native English speakers i have a question for you?

Question

do you think that all people should learn english so as to be able to communicate with you?
would you be willing to learn another language to talk to different people?
do you feel people are obliged to know english, even if you are not in a english speaking country?
do you feel proud that your mother language is an international language? and that you don't have to learn a new one?

thnx, i was really wondering...

since when you doubt that someone speaks the same language as you, you just impulsively start speaking in english...

i didn't mean to be offensive to anyone.

as for the question of the "new language"
i personally think that i'm covered, that i can communicate with anyone in whichever country i am in, by just knowing english.
i also know greek, dutch and some german, but i think that if i didn't know english i wouldn't have as much opportunities as i have now.
so if english was my mother language,then probably it wouldn't bother me so much to learn another one.

Answer 1

I think that if a person is living in a country that speaks English as a majority language that it is in their best interest to learn the language, but I feel this way about anyone moving to an area where they speak a minority language. For instance, if I were moving to China, I would expect to learn Chinese, as opposed to having everyone speak English to me. I don't think people should learn to be able to communicate with me, specifically, however.

I'm currently living in Japan, and I've been learning Japanese for three years. I also took three years of French in school. I definitely feel that it's very important for people to learn other languages specifically because it does allow you an insight into people different from yourself. You learn so much about other people's cultures, but also about yourself in the process. It's invaluable and I personally think everyone should learn to speak a foreign language.

I don't think people should be obliged to speak English at all. I think they should learn what's practical. If you live in Europe and it's more beneficial for you to learn German, then by all means you should learn German. If you live in Asia and need to learn Korean, then learn Korean. Or if you want to learn for sheer interest, then learn whatever you find interesting.

As for being proud of English being an international language, no, I don't feel proud. I feel lucky, if anything, because it allows me some benefits that other people may not have. As for not "having" to learn a new one...I know many people who have lived where I'm living now and never bothered to learn the language because people speak English. Personally, I'm not entirely sure how they did it, but I definitely think it's more beneficial for me to be able to speak the native tongue. It allows me not only to do practical things, but also to communicate with the people around me in ways I would not be able to otherwise. I can talk to the nice little old lady who lives down the street about climbing Mt. Fuji, or joke around about teaching, and many other little every day encounters that I would be denied otherwise. Not to mention that I don't feel that others around me should have to pull my weight simply because I don't understand.

Finally, as for the speaking English impulsively, that's completely natural and not limited to English speakers. Here, it often happens to me that people will switch to Japanese whether they think I understand or not. It isn't because they think I'm able to speak it, or even that they think I SHOULD be able to. It has to do with being the language that they're comfortable in. We revert to what's comfortable. Besides, most people don't have enough proficiency in a foreign language to really communicate fluently. My speaking has improved quite a bit, but there are still many, many times that I find myself unable to say something, or forgetting words or phrases and saying something in English to substitute. Most people are probably uncertain of their abilities in a foreign language or it's simply so much more difficult that even when they suspect someone speaks another language, it's easier to use their own.

Answer 2

I think this is a good question.
No I don't think that all people should learn english simply because it's the only language I understand. Though in the U.S. you kind of expect people to speak english. Because afterall it's an english speaking country. As far as being in a foreign country I would learn their language.
I love foreign languages so I wouldn't mind at all learning another one. And I respect anyone who has the ability to speak multiple languages.
I'm actually learning another language: Dutch which I find very interesting. And I speak a little French but I'm not as fluent as I'd like to be.

Answer 3

Well of course it would be silly to expect everyone in the world to speak English. I live in New Mexico and quite often have to speak with people who do not speak English. I do speak a little Spanish as to communicate more effectively with some of my co-residents, both legal and illegal. No one is obliged to know English, although I believe if you are living in the United States as a legal resident and plan to stay here, you should put forth your best effort to learn the language. I don't expect anybody to speak English in another country just for me, which is why I learned Spanish. Naturally, when you are VISITING another country on business or pleasure, you may not know the native language and will speak in your own native tongue.
I wouldn't say I'm proud that so many people world wide speak English, the language was not forced on anyone outside our borders (not recently anyway).
Also, I believe the most commonly spoke language world wide is many dialects of Spanish.
In my country, I do impulsively speak English, naturally. Even when I know that the person I am directing my speech to is not a native English speaker. I live in the United States.

Answer 4

1. No; I think everyone with educational means should know more than one language, but I don't think that it has to be my own.
2. I am learning Russian, American Sign Language, and Spanish, so definitely a yes.
3. Isn't that the same question as number one? I don't think people should be obligated to learn English, especially if they aren't in a culture where they can't afford an education. If they are in an English-speaking country than I do believe they should try to learn the language, so they can better communicate with the people around them. All of those people can't learn that 1 language just to please that specific person.
4. I don't feel any pride. Why should I? It's not like I accomplished something. If anything I feel shame because a lot of people I know don't take out the time and effort to appreciate other languages because their own is so conveniant.
+And please don't generalize us.

Answer 5

I think a lot o us are under a false sense that there are a lot more people who speak English than really exists. I personally want to learn how to speak Portugese and Spanish because I think both of those languages are very beautiful. I also want to visit Brazil and possibly Central America some day where these languages will be native to my visit. I don't feel proud because my language is English, I feel proud because of my lineage, and all of my relatives contributions into making me who I am today. I do impulsively begin speaking English with people because I don't know any other language, but if given the opportunity I will be happy to oblige in learning how to speak the native language that the person I am talking to is speaking.

Answer 6

I do not think people from non English speaking countries should have to learn English. I for one have never tried to learn another language. If I ever plan on visiting a non English country I may try to learn some of their language first. I do however feel that wherever you are from if you are moving to America then absolutely you should learn English. Here in my country I sure do speak my language even if I don't think they do, for instance when saying excuse me in the store or something, they get the point when they are in the way and I am talking to them.

Answer 7

I don't think English should be the premier international language, though it is the only language I speak. I think the international language should be a fundamental language that has relationships to lots of other languages, because that would make it easier for people from lots of different countries to learn. Maybe Latin or Greek, because so many other languages are derived from those.

It really makes no difference to me that English is an internationally used language. I only speak it to other people because I don't know any other language! If I ever moved to another country, I would learn their language first, so I would be able to communicate once I got there. It wouldn't be fair for me to expect other people in a non-English speaking country to try to communicate with me in English. It's important to respect the language and culture of the country where you live.

Answer 8

I personally feel that if you are in an English speaking country it is your responsibility to learn English. The majority of people should not have to learn a language to suit the minority of people who do not even originate from there. Likewise, if an English speaking person was to go to a country that did not speak English, it would be rude to expect people to speak English to suit them.

I have split feelings on English being an international language. While I feel that is provides ease for English speaking countries to do business in other areas, I feel bad that people's customs are being intruded upon by having to learn English.

I don't agree at all with the statement that we "don't have to learn a new one." A great majority of people in the United States (I'm not sure about other English-speaking countries) speak Spanish now. In order to effectively communicate with everyone it is essential to know both. Plus, there are many jobs now that are requiring bilingual employees for this reason.

Answer 9

Number 1: No not everyone should learn english to speak to me, just speak english when you are living as a resident of my country.

Number 2. I know a little german but that's it.

Number 3: It's always nice to be able to speak a little of that countries language that you are visiting, it is rude otherwise and assuming.

Number 4. Yes I am proud, I know I can go to any country and find at least 1 person that can speak english well. As english is the lingua franca of the world for the time being.

100 years ago it was french. 20 years from now it might be chinese or who knows.

Answer 10

1. No, I'm not that important.
2. I'm trying to, yes.
3. In some cases, yes. I live in Switzerland and a lot of multinational companies have English as their official working language. And for tourism, English is kind of a given. But there are still plenty of jobs people who don't know English can do.
4. Proud, no. If anything embarrassed that I don't "have to" learn a new one. Makes me feel stupid, especially when people in their own country speak my language better than I speak theirs.
5. I'm not sure this is a question, or if it's still directed at native English speakers, but I'm always a bit flustered when people approach me in English (for example Japanese tourists in Lucerne), or store people decide to speak English to me though I ask them something in German. Maybe the second one is because I'm from Quebec, where that apparently used to happen in the 50s but in my experience doesn't anymore. (Unless the person in the store actually speaks English better than French.)

Answer 11

I think that people should make as much of an effort to communicate with me as I with them. Preferably, I try to speak in their language and they try to speak in English.

I have learned to speak in German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, French, Spanish and TRIED Inuktituk. Currently I've only retained French to any conversational degree. So yes, I'm willing.

I am in an English speaking country. And a French speaking country. I don't feel that anyone is obliged to speak English to me. Though if I walk into a store in my own country, I expect to be able to converse in what ever Official language I choose.

I have not considered English as an international language, though I do see that is one of the dominant in the world.

I feel your question of "you don't have to learn an new one" implies ignorance and arrogance of anglophones. Its a bit offensive. No one is obligated to learn a new language, though in many places, it would be hard to live if you did not. Like in India were most people speak 5-8 Indian languages, at least that's what my Indian friends tell me.

I don't understand your last statement. If I'm in doubt, I will speak English, better chance that they will understand if I speak properly in one language that improperly in another. Unless I'm in a place where I expect them to speak say only Spanish, then I would attempt Spanish first. Unless I'm speaking to another English speaker, then it is my discretion, no matter where I am. I'm not bothered if strangers don't understand my conversation.