Egocentric in America?

Question

Why is it that everyone is so opposed to cultural diversity in America? Why is it that other countries know between 2-7 languages and we can not learn but 1 as a nation? Those European counteries still maintain their offical language, but it is a requirement for their children to learn at least 2 other. Other people come to the US and we expect them to speak English, we go to other countries and we expect them to speak English. Does our egocentric tendencied get in the way? Is this stigma good for America?

It is said that we learn other languages as a courtesy to other counteries when going on buisness trips, like it is a privilage to them that we learn their language when it is and expectation for others to learn ours?

"I sure as hell don't expect to go to another country and have it done MY WAY!" - comment by someone

this is not true, many Americans go to other counteries with expectations and experience culture shock because everything is not catered to western culture. All I am trying to ask is why are we as a nation so intollerant and unwilling to bend? We give money and time to charities to help other counteries, as long as it is done our way. Why is this?

What happens when the rest of the country becomes like Houston and southern Cali? Some of the better jobs in houston, pertaining to my job market in particular, you need to be bilingual. People are losing jobs because they can not speak Spanish. Everyone saying that it is not essential to speak Spanish, just wait until this happens in your area.

Answer 1

Why do ask such a silly question when you know that our schools don't even teach English, Math, and Science adequately? If you can't speak English proficiently how do you expect to learn a second language?

Answer 2

I'm an American and I speak several different languages. As do a lot of us.
In Europe ,because of the close proximity of country's it is an needed skill to speak other languages. Our nation has only one neighbor that doesn't speak English. And that's Mexico. So why do you think that all the people of the USA and Canada should have to learn Spanish? I am leaving next month for a business trip to Japan. I have been doing my best to learn Japanese,not because my clients in Japan don't speak English,(they do ) but out of courtesy to them. Do you understand why I disagree with your question now ?
I hear very few people in my state of Arizona that speak proper Spanish either.
If you come to the USA where 85% of its people speak English then YOU need to learn English.
Your post is beginning to sound like a rant not a
question. If I was going to any nation to live you are damn right I would learn the language of that country. That's what intelligent people do ,they learn.

And I disagree that all country's require that students learn other languages,that isn't true .I have traveled all over the world,as a child and as an adult, and I know that isn't true.

Answer 3

Americans are not opposed to cultural diversity, just look at the amount of non-Irish people at the St. Patrick's Day parade in Chicago. the real problem comes when people that refuse to learn the language we speak in America play the race card if someone else refuses to learn their language (hypocrisy anyone???).

the reasons Americans are not required to learn another language to earn a college degree is because it not generally required in the real world. I learned spanish because languages intrigue me (and I was the only white person on a crew of illegal immigrants), but in my real career as an engineer, I have yet to use this "language".

Answer 4

Most of us have to accept the education that we are given. That is decided by the government. Our children are not being taught other languages because the government hasn't seen fit to make it so. Except for illegals and their children. They are given a bilingual education from day one. At an age at which it's much easier for the human brain to accept other languages. There was a Spanish class at my children's school (pre-K-5) for a few months but it was discontinued due to 'lack of funding'.

Think about my education for a moment too. I had excellent Spanish teachers when I went to city schools. But when I had to transfer to a county school my Spanish teacher didn't even speak Spanish! I knew more than she did! Imagine if she'd been the only teacher available to me. Or none, as is sometimes the case. Also think about this: Most people are kept too busy learning and doing necessary things to find time to study independently. This is not arrogance, just a fact of life in the USA. And I agree that it should change. Not to benefit illegals, but ourselves. And we should have the choice of which languages to learn. No one else has the right to decide that for us.

Answer 5

Good question, but I wouldn't limit it to just language. Unfortunately, language is not emphasized in High School and is an optional study. Many college degrees do not require a language.

I think that language should be required because America is becoming more diverse every year. Many Americans do value diversity in language and culture, however, there are many who go to private schools (often religious) in order to avoid students with different opinions... how boring and sad.

Personally, I'd like to see more Americans move from being egocentric and materialistic to spiritually oriented. Unfortunately, the media here drives the materialistic perspective.

Answer 6

When in Europe do as the Europeans do, and when in America do as the Americans do. I sure as hell don't expect to go to another country and have it done MY WAY!

But I noticed that a lot of people sure come to America trying to get it their way!

You know that word you use Requirement...that sounds a little to much like communism to me. But that's just my personal opinion as an American, because in AMERICA we have a right to choose!

Answer 7

I am not sure we are learning languagesrecently, in fact weuseto be that way but now people are more open to languages, am I right?
Good luck all

Answer 8

I'm from Spain and i speak three languages.I speak three languages because in Europe if you want to get a good job,you must to speak several languages,but here you don't have to.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

I've been to many countries and enjoyed them, but then I want to come home to my country. I like it.

Wanting not to turn our country into a different country isn't egocentricity, it is preference.

They didn't have to come if they didn't like it.