why only english in america?

Question

i am from switzerland and i speak fluent german, french, italian, spanish and english, why people in america are only taught to speak one language, i lived in 7 different countries, kids here speak at least 2 different languages by age 3

you people are so selfish and try to segregate yourselves from the rest of the world! when you should learn how to communicate with people from different countries.

and i know your ancestor came from europe but they were stupid enough not to teach you their native language. you could have all at least learned the language the aboriginal in america spoke. instead your ancestors conquered them and forced them to learn english and kipnap their kids to put them in christian schools and forbid them from speaking their native language what ashame and latino is not a race, people in spain are white not hispanic, dont consider me a different race because i speak french, spanish is a simple language not a race, there is only three races,

Answer 1

Language is a common bond among people and unites them. The U.S. doesn't have an official language, by the way. In France, French is the official language. In Portugal and Brazil, it's Portuguese. In Germany, it's German.

While you are being so uppity, why doesn't Switzerland give back all the gold they stole from the Jewish people during WWII? Talk about being selfish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Well, I definitely do not think this is a question; rather it seems you are trying to belittle Americans. Personally, I believe that it is best to have one language per country. It just makes things more simple. If you do not like the language, or how Americans only speak English, why bother coming here or wasting your time writing this entry? You're fluent in so many different languages, go to a place where you feel they are more diverse with their words. Spanish is already taking over America though, which I do not like because this is the USA, not Mexico... but if I would move to an area where I would be able to use Spanish daily, I would accept that fact and do so. In that area too, I was required to take two years of Spanish in high school and four semesters of a foreign language in college. I just prefer to speak English because it is what everyone around me is fluent in; there is not enough need in my area for me to learn a new language because I would not use it enough to remember it. So, what I mean is... yes, we could become fluent in German, French, etc. but without regular use then it is pointless. Remember how small most of the countries are in Europe and it is easy to go from one to the next; therefore you need to learn those languages. We just do not.

Answer 3

It really is a bit of a geographic and political issue. Switzerland is a small country bordered by several countries, many of which have their own distinct language. It's probably fairly easy to move around from country to country, and picking up languages doesn't seem that unrealistic.

Now, look at the United States. It is a large country, mainly bordered by only two other nations. One speaks another dialect of English -- along with French -- and the other speaks Spanish. The only reason I'm not able to brag about knowing languages as much as you is because I really only have two to choose from: English and Spanish (sorry, I live in Arizona, so I'm basically nowhere near close enough to Canada to pick up any French). But, I know them both fairly well enough to survive.

Maybe the reason American children don't learn many languages quickly is because they only come into contact with other English speakers. If all 50 states of the United States each spoke their own language, maybe our situation would be a bit more similar to yours.


Oh, and don't mention the colonial stuff. Let's not forget the Spanish language here.

Answer 4

Your English writing skills leave a lot to be desired. It is not so easy to write in English, is it? That is one reason a lot of Americans haven't learned a second language. English is the most difficult language in the world to learn. However, from your arrogant post it doesn't really sound like you are looking for an answer so much as you are looking for a way to antagonize others. Every country is known for their native tongue. The French speak French, the German speak German. You are lucky to have had the ability to travel to so many other countries. If I had the same opportunity I would probably learn new languages too. As it is I use my time learning things necessary in my life, not yours. You may not like our government (many of us here in the states don't like our government) but you don't now any of us as individuals. You have no idea what you are talking about when you call us selfish and segregated. We are all different, just like people in Switzerland. To criticize us as one only shows your ignorance. Maybe you should work more on your social skills before you try your hand with diplomatic matters. In any language you are just plain rude!

Answer 5

It is not English-only in America. Spanish is also dominant in parts of the country.

As for my ancestors being too stupid to teach me any language besides English, well they were dead long before I was born. Some branches of my family have been in America since 1635, and they spoke English anyways. Those branches which did know Italian or German may have spoken it amongst themselves, but their children did not grow up in Europe. They spoke the language of their surroundings which continued to be English.

Same thing happened during the Norman Conquest of England. For a while the English kings spoke French only. Perhaps they thought England would eventually be French speaking. But their children were raised by English servants who spoke English. Hence French died out in England.

Spanish in the southwest does seem more resilient than other immigrant languages have been in America's history. It's becoming a definite disadvantage to not speak Spanish in southern California.

Answer 6

Your question reads as quite judgemental.

The geographic, political and economic situations in Europe are conducive to Europeans wanting and needing to be multi-lingual. In the US, it is just not as necessary. Consider how closely bordered Switzerland is with other countries, and how relatively small European countries are - in a couple of hours, you could drive to a different country with a different language. In the USA, few states even share a border with another country, let alone one that has a different language.

This doesn't mean people from the US are narrow-minded or selfish, any more than it means you are open-minded and generous just because you come from Switzerland. It's just a matter of circumstance. Like it or not, English is slowly but surely becoming a universal language.

I am not American, incidentally - I am just trying to see it from their viewpoint.

Answer 7

Evidently you don't know what you are talking about because alot not all of Americans do know different languages, what you are talking about is when you an American say if you come to this country at least learn the language. Most high schools you have to learn at least one other language. we have a choice in this country, and I chooses not to we don't consider them self centered or stupid. Why do where you come from are so ignorant?

Answer 8

What are you taking?

I'm not even American and even I find you offensive!

In Switzerland there is an immediate necessity to speak so many languages due to its location within Europe. And Latino is a relevant language...and it isn't Americans fault that their ancestors behaved in a certain way.
And to be honest, I can hardly understand the end of your question: perhaps your not as good at English as you think you are!!!

Answer 9

yes, most of my ancestors came from other parts of the world however, there were some of my ancestors ( as Brother Will Rogers used to say ) who met them when they got off the boat. There are many Americans who live here who are of Native American ( THE PEOPLE - Indigenous People - American Indians ) ancestry and who by the Grace of THE GREAT MYSTERY speak a second language -- of their ancestors.

Answer 10

u belong in the alien race, buddy!

first of all, if u don't like how Americans function stay out of our da*n country! don't learn in our universities! don't come on tourist visas! don't buy our products! stay the freak out.

every sovereign nation has the right to function in any which a way it wants. if we want to speak monkey, we will. if we want to roam around naked with unshaved pits, we will. at the end of the day we are in our country doing what WE AMERICANS have the freedom to do.

being a walking global dictionary is not in our agendas. English is a universal language so...shove it!

another thing, if u learn u'r precious german, french, italian, and spanish....y don't u learn something more challenging not branching from the latin roots? learn korean, japanese, mandarin, cantonese, tagalog...try that challenge for a few years. maybe that can shut u up for a while!