Why many people in the USA get so upset hear people speaking in Spanish?

Question

It really bother me when I am in a conversation in Spanish, and there comes someone and said to me .."This is America speak English" What is the problem with people. Is it insecurity? Is it that they feel they can not control was is going on? what is the problem. I have an answer for them. I am an American, learn to speak Spanish.

Answer 1

Someone said that to you? How ignorant!
Well, my guess is that most Americans only know English, because unlike many other countries the schools only require a yr or 2 of passively studying a language. Although I'm not bilingual, my husband and all my in-laws are (Spanish and English). When we first got married, I had to shake the feeling that they were saying something "secret" whenever they switched to Spanish. Now I know that sometimes the conversation just naturally switches sometimes and now I know some words here and there so I don't feel like I'm in the dark as much.
Also, I think it's an immigration issue. I imagine that people are afraid of their beloved American culture being taken over by another culture, especially Mexico's culture. While this is a very unlikely event, there are still a lot of people who are afraid of it.

Answer 2

Sometimes. But it's not given that I would not have something in opposition to Spanish talking humans, given that it's real that America is a pluralistic society. What annoys me approximately that, nonetheless, is that it's not reasonable to those that do not talk English OR Spanish. Why no longer take a survey and do ALL the languages, if that's the case. The crisis with that might be, nonetheless, that there are too many specific languages and cultures to account for. So then why don't you play it trustworthy and persist with our country's dominant language...English.

Answer 3

I think people find it offensive when someone is communicating in another language, it might be insecurity or just lack of appreciation for diversity, who knows! but I've had that problem in the past when people have told me "this is America", therefore English should be the language spoken, nevertheless, English is not the official language of the United States, actually...there is no official language, so in this case I can say........you don't like it, deal with it!

Answer 4

I get the "speak English" kind of thing a lot too. As a Korean, I understand how you feel. Sometimes, yes, it maybe insecurity. Think of it this way: if your friend suddenly started speaking in a foreign language, would you be happy? Wouldn't you start thinking that your friend is saying something bad about you? As the U.S. is the Americans' native country and English is their first language, they have a right to be upset when hearing other languages. It is the same in a lot of countries around the world.
I think it is good that you take pride in your language, but perhaps it also a good idea to think in another's shoe. Good luck....^-^

Answer 5

i think it is insecurity along with other things but i have heard that things that are different or unknown are scary to people.but that really bothers me too.once i had someone tell me to get back on the boat i came from...i was born in the U.S.
and if i remember correct what was originally spoken was whatever the indians spoke until other countries came here pushed them into reservations and their countries languages were imposed.so in reality what sense do these comments really make?i guess people who make those dumb remarks don't think about that.

Answer 6

I used to have the same problem when my wife and I would visit my mom in the States. Whenever we spoke Japanese, my mom would ask, "Are you talking about me?" Or she would ask us not to speak in Japanese.

I have heard that this is not rare in America. It confirms my suspicions that Americans know close to nothing about other cultures and think that their country (and language) is better than anyone else's.

Answer 7

the Americans are getting angry as Spanish people and the language is overtaking the country.

Answer 8

Because to be an American you need to be fluent in the English language. They are also tired of trying to accomodate those who are too lazy to learn the English language. Either learn the language as all the immigrants before you, or go back home! Can that be any clearer?

Answer 9

Good question. I believe it is fear, hatred, insecurity, inferiority feelings, racism, insufficient mental capacity

Answer 10

they're just stupid && since they don't know spanish they don't want other people speaking it...my dad is from mexico, so he knows spanish && i do too, even though i was born here, so i personally don't see a problem with it..