I visited Europe once and I noticed that in many countries it is normal for many of the people to be multi-lingual. Enlgish being the most common second language, but I met alot of dutch folks that spoke french, and italians that spoke spanish, ect.
Everyone says that spanish people should learn English, and I agree, but should North Americans make an effort to learn spanish as well? (I've go spanish lessons on my ipod)
2007-01-04 05:26:07 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
BTW, where I live and work I work it really really help to know spanish. Sometimes I can't leave home with out my translator.
2007-01-04 05:31:27 · update #1
I didn't say HAVE to learn.!!!!!!
2007-01-04 05:43:59 · update #2
Yes!
I had a friend who worked for Honda USA. He said the Japanese had a joke they liked to tell: Q: What do you call a business man who speaks only one language?
A: An American
2007-01-04 05:39:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think they're talking about the Spanish people that are south of us that are coming over here are the ones that need to learn English. I think you should be able to AT LEAST speak the first language of the country that you are LIVING IN. I think you SHOULD know some of your country's second languages, but you DON'T HAVE TO know them, but it would be very helpful.
So, to answer your question, Americans should only know enough Spanish to effectively communicate with all the new Spanish immigrants coming from the countries south of us that don't seem to speak our first language. So, yes, we should make an effort to because it benefits us AND the poor non-English speaking immigrants.
Knowing more than one language is good though. Actually, it's great and recommended.
2007-01-04 06:40:21 · answer #2 · answered by Christine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK um the thing is that americans dont reallize that they r the only ones in the world that speak only one language and sence there is a problem with ilegals they refuse to learn to help them.Im not saying that they have to learn specifically spanish but they should be obligated to learn another language like french,italian,spanish,german,portuguese,etc as long as they are forced to do so because if they are not forced they will not learn.I whent to a bi-lingual private school all my life in Puerto Rico and there they start to teach you English in Kinder Garden and when u get to 3rd grade you can carry a conversation in English. I think that learning any other language is very helpfull not only because u will learn the other language but it will help you to be a more educated person!!!!!
2007-01-04 06:54:30 · answer #3 · answered by vintage flowers 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmm, yes it is very good to learn one or more additional languages, and spanish is becoming more and more prevelant through out the US. On the other hand, immegrants from many contries make a good effort to learn english while it "seems" that many spanish speakers want to mantain their original language.
My position is that if you are going to live in a country, espcially if you are planning on becoming a citizen, you should learn the language and customs... this does not mean that you don't teach your kids both langauges and your heritage.
2007-01-04 05:35:29 · answer #4 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unless you're traveling to Mexico or Spain or another Spanish-speaking country on a regular basis, or trying to move to one, then my opinion is no. I do agree, however, that it would be benficial to more Americans to be multi-lingual. I just don't agree that we should HAVE to make an effort since we do live in the USA after all....
I'd personally never move to a country where I was not familiar with the native language and didn't plan to learn it. I think a lot of foreign people who live in the US don't make enough effort to learn English and use their language barrier as a crutch. Annoying.
2007-01-04 05:31:37 · answer #5 · answered by Rach 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yeah, it's always good to know more than one language. And u right about European people, I'm from Europe and I can speak slovak, czech, english, german and little french. Anyways, spanish is beautiful language and I'd also like to learn it. So yeah, I'd say learning another language is a good idea
2007-01-04 05:35:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Coming from a hispanic I say that Americans don't need to learn spanish. People can learn whatever they want.
We should all adopt a universal language!!
I don't care which one, but just pick one so we can all communicate with each other.
2007-01-04 05:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by , 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
No. Everybody else comes here & learns some amount of English to get by. I live in NYC and there are whole areas of people who speak nothing but Spanish. Then they go somewhere else & cannot communicate. learn the language of the country you are immigrating to! If the language of the Govt. is English that is Offically the American Language. I think it's just lazeyness that they don't learn English & I have had many Bilingual (spanish speaking) people say this too. My Mom is having a problem getting jobs because she isn't bilingual. Why can's she get a job in her own country because of someone elses language issues...?
2007-01-04 05:34:54 · answer #8 · answered by Kier22_2 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I am Mexican by heritage and a American citizen by birth. My family has been here for generations and generations.
Yet I still do not believe that we should alter our way of life to accommodate Spanish speaking citizens and/or non-citizens. We do not provide these special privileges to other minority groups. (Asians, Germans, Polish, etc)
Our country consists of a variety of diversified groups. We are a land of opportunity. I say, " Come join us, make a better life for yourself and your family." However, do not expect to be above the law. I pay taxes and so shall you. I am accountable for my actions legally, morally, and ethically and so shall you.
Come here. Learn the language and be proud to be an American citizen just as generations before us have.
2007-01-04 05:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by ks_1147 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that North Americans SHOULD learn Spanish, but I definitely think that it would be a great skill to acquire- mostly depending on where one lives or work's. My mom is bilingual (English/Spanish) and because she did not teach me, I am now teaching myself. Where I work it is not necessary, but definitely helpful every now and then.
2007-01-04 05:39:09 · answer #10 · answered by Jessica 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋