Why can't they just learn it?

Question

Why does this country cater to the needs of people who don't speak any english? If you move to France, you learn to speak French. I'm sick of these people coming into my work (Sears) and getting an attitude because I can't understand what the hell they're saying.

Answer 1

Agreed, wholeheartedly. A friend of mine moved to Thailand 15 months ago and is trying to speak the language. It's slow going and he doesn't expect any special treatment while he does so. He's like you and me, thinking that you should adopt the language of the country you're in and their customs, and not the other way around. The people there treat him with great respect for showing them respect in this manner.

Answer 2

While I agree that it's annoying when people don't make an attempt to speak the native language of the country they move to, US citizens have an especially bad rap for going to other countries and expecting the citizens there to speak English, which many actually do as it's a global language. But...it would be nice not to have to press one for English when calling a company in my English speaking country. I guess being a "melting pot" has both advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 3

Few 'Merikuns seem to appreciate how difficult it is for Hispanics to learn English. If you think the school system in the States is bad you should see how it is south of the border. Many Hispanics have only elementary school educations and their illiteracy rate is high. English presents them with an almost insurmountable obstacle due to the fact that our language is derived from so many others. Also the way we spell words is totally confusing to the ones that can read. Spanish is spelled just like it sounds ALWAYS. If you can learn a few simple rules, you can learn to read and pronounce Spanish well, even if you don't know what the words mean. Think about that, and then think about how we spell the word 'eight' or 'thought' . Maybe you're just upset because your too dumb to learn Spanish. Is that it? Did I strike a nerve? Que Pasa? No me puedes entender cabroncito?

Answer 4

so what are they going to learn from you............?

I actually agree with the point, if you move to a different country, you should learn to speak the language. We moved from the UK to Canada, and thought we would have no language problems, how wrong we were. The locals are still helping us learn the Canadian words that we need to know.

BUT it takes time as an adult to learn a completely new language, and a little help and understanding, would go a long way I'm sure.

Answer 5

It takes time to learn a new language and a very long time to be able to speak it without much of an accent. Just because you do not take the time to listen to them, does not mean they have not learned English.

Answer 6

What if they don't move here? What if they're just tourists? Play charades; make it pleasant... I do it all summer with tourists, and even learned some French words.

Answer 7

When you go to France, do you immediately learn French?

No, you bungle your way through it and annoy French Sears workers.

Cut them some slack.

You don't see French people getting offended when tourists murder their language every day.

Answer 8

I agree...Groups are getting mad when some of the politicians want to make English as the primary language in some states....HELLO!!!!!!!! We are in America!! Learn English or get OUT!

Answer 9

You have to remember that America is the country of immigrants.

Answer 10

just say 'NO ablo espanol lo ciento'
it means 'sorry i do not speak spanish