Is it rude to speak another language around someone who doesn't?

Question

I live in a border town in Texas. I just moved here and I do not speak Spanish. I go to a local college and have noticed that while I am working in groups with my classmates, they often begin speaking Spanish even though they are all capable of speaking English. I feel awkward reminding them that I don't understand them and sometimes I really get angry. It seems to me that this would be rude to most anybody. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

Its 100% rude. It makes you feel like an outsider. If they speak English they have no excuse.
I was born here but speak Italian fluently, my family always told me never speak Italian with people who do not understand it. they told me we are American and we speak in English.
I dont understand why Spanish people are the only ethnic group in America who do this type of thing..

Answer 2

I worked at a Latin night club in CA and dealt with the same issue. There were two of us who spoke little Spanish. Some of the people spoke little English so I could certainly understand why they wouldn't. Still, when the bartenders were all out back counting our tips the 5 who spoke Spanish would be going on and on while excluding the two of us. I'd constantly (every single weekend!) point out that it was incredibly rude as they were all quite proficient in English and their use of Spanish only made O. and I feel excluded.

I was ignored every time. Mind you, the entire time I worked there I made great efforts to learn as much Spanish as I could, including studying texts, poetry, and translating actual books myself (so not well, though!).

One of the Spanish speaking bartender's girl friend, when ever I went to a party at their place, would always translate for me when she was around. She wouldn't baby sit me and I wouldn't rely on her, but if we were in a group and everyone else was speaking Spanish she'd let me know what people were saying.

This is a nice thing to do. It makes people feel included. I would, and have, translated as much as I could when talking with a person who speaks English and someone who does not. It's just polite, even if the person who doesn't know the language is not affected by the conversation or has no interest in it.

For your situation it would seem that communication is essential to your education. First, I would suggest asking that one of them, at least, translate so that you can keep up with the group. They may simply not be able to communicate as well in English for the purposes of your group. This may set everything straight.

If this doesn't work talk to your professor. Let him or her know that you understand that they may learn better communicating in Spanish and that your desire is not to limit them but that you'd feel you'd do better working with people who are more willing and/or able to speak English in these group settings. If the course isn't related to language there is no reason you or they should sacrifice education for communication.

If talking to your professor doesn't work go to the department head and, then, the dean.

If you do plan on staying and working in the Southwest learning Spanish will be an invaluable asset and make you more hirable in your job market.

Answer 3

If you are trying to work together in a group and every member of that group does not speak Spanish but does speak English, then the group should speak English.

Answer 4

Yes it is to speak a different language if the established medium is English. If your school is bilingual, go study Spanish and get good at it, then way start speaking Spanish, you could totally start speaking Spanish and blow their minds! I had a friend who's parents were German, but she was born in Mexico, speaks perfect Spanish and when she gets cat calls from Spanish speaking men, she totally goes off on them in perfect Spanish. it blows their minds and gives them the ol'maybe they are listening, and pulling the wind out of their sails. On the other hand, language also identifies a lot of things for us. It is special to us, cause we use it at all times. When you take that away, some feel you are taking apart of their identity, I guess the same way it takes something away from us when we are in the middle of a conversation you don't understand, how vulnerable you feel, you think they are talking about you, chances are they aren't. Maybe the are still learning English and its easier to describe in Spanish. Maybe they are talking about something private like one of them has a health problem, or she thinks her husband is sleeping around or that her son is dating a white girl. I would say something, but don't come out swinging, which I think they may have got living in Texas. People seem to be more vocal about stuff like this, so try say something like, Since we are in school and their are people here still learning English, maybe you could speak English and help them out. Or you and a friend come up with a fake or code language and when people who are speaking Spanish, where you are, start talking, don't make it too stupid sounding and see if they react. Or you could not react at all and show indifference towards it, maybe no reaction is the best reaction. Sometimes I think when people speak in another language, it is a control thing. They want you to know that yeah they no they are from somewhere else and they are living in our white world and speaking in their own language gives them a sense of pride and power. If they act like they are being aggressive about it, then call them on it. Say what is so important that you have to speak Spanish? Ask the right questions and get to the bottom of it.

It might just be a reaction to the ugly American they all come to know, a lack of proper learning skills, laziness or something maleficent, ask them. Sadly my European were expected to learn English and speaking their mother tongue was looked down and I think a lot of folks see the negative aspects of this and why groups coming into the US hold on to their language and identity, because it it important to everone. Put the shoe on the other foot and ask what if that was them being upset with you? I always give slack to areas in the US that were either Spanish or Mexican territory. I also have respect for Native American languages when I am in their nations. We may have to come to grips with being a multi lingual nation. Switzerland has been able to hold together for a long time. I think the best thing again is to learn Spanish and figure out what they are saying and if it something you would take offense at if they were speaking in English, tell them what you think in Spanish (assuming that they are talking negativly about something they don't want you to know about. Language is like telephone booth door we close when we are making a private call, it shuts people out for what ever reason, its private and they dont need to say anything. But the first reaction is usually right in assessing your uncomfortableness with it. So its not rude.

Answer 5

R U Crazy? [ No Offence ] Of Course You Should Be Angry! The Only Reason Other People Do That Is When They R talking Bad Of U Or Showing Off

Answer 6

don't worry, a lot of people feel that way. My fiance lives in Denmark and whenever i go there, they always speak danish around me and I feel really left out because I don't speak it yet. It's hard to learn a language when you don't need it everyday. All I can tell you is to go enroll yourself in a spanish class as soon as you can. If you continue to live in texas you're going to need it eventually anyway, and it'll help you with job opportunities to know a second language.

Answer 7

You're not wrong. If they know English and they know that you don't speak Spanish, they should speak the language that they all know:English. Don't be afraid to call them out on it.

Answer 8

Yeah, it is rude. Try not to get angry, but don't ignore it.

Just keeping asking them what they're saying. You don't have to be rude. Just say things like, "What was that?" or "I didn't catch that" or "Can you please explain for the girl who doesn't speak Spanish?"

Chances are they'll get tired of repeating what they say and just start speaking in English.

Answer 9

well, you're not wrong for the way you feel. you just have to overcome your animosity imagine if you were in a foreign land and capable of speaking both languages. would you be wrong if you spoke both? And if they were talking about you in their native language...who cares people talking about people everyday whether its English, Spanish or alien. It still has no current affect on your life.

Answer 10

Actually ! Yes it is,especially if all in the group speak a simular language. or If one of the people is not that flent and needs a translation of something. So it could go both ways. yes and no. it really depends on the circumstances.