Is speaking a foreign language in public "un-American"?

Question

Case-scenario: mom-dad w/kids. Father speaks to kids in foreign language exclusively anytime any where. Mom speaks to them in english exclusively. Kids will have no lack of oportunity to learn english as they spend 8-10 hrs/day in all-english daycare. Eeverthing (TV, Radio, etc.) and everybody else speaks to them in english. The only chance they get to get the other language is when talked to-talking to dad (who sees them only 2-3 hrs/day and weekends).

There's love and respect to this country. It's home. There's just a wish the kids learn something that will be useful to them and connects them with the other half of their heritage. It's just sometimes the disapproval of people arounds us can be felt pretty hard, even though, I think, they don't need to know what we are telling our kids. They feel like they have a right to. Not everyone, just some people. Others are very appreciative and seem to understand the situation.

Obviously when we want other people to know what we are saying, we'll say it in english. If our kid was playing with another kid and our kid did something he shouldn't we'd reprimand our in english so the other kid and parents know we are disciplining him.

If you weresomewhere else, would you not talk to your kids in eglish so whe you all came here your kids could speak to grandma, their cousins, aunts, unlces, your old friends, etc. in english. Must one check all previous life at the door when entering the US?

I repeat, we BOTH know english very well. We just want to teach our kids the other language TOO, not exclusively. They already know as much english as they know the other language. It would be actually impossible for them not to learn english given they are sorounded by it most of the day every day.

My kid's native language is english and the otherone. It's simultaneous. You'd be amazed (as am I) at the extent of the vocabulary such a young person can manage in BOTH languages.

Answer 1

I would stand your ground and teach your children both languages . It will only prepare them better for the future. children learn languages so much easier than adults. this is a good time for teaching them.

i would not worry about anyones approval / looks , etc. you are a parent , making a decision in the best interest of your child. do not worry about what anyone else likes / doesn't like. i do not mean this to be disrespectful / just straightforward and honest. you are correct to be sensitive and speak english when appropriate. i think you are doing the right thing.

Answer 2

A lot of people aren't good at learning a foreign language. BUT, if they have children, the language will be completely converted within a generation.

There is really no point in making a big deal about someone using a different language here. It's quite difficult to function without knowing the host country's language, so the conversion happens in most cases anyway.

The reality is that almost all immigrants are assimilating and learning English to the extent possible, and by the time their kids grow up, there is complete assimilation anyway. This is a hot-button issue and people eat it up and love to overreact.

Answer 3

If mom, dad and kids are already English fluent, then speaking at home is fine. Speaking out in public is often rude, however, especially in a social situation or an interactive situation. Everyone accepts that tourists may have an issue with the language...however, those who live here should be willing to speak the language. When I spend more than a few days in a foreign country, I do my darnedest to learn the language. I don't want to be perceived as rude.

Answer 4

It is fine to speak in whatever language you wish, where ever you wish. I think the problems and the irritation comes from people like myself being turned down jobs because we aren't "bi-lingual" in our home country, or we can't get around in stores because we don't speak the foreign language all the products are now printed in. I personally, feel its fine to speak whatever you like, as long as you can function in THAT countries language, whatever that may be, and not expect how many millions of native people to change their language and way of life. I wouldn't expect, for a second, to move to say...Germany and have the entire country have to learn English to cater to me! I think that people in America are tired of receiving their comcast bills en espaniol and having no idea what the sale is or if they even want it. Those kinds of things grate and irritate, so that when someone IS speaking another language, its a sore spot.

Answer 5

Personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with speaking a foreign language here. It shows the diversity that this country is known for.

However, I do think that everyone who comes to live in this country should learn English. I live in Albuquerque, NM, and there are quite a few people who only speak Spanish. That, I think, is un-american.

Answer 6

I dated a girl from France, and all her friends were nannies from Spain, Germany, Poland, France, etc.

When we were out together, some of them, when grasping for vocabulary to express their thoughts, would compulsively get locked in side-conversations in their native language. And their friends would cut in and tell them "Speak english!"
Because they knew, that even though it's hard at first, that's the only way you learn.

Regarding your opening question, I think that it arguably has a negative effect on children in school to constantly be spoken to in their native language, when that assimilation and learning is not enforced in the home.
Assimilation, arguably, begins at home, and being taught at home that learning english is important.

It's also rude to talk at length in a foreign language around others who don't speak the language, when the people with you or around you cannot understand.
The more polite foreigners I'm out with, when their friends do not speak enough english to have a conversation and they are forced to speak in their native language, will turn to me occasionally and let me know the major thrust of what is being said, so as not to exclude me or other english speakers present from the conversation.

Answer 7

It's all well in good to teach your children another language, but it's rude to speak in a foreign language loud enough for the people around you to hear, when you are in public.
A lot of people will get the general idea you are saying something insulting or derogatory about them.
In my experience that is usually what you are doing.
It's rude.

Answer 8

Its awesome that you're teaching your kids both languages. I speak English and Spanish fluently, and I proudly teach my daughter both languages!I teach her Spanish because that is the language of our ancestors and I want her to take pride in her Mexican culture, but I also teach her English because we are Americans. I don't find it RUDE when people of the other cultures speak in their native tongue. WHY? because its NOT any of MY business as to what they are talking about!

Answer 9

This is America, a free country, you have the right to speak to your children however you wish.


You are not going to be able to please everybody always, so get use co criticism and anjoy your life and your kids in any language that you want.


That is just the way i believe freedom is supose to be.

Answer 10

not at all! America is a place for all cultures to be accepted..but illegal aliens and people who refuse to learn english and expect me to go out of MY way to understand them, WELL THAT JUST PISSES ME RIGHT OFF! but yeah as long as their here legally and try to adapt, its cool..