Why is it in AMERICA we have signs in Spanish???

Question

It's only encouraging people to think they don't have to learn our language. It gets annoying when people in America don't even take time to learn English. If I moved to mexico or another spanish speaking country I would learn spanish!!! Why do they expect us to learn their language, but don't even make an effort to learn ours? In fact why would you waste tons of money to come to the US and not even learn English? That's just stupid. Unless you didn't pay to come here and are illegal. But that's a different story.

Come to think of it we don't have any signs for people of other nationalities. We don't have signs in Swahili, German, French, or Italian. Why do those languages not get signs if Spanish does? I don't get it. Practically all other immigrants learn English before coming here. Why don't the Spanish speaking immigrants do this?

GoldenRae Hawaii and Puerto Rico are the only exceptions.

Whoah that is crazy to fire somebody just because they can't speak Spanish! That's so stupid!

Answer 1

Yes you are absolutely right. If I moved to Mexico I would learn spanish too. Doesn't that make sense, yes. It just shows how under educated and lazy these people are.

Answer 2

I agree with josh. This is not that big of a deal, and is pretty accepted in most other parts of the world. In some areas of Europe, the more recent generations have become bi or trilingual and speak the languages of surrounding areas. Believe it or not, they actually see it as a good thing and are proud of their ability to communicate and live in proximity to other cultures. For a country that screams so much about how it loves diversity and freedom and individuality, this just goes to show that we really value conformity above all else. Personally, I think it would be great if Americans were educated enough to be able to communicate with people from neighboring countries. And I look forward to the day when that's considered a good thing.

Besides, you go practically anywhere in the world and you'll see signs in English. The rest of the world caters to us, and yet we throw a hissy fit when we so much as see a sign by the side of the road in another language in our own country. It's self absorbed attitudes like this that are making us less and less popular around the globe.

Also, it seems like you expect everyone who comes here to immediately be fluent. It ignores the fact that no matter how much one studies a foreign language, most students or travelers find that it takes some time to immerse yourself in the area before you're truly proficient in the language.

Answer 3

Some day it will be for Spanish press 1 and for English press2 Martinez on c Span said we are a decade younger and in 25 years 25% of all school children will be hispanic sounds like hes planning on taking over. vote him out.

Answer 4

I love this question and the answers it produces, because you can tell who has never left the country.

Most metropolitan cities, worldwide, have signs in a number of languages, and English is very often one of them. Usually THE other one.
There are plenty of signs in Mexico City, and Cozumel in English. Same deal in the big South American cities. Have you never even taken a cruise?

Heck, go to any large metropolitan city, worldwide, and you'll probably find a fluent English speaker rather quickly.

Learn a second language already. The globalization, she is a comin. Sad to think Americans will be some of the least prepared people when that happens.

Answer 5

TECHNICALLY, we don't have a national language, and due to that, the government has been made to provide things in other languages in past court cases. English is our de facto, or accepted, language. The founding fathers did this intentionally, it was not an oversight, in writing the Constitution. However, they were not able to forsee where things are today, and I'd be curious to know how they would handle it now. Of course, I prefer to see English on official things, and in schools, and at the polls, etc. What people speak in their homes is entirely up to them. I have no problem with people speaking several languages, as long as they have a competent command of English, too.

Answer 6

Girl, you some dumbass people answered your question lol.
You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!! They should have more respect and consideration, they are just so lazy, I dont why someone would ever come to America and think we should should just change everything the U.S into another shithole Latin America just b/c their lazy butts didnt have the decency to learn the language and come oevr here LEAGL.

Answer 7

Well I have never seen that but if it's so that is an inexplicable considering that our government had already decided that this is an English speaking country, that our national language is ENGLISH (not english & spanish). Why not ask your local legislature. I would.

Answer 8

Well because like some poeple said about PUERTO RICO!!!. If you don't like it you should change all the signs in the USA.

Answer 9

Actually when you purchase a product such as medicine or anything else you get directions in other languages besides Spanish. You might find those signs near cities who are close to the border. Spanish doesn't have priority over any other language it is just for those who as of yet do not know English or are just learning it. I agree with you on people not making the effort to learn it. We are American so we should be proud of it.

Answer 10

Actually there are signs in French and German, go to Milwaukee, go to Louisiana. Just travel the US there are signs in other languages. Those signs have been there since the 1800's.

Don't know where you live but most of the public signs here are in Russian or Mandarin, Japanese or Korean.

If I go to Mexico there are signs in English, I know I've seen it. In Europe signs are usually in 3 languages.

In Israel signs are in Hebrew, Arabic and English. (I've been there)

Many countries have signs in other languages.

Maybe you have not had the chance to travel to see other countries.

Answer 11

Cool I'm not the only one bothered by this. Yes it is a bad example to encourage immigrants to NOT learn english,
even if we have large latino suburbs. Our governator (schwarzenegger) here in CA is great when he said latinos must turn off the spanish TV and learn english.
BTW there's a new big billboard in spanish right here in my city (Studio City) from some major automaker doing a 'tent event', I have contacted the company as well as city officials. I told them SC in not hispanic (unlike Van Nuys) and demanded them to translate or relocate the sign. If you see one of these big billboards in your area call around, don't let this pass...