why must they Stop speaking Spanish?

Question

Okay, so im white. I hang out with the Mexican/Spanish speaking people all day long. My best friend is Mexican. Today in one of my classes the gym teacher told my best friend to stop speaking Spanish. Because she didnt know if my best friend was talking about her. I told her that its his lang. and he is allowed to speak Spanish. The teacher told me that she dosent want them speaking Spanish because she dont know if they are talking about her. I droped it...then she came up to my best friend and tried to plead her case. I jumped into the convo. and told her what she said was wrong and if she wants to know what the Spanish speaking kids are saying then she needs to learn some Spanish. Now when I ask my friends if what she said was right, the Spanish speakers so no. but other people like my white friends will say yes she is right because they came to America and they should speak out lang. I just dont see why we have the opportunity to learn a language and some people look at it like English is the only lang. we need to know.

my friend wasnt speaking to or about her in the first place. the gym teacher just came out of no where and told my best friend to stop.

Answer 1

That expression denotes paranoia, an inferiority complex, and racism. Why should anyone be talking about anybody ?
We are not talking to you or about you. What we are talking about is none of your business

Answer 2

Business is business, not a democracy. It may be 'discrimination' but since it's not based on who you are, just on your skill set, I don't think there's much you can do about it. If I were a business owner and I'd get a lot more customers or be able to make business deals more easily if my employees were bilingual, I'd prefer to have bilingual employees and I'd offer incentives (such as promotions or pay bonuses) to people who could speak English and Spanish. Spanish speaking customers are still paying customers, and I wouldn't want to lose them to the competition. It would be a good idea for immigrants to learn English, sure. But things are what they are, and you can't reasonably ask a business to commit financial suicide by not paying attention to what their customers want. Edited to add: If you left your last job angry and let everyone know it, that might be another possible reason you're not getting hired. If potential employers call up your former employer and they're told, "She refused to take Spanish training, then threw a hissy fit and quit when she didn't get a promotion," it won't make them feel all warm and fuzzy about you; it'll make them worry about whether you're a difficult person who has a bad temper. If you said any of the stuff you just told us here in your interview, that may be a strike against you as well. Also, there may have been factors besides Spanish that made them decide to hire a different candidate. You just don't know that for sure.

Answer 3

In a school setting, English should be spoken. The teacher cannot keep order if he/she has no idea what the people are saying. As others have said, in mixed company, it is polite to use English (unless, of course, it's a private conversation). People look at English as the only language they need to know because that was the language adopted as the country was forming. If I were living in another country, I'd expect to have to learn that national language...why should it be different here?

Answer 4

I think it is necessary to learn the official language of the country you live in, however, when in a group situation, you should be communicating in whatever language everyone understands. I worked for a very long time with a company that I believe solved this particular problem for our global village; Everyone has a specific talent, some more than one but when jobs were posted the predominant language spoken in that department was noted as the employees were allowed to speak in their native tongue as it was natural and they could articulate clearly. When a position of authority was posted it was made clear to those applying what the prevalent language was. When there were visitors to these units who did not speak the language, English was spoken. This did not only apply to spoken language, we also had units of those who were mute and the visitor was given a translation. It worked and relieved a great deal of stress.

Answer 5

I think it's more polite to speak a language everyone understands when they are part of the conversation. If your teacher is nearby but not part of the conversation, I don't think she really has to the right to inflict her paranoia on everyone else. I have had the opposite happen, that I DO speak Spanish but don't look it and then someone said something about me...whatever. If people have nothing better to do than worry about that, then they're lucky...it's not like your friend can't just WHISPER about the teacher in English! Is she going to stop you from whispering, passing notes, any private communication, as well?

Answer 6

There's certainly no reason why someone cannot know and speak 2 languages.

I know some Spanish, but there is a time and place for everything.

If you are in a school situation where English is the language used, i agree with the teacher.

Answer 7

I understand what you're saying. I was born and raised in the USA, and speak only English fluently. I don't understand why people of my background get upset when others speak another language around them. Who gives a rip if they're talking about you or not? Even for someone whose first language is not English, but who still speaks English fluently, they are going to be more comfortable speaking their native language with people who also speak it. If I were in a country where another language was spoken, I would jump at the chance to speak English with someone who knows my language well.

Answer 8

I will basically repeat what everyone else on here says. It is rude not to use the language everyone else around you is using. Mexicans came to this country knowing the primary language is English. Just be polite and speak English if you are at a school where that is the language used.

Answer 9

I think that in mixed company it is good manners to speak the language which everybody understands. If your teacher is only able to speak English, then your friend should endeavour to speak English in her hearing, restricting her Spanish to asking what something means if she doesn't understand. It's great that you have an opportunity to practise your Spanish and it's good that you are loyal to your friends, but on this occasion your teacher was right. English should be spoken in all classes but the Spanish class.

Answer 10

IT is ignorance and xenophobic for your gym teacher to ask them that.

The official language is English, but telling someone to stop speaking their native language to each other is a bit extreme.