Why do so many Americans have a problem with immigrants speaking their native tongues?

Question

I fully understand Americans wanting immigrants (legal and illegal) to learn English. It does make for easier communication, and if they choose to come here they should take the consequences of having to learn the language of the area. If you chose to go to their countries, it would be incumbent upon you to learn their language.

But when they are talking to each other and not to you or any other English-speaking American, why do so many of you have a problem with this as well?

I have read a lot of people's answers that say they are ticked that the immigrants won't use English, but the explain situations in which they were not part of the conversation. Why do so many of you care if they speak their own languages if they are only speaking to each other, as long as they speak English to you?

I reiterate that I agree with the idea they should learn English. My question is why they should have to speak English to each other when no one who speaks English is part of the conversation. As long as they speak English to those who speak English, why can't they go with their native language around each other?

And for the first answerer, I am American. So if you don't want me to be so judgemental about my people, don't talk about them like that.

I speak only English. I know some phrases of Spanish that I remember from High School, but definitely don't speak Spanish (couldn't make it in a conversation in Spanish.

I am one of the ones who don't understand what is being said when others are speaking in another language. I just happen to remember that it isn't my concern, because I'm not part of the conversation.

If they speak to me they would have to speak English, but to each other I don't care. I am wondering why so many others care, or rather why they get so angry about the situation.

It is one thing to care because you want to learn the language, but to be angry that they use it amongst each other makes no sense to me. But this attitude seems rather prevalent among most people on this site and with people I meet in everyday life.

I'm wondering why so many get angry about this situation?

Well, Leurot. I wouldn't go that far. Human is human, and anyone can be anyone else's friend, regardless of culture and past. Illegal or otherwise, you can still be their friend and they can be yours.

They are your brothers and you are theirs. Whether you believe God made all of us and loves us all; or you believe we all evolved and we are all descendants of the same original one-celled organism, we are all brothers and sisters.

To Jenny:

I agree it is to exclude others, but it is to exclude others who have nothing to do with it anyway. In a personal conversation in which both speak another language, it is their business and I say they should be allowed to speak any language they like.

I don't believe in bilingual signs and such just like most of you. But again, I reiterate that they should learn English in America (or rather American, we can't understand real English from England, the language has changed too much in America). But when speaking with *only* each other, why do so many get angry about it when they speak their own language.

Do you go yelling in English to make sure that everyone hears your conversation? I would assume no. Does that make you rude that you excluded others from your conversation? I think most of you would say no.

So why does it matter if they exclude you from their conversation, if you were never a part of it in the first place?

Answer 1

its mainly an issue of prejudice and negative stereotyping.

Answer 2

it's really a question that people do not think it is polite and also a matter of immigrants not assimilating into the culture. i think that Americans are really stretched financially and illegal immigrants have really drained the system .The working people of the country are fed up / are trying to draw a line in the sand. Hearing immigrants speak in a foreign language is a constant reminder / dig of the injustice of it all. it' s irritating to some. there is also the matter that american businesses are being sued because they don't provide spanish language translation. can you imagine an American illegally immigrating to a country such as France and suing the government because they did not provide a spanish language option/ translation ? there are some states that are actually being challenged on english being the "kings Language" . not to generalize, but the overall opinion is that if you GIVE an illegal immigrant an inch they will TAKE more than a mile ! I personally think it's an advantage to speak more than one language and believe children should be taught to speak more than one language . I can understand that a family of immigrants would want to teach their children both languages. I think that it should be done in the home for the most part . I think that immigrants need to drop the expectation that the U.S. is going to accomodate them / because they decided to immigrate illegally and seem to be getting away with stealing from the average working american. the bottom line is there is a justified resentment. i think this impacts the tolerance ?

Answer 3

Only because Americans, and America are called racists, and bigots if Spanish speaking Mexicans do not learn the English language. And Organizations like La Raza, and MeChA threaten to sue on their behalf for discrimination. So it's not that there is a great demand for Spanish media. Only being crammed down Americans throats, and resonating in Americans ears. Much like the "Reform Bill" Americans don't want either. Mexican Bandido - Spanish was not the first spoken language here in the Nation. It was more like over three thousand different dialects of Native American languages. And the Spaniards were not the only Europeans who arrived on the Continent either.

Answer 4

why ask a question you dont really want to know the answer too? nothing anyone can say will sway your opinion as your opinion is not based on rational thought, but some sort of misled political correctness. you are only asking this question in some naive attempt to preach. I am half mexican of LEGAL origin. we are NOT in mexico, learn the language. If you want to speak spanish at HOME NO ONE is stopping you or complaining about that. However if you move to a foreign country speak their language in public. I spent several years in France and spoke FRENCH to Americans I met there. To speak English in a public setting would have been RUDE.

If an American moves to Mexico id expect them to learn spanish and speak SPANISH in public settings. you in fact are the racist.

Answer 5

I worked in a office in Miami, where language, Spanish was used as a tool of power. The best way I can describe it is there was a women who was bilingual, Span/Eng, as was her children. When her children would call she always spoke to them in Spanish. At the time we were 50% Hispanic/non Hispanic white. One day a non Spanish speaker asked why she spoke to her children in Spanish, her rely was she didn't want outsiders to know her business. It is not so much speaking another language as it is used as a tool to exclude others.

Answer 6

The language of the US is English. If you want to live or work in the US, then you must learn English.

I couldnt care less which langugage you choose to use in the privacy of your own home. In public, however, you should use the language accepted within the US--English. It is very rude to speak in front of others (even if it isn't to them) in a language they do not understand. Its just plain rude and it flaunts your lack of assimilation in our country.

Answer 7

Speaking the same language is soo intrinsically important to a society, that it can't be ignored as merely 'optional'.

Look at what God did with the folks at the tower of Babel. He divided the nations based on language. Language is more 'divisive' than even race / color.

If you think a national identity is important, if you think living on the same street as a community is important, -then a pre-requisite of all of that is being able to pronounce their first name,- without being embarrassed, or trying to muddle thru an overbearing accent.

Answer 8

You hit the nail on the head in your first paragraph.
I dont care that people speak french or spanish or german...just learn the language of the country you invade if you're gonna live there. Its pretty lazy and selfish not to.

Answer 9

It is a matter of courtesy. If they are speaking a different language than those around them, some folks get paranoid and think they are talking about them...or someone near them.

Common sense says to speak English around others in this country. Just common courtesy.

Answer 10

Well I agree with you however Im wondering when your speaking another language are you speaking it with other people in the circle of friends that cant speak it? Or maybe your speaking to loud and it is distracting other people near you? When my husband speaks spanish with his parents and I'm in the mix, it hurts my feelings. It makes me feel alienated and not included in the conversation.

Answer 11

Do you know how much paper the government has to print in different languages to accommodate these people?
I say on your own time speak whatever you want but vote and take your drivers test in English only.