Why do we cater to ILLEGAL immigrants by translating many packges, directions etc into Spanish?

Question

I mean isn't it bad enough that they are not even supposed to be here, couldn't they at least show a little ounce of respect to our country by just learning the language? They are already, not paying taxes and putting their kids through our school system for free. Look, I know Spanish, I took it for years and I can speak it almost fluently and I know that it is an easier language than English but English is the language of the U.S. When the European and Asian Immigrants came into the U.S. in the early 1900s, they had to learn English. Although many of them kept their other languages they still also learned English. Now pretty much all packaging and instructions have Spanish on them. Why and we accommodating their language? If we didn't then they would have to learn English which they should be doing anyway. Is it really that much to ask of them to learn the language?

Answer 1

You do know that many legal immigrants also use those Spanish services right? I'm Hispanic and I know that some legal immigrants don't care to learn Spanish, they are not citizens they are residents. Is not only illegals who do this, is also legal immigrants. I agree with you. we shouldn't be accomodating anyone. I have to say this whole pandering to Hispanics is just sickening.

Answer 2

Businesses want to sell their products to Hispanics, and they want to avoid liability by providing directions in a language many people understand.

Some of these products are also sold in Mexico and it's cheaper just to have directions in both languages. The same principle applies to many products that are sold in states that border Canada, They have had bilingual French/English directions for years, even though Americans don't need the French translation. So what I am saying is that we will have biligual and multilingual packaging even if every single American speaks and reads English and this is not a new trend.

Answer 3

(1) Issuing directions isn't about making a political statement, it's about achieving a goal. The goal is to have people understand, and hence follow, the directions.

(2) Why didn't you mention French? Most products sold in USA are also sold in Mexico and Quebec, and are therefore tri-lingual. It's insane to expect that manufacturers would establish three seperate lines of product merely to pander a few unreasonable consumers who take offence at the notion that there is more than language on our continent.

(3) About 20-25% of SECOND GENERATION American citizens speak Spanish at home? We're not counting people who used to be citizens of another country and then became Americans. We're not talking people with non-citizen parents who happened to be born on American soil. We are talking people who, at the time of their birth, had at least one parent who was an American citizen. We are obviously a bi-lingual nation and have been for many years.

Answer 4

The biggest group legally immigrating to the US are Latin Americans. Many of them either dont speak English at all, or not very well.

Almost every ethnic group came here not knowing the same language as everyone else. Over time they were integrated into the society, giving up elements of their prior culture and language while at the same time their culture and language was merged into the greater American culture.

Transition is essential though. There isnt a single group that came to our country and was immediately willing or able to give up their roots to embrace the "American Way." By which you mean your way, rather than the true American Way which is to merge with everything new rather than seeking to replace it-that is what makes us great-that is what makes us a 'melting pot.'
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Edit: Just an FYI--people do visit our country as well. Do you learn the language if you go on a week long trip somewhere?

Answer 5

They aren't necessarily catering to illegal immigrants. There are plenty of legal immigrants who speak Spanish, and the best way for a company to make a profit is for it to speak to the customers in their language.

Answer 6

We are not catering to illegal immigrants.
The fact is that a large segment of The USA population is Spanish speaking, both legal and illegal. This percentage of Spanish speakers grows every year, and will continue to rise in the future.
It is good that you speak Spanish, it will come in handy for you.

Answer 7

We don't. We theoretically cater to those citizens of this great nation that happen to speak Spanish better than English. These people are not wrong because the United States of America has no official language.

Answer 8

Not all hispanic people are illegal immigrants. Many companies sell their products in other countries. Mexico is a big market. It's just smart marketing.

Answer 9

It's damn ignorant to assume that ALL Spanish speakers in this country are here illegally. You obviously have a lot to learn.

Answer 10

English is not the language of the U.S. The U.S. has no official language.

And, it is up to the companies who put Spanish on their packages. It is about marketing. They can make additional sales this way, so why shouldn't they?

In addition, there are people born in this country, legal citizens, who only speak Spanish. Just because someone's first language is Spanish does not mean they are an illegal or legal immigrant.