Should Americans Learn Another Language?

Question

Europeans speak many languages. So should Americans learn to speak another language other than English??

If yes, what should it be? Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian??

Schnuffel....the French do speak other languages, but they care not to speak it to Americans.

Answer 1

Apparently so, if you want to have your grass cut or your roof fixed.

Answer 2

Yes. I think they expect everyone who lives in America to learn English, when that's not even the official language.
There is no official language so all Americans should be encouraged to learn a second language. I would suggest Spanish since its a key requirement in scoring jobs now.

I allready speak English and Spanish and am currently studying Japanese. I don't see why people find it offense or see the ability of speaking several languages as a bad thing.

Answer 3

Yes, Yes, Yes. This is my biggest pet peeve about our country. On the whole, most Americans are sadly unknowlegeable about other languages, other countries, and other cultures. Some are flat out just not interested in learning about other countries and languages, and are even proud of saying so!

This is really a function of being a large continental country and a very powerful one, politically, economically, and culturally, such that other countries are forced to learn our ways and cultures, instead of the other way around. While we do have it easy, not knowing about other cultures and not being sensitive about them unfortunately gives others the impression that Americans are arrogant, ignorant and insensitive. Frankly, a lot of foreign policy mistakes would not have been made if our leaders were more knowledgeable of other countries and regions around the world.

What language? I would say, any other language that you are interested in and have the opportunity to use. For example, if you're in California, an easy answer would be Spanish. If you plan to do a lot of business in Asia, Chinese and/or Japanese would be good.

Answer 4

Should they, maybe, but when this question is asked I always get the feeling it's more about making it easier for non-English speaker those here now and those on the way to live their lives without having to give up their language of choice, Spanish. It also keeps alive their desire to keep the ties with their home counties and the culture for both them and their children. There is nothing wrong with learning a more than one language but most that berate the Americans for only knowing one language, it is more than likely that they are from a country that only speak Spanish. Some have posted that many Europeans speaks more than one language, this is not about Europeans this is about English speaking American learning Spanish. Now if you want to learn the language of business in the coming years, learn Mandarin Chinese.

Answer 5

I am of the opinion that all Americans should learn to speak at least two other languages. Pick one, learn it. All you need is a dictionary, grammar rules, and a partner to study with. Once you're approaching fluency, choose another language, maybe a similar one. For example, I took two years of Spanish language in high school/college, one semester of French, and one semester of German. I've also tried to learn some Italian. Armed with dictionaries, I've continued to learn, although, lacking a practice partner, I don't feel as though I've learned enough to be proud about it.

Sometimes the fun is in the learning, sometimes the fun is in the use of the new language. No matter what, if you work at it, the reward is intrinsic.

Answer 6

I supose it would be of choice and Not to be ever mandatory for the original American people born before the 70's!

I guess the subject of cultures speaking english is more of a topic that Americans most have on there minds! I being one of them, I have nothing against foreign people coming to the United states! There cultural experiences and Ideas are great for our businesses and growth, But I feel they must come here through the legal systems and not sneak in here like so many thousands of mexicans do everyday! Which everyone knows is a huge problem today, they sneak in here and take up all the jobs they can, and then run back home to Mexico with the money!

And in the mean time our own people can't find work because so many businesses hire Mexican's illegally for way lower pay! We need stricter laws to be in place to stop this huge problem with illegal mexicans sneaking in here, but we also need the help from the Mexican leaders and Authories!

But seeing you brought it up about Americans speaking another language, kind of got me in the gutt! I for many years felt this kind of questions were going to be popping up in all sorts of places! So I feel I will be honest with you, Yes if a job requires it, But on the other hand, just because we have so many different cultures living in the United States should never make it that it would be a Law or Requirement to any US born citizen! You have to remember we were here first! We are Americans and it could turn into a bad situation demanding another language's!

It would be like you going to live in China and telling them they should have to learn english because maybe many people from here live there! If anything you'd have to learn there language to survive there and you chose to live there! and I also feel that cultures that move to the US and plan on being a citizen should by law learn the english language before there given there US citizenship!

A lot of American's might think that would be harsh, but many would think it would be a good idea! I myself have been faced with trying to understand people with a different culture language and find it very frustrating when I can't understand what there trying to say and I'm sure many others have too!

You see you may have asked a question with no merit! at least for people born and raised in the US before 1970, Learning a different language because the US has so many different cultures now, Isn't a reason for the US people to learn more languages, It's the other cultures must learn the english language if they choose to abandon there own foreign country for what ever reason! and start a whole new life in the US.

The American people are the American people, Making changes to there language and what ever else, They are no Longer American people, You'd be changing the American culture! It's already on the danger species list, why would you want to help it disappear that much faster! American people are proud of being Americans! Were not looking for something that could jeopardise the American way of life!

So as for adding another language to the American english language, yes, ONLY for certain job reasons! other then that NO!

Answer 7

Yes, French. I heard it drives the females wild.

Edit::>>> I agree with Me2. I'm tired of being bullied by foreigners to speak a foreign language. But it isnt't the Spanish speakers only. FOr a year, I was being force to learn Tagolog, despite a policy of ENglish only. My Philpino Boss had the audacity to complain I have a communication problem. I was polite not to make an issue of them violating company policy, and told them that as long as they don't talk about me in Tagolog. THey Violated that rule at least 5 times.

Answer 8

Learning a second language is generally regarded as a good thing, accademically, particularly in the sense of a liberal education (not 'liberal' as in politics, BTW). It 'broadens your horizons' and enhances 'learning skills' and all that sort of thing.

When I was in high school, there was still a 'foriegn language requirement.' I took Latin. Not useful to the world traveller, but helpful to the serious student.

Such requirements aren't a bad idea, but, obviously, you'd want to allow a choice of a wide variety of possible languages.

Answer 9

It wouldn't hurt. I would like to be able to speak another language, but I have trouble with the elementary Spanish and German I learned. I guess I need more practice.

Answer 10

If they are traveling or planning to move to a non-English speaking country, then YES they should learn another language.

And people who travel to or come to live in the US from non-english speaking countries should definitely learn the english language.

Comprende?

Answer 11

They shouldn't have too but it would benefit them to do so.
Arabic would be a great language to learn. There are so many people in our country that speak it.