If you decided to permanently move to a different country, would you learn their language?

Answer 1

Of course I would. It would be the sensible thing to do.

Answer 2

I speak three languages-I'm a native English speaker, who also speaks German and French. I lived in Germany for a while, and while I did speak German in most situations, there were still some where, as a non-native speaker, I struggled, and preferred to speak English-my math class, for example, when I dealt with certain concepts that were difficult. I'm married to a Canadian, who grew up speaking English at home, and French at school. We've chosen to speak a mix of French and English at home, and raise our children to speak both French and English comfortably. When we travel to Canada, while we can speak both French and English, when conducting important business, like dealing with passports or medical issues, I prefer to speak English, though I could competently do it in French.

So while I'd learn the language, as an adult, and a non-native speaker, or, if we moved to a French or German speaking country, I'd still hope that I could conduct serious business like medical treatment in English, not out of any desire for special treatment, but because I would worry that, no matter how good my competence with the language was I wasn't getting all the information I needed to know what was going on. It's one of the unfortunate downsides of not being a native speaker of a language-there are times that we miss subtle things which can be very important.

So I suppose, the simple answer would be, yes, of course, but there would probably still be limits on what I felt comfortable and competent doing in a language other than English.

Answer 3

Of course I would,if you don't learn the language of the country you move to, would you expect them to change everything for you ? Have every thing written in your language as well as the country's own language. No nation should do that ! Right ??

Answer 4

Actually, I'd take it a bit further and learn the language BEFORE I moved to a different country. One of the reasons I haven't traveled abroad to some places I'd really like to see, is simply because I can't speak Greek, Italian, or Egyptian.

Answer 5

Yes, absolutely, not only their language, but also adapt their
way of dress and customs......the key word is permanently, right?

EDIT: after I answered the question, I read the other answers
and see the focus again remains on Mexicans, not knowing the
English language. Please, I am sure that you guys have gone
to Chinatown and plenty of Chinese don't speak English, andrefuse to learn.....also go to Little Italy and again you'll
notice the lack of enthusiasm in learning the English language, These are some examples of illegals that refused
to speak English when in this country....and not all of them
are Mexicans.

If you ever visit Berkeley Univ. you'll notice all the "visas"
student and they have their own cliques and speak in their
own tongue.....the only time they seem to speak English might
be in the classroom......

I am not Mexican, but I find that there is a certain distain
for this group of people, and your mind must be opened to
other illegal groups .

Answer 6

First off, if I decided to move to another country, I would have some sort of grasp on the language beforehand so when I do get there, I wont struggle as much.

When I get there, I would doeverything possible to master that language; therrefore, making me more marketable as a citizen of that country.

Answer 7

Definitely! This should be a "no brainer".

When one moves to a different country, one should at least learn enough of the language to function there.

This should be the case for an American moving to Mexico, a German moving to France or someone from China moving to Brazil!

Not only is it a matter of respect to one's adopted country, but a matter of practicality.

Answer 8

For the most part, a person would have to learn the language of the company that they move to. Most other countries do not accommodate immigrants by having everything from government forms to street signs in languages other than what is native to their country.

As for those coming to the US, well, there is only one group of people that seems to not be smart enough to learn English.

Answer 9

Honestly when I was a resident in Guatemala I was lucky enough to be fluent in Spanish, but I just couldn't pick up the indigenous language that I needed to communicate. This was probably due to a bit of language fossilization. The older one gets the harder it is to pick up other languages.

Answer 10

of course!!! Im a latino and
It bothers me when hispanics dont learn the language.
.
I get these commercial calls sometimes and they speak
spanish. So i answer in english...so then they ask me if
i speak spanish I say no and they just hang up on me..
lol
isnt that stupid? I mean if you come to this country you
have to learn the language period. but no you got
these stupid groups like LULAC and ACLU that
call it racism if you tell these people that they need
to learn english. Anyways most of these peoplle come
from Mexico and uneducated so what can you expect
from them. Obviously not to much.

Answer 11

Yes, definitely. I learned Spanish fluently before moving to Mexico.