Why do Americans want everyone to speak English, while they dont want to learn other languages??

Question

Is it arrogance or lack of language skills...(No offence)!!!

Answer 1

First of all, I can't speak for every single American. Personally I find it embarassing that the US puts so little emphasis on teaching other languages in schools. As a part of a well rounded education, I think that everyone in the world should be capable of speaking two languages fluently, but I realize that I am in the minority in the US by saying that.

I do believe that people who immigrate to the US should make an attempt to learn English. I don't see a problem with incorporating their language into society (i.e. signs in Spanish, etc).

America is a nation of people from around the world, and I think in today's world, a global world, we should stop with the "English only" argument.

Answer 2

I'm really sorry about them. I can only imagine how annoying that would be. Please ignore them, or tell them to stop and it's not funny. I'm American. I actually love foreigners and different accents. Honestly, I don't even like having the general standard American accent. It's boring. Everybody around the world hears it every day of their lives. It's nothing special. Unfortunately, Americans don't hear many foreign voices often, since all of our shows, movies, TV, radio, internet, etc. is American. We don't have much foreign influence at all. There are some British shows/movies/TV hosts, a couple Australian things every once in a while, a rare Scottish or Irish person here-and-there, but that's really it. Everything in America is basically...well, American. I would love to have more foreign things, honestly. I just watched the new "Karate Kid" movie last night, and I actually liked reading the Chinese subtitles and hearing a different language other than my own for a change. I love traveling to different countries. I love meeting foreigners in America, too. If you tell them to stop saying that, they probably will. Tell them it's not funny, just annoying. Or ignore them. And maybe by telling them, "At least I am smart enough to know two languages," will have them shut their mouths and keep their unnecessary comments to themselves. Excuse me, but don't judge us all. Tsk tsk. Don't generalize or stereotype us. I love other cultures, countries, foreigners. I do not make fun of Asians or the Chinese. They're great. I love all my Asian friends, and I have many. I also have Muslim friends, too. I have been to Italy and Mexico, and I will be traveling to Australia in only 2 months. I have friends in Australia and family in Italy. I plan to go to many other countries within my life time. I plan to move their as well. Maybe even go to college in another country, or be a foreign exchange student. I'm in high school. But don't let my age affect your opinion of me. Age and knowledge do not necessarily go hand-and-hand. By the way, I can cook. Again, stop with the generalizations, please. You say we judge but then you are making the same mistake that is hurting you. Don't become what you dislike. There are many other Americans like me that will be fascinated by you and ask you many questions. They will love the fact that you're not from the USA, and will want to know more about the country from which you came. Good luck. I'm sorry about your experiences. People can be very conceited and into themselves. But not everybody is. Not everybody is like the Americans you have met, believe me. And I apologize on their behalf. It is a shame. You are a very brave person to move to the United States, and I wish you all the best. Don't give up, things will only get better.

Answer 3

OK here is how I feel about this. I think every school in America should have a foreign language program. I don't think that our choices should be as narrow as French or Spanish. I think it should include, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic and Chinese. I don't think that school systems should wait until middle school to teach kids a foreign language like they did in my school system. I think they should start to teach us another language in 1st grade.
I feel that if you're an American and are going to be traveling abroad, then you should try to learn some at least some phrases before going into another country, don't take for granted that EVERYONE will be able to speak English.
As far as foreigners coming here, I feel the same way. But as far as immigrants, I think if you're gonna live here, learn English, it will make your life that much easier. I know there a lot of Spanish speaking people here in the States and they try to say that more people speak Spanish in America, but that's not true, most people speak English, so learn it. I don't care if you speak your native tongue to your friends and family, but when you deal with people outside of your community be able to communicate with them.

Answer 4

Are you talking about within our borders or globally? Globally, English is the majority language so it just makes sense to do business in English.

In America, a lot of confusion would be solved if people learned English. I don't get mad as long as people make an attempt. I was at the DMV a while ago and some Spanish lady asked me to help her with her test. If she can't read a driving test, how can she read road signs? I don't want her driving around me! She wanted me to help her cheat.

I got into a car accident with an Asian man who didn't speak english. He had no idea what was going on and took much longer than needed to get his information.

But the short answer, we don't want to learn another language.

Answer 5

I think a lot of it has to do with the size of the country. If you live in France, you can travel to pretty much anywhere in the rest of Europe as a day trip; the same does not apply to the US, as some of the states are roughly the same size as some of Europe's countries.

In Europe, there are so many different languages spoken by neighboring countries that if you want to communicate effectively with someone two hours away, you'll need to pick up that language. Someone two hours away in the US is someone who speaks English (unless you live in a border state). There's no need for it.

English is one of the top three most widely spoken languages, so we're set if we want to communicate with someone else. Chances are they know English, so there's no reason to have to learn another language.

Answer 6

Neither, and both.

Americans were brought up on English structure, that's where English came from, and majority of settlers spoke english. Therefore, anyone coming from other countries had to learn english to be understood.

On the other hand, did everyone enjoy High School language, or remember any of it???? Took it because they had to.

It also has to do with society or education.... ask how many people can point out US on a map, what majority reads foreigh press (even the one in english), watches foreign movies, listens to foreign music (english and non english).

Answer 7

Maybe, because this is their country. If they were the inmigrants for whatever reason in some other country, do you think they would let the americans get by with not learning their language. I think not. None other country will give up their language to acomodate the americans. Can you imagine France, Spain or any orther country that english is not their 1st language saying to the americans if they were the inmigrants, "sure welcome you can keep speaking english, we'll give our language to acomodate you". In a pigs eye, girlie.

Answer 8

Why do non-Americans always have a false stereotype about Americans? Is it jealousy or ignorance? I am American and speak three languages. Actually it is countries across the world that are adapting the English language as second and third languages. It is so the world can communicate in one common language. I mean how many languages do you expect Americans to acquire?

Answer 9

Lol. No offense taken.

I'm an American who's taken several years of Spanish, along with some French, and I have to say that most people don't bother because they don't see any point to learning.

After all, only about 30% of Americans even have passports. See the problem?

Answer 10

Well, as far as in the US, its a matter of respect to those who live here, it is EXTREMELY rude to talk around other people in a different language, be it at work or out and about, most people find it offensive simply because they dont know what you might be saying, about them or not. When it comes to other countries, well some people are just lazy, and some people just dont get other languages. I think it comes from our culture, we dont teach any foreign languages until jr high at the soonest, so kids dont learn in multi language, thus limiting their ability to learn new languages later. As For making the rest of the world speak english, i dont think ive ever heard anyone say that everyone should speak english, but if you want a job in america, you should speak english, period. this is non negociable, since if we wanted a job in another country, unless we are to guide english speaking tourists, you are expected to speak that language.

So in reality i dont think this is simply "americans want everyone to speak englis" , but more of wed like to be able to understand others, and not have to bring a translator to go out to eat, or to deal with our bills (on the phone, or in person). America should make english its language, if you want to be american, you should learn the language, its all about becoming american, adapt to the culture, situation. Im so tired of people comming(legal or illegal) here and expecting to be accomodated, its offensive and against the entire point of becoming american. Once you become an american, you should be proud of where you live, not be stuck in where you used to live.

One other thing, when born in the US, you are American, not mexican, not puerto Rican, not african american(the most incorrectly used category, very few Black people are actually from africa, most are just Black, not african american.) When born here, this is where you are from , not where your parents are from. THis is why its hard for americans to feel like one people, everyone wants to be where they are from , without adapting to where they actually are.