Are there any americans that speak more than two languages fluently??

Question

Why do foreigners speak 3,4, or even 7 languages fluently, yet I don't know any americans that speak more than two languages?

Answer 1

In Europe countries that speak different language are closer together geographically so it makes sense to lean other languages. In the states there is Spanish to the south and a little French in parts of Canada. Many people in the southwest do speak Spanish. It’s hard to learn and keep up fluency if you don’t use it a lot.

Answer 2

Yes, I am a Citizen of the U.S., born in the U.S., a WASP (White, Anglo-Saxon Protestant). I speak only two languages fluently, but have also studied several others, two to a conversational level. I know several other people who were born U.S. Citizens who speak multiple languages. But we are few and far between.

I do agree with you, though. We are not required to learn multiple languages, we don't perceive a need to do so, and so we don't. Also, I believe we don't know how to teach foreign languages (or when).

I wish the education establishment in the U.S. would begin teaching foreign languages to our children earlier in life. Research shows that after puberty the human brain looses much of it's innate ability to learn languages. So why do we wait until after puberty to start teaching foreign languages?

When I began studying foreign languages, I learned so much about English that I never understood before, and things that I had been taught suddenly became clear because I finally had something else to illustrate the need for the abstraction. They were things that you can only fully understand if you know two or more languages.

I think children in the U.S. and the country in general could benefit greatly from an earlier introduction to multiple languages.

Answer 3

Most high schools (or college admissions) require at least 2 years of foreign language (with Spanish being the most common one taught). Of course, you really can't learn a new language in 2 years, so it only exposes students to the culture and basics of the language. Some do continue studying for a third year (and beyond), and may perhaps gain fluency; others might just stop. Japanese is a difficult language because it's not like English. (Whereas languages like Spanish and French have much more in common with English.) It goes the other way too; English-speaking people tend to have difficulty learning Japanese.

Answer 4

Hello: I speak English and Spanish fluently and without any accent. I was born in New York and my family moved to Puerto Rico when I was 5 years old. My mother always spoke English at home and I learned Spanish at school starting in Kindergarten. I now do English-Spanish, Spanish-English translation and editing. I also had 6 years of French in school and as a part of my Bachelor's degree in voice, I had to study Italian and German. Later on I took a Master's degree in Religion and studied Biblical Hebrew and Greek.

When one studies study foreign languages one comes in contact with other cultures. This helps us understand that other people are just like us, with the same needs and wants. It fosters peace and open mindedness, which our world is sorely lacking. The same thing may occur when learning about other religions. I say "may" because this won't occur if one comes to them with a closed, narrow minded approach, thinking that only one of us knows the Truth.

Answer 5

well maybe because Americans consider speaking American English is more than enough to live as where ever you go you will find someone speaking English.


And to the person who answered before me, what you wrote make US citizen nero-minded only caring for themselves. Learning another language is the proof than you are open to other cultures and people.

Well maybe it is true that some US citizens are nero-minded. Always rejecting others cultures and trying to impose yours. This is because of people like you that others despise your country.

Answer 6

the americans dose not need to speak more than 2 language because english and spanich are enough evry body in this world speak english. for example I'm not american and I'm 17. I speak 4 language fluenty(arabic, english, spanish, french)
but the us citezens dosen't need to speak more than 1 language.

Answer 7

When you say "American" are you referring to native Caucasian Americans which their first language is English or non-Caucasians which their first language isn't English?

If you were referring to the first first group then it is likely that there isn't the need to learn any other language as English is universally usable worldwide - as perceived by most of these Americans.

Answer 8

I am sure those americans that are descendants of those from other countries would fluently speak several languages.
My cousin's sons speak two fluently and they are americans.

Answer 9

I see no rason for any US citz. to speak more than one..This is our country, our language, our way of life..don't like it LEAVE IT is my motto..Foreigners need to speak more than one so they can shop and get med. attention in our countries since they are very unhappy with the 3rd world they live in and like coming to the New world where life is a bowl of cherries...Should US Citz. have to speak another tongue just to communicate? I say no..let the foreigners lean English and deport them if they don't..People coming to the US who don't speak English has caused the American Taxpayer to pay thru the nose to accomodate these people we don't need anyway..look at your school system, courts, gov't office etc, etc the list goes on and on who pays for this? I know alot of Americans that speak more than one language because of thier jobs requireing them to go to foreign lands. You probably don't see it in your everyday walk of life but they are out there..Just my opinion Good Luck to you!