Why should I, an American, speak spanish??

Question

Why do hispanic's treat me like sh*t for not knowing spanish? I'm of hispanic descent, but my parents and grandparents were born in the U.S., yet I (and tons of others) are traitorized for not knowing a foreign language! I'm American darn it and I speak english!

Answer 1

You shouldn't be forced to. After all, your native language is apparently American English.

But keep in mind that in most foreign countries, children are taught English or other foreign langues from early childhood so that they will be able to travel and understand other cultures besides their own. Why do so many Americans insist on NOT learning foreign languages? Is it any wonder that we are despised and mistrusted?

Answer 2

It's a question of cultural identity. If you're comfortable with who you are, you can choose to build resilience against criticism, because you're ALWAYS going to have to deal with this, since you're ethnically Hispanic. Other Hispanics may feel like you're being a traitor by becoming more like a gringo. The better solution is just to go ahead and learn some Spanish - no harm being more culturally aware and being bilingual is always helpful.

I understand because I'm what is called a 'banana' here - yellow on the outside but white on the inside. I speak Chinese (Mandarin and some dialects), but I don't speak them well and am primarily good in English so I get a lot of teasing too. Making an effort to speak more Chinese has made people giggle, but at least it's helped me alienate myself less from other Chinese.

Answer 3

Yes but Americans should be open to other cultures and their languages. Its all really more about empiralism than it is anything else. People all around the world commonly start learning English when they start elementary school to give them a chance at better occupational opportunities. People in those countries are not so happy then that Americans don't have that same burden. Some feel Americans should try to reach out more and try to learn their language instead of always the other way around.

Don't worry! I do not expect this empire to last much longer. So the tables will be turned anyways and we'll all have to learn mandarin or something.....

Answer 4

Nothing wrong with being bilingual, in Europe they all are encouraged to speak 2,3, or more languages. I know about being hispanic and being harshly criticized for not speaking Spanish, but I refuse to shut out the pursuit of knowledge just to stick it to them...lol.
If people treat you that way, it's their problem, not yours.

Answer 5

I think everyone in the world should learn at least one other language besides their mother tongue. It's a mind enrichening experience and opens doors in the future. If you don't want to learn Spanish, why not French or German, or another language of your choice. It's worth it.

Answer 6

Yeah, OK, so in if they are in America they should speak English... but we stupid Americans should learn a few more languages!!

Answer 7

My personal opinion is welcome to America,now speak American(Not English,as we don't spell favorite,color,and behavior with a u),or please leave.As for you,if you don't wish to learn Spanish,then don't.It's your God given right as an American.Americans aren't forced to learn another language because every snooty,egotistical european learns English.Why should we bother? ;-) After,the rest of the world is too lazy to learn fractions,so they had to invent an easier system called metric.

But Americans are stupid?

HAHAHAHAHA,yeah ok.

Answer 8

Believe in what u belive & Know,dont let any oone tell you what they thinks reight and wrong , do what u want and speak how u want to speak,