What do you think of the trend by big American manufacturers to include Spanish on their packaging?

Question

I know many people who are now boycotting manufacturers who have included Spanish titles and instructions on the outside of goods sold in American stores. They believe that all immigrants should have to learn English, and that to allow one particular ethnicity exceptions, is not fair to the others. Please tell me, do you still buy from these manufacturers?

I am not referring to instructions on the inside.

Answer 1

They should have to learn English.

I don't buy from those manufacturers unless I have to, but it's very hard to avoid now.

Answer 2

I would forget it for a number of reasons; 1/ Your knowledge of UK firearm legislation is non-existent, there are a number of hand-guns that can be legally owned in the UK, unless you have a criminal record, in which case you can forget any weapons manufacturer employing you. 2/ How do you expect to be able to market, sell or test an item that you have never even handled? 3/ How could you work in any development department without any engineering experience? 4/ No qualifications does not look good on your CV, telling an employer that you have read a book does not impress. 5/ Why have you not written to those companies that you list, instead of posting here? Sorry, but I cannot see you fulfilling your ambition, get some qualifications behind you, then, if you still feel the same, write to all of the manufacturing companies, best of luck!

Answer 3

I think it's pretty much an incentive to not learn English - learning English is a prerequisite to becoming a citizen, by the way.

I live in Maine. Our population has a large percentage of French and French Canadians - the vast majority of them speak very fluent English. I have lived here most of my life and I don't ever remember a proliferation of signs or instructions written in French on our retail outlets or on any instructions - at least not on goods manufactured in this country.

But now, when I go into Lowe's, for instance, all of the signs are written in English and Spanish.

I have to wonder how the Franco-Americans in this area feel about that.
Ever wonder why we are being so accommodating to the illegal immigrants after ignoring the legal ones for so long?

Answer 4

I do agreed with you about all American citizens have to speak English and everything should be in English, including government documents, etc. But we have to understand that when it come to manufacturing we have to used different languages as instructions, this is good for the companies that manufactures there products. The USA companies sell their products all over the world and this is why is in English, Spanish and French. Could you imagine if the products that are manufactured in China will only come in the Chinese language. One thing have nothing to do with the other. Now these companies hiring illegals for their work force, that's a no, no.. You have a good one..

Answer 5

Given NAFTA, that only makes sense. English Spanish and French are often all on one package as a result (since French is the second official language of Canada).

Answer 6

I've never heard of that boycott. Sounds rather ignorant. Manufacturers should act in their own best interest on this. If they wish to have other languages on their product, that's their call, based on how it affects sales. For example, if they had it in English and Klingon, they'd increase sales among nerds.

Spanish is a good choice for second language on the products sold at supermarkets. I mean, who do you think is stocking the shelves?

Answer 7

Spanish instructions are very helpful when a Spanish speaker is installing something. They are in French too, but we seldom have a French worker. Not a problem.

Answer 8

Manufacturers want to sell their product. It just makes good sense to advertise to people who do not understand English if they are a market for the product. That is a part of marketing.

Answer 9

I think why do you care? I mean in the long scheme of things how does it effect you? Do you think it is a conspiracy to ruin your day or do you think the manufacturer's really care what you think or that your boycott will make one bit of difference to them. Of course I still buy from them, I have a life and don't have time to worry about trivial things like that.

Answer 10

Many times companies sell products to more than one country so it is easier to make one product and label it with many languages than to make a separate package for each nation. I work in a lab and many of our products have six or seven languages

Answer 11

Whatever your opinion, it is definitely a savvy marketing move for the manufacturers. Spanish speaking and/or reading individuals spend money just like everyone else.