Why do Americans criticize the English that immigrants speak, when their own grammar is terrible?

Question

You have to give people some credit out there. It is very difficult to learn English on your own. It is very difficult to teach yourself something completely new. Try teaching yourselves Spanish or better yet, because Americans are supposedly so damn smart, teach yourself Arabic (writing, reading, and speaking (with a perfect Arabian accent)). I know, I know you don't have to learn those languages because you don't live in countries where those languages are the vernacular, but the point is to give credit to people. It is very difficult. When we bash others who have an accent or who don't speak English, we actually discourage them from learning. They think, "If that is the way English speakers treat people, then I don't want to be an English speaking person. " This is not a white, black, or any racial subject. It is just about language. Please give credit.

I am not trying to say that ALL Americans criticize immigrants, and I am not trying to say that ALL Americans butcher the English language like the President of the United States. (He said misunderestimate. That is not even a word.) And by the way, I am an immigrant (some Hispanic and not ALL Spanish speaking immigrants are from Mexico) and I speak five languages. Where I am from there is only one official language, but everyone speaks more than one. Why do some Americans call immigrants stupid and ignorant while most Americans can only speak one language fluently? By the way, Americans aren't stupid and I don't speak gibberish, trashy. (Your screen name makes you look like a HO) And before anyone is confused by my question, ask for specifics and explanations before you answer as if I am calling you racist or stupid. And no one is saying to bow down to the ways of Mexico!

Answer 1

I have been asking this question to myself quite often. I have found that there are many immigrants, granted those who hold a college degree, who have better English grammar and syntax than many Americans so go figure. I think it may have something to do with those people fear that these immigrants will take their jobs since many of the whiners have a similar education level to illegals.

Answer 2

Languages are constantly changing constructs that vary from region to region and over time, but the rules of English grammar were coddified in the 19th century. The local dialects or slang of many native English speakers is not entirely compliant with those rules of grammar - in spite of public education and standardized testing. Furthermore, conversational English is different from propper, written English, and many people, when conversing on the internet, use informal or conversational modes, even though they are actualy writing.

There is a world of difference between that, and a non-native speaker who has not mastered his new language to a conversational level yet - and thus is difficult or impossible for a native speaker to understand.

But even that is not what's behind many of the complaints you hear. What really gets native speakers - I'd think, of any language - upset is when foreigners visiting or, worse, coming to live, in thier country do not even make the attempt to learn the language.

The stereotypical American tourist, for instance, is notorious for not bothering to learn the language of a region he's visting - or even acquainting himself with what that language /is/ - and instead just speaking louder and louder English with the expectation of being understood. Another example, of course, would be the native Spanish speaker who feels no need to learn English since there are so many communities of spanish-speaking illegal immigrants in which to live.

Answer 3

I'm an American and I don't criticize when an immigrant doesn't write or speak like us because I know how tough it is to try to learn a language. It's OK if an immigrant has an accent or doesn't know how to spell properly. I've been living in Chile ever since I was 12 and had to leave with my family because of personal affairs. I had a tough time learning Spanish but in a few years I was able to speak and write well. I had an American accent when I spoke Spanish up until now but I have a neutral accent. For years, people used to make fun of my accent and it really got me upset. I told them that I don't make fun of people trying to speak English because they're trying. I learned French in school and have been reading Rapa Nui (from Easter Island) so I know it's hard to keep a balanced accent. I give credit to all people that embrace themselves in a challenge to learn a language, either written or spoken or both. And I don't have time to bash others, because I consider it a big waste of energy. Thanks!

Answer 4

Touch $hit, Joshua. Sounds to me like you're just a big whiner who likes to complain. Guess what? Being an immigrant, Mexican, Spanish speaker or having a lot of children is all legal in this country. You making descend money and still struggling is no one else's problem. Pick up a second job. Perhaps a part-time dishwasher position at a local restaurant. You're not the only one in the world with problems and the world does not revolve around you.

Answer 5

This really isn't a fair question. You are assuming that ALL Americans have terrible grammar and can't speak their own language. Furthermore, you are assuming that ALL Americans criticize English speaking immigrants.

Frankly, the fact that you posed this question should be a little embarrassing for yourself, because you have basically gone on a rant about one group of people criticizing another, when you have gone and done the exact same thing.

Answer 6

Hey....I for one am a person that knows learning English is difficult. Especially American English. I will deal with accents....horrible rules of the English language....just learn English if you live here.

I used to think all the other languages were backwards...ours is a very difficult language to learn. I used to laugh like crazy at a wonderful Chinese girl I worked with.....she was so thrilled to be here and after a good day at the restaurant...she'd just scream....I am SOOO gay!@!!!!

The other thing I learned about other languages....they put a male or female thing to each word....hey folks....can't do that here....that's sexist. Le, la te. ta, mere, mon, von,ver,tres,heck I could go on and on. It's not a chair...it's a female chair. Every object has a male or female connotation.

Hey...remember the sexual revolution? Nurse was female...not male. Welder was male not female. Buit we went BEYOND that.....now they want to take us back... they had an add in our paper for a" Doula". That is nothing more than a mid-wife or an experienced mom. Hey....can't do that here anymore. Mid-wives ended with OBGYN. It's not a PAYING, CAREER, WITHOUT A FORMAL EDUCATION for a "white person" to get that job. Anymore even if you are black or any other color you can't apply for that job. Guess what....women are women...we birth babies and we nurse our children and we aren;t any different....but no....a Doula is somehow different and "special"? Like all first moms are in any different situation? Hey all first moms learn stuff....but no...that's a "special" career...for Latinos....as if my breast gives different milk than there's or that of a black mom or an asian mom.. Hey they draw their milk from the same place in the same way but they are suddenly "special"? Different than the rest of us? I seriously don't get it.

Hey....I'm "white"....I don't come from England....my ancestors had to learn English as well....you aren't "special" or "different" or "targeted" simply because of your "skin" color. White people speak a ton of different languages./ So lay off the "white" crap. How many "brown" people speak German as their second language...try "french"..."polish" "russian" please....tell me....

hey "arabic" in consideration of your fellow "brown" people?

Answer 7

The heart of the problem is that many Americans have had the luxury of not having to learn about other languages or cultures - thanks to its relative isolation from other countries (compare this with continental Europe) and its economic and political clout.

Sadly, however, this gives the image of ugly Americans who know little of other cultures and don't give a damn, are ignorant of geography and history in general. For the life of me I just can't fathom the hostility from some Americans whenever they see multilingual instructions or signs . Geez, get a grip - it isn't going to hurt you if you see Chinese or Spanish along with the English.

Answer 8

If I decide to leave the USA and go to another country, say, Mexico, what are the chances that any effort would be made (unless I was extremely wealthy ) to accommodate my needs,
Most of us do not want anyone to speak the queen's English, but somewhere along the line English should be the language we all speak.

Answer 9

As someone who advocates making English the official language of the USA, I am pleased with anyone who makes an effort to learn the language. It's fine if someone wants to retain their cultural traditions and teach their native language and customs to their children. I agree that there are Americans who torture the English language with shortcuts, slang, double and triple meanings and ridiculous spellings.

Continue improving your English and ignore those who have nothing to offer but criticism and ignorance.

Don't you just love how the President says nucular instead of nuclear?

Answer 10

Most Americans can barely speak correct english. In Europe they speak at least 2 or 3 languages.

Answer 11

I respect people who learn English, so don't lump all of us into that category please.

I am fluent in 3 languages and am an intermediate in 2 more AND familiar with two others.

English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Japanese, Russian.