Spanish vs. English?

Question

I am recently relocated from the east to the west. I'm just beginning to be aware of the great contribution Mexican workers give to the agricultural community around here, and several hot issues that crop up because of that (no pun intended).

I'm learning Spanish so I can communicate better with my patients at work. Some people I work with refuse to learn Spanish, and make little effort to use an interpreter, stating that if someone moves to America and lives here, that they should learn the language.

A Spanish gal argued back that if you were to visit France, you wouldn't be expected to learn French. Another person sad "that's fine for a vacation, but if I were to go live there, I would learn the language." What do you think? The Spanish have a beautiful language and culture, and I don't care for the racal tensions I feel at work. Is this tension common in a lot of California? And my main question: "Is it fair that Mexicans should be required/expected to learn English if they choose to live here?" Just curious, please don't think I'm prejudiced.

Answer 1

Spanish is actually the most spoken language in the whole world. I'm Mexican and live near the American border, and I have been speaking English since i was 5 years old. Speaking another language has opened new doors for me and gives me advantage to those who don't speak English or even those who don't speak Spanish. I do notice that many (not all) Americans who come here simply refuse to learn or speak Spanish and just expect everyone here to speak English. Well, I personally am not offended by that, but I do feel that it is kind of unfair to our culture because it somehow represents a feeling of superiority from some of these people. This, I think, causes a great deal of tension in western America. Maybe immigration issues have some influence in these, but hey, weren't early Americans immigrants (well, pilgrims), too? (no offense meant here).
As you said, Spanish is a very rich language and represents many latin cultures. I'm also learning French, and I once heard a French person say that if an American of another English-speaking person approaches a person in France saying' "Hi, do you speak English?" he or she would say "NO", even if they did speak English. On the other hand, if they see that the other person is making a little effort in speaking French, they'd help him/her right away.
So, every culture is different and so are people. We must all learn to respect them all just as we would like ours to be respected. Maybe you don't become an expert in another language when going on a vacation, but at least you could try to learn how to say, "Hi."

Answer 2

I think that if you are going to live in a new country you must learn the language (in order to survive!). However, what happens in the meantime?. What happens when Spanish speakers need to go to the hospital, to call the police, to work out some papers? Will they be refused the service because they can`t speak English (yet)? I think that would be irresponsible. So, yes, Mexican who live in the USA should learn English, but they can´t be expected to learn it right away. Besides, learning a language is SO GOOD for you, that is worth the effort.

Answer 3

I think its just common sense to want to learn the language of a country you intend to live in. Yes it is fair to expect it.

If I went to live in Mexico or some country in Latin America you better believe I will work on learning the language and culture before I go.

I realize some peopel are fleeing poverty, corrupt govenments and gangs and do not have time when they get here illegally or legal, but once you are here and intend to stay, you should learn the language and culture.

Sorry for the racial tension, but I think its more culture than hatred for the Mexicans per se I think the arrogance they bring gets people upset. Especially when illegals talk about their rights.

Answer 4

Despite what many people think, the USA has no "official" language. English is the most common though. While I agree that people should preserve their culture, even speak their own language, it is vital that there is at least a common language where we can all communicate together. Many countries have more than one language that is spoken. When I went to Barcelona last summer the people there spoke Catalan, which was common in that region of Spain, as well as Spanish.

Answer 5

They should learn English because that is the main language in America; however it does take time to become proficient at a language. I agree that it is helpful to learn Spanish because it helps the transformation easier for all parties involved. I believe that one should learn Spanish if going to a Spanish speaking country, learn French if going to a French speaking country,etc.

Answer 6

I speak english and spanish myself and I do think that a lot of ppl should try to learn it. However I do feel that coming to America you should learn our language, simply because its really hard to get around without it being that everything is in english here. Your friend that made the comment about in Canada how they don't expect you to learn french is a lie. I have a friend who speaks spanish, english, and french because she is from Uruguay and moved to Canada a while back and they told her family that they had to because Canada wants to keeps its hertiage. In Canada they pay you to learn French and pretty much everyone there speaks it as a first language and english as a 2nd. I love spanish because like you said it is a beautiful language, but in order to adjust to other countries and live there you do have to learn their language simply because you will be very miserable without it and its just a general respect to someones country. I know I kind of went againt everything you said, but I want you to look at it in a different light and not as ppl being mean bc they don't want to learn spanish.

Answer 7

I believe that if anyone moves here, not just Mexicans, they should learn to speak English.

If I were to move to a country where another language was spoken, I would make the effort to learn it.

I think this tension is common not just in California, but throughout the whole country.

Answer 8

Excuse me, my matern language is spanish, im high educated, I have a BS degree and right now im gonna start a second career here in USA. Latin people can also be educated people, we're not only people that make houses or trim bushes, there are many latinamerican people that have phd, or are doctors who can heal you when you are sick. A lot of mexican can cross the border and can be poor, but not all of them, besides, latinamerica is pretty big, they are not the only latinos who exist. I know that we have to learn your language, that's why we are intelligent, cause we are billingual. Do you know another language besides english???

Answer 9

OK first of all.. come on!! How can you expect them to learn English.... ??

They ran out of their countries not because they were high educated people.... most of border-crossers, if not all of them come form "pueblos" small towns with very restricted accommodations and schooling, they barley speak and write one language (their own).

You should not judge if they wont learn English..... try learning Spanish.. being bilingual is not so bad.

Answer 10

all should learn English
I speak 5 languages including Spanish