I am Mexican American but i don't speak Spanish?

Question

First of all calling myself mexican american is a stretch. Yes my ancestors came from south of the border but I have never thought of myself as anything but american. I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH!!! I get asked this on a daily basis and it really gets on my nerves. It's as if people just expect because i have a year around tan i have to know spanish. I live in america speak english!!!! does anyone else feel this way?

Answer 1

omg, i have the same exact identical problem.
Some people i dont even understand, because im in their Spanish1 class and yet they still ask, "Dont you already speak Spanish?" but HELLO? im in your Spanish 1 class figure it out!
its really annoying, i know.
nobody seems to do it to other people with other nationalities... but i dunno.
and sometimes my teachers are like that too. "Do you speak Spanish at home?" or "Does your mom speak Spanish at home?" my mom doesnt' even speak SPanish that well...
and it just bugs me a lot.
its kind of like a stereotype. that you'd assume all people who look hispanic speak SPanish

Answer 2

No, not at all. You shouldn't forget where you are from, that's the problem with many Americans, they forget where they are from and what people they come from. Also, English isn't the official language of the U.S. and it seems like you are giving your back to the people you come from. If you aren't in touch with your culture, well okay, but don't get mad when everybody else is. The U.S. gives freedom of speech, that mean I can speak whatever I wish in whatever language I wish. Spanish doesn't make a whole culture either, what about the food you eat? Do you have an accent? What holidays do you celebrate? If you just want to be American and forget about your background, that's fine, don't expect us to do it. I know many Mexican-Americans who don't speak Spanish and are working so hard to learn it, I think that's great, the more languages you know the better it looks. You could try the same, it wouldn't hurt. That's how I feel.

Answer 3

Hi. I know a blond haired anglo guy who has a Hispanic last name. He was adopted by a Mexican-American family. They never taught him Spanish, either. He has a lot of funny stories about that topic.

My best friend in HS was half Mexican--an English dad, a Mexican mom, he "had a year round tan". Yes, he spoke Spanish, but with an English accent. Amazing.

Answer 4

I even have on no account met an American that referred to as themselves eu. interior the US maximum folk right now assume somebody is a Mexican or a Puerto Rican using fact's what majority of Hispanics/Latinos in usa are. only only right suited them. Alot of human beings are stupid whilst it involves race besides, we've spent years attempting to offer Blacks a politically only right suited call and nevertheless have not discovered that maximum Whites in usa are no longer even Caucasian. If we can not get that suitable, how do you think of we are meant to get the names of foreigners suitable. only discover ways to settle for it. Alot human beings think of Asian and chinese language could be utilized interchangeably, in case you have dark pores and skin you need to be African (which interior the minds of alot of human beings is a rustic and not a continent), eu and British are used interchangeably as nicely, and in case you talk Spanish you're the two Mexican or Puerto Rican. do no longer sweat it.

Answer 5

Well, if this will give you some comfort; and I do hope it does, my grandaughters are 1/2 Puerto Rican, and they are in the same boat as you. My son-in-law was born here, in this country and English is his first language; because you speak English here. Both of them are asked the same questions as you. They both are taking Spanish, now, in High School and are tutoring the kids who don't have English as a first language. My son-in-law travels extensively, for his job and takes them with him, so they can translate for him, as well.

Answer 6

My parents are Mexican, and I grew up speaking Spanish and English. Know what? I liked it because I was able to communicate with a lot more people and it opens up your mind knowing more than 1 language. I live in Italy now, and can also speak Italian....learning Italian opened up my mind even more. There's nothing wrong in learning more than 1 language...if you are dead set against it then okay, but I believe you are missing out on a lot.

Answer 7

I have lived in Honduras for over 25 years and don't speak a word of Spanish. This raises many questions I must admit.

Answer 8

I teach a class full of students who feel like you. My school is only about 10 miles from the border. All of my students are hispanic and they are chastized by the teachers and students across the hall because they only know English. They always refer to my class with snide remarks and call them the "English" class with disdain. Just because you are certain race doesn't mean you automatically come equipped with knowledge of a particular language. You are not the only one. Cheer up!!!

Answer 9

You have self hate. You need to learn spanish. With so many of us here, if you want to give yourself a leg up on othters in the job market, you should know spanish.

It shouldnt get on your nerves, theres more of us everyday, and MOST of us, are proud to stay in touch with our heritage by speaking spanish....you can also get much more out of any traveling in latin america that you do, if you speak spanish.

I live in america, speak english......whoopee for you, do you want a cookie......

Yo vivo en USA, y me da gusto hablar mi lengua natal, malinche.

Answer 10

what would it cost you to learn a second language? Being American does not have to mean being rigid or dense. This story reflects poorly on you- not on those who speak more than one language. Good luck kiddo.