to America equipped with another language other then English. But if you can speak both your native tongue and English, when in public, why do you speak in your tongue? Honestly? Is it just easier and faster, or do you just not want the Americans knowing what you are saying?
2006-10-03 15:47:50 · 19 answers · asked by Erica 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I think you should keep speaking your native language and be proud of having a rich, divers background. every language, culture has its own beauty and shouldnt be sacrificed because you live somewhere else.
a language is not only words and formuls. its about feelings, history, taste, expression and is creative and has to do with how you feel, see and express yourself and no one else than your fellow people can understand it. did you ever tried to translate a joke in other language? doesnt say the same. we dont laugh at the same things.
i have a question for you. Why American dont speak any other language?
I do teach French and i have to teach my students a propore english/grammaire first and than get them in to French.
speaking another language is a sign of being open minded. thats what i think...
salut
gadgetgG
2006-10-03 16:08:12 · answer #1 · answered by Gadget G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes a person will speak his or her first language because the other person will understand them better. Sometimes they are unsure of the wording in English and don't want to sound foolish. Sometimes, it's just that they are more comfortable in their native language. I work with many Filipinos and they often speak their own language when they're not with customers. I understand a bit and they never have a problem with telling me what I miss if I ask so it's not a question of not wanting me to know what's going on.
2006-10-03 23:03:53 · answer #2 · answered by Kuji 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi,
I think that this is a normal way.... Simply like if Americans are in other countries, for instance Germany, the Americans woul simply speak English when German person joins them, they would simply switch to German language if they spoke it as well.... This is a normal way for any language spoken in any other country.... No offence to be taken....
I meet Americans who like to speak to me in French a bit, while others will give me a few wors in German.... Yet, we all speak English.... I will also speak spanish to Spanish native until they seem to want to switch in English.... I am never offended no matter, and was neither offended in my own country when adressed in English rather than French in a 80% French Quebec.
If in Miami, Florida, chances are that you may fin more Spanish than English anyway.... and even the phone system is bilingual...
It all depends where you live in America... , but no offence to be taken.... People do have this LIBERTY available still......
Hope this helps....
2006-10-04 03:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's easier to speak in the language that you know well. If you travel to another country, would u rather speak in your native tongue or the language of the country?
2006-10-03 22:56:18 · answer #4 · answered by the redcuber 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
People are proud of who they are- and language is part- a big part of that. It's a way of identifying each other among a crowd ... it makes you feel home when you speak your mother tongue.. it's really not to annoy someone who doesn't speak the language... it's not always about you, you know.
2006-10-04 00:23:20 · answer #5 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As all are saying, it is easier to speak your native tongue.
It's rude to eavesdrop, and some use another language to their advantage. It can also be rude to use a language no-one speaks when in close proximity to others.... as in two barbers in a shop talking to one another in the presence of customers.
Just my opinion, some may agree, some won't.
2006-10-04 00:34:22 · answer #6 · answered by Benjamin W 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
America is a great country! It's called the great melting pot. I think of it as a stew. The people don't melt together,but they bring all the best (and some of their bad) from their countries here. I think people talk in their native tongue because it's easier.
2006-10-03 22:55:46 · answer #7 · answered by whataboutme 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OBVIOUSLY, you HATE ANYBODY who comes from another country. MAYBE they're speaking to each other in their native tongues because they don't want ANYBODY in their business!!! You didn't stop to think about that, didn't you? I'm sure that when some of YOUR ancestors immigrated to this country, they didn't know a goddamn word of English their DAMN selves! This country was AND STILL IS made of immigrants! You're full of sh1t!!!!!!!!
And you know what else? You feel SO damn insecure everytime somebody from another country speaks their native tongue because you feel that they're talking about YOU or feel that they're terrorists or something! That's the goddamn problem with us Americans!!!! We need to stop this sh1t !!! You are SO full of sh1t!!!!!
2006-10-04 00:16:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
multi-lingual people have a technique known as 'code switching'- you've probably heard it when someone just changes mid sentence or idea from one language to another. It's not necessarily to hide anything, it's just some things are more powerfully said in one language or another, and to a person fluent in two languages it is the most natural thing in the world to do so.
of course, that doesn't mean they aren't talking about you =)
2006-10-03 22:57:10 · answer #9 · answered by niwriffej 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I live in London England ,, Britain is the country where you find every nation from around the globe specially in London .. i had the same question what you just asked .. and i find out from locals that people from other country like to talk their own language to their own tribes .. cos they feel more comfortable ..and understand better ..
2006-10-03 23:01:29 · answer #10 · answered by Azul 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋