Is talking a different language around English people disrespectful to you?

Question

In my spanish class, other than me + another student, they are all portugues.

4 of them can't speak much english, and 2 are respectful and speak english.
however, 7 of them talk portugues to eachother, knowing that the teachers or english students don't understand what they're saying.

i know that they are proud that their portugues and everything, but i find it unneccesary for them to not speak english and to swear in portugues.

what do you think?

(i apologise for being unable to spell haha!)

Answer 1

I personally believe it is, because it's just like telling someone, "I'm going to share this secret with so-and-so, but I don't want you to know about it."

Answer 2

Surely the language in your Spanish class should be Spanish. Where the common language is English then it is courteous to speak the common tongue.
It would seem that the teacher is not able to keep the Portugese students interested enough to stop them form chattering and swearing - perhaps you should seek another class.

Answer 3

In my opinion, it is only rude if one is in a meeting or in a card game.

In general, I would just learn a little Portuguese. It's usually pretty easy to get to understand the basics of what people are saying. I'm not saying being fluent. All you have to do is say, hey, since you all are Portuguese, would you mind helping learn a little bit about your language? They will say yes, I am sure. People love to help you learn their language. So, the first thing you ask them to tell you is how to say "How do you say _____?" Once you have that, then you start asking them questions a lot. How doyou say this? How do you say that? Always use the Portuguese verbiage for that. Then they will tell you. Then repeat it back to them and make sure they correct you so you are saying it right. In a few weeks of that, you will have basic conversational Portuguese down and when they talk in class you will get the gist of what they are saying.

Answer 4

if you are in a spanish class you should all be speaking spanish. it is up to the tutor to set the rules. i've studied seven languages and all the tutors insisted that only the language being learnt was spoken in class as it is pointless otherwise. however during breaks it's not rude or disrespectful to speak to your friends in your own language. if you want to make friends with this group then speak to them in spanish and say how hard it must be for them to feel part of the group with only portuguese and that you'd like to be their friend. if they are talking during the lesson then the tutor needs to ask them to listen or leave the class. many english people get paranoid about foreigns. they are not talking about you necessarily.

Answer 5

It depends. Many of us are very conscious of being rude and disrespectful, and do not wish to be so. However, I remember with a French friend (female) that I often had to translate for her because she was only just starting to learn English in UK. She is very intelligent and quickly learnt very passable English. But that interim period of needing a translator was awkward. I don't think we were (either of us) disrespectful and we didn't do it to show off, or to cut out other people, it was just necessary for a while.

Answer 6

Some of the language teachers I know don't allow anything but that language to be spoken in class with the rare exception of questions in English being okay to clarify.
It seems more counter-productive to learning than rude, but I still wouldn't do it myself.

Answer 7

ok..sounds like every1 has an opinion!
i am maltese & proud of it!!! i speak maltese,english and italian!i can understand spanish,german & arabic!
been living in the uk for the last 5years! my son was here on holiday, & we were speaking our language while in a supermarket, when a woman came up 2us & started using abusive words & phrases & even bullied me to go out the premises & fight it out! & this over a conversation that she couldnt understand!? i couldnt believe it! isnt that being rude for trying to catch what other people are saying...?? this is such stupid mentality!
BE HONEST! does everybody that goes on holiday speak the native's language?or is every1 happy talking in english? why is it that you say it is rude, when one is speaking his own mother language?

Answer 8

I don't like it when I am in this situation. I feel left out, it really hurts my feelings.

I know that people don't do this maliciusly, but still it is a little rude. Sometimes I think it is just harder for them to speak the English words, since they have to think a little harder about the words, since English isn't their first language. SO I try not to let it bother me too much, but sometimes it makes me feel isolated from them.

Answer 9

I find it rude when people who speak only English automatically assume that people who are speaking in another language are either a) talking about them, or b) trying to be secretive. For people who speak multiple languages, a whole variety of things in conversation and environment may prompt a switch to another language... sometimes the topic of conversation demands vocabulary you know more fully in another language, or a topic about your home country feels odd when discussed in a foreign language.

Answer 10

I find it rude. Especially if I'm in a business (example - nail salon) where I'm spending my money. I absolutely dislike the technicians rattling on in their own language. I understand it's easier for them, but it's downright rude. Customers don't feel comfortable not knowing what is said around them. I have no real problem with foreigners coming to this country. I welcome them and help how I can. But I feel strongly that if they're taking American money, they learn English.

Answer 11

i do no longer think of this is rude for 2 people to habit a private communication in what ever language they p.c.. that's a private communication, the sole rude one is the single attempting to pay attention.