Does anyone speak english anymore? I have been told todays at work to learn spanish and deal with it, HELP?

Question

Today at work, a co-worker told me that I must learn to speak spanish if I wanted to keep my job, he explain to me that it is now the language spoken in this country and if I wanted to work any place I must speak spanish. I alway thought the to speak english in this country was freedom, now this, why should I have to change? What happen to my freedon, What happen to my english? Is this America?

Answer 1

You're doomed. You can barely speak English, how would you learn another language?

Answer 2

No. This is against Human Rights. I would assume that White settlers from Europe did not have to learn Iroquois, Cherokee, or Algonquian, right? If so, why force the Hispanics to abandon their language and their culture in favor of superficial assimilation? Yes, Hispanics must be encouraged to learn English, but forced? No. Not at all. Eventually, they will learn English (in the proper and due time). And besides, the United States of America, unlike other countries such as Slovakia or Sweden, was not built for a group of peple with ONE culture and ONE language. The USA was built by the Founding Fathers for all men who desire liberty. How then can you force Hispanics to learn English when in fact, liberty is the building block of American society? Not to mention that the multicultural environment actually helped bring America up. If America was only populated by the Whites and the Native Americans, then widespread racism might have occurred and this would bring America down. So the answer is a resounding no. Hispanics have the right and freedom NOT to be forcibly taught English, but to learn it step-by-step in a manner that they will eventually learn to speak it fluently. However, it would greatly help their social mobility if they do acquire a good command of English.

Answer 3

Very interesting. Although I think everyone should at least one second language, it from a perspective of enriching oneself and allowing for more communication. I must as, where do you work that not speaking Spanish is a detriment to you? I've never had a job that required me speak Spanish and I speak it fluently. You are obviously taking this person too seriously. Although our country does not have an official language, most of the US state recognize English as the legal tongue. Louisiana has French as a second court language and New Mexico has Spanish as a second official language. I think it would benefit anyone to learn more languages but not for the reason that this person is presenting to you.

Answer 4

This is America but it's not your grandpa's America. There have always been regions in the country where English was the common, but often second, language. In the North, some communities spoke mostly German or Italian at home; in the south, there used to be pockets of French and Cajun; in the Southwest, Spanish was often a child's first language. The difference is that now these differences are acknowledged, and the doing business, particularly customer service, demands that a person become at least passable in at least one language besides English. Spanish is the most common where I am, but one of the most amazing women I've ever seen was a clerk at a local grocery store who speaks Hmong, English and Spanish with good fluency all 'round.

Give yourself a chance and find a good language program to learn the language. I am sure you can do it.

Answer 5

Given the opportunity every human will try to make it easier for themselves to exist in a given area. We've enabled them to figure it's their right to change the language. We don't really have a national language but spanish is getting pretty predominant in certain regions of the country. You must live in a southern state. Don't worry about it, learn it because it's good to be bilingual or multilingual but it's not the countries new language. It's the language of an enabled and empowered people to speak it in this country without fear that they will have to do otherwise. It's easy for imports not to assimilate and so they don't. Next time you vote, vote for someone who is against mandating multiple languages in schools, government facilities and the likes. It's unpopular but if you have conviction it's the only thing you can do really.
Tell your coworker to speak english, and if he/she doesn't tell someone that they're making an uncomfortable work environment because you have reason to believe that you are being insulted in another language. It sounds cowardly, but sometimes hitting someone on a technicality is what is required.
I don't think it's a crisis that we should learn another language, we're the only industrial country in the world whose citizens refuse to learn other languages. But if it bothers you that much, try playing the professionalism (or lack thereof) card.

Answer 6

It's unfair. Citizens born in this country are expected to learn the language of illegal non citizens. Surely, you should be able to have some legal recourse. I personally do not want to learn to speak spanish. I am also tired of spanish speaking people telling me how rewarding it will be to learn another language. If it's that rewarding to learn another language why don't they just learn english when they come here. I am not a racist I just have an opinion.

Answer 7

yes this is still America, but America is known for being the freedom country, which is why so many aliens escape to come here for a better life. your environment is changing and you must change with it or you will be obsolete one day. i know change is scary and learning another language when your an adult is hard, but think about the accomplishment when your done. how proud you will be to say you speak 2 languages.

if you needed to learn a new and different computer software for your job you would most likely go to a training without a problem. possibly a little nervous and hoping its not too different than the one your used to, but you will still go and proudly put it on your resume as a extra skill. Iam sure you will be more valuable if you know a second language and possibly get a better job because of it, who knows.

this is a nice opportunity for positive change. embrace it and don't be one of these old ladies in the job that everyone says they are living in the old days, with old methods of work, hate change, and everyone needs to adapt to them.

Answer 8

Was it your boss that told you this? That is a ridiculous thing to tell you unless your job description included Spanish as a SECOND language.
I have refused to push buttons to choose English as the language I want to hear. It should be automatically English!!!

edit: OMGOSH!!gentlefemme-are you obtuse??? Are you even American? Look up the definition and then read the Constitution!! We live in America! We do not have to travel outside of OUR country if we don't want to, or learn another language!!!

Answer 9

Where does a co-worker get off threatening your job? I think you should ask your boss -- calmly and without complaining about your co-worker -- if speaking Spanish is a job requirement. Obviously, you were hired without knowing Spanish.

If your *boss* says it is a requirement -- if the rules were changed or if he or she says it might be a good idea -- ask if the company will pay for classes or lessons.

Next time your co-worker says that to you, you should get a paper and pen, and say, "Okay, so when shall we make our first lesson so you can teach me?"

As to how reasonable or unreasonable it is for you to learn Spanish, it depends on your job and how much you're being paid.

Answer 10

It has to change because many latinos are immigrating to the United States. Your freedom is still there, but you shouldn't have an elitist point of view, just to start a new language.

Your english is still there, you just have to use it with english speaking people. The latinos will speak some of it as well.

Yes, this is America: A melting pot of cultures.

Answer 11

If you were to lose your job because of the language you speak....That would be a Labor law concern. Unless you were hired with Spanish as a secondary language must. Obviously you were hired with one primary language. The Official primary language (not law) is English in this country!! One of the rules of legalization when coming to this country is to be able to speak ENGLISH. Speak freely, speak English! Is this co-worker even legal to be here? If he is, he should know the law!! OR get him deported.