So if you moved to another country you would have to learn the language?

Question

Quit being so stupid people, seriously, you know that most countries around the world have people that speak English for American Tourists. I come from Guatemala and this past summer I went there with some American friends of mine. We went to a Sizzler restaurant down there (yes, we have restaurants believe it or not) and the waiter's name was Julio who spoke in English to all of us and we didn't have people outside with signs saying SPEAK SPANISH OR GO HOME!

Also if you look at most Mexican products in the grocery store you will notice that everything is also translated to English. Come on people, quit trying to act like you're the victims, we live in the information age! I agree that if you are to live here you should at least dominate the language to get around, but there should be no one trying to keep us from speaking our Native Language among ourselves or HAVING SIGNS IN STORES THAT ARE NOT IN ENGLISH. That's just my point of view.

Answer 1

Sirvocal..... you make too much sense and an excellent point. but remember this is a ANTI-immigrant post.

Answer 2

I think it is important to learn the language of the country you are moving or currently living in, but I dont think it should be a prerequisite to moving there. When americans go to a forein country including Mexico you dont learn spanish first, instead you try making up your own works by slaughtering theirs and still have the balls to think its cute and funny! I was born and raised her to mexican parents who (dont gasp too loud now) came here illegally, at this point they are citizens of the United States and Im very proud of both my mexican and my american heritages and teach my children to be the same but when I come on here and see how ignorant and rude some americans can be its almost embarrassing. a little note to gwb, you really have a lot of nerve coming on here preaching about english needing to be the only language when you cant even seem to spell anything correctly long enough for anybody to understand you. Go back to school, take an english 101 class, hey who knows you may even get some illegal immigrant study partners than you both can teach each other some tolerance!!

Answer 3

I had moved to a foreign country a year ago. Believe it or not English is not as popular as i thought it would be. Arabic is the first, french 2nd, spanish 3rd and english comes in dead last. I studied french in school but it did not come in handy. In the past year i have learned alot about the arabic language and can hold a small very small conversation with people and i have learned not to get ripped off at the markets. So I would have to say you should make an effort to learn the language if you are planning on living in the country of choice and not just visiting.

Answer 4

There is no one trying to stop a person from speaking their own native language amongst themselves.
In Germany, which is where I'm living currently, I live in a town where MOST Germans speak English. However, it's a sign of RESPECT that I've at least learned a few words in German. Not all places in Germany are completely Americanized.
You're totally missing the point. When you go to another country, you should try to learn THEIR language. Even if you only know just enough to order food at a restaurant, give directions to a taxi driver, and/or ask for assistance, it should be enough, and the people of that country will think that it's very kind of you to learn their language.
Why should America be any different?

Answer 5

Before you say that it is just Americans that do that you are wrong. I have gone to Disney World several times and there are people there that never speak english.

People that go on vacation should in my opinion learn enough of the language to ask important stuff but shouldn't have to learn the whole language just for a week or whatever.

If you move to a country to LIVE, you should speak the language the country speaks.


Amnesty WON'T work... read your history books!!!

Answer 6

Pick a small town in Germany, and try to communicate using only Spanish or English. Tell a store owner you want to buy a burnt orange glass flower vase with a cast iron base. Let me know how long it takes before the store owner gets fed up and kicks you out. Just because America is the melting pot, does not mean we communicate with all the languages that are spoken in the world today. It isn't "being stupid"; it's being realistic. English is the language we are taught to speak, just as Spanish speaking countries teach Spanish, and German speaking countries teach German, etc.

Answer 7

If you move to a country in which they speak a language other than English, it is your duty to learn the language. People should not pay the price for people not willing to educate themselves.

Secondly, people are not stupid with my point of view. Placing signs in Spanish(and just Spanish not another foreign language) is reinforcing people not to learn English.

Thirdly, English is the universal language of the world. Therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for people in other countries(in which English is not the native language) to know English and present it to tourists. These natives know English as our American economy is so prevalent there. That is the reason.

Fourthy, you were just a tourist. Natives are easier on tourists than on immigrants as natives do not expect tourists to learn their native tongue. Tourists just go there for a visit.

Answer 8

OK first you were a tourist I wouldn't expect you to learn another language just to visit.
Second yes I am a victim I have a construction company when illegals come into my trade and under bid me because they work cheaper that causes a problem for myself and my workers. Thirdly if you want to come into America and be an American then yes I expect you to learn the language. Also illegals don't have to pay taxes which in turn raises my taxes.
The way I look at it is if you want to be an American than be one if you don't then go home.

Answer 9

English is the international language because it is the easiest to learn.That is why it was chosen as the language of the US over greek.
This is great and very practical.
In Europe we also use english when we move around but we learn as many languages as we can.It is part of our education.I speak 4 ,read 7.
However we don't use the language matter as a race thing ,like ,it seems to me ,you are doing in the USA.But you are right - it is the information age.And when you move to another country ,you should learn the local language.

Mac
A European

Answer 10

American success was brought about from the decision to speak one language. Europe, Africa, Asia, no where in the world has been able to bring about a cohesive country speaking many different languages.
If one decides to visit a country, learning the language should not be a prerequisite, but if you live there you had better learn to communicate in their tongue.

Answer 11

I think the whole argument is that so many poeple refuse to learn the language. I work in customer service, and several times a week I get someone come up to me who doesn't speak English, then gets an attitude with me because I don't speak their language.

But I don't really see myself as a victim, because I really don't care if they find the bathroom, or the flour, or the produce department or whatever they were looking for. It's not my problem.