Should Americans Learn to Speak Spanish as a Second Language ?
91Should people in the united states learn spanish ?
For those who do not live in the desert southwest of Arizona, you might find it surprising to see and witness the sheer number of Spanish speaking individuals relocating to the United States from Mexico.
Then again, perhaps you might not find it surprising with the consistent media coverage surrounding the issue of “illegal immigration”. The likelihood is that you periodically hear people where you live speaking Spanish. Spanish is quickly becoming the second most popular language spoken inside this country.
Interestingly, Spanish is the fourth most common language spoken on the planet, after Mandarin Chinese, English, and Hindustani. For a number of years Spanish has been becoming of greater importance in Europe, where it is often the foreign language of choice after English.
There is a great debate and much confusion taking place in the USA regarding the subject of “illegal immigration”, and it’s impact on our country and economy. One of the ways that a common ground can be found or olive branch of peace offered is by us "gringos" taking a step towards becoming multilingual by learning Spanish.
Whether you are for or against "amnesty" or "guest worker programs” is really an independent and separate issue. Americans need to adapt and evolve in this rapidly changing world of ours. This can be achieved by broadening our own horizons and becoming open to people and cultures that we deem to be foreign.
The number of households in this country that are multi-lingual or that speak Spanish as a second language is increasing. The number of tourists who are flocking from the USA to Mexico is also reaching epic proportions.
It seems the one major barrier preventing a meeting of minds and cultures between Americans and our neighbors to the south is the difference in languages spoken. This is rapidly changing, and statistics show that Americans are studying and learning to speak Spanish in record numbers.
There are a number of reasons why we as Americans should embrace our own “Latin” origins and learn to speak Spanish.
21st century America is multi-cultural and multi-lingual
We as Americans can not go backwards, we can only progress forwards; that is the only direction there is. America was established to be a melting pot of sorts; a country where people from varying backgrounds, with differing ethnic or racial characteristics, and people from different cultural heritages could come together to live in peace and maintain harmony.
A large percentage of this countries workforce speaks Spanish, and the likelihood is that they will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Speaking Spanish in America, or interacting with people who are bi-lingual or multi-lingual is here to stay.
Give your children’s education an advantage by teaching or learning along with them to speak Spanish as a second language. Teach them that intolerance and racial prejudice do not have any place in a 21st century worldview.
Gain a better understanding of English or other languages
Speak with locals when you travel
Learning to speak Spanish is easy and can be done quickly
A final thought for you to muse over
There is only one common ground between us all that needs to be acknowledged foremost, that is the Earth beneath our feet. It does not belong to any of us, if anything we belong to it; and owe our planet a debt of gratitude.
Terrorism, Illegal Immigration, and Drugs are three separate issues; they need to be dealt with as such as well as in tandem with each other; under the heading known as “border security”.
Whichever side of these issues you are on, remember; there are real people and real lives involved here – on every side of any issue.
Do yourself, your children, and your worldview a favor and look into learning Spanish as a second language.
Your Resources: Learn Spanish Quickly & Easily
- Quickly Learn Spanish as a Second Language
Learn to Speak Spanish Confidently and Naturally in less than 3 months - Teach Your Children to Speak Spanish
Speaking spanish as a second language can open up many doorways for childrens future ! - Babel Fish Translation
With AltaVista Babel Fish, you can translate passages of text or entire Web pages among nine languages.
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Thankyou livelonger for your comment!!!
Yes that is true, in most high schools taking a couple of semester's of a foreign language is a pre-requisite. Where I live, in Arizona; it is a necessity to be able to speak spanish - at least a little bit.
The high school I went to gave you the choice of either taking spanish or french, and that was now quite a bit over 10 years ago.
I am brand new to hub pages, and this was the first article I have written; a couple of weeks ago. I am just sort of testing the waters; to see if this would be a good place to publish information.
So far I like Hub Pages better than Squidoo for some reason.
In the future I plan to be able to bring to this communiaty better articles; hopefully with information that people will find interesting.
Take Care,
Daniel
Spanish should be of choice not must learn..If I go to Mexico, I dont expect them to speak English to me unless they choose to.. So why should we speak Spanish here?????, It should not be on our phones either as a FIRST and dial 2 if you wish to hear it in English.
Nadda!!..Nothing against the Spanish speaking folks but if you come here to USA you need to speak English.
Yes I definitely think they should. I am 1/4th Mexican. But thats not the only reason why I say that. There are so many other cultures out there I do not see why people seem to refuse to learn anything about them and then when they gotta deal with them they wonder why they know nothing. I think it can helps in an extreme amount of ways.
I agree! Kids learn spanish in high school but it is from non-usage that they quickly forget. How can we fix that?
I dont think americans should learn spick. What about the millions of people that died for this county? So we have to learn spanish without a fight? I say if you want to live and work in the US you need to speak english or get out.
This hub would benefit if you were to add a poll. Let people vote anonymously. It's interesting to see the results....
I'll tell you right now, I'm proud to be an american. Like every other Americans, I speak english. It is the only language I learn and I don't care. I hear eventually or even right now us white people are a minority now that there's more hispanics than even white people. Just because now there's more latinos, does not mean everybody else has to learn god damn spanish. English will always be America's FIRST language, so if you Latinos cannot speak english then get the hell out of the country.
I have never regretted learning Spanish. It is a beautiful language. You're right: it is a separate issue from immigration. Being realistic, the people who speak it are here, like it or not, and it's better to understand what they say than not to understand.
you wrote:
For those who do not live in the desert southwest of Arizona, you might find it surprising to see and witness the sheer number of Spanish speaking individuals relocating to the United States from Mexico.
Here is a simple fact, they are not relocating they just flat out invaded us....No matter how you slice it we were invaded !
here's a real neat trick, lets have them learn english if they are going to live here....wouldnt that be something, just like WE would have to do in any other country....
think about it, do we really need the extra burden of them being here at this point in time (or any) for that matter...its a 3rd world country for a reason, now they are just dragging us down to their level....
Silver poet replied:
the people who speak it are here, like it or not, and it's better to understand what they say than not to understand....
that's bullcrap! So in other words we have to give in and merge into their culture instead of them melting into ours...
Nathan Black says:
I'll tell you right now, I'm proud to be an american. Like every other Americans, I speak english. It is the only language I learn and I don't care. I hear eventually or even right now us white people are a minority now that there's more hispanics than even white people. Just because now there's more latinos, does not mean everybody else has to learn god damn spanish. English will always be America's FIRST language, so if you Latinos cannot speak english then get the hell out of the country.....
Good for you Sir, no doubt the only other one here that will speak the truth....Screw learning Spanish let them learn English or are they to freaking stupid to figure it out!
almost left you out...
rusty wrote:
2 months ago
I dont think americans should learn spick. What about the millions of people that died for this county? So we have to learn spanish without a fight? I say if you want to live and work in the US you need to speak english or get out............
1st, I dont agree with the name calling,(spick)If you use something like that they will use it against you and call you a racist.....uncalled for....
No need to give them Ammo for their B.S. cause, but everything else you said I agree 100%
almost left you out...
rusty wrote:rusty says:
2 months ago
I dont think americans should learn spick. What about the millions of people that died for this county? So we have to learn spanish without a fight? I say if you want to live and work in the US you need to speak english or get out....
1st I dont agree with the name calling,(spick)...uncalled for, but everything else you said I agree 100%
I speak 3 languages, but when we came to America we had to learn English. We would never have dreamed to ask the American people to change for us. In Europe it was mandatory to learn Russian, that was under communism, now everyone preferes English as a second language. No I don't think Americans should have to learn Spanish, this already enabled some to not want to learn English. Good Hub~
I felt insulted at paragraph 5 and lost interest in this article. I'm going to learn Spanish because it's going to be useful for my profession; but screw you
Learning a second language is useful. Learning about other cultures helps reduce bigotry. Learning other languages can provide interesting experiences (learning Hebrew, Latin and Greek for example will let you read older versions of the Bible without the obscuring veil of translation).
I notice many Americans act like theirs is the only country in the world, even when they are outside the USA, and that is one reason why currently I will not even visit the US unless I have to (But I have learned never to say never).
When I travel, I too immerse myself in the local language and culture. The difference is I CHOOSE to travel, I choose where to go, and with whom I will communicate.
For example, when I went to Spain 2 years ago, I spoke Spanish. In Italy last year, I spoke Italian, etc.
I will NOT speak Spanish or Portuguese when I order food at McDonalds, when I look for tools at Home Depot, or when I speak to babysitters, or house cleaners.
I will not stay in a part of the country that assumes I must be Spanish, like parts of S. Florida and California, in order to read signs and speak with employees.
If people with whom I interact cannot understand English, I take my business elsewhere.
I am an American, and I speak and read English in my own country. As I said, when I travel, I immerse myself in the culture and language of the destination. It’s too bad that many of the … “visitors” to our country insist on not giving me the same courtesy.
My children speak English and French when we travel.
Ambidexter
Having had to emigrate three times, each time to work in a country where I didn't speak much of the language, I have a lot of sympathy for those who come to America to work. Often I was hired by a U.S. agent of a foreign country on a few weeks' notice, for a two- or three-year period, and would arrive in the new country knowing how to say very little. You just can't learn that much of a language in a few weeks while packing up and putting all your stuff in storage. However, I always made an effort to learn while I was there, and I thank all the shopkeepers, bank and post office employees, waiters, my colleagues, and everyone else who helped me in my struggle to learn their language, and everyone who had learned English and would speak it with me when my poor tired brain needed a rest.
Even though I am currently writing a book about Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, I don't think I will learn Spanish. After Czech, French, German, Latin, Italian, Russian, and American Sign Language I don't think I have the brainpower left and my languages already get confused enough as it is. I can, thanks to French, Latin and Italian, muddle my way through Spanish research papers and for now that will have to suffice.
Come on now people!! Wake up!!! Its 2010, get out of the dark ages!! If the US ants to prosper in the future current students MUST be required to learn Spanish!! Spanish is a beautiful and culturally rich language that Americans would truly benefit from learning- not to mention to make it easier for the people from Mexico and other Spanish speaking countries that come here to be more productive. Lets face it, for the most part with out the overworked and underpaid Mexican workforce many aspects of American life would come to a halt. Many of these people are treated worst than slaves- the least the americans can do is to make these people feel more welcome and invited by speaking their language. Americans will be much better off in the long run if they all spoke Spanish- That is a fact!!!
Speaking Spanish can be good, but I don't like how it is a MUST.
I am an American, yes, but I choose what language I want as my secondary. I'm learning Chinese right now for a few reasons, and I wouldn't mid learning Spanish. It's just that I don't want to learn Spanish, not that I don't like it, it's just something I chose not to learn.
So even though learning Spanish could be the "best" thing for the US to learn, I think it's better to let people learn what language they want to learn.
I live in CA and I get so angry when I look for jobs that state in their job postings that you MUST be able to speak Spanish. I damn near think that this is discrimination because that means I can't be hired if I'm not bilingual. Hello, I have a right to find a job in my English speaking country where I shouldn't HAVE TO speak Spanish. I have absolutely NO DESIRE or ANY INTERESTS to speak or learn the damn language!
this has nothing to do with where you come from, if you want to live and work in America, you should have to learn english, my grandparents and parents came to this country, and to survive here, they learned english, spanish speaking people should have to do the same, we are making it to damn easy for them to survive here, it is racist and a damn shame that we have allowed this to get as far as it did...............
The person who wrote this article needs to get his / her head out of his / her butt, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HINDUSTANI you retarded ignorants !!!! There is no language called "Indian", India's official language is "Hindi".... No wonder Americans are labelled as "ignorants", you guys suck at getting the basics right....
i agree that Hispanic people who immigrate to America should learn to speak english. But, i also think that it is useful to learn Spanish as an American because it is a useful language in many parts of the world.However, it will do you no good, and it will not help to persuade others to side with you on this topic if you are not respectful in the way that you present your opinion to them.
Hispanics, just like Italians, Irish, Greeks, etc. can and should keep and be proud of their heritage. Being able to speak another language (or languages) is of great benefit. But, if hispanics want to live and PROSPER in ANY other country, they truly need to learn to speak, read and write the predominant language in that country and assimilate into that culture. When they don't, it truly hinders them, appears arrogant and demonstrates an unwillingness to blend in. No other ethnic group in U.S. history has come to this country and expected the rest of us to change for them. I have hispanic friends, fellow employees and acquaintances. It saddens me that they do not understand how they are literally "shooting themselves in the foot," and causing GENERATIONS of their children and families to remain poor. I really think that our government has perpetuated this. Hispanics think that those who encourage them to keep speaking Spanish and keep flaunting their heritage and culture are on their side. In fact, I believe that those people and politicians have a secret agenda for Hispanics. Those politicians want you to keep speaking a foreign language, which they know will lead to poverty and discrimination. Then, they can appear to "rescue" you, when they are really only controlling you. I, personally, came from a very poor family, rampant with alcoholism and abuse. With only a 12-grade public education (no college) I have prospered because I focused on learning to read, write and speak very fluent English. I know that if you do that, and work hard, you can and will prosper in the United States of America. This "message" can only be delivered to Hispanics by Hispanics. Most Hispanics refuse to believe these truths when spoken by a non-Hispanic and usually accuse us of discrimination. For that reason, I've stopped trying to enlighten even close Hispanic friends. It's up to your own "community" to "teach" each other. Only then will your families and children prosper in this country.
actually, the choice of a second language by non-english speakers in Europe is ENGLISH. French is the second, followed by German. In Africa, many countries speak FRENCH. English is the second language of choice by students in China. America's immigrants have always learned English. I don't care what one choses to speak, but if one wants to succed in America, they must SPEAK ENGLISH. English is THE GLOBAL LANGUAGE and most scientists and news agencies use ENGLISH.
I have two Masters Degrees and am facing the 'bilingual preferred' barrier for many jobs to which I apply. I am so afraid for my grandchildren and teen son who will be even more impacted by these illegal warriors who are changing our system. Asians, African, and others come here and learn English--why can't Mexicans?
im mexican and i live in mexico and i speak english i dont have any intention to live in USA never, is just racist people living there, the reason why people should to lear is just for the fact TO LEARN but Americans think the rest of the world doesnt deserve their damn culture ...don´t you! whatever nothing can stop me to learn any lengage even if i dont do it 100% why? bcs i like to understand... Ustedes siempre estaran atorando en su misma ideologia narcisista y arcaica por eso estados unidos esta lleno de gente enferma, locos, drogados y promiscuos, si, Dios bendiga america, porque lo van a necesitar.
I feel Americans should learn to speak Spanish not in a manditory way but they would be making a smart choice if they do so. Worldwide, Spanish is the second most spoken European language in the world after English, there are about 500 million speakers of Spanish. Third most used language on the internet after Mandarin Chinese and English. And with the vastness of Latin America as our neighbor involved in social, political and economic ventures with the U.S. it makes perfect sense to study Spanish. Historically, Spanish has been spoken in the United States since the early 16th century. The Spanish language is intricately connected to the history of the United States more so than any other European language besides English. At least two-thirds of the U.S. was settled, colonized and administered by Spanish speaking people. These Spanish speaking colonies in North America - Florida, Mexico which included Texas for example, were invaded by English speaking Anglo-Saxons. If Americans would be taught in school the real history of this great nation without omitting the contributions made by Spain and Hispanic America in the creation of the U.S.; maybe more Americans would embrace the Spanish language without feeling animosity towards it and its people. The Spanish language is spoken by all different races of people as well as races that are mixed. I mentioned this point because many Americans associate the Spanish language with a particular race or they make it a racial issue.
As a teacher I can truly appreciate the knowledge a second language brings. I had over 6 job offers as a first year teacher because I was able to speak a second language (Spanish). I used the Rocket Language system. I was surprised at how much I learned. The world is changing (especially the U.S.). We have to get with it. I strongly encourage people to learn a second language if they can. With modern technology now, it is easier than every. There a many good at home systems out there. I strongly suggest Rocket Language, but any system that gets you learning is great.
I am all for learning Spanish but what i resent is some bimbo in Miami coming up to my mother who was speaking Polish to my sister and telling her to learn Spanish. My mother who knows 5 languages learned English and that is an entirely different language than Spanish is to English. Let's attack the real issue...this whole learn spanish thing is not about respecting cultures but giving Spanish people an excuse not to learn English. It is polite to learn the language of the country you move to. No excuses. If you want to respect all cultures I demand that there be more options than Spanish or French. We can't be fair to a select few and certainly not to all people so just learn English already and stop expecting everyone else to change for you just because you moved here.
this is stupid, if they try to force kids to learn spanish they shuould also force them to learn french so they can comunicate with quebec easier. i live in wales. wales is a billingual state. english and welsh is spoken. wales is in the uk and welsh is barely tought in english and scottish schools. but i don't really care.
I'd rather ship them all back to mexico than learn spanish in an english speaking country....
Raj 8 months ago said:
The person who wrote this article needs to get his / her head out of his / her butt, BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HINDUSTANI you retarded ignorants !!!! There is no language called "Indian", India's official language is "Hindi".... No wonder Americans are labelled as "ignorants", you guys suck at getting the basics right...."
Webster says:
"Definition of Hindustani
adj. 1. of or pertaining to Hindustan or its inhabitants.
n. 1. a native or inhabitant of Hindustan or India.
2. a form of Hindi spoken around Delhi. See Hindoostanee."
--------------------------------------------------
If you want to see ignorance, Honey, just look in the mirror.
English is not a Romance language. It is a Germanic Language.
While many words are Latin based it is still considered a Germanic language.
I have spoken English since I was a child why do American born citzens have adapt when its Hispanics who come to the USA?If I was in Mexico I could see speaking Spanish.
I'm having a lot of trouble finding a job in Miami. The main cause of my problem is that I am not bilingual in English and Spanish. It is frustrating the heck out of me. I was born in this country and graduated from high school long before the Latino population became the majority group. Knowing Spanish was not a necessity back then like it is now. Several years ago I took three semesters of Spanish in college. Most of my energy and finances were devoted to the required coursework of my chosen major (a masters degree). I feel like I have no choice now but to increase my fluency if I want to make something of myself in Miami. Lately, I have been spending a lot of my spare time trying to increase my fluency by using a computer software program that I downloaded onto my computer. I type text in English from one of my college textbooks, press the translate button, then it instantaneously translates it into Spanish. With pencil and paper I write the text down in both languages. My mother-in-law who is Latino helps me with the pronunciation by reading the Spanish text outloud while I record it on a tape recorder. Learning another language is difficult because it involves being able to read it, write it, speak it, and comprehend it when someone else speaks that language to you. I will have to know Spanish at a college level which is way above the level in which I am at right now. If American born citizens, like me, are being pressured to learn a second language in order to find work then non-American born citizens should be forced, too.
I work with men and women of Hispanic origin who conveniently begin speaking Spanish whenever they want to keep others out of the loop. This is a nursing home setting where they've been first told by written notice attached to their paychecks, and then verbal warnings to stop speaking Spanish in work. They try and then it seems they just can't help themselves and revert back. If you don't speak their language, hearing those conversations among themselves comes across as ignorant, insensitive, and self-serving. Both sets of my grandparents (Italian/Sicilian)came here fleeing fascism and embraced the American way of life which included the English language. They deferred their native tongue and encouraged their children to speak English inside the home.
en este foro se destacan por pensamientos tontos
que tiene que ver lo que hagan los otros
si queres aprende un idioma ,desde Español,hasta Alemán ,Polaco
lo haces por vos ,por tus propios benficios que pueda llagar a brindarte
que te importa si los mexicanos van a hacer ese esfuerzo de aprender Inglés o no
es muy infantil casi todas las respuestas
es como que yo no quiera ir al gimnasio pq considere que el vecino mio esta mas gordo que yo
terrible boludez
saludos desde Argentina
escribo en Espaol pq parece que es el idioma del futuro no ¿?
jaja saludos y no sean paranoicos ni boludos
It is an insult to American citizens to even suggest, that we learn Spanish. English is the mother tongue of this country, and instead of people like "Richh" trying to convince the country to become like them...I suggest, that they become a respectable, friendly, peaceable people instead of a self serving one.
The USA does not have an official language...just because there are soldiers out there "dying for our freedom" and such does not mean that we're allowed to be inconsiderate of other citizen's home countries. Very very very few people in this country were originally here, and they've been exiled to small reservations that we created for them. So to say that you don't want to learn another language solely because you're American and don't have to doesn't mean anything - it just means that you aren't realizing that this entire country is a melting pot of races and nationalities. The reason you don't expect Mexicans in Mexico to speak English to you is because the entire country chose to have Spanish as its official language. Now remember that we haven't chosen an official langauge... This isn't just about learning to speak Spanish - I'm all for learning multiple languages. Besides English, however, Spanish would just be most useful here in the United States.
Sorry, but I still disagree with you. Just because our 'government' has not 'offically' declared english the offical language it does not mean that it isn't. Americans do not agree with MOST of what our government is deciding and see alot of things they 'should' be doing for the sake of ALL its people, that it's not. Your argument that I'm not expecting Mexican citizens to 'speak english' is 'because' Mexico has 'declared' an offical language does not hold water. People generally do not have the income to learn another language (i.e.taking lessons) I have NO problem with multiple races residing in America, but its foolish for one to assume that just because someone does not speak another language means they are being 'inconsiderate'. Or...should I label every Mexican I encounter as "inconsiderate" because, based on your assumption. They want credit and respect for 'just speaking a little english'... Doesn't it go both ways? I am not rude, or disrespectful of them as people but I am not compelled to spend what little money I have on learning Spanish. I AM offended by the Mexican personalities that are daily putting pressure on American citizens to become like them. They have come to AMERICA and America does not do buisness like Mexico. The U.S. government has failed to protect our borders and uphold our integrity, so integris Americas will do so whether their 'government' does their job or not.
I say learn Spanish, why not? And then learn French or sign language, there's a language that is spoken by good American citizens who have no ability to learn spoken English, maybe more schools should teach ASL (American sign language) so our def community can be more included. Either way, expand your horizons. Learning another language should be about fun not politics.
I cannot believe what I am reading here. This is the United States. We should not have to learn "spanish" just to appease a bunch of illegals coming into this country. If they want to be here then they should learn ENGLISH.
Piss on the Mexicans. Learn English or go back to mexico.
To all the daydreamer utopians out there, consider these arguments: (1) One has to know English to become a citizen. So, are you saying that we should learn to speak Spanish so we can speak with illegal residents who broke our laws? (2) Three years of high school Spanish equates to 15% of High School. We are way behind in academic performance in math and the sciences compared to other industrialized nations. So, we should spend precious time learning a language so that we can talk with illegal residents? (3) There are 7 billion people in the world. Most are learning English as a second language. Most professionals know English. Why not take the best of the world? (4) We are 14 plus trillion dollars in debt. Being bilingual is costing America billions of dollars a year unnecessarily. That money will be paid back by our children with interest. I love my children. Do you, really? (5) Europe is divided by language and culture. America is becoming divided. That cannot be good for our nation long term. (6) Not one other country in the world is requiring it's citizens to learn Spanish as a second language. No one. All are requiring English to be taught in school. What, are we stupid? We have the lead and instead we are trading it away so that those who won't learn English have an easier time of it. Why? Because of you bleeding hearts who are not at risk for our nation's future. If your job and reputation were on the line, you would save money and resources and make our children stronger in the language of the leaders of the free world. Wake up or get out of the way.
Amen. Right on Don!
If you separate this from the issue of immigration, Spanish is a great language to learn because of the availability of learning materials. So, if you speak only one language and want to raise a bilingual child, it is an excellent choice.
Spanish and English both European languages how multi-cultural. ;)
i do not agree because there are many different cultural groups in America and it is fine if we learn Spanish but I would like a different choice as welPr
I think Hispanics living in America should be required to learn English.Mainly because it is an English speaking country.For Americans it should be an option. But, if was the case it was Americans living in a Spanish speaking country we should learn the language.
I think Hispanics living in America should be required to learn English.Mainly because it is an English speaking country.For Americans it should be an option. But, if it was the case Americans were living in a Spanish speaking country we should learn the language.
"DO U THINK IF I WENT TO CUBA/HAITI WITH LIKE 100 ENGLISH SPEAKING AMERICANS,THAT DEY'LL CHANGE THEIR WAY OF LIVING FOR US? NOOOOOO I DIN'T THINK SO...ITS CRAZY HOW THESE PEOPLE CUM IN AMERICA A ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY & EXPECT US TO LEARN SPANISH/CREOLE.I DIDNT ASK U TO CUM HERE SO Y DO I NEED TO ADAPT TO U.U SHOULD B ADAPTING TO US,OUR ENGLISH LANGUAGE DIDNT START YESTERDAY,IF U KNEW U DIDNT WANT TO SPEAK ENGLISH DEN U SHOULDNT HAVE GOT ON DA BOAT,PLANE,WALKED OVA DAT BORDER OR HOWEVA U GOT HERE.10XS FOR DA SMART HAITIAN PARENTS DAT MAKE SURE DEIR KIDS NO BOTH,BUT SUM OF DA NAIVE SPANISH PARENTS DONT BELIEVE ITS NECESSARY TO KNOW BOTH,THEY WANNA GET BY WIT JUST DA MINIUM."WE,AMERICANS SHOULDNT BE FORCED TO LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE.ENGLISH IS OUR PRIMARY LANGUAGE...WE NOT IN OTHER COUNTRIES TRYING TO MAKE THEM CHANGE,IF YOU DONT WANT TO SPEAK ENGLISH,Y EVEN COME TO A ENGLISH SPEAKING COUNTRY,IF U WANT A BETTER LIFE BECAUSE IN THE OTHER COUNTRIES IS WORSE,THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE TO ACCEPT WHAT COMES WITH IT,I.E SPEAKING ENGLISH.IN YOUR HOME YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO SPEAK WHATEVER LANGUAGE YOU PLEASE,BUT THEIR IS NO REASONS EMPLOYERS OR ANYONE SHOULD REQUIRE YOU TO SPEAK SPANISH,WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING SPANISH SPEAKERS SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY.YOU HAVE TO DRAW THE LINE SOMEWHERE. WHEN YOU GO TO GERMANY OR CHINA OR JAPAN YOU DO HAVE TRANSLATORS BUT IF YOU ARE CHOODING TO STAY THERE,THEN THE BEST THING FOR YOU IS TO ADAPT & LEARN THEIR LANGUAGE.ITS ONLY RIGHT,ESPECIALLY WHEN NO ONE FORCED YOU TO MOVE THERE YOU CHOOSE TO MOVE.THE WORLD JUST ISNT THE SAME & I MEAN DAT IN A BAD WAY.
Learning a language is an individual decision. I am bilingual and I love to learn about cultures. I also love to learn in order to open doors to understanding.
We hispanics are americans, all people living from Argentina to Canada we are americans. I'm very mad with the ignorance that people say that they don't want to learn spanish. The rest of the world need to learn english because of a good job. But every single english speaker don't want to learn another language, because are lazy and believe that the world have to speak english. Well, did you know that for 2030 spanish would be the most spoken language in the world.
Así que miren a ver y aprendar otro idioma que no sea inglés, no tiene que ser español. Pero aprendan chino, francés, Aleman, swahili, portugués. Hay muchos otros idiomas que son importantes. Instruyansen y aprendan las culturas de este planeta. I know that most of you don't know a thing in spanish so go to google translator. :)
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I want so badly that english speakers be forced to learn other language.. they ll use how it is to be surronded by people who dont speak ur language.. how is to be forced to use a different word or phonetic so people wont understand u.. after learning other language they ll understand how us, not english speakers feel like when we are forced to speak other language, and more, sometimes even when english speakers visit our countries they force us to speak their language.. these bunch of c*nts
Man people here don't even know that English is not an official language in this country and the first spoken languages was not English it was Native American Indigenous languages, so what is the point of not wanting to learn another language that will help you get ahead in life?
Learn how to "write."
Whatever happened to learning a language just for fun?
I was born in Mexico, and raised in the US. I will admit that my parents taught me English first (even though they're both native Spanish speakers), because they thought it was best for me. While I am extremely thankful to them for that, not knowing Spanish throughout my childhood was a big detriment when it came to communicating with other fellow Latinos and even my own immediate and distant family.
A few years later, I'm in college and fluent in not only both languages (English and Spanish), but also fluent in a 3rd language (French), and currently learning a 4th (Portuguese), and will pursue a fifth language (Italian), and so on.
While I agree that learning a language in the US is becoming more and more common, I don't agree it should be a necessity. However, that doesn't mean that we should have to abandon our culture and languages just to assimilate in the US (forcing us to abandon our culture and language is something many whites have tried to do to us for years now).
However, I am glad that English is not the official language of this country (though it is the de facto language of the US), meaning that I can freely speak Spanish, French or English wherever I want, to whomever else knows these languages, without fear of being told to speak English here because it's the "official language."
I will say that some people are still living in the dark ages, where they think the English is the "American language" in the entire planet (they obviously forgot England, New Zealand, Guyana, Australia, and so on). The US is becoming more and more multilingual and multicultural, and there's really nothing they can do to stop it.
There will always be bias when it comes to hiring someone who is bilingual or multilingual vs. someone who only knows English. While I don't necessarily agree with it, it's becoming more and more apparent. Overall, learning another language is someone's choice. I don't really agree with making it a necessity.
Why the hell do we need to learn mexican? What about chinese or russian or hebrew or latin or swahili or any of the other countless languages spoken in the world? Whatisthe friggin big deal about spanish/mexican/latino? This is crazy!
Fun fact people like to not be aware of: When Texas was still owned by the Mexican government and was a genuinely recognized piece of Mexican territory, many americans lived in the territory illegally and did NOT recognize themselves as mexicans. The mexican government allowed them to stay on the condition that they at least spoke spanish and adhered to mexican law. american immigrants naturally said "yeah, no. just going to stay here and not do that".
livelonger Level 6 Commenter 4 years ago
I think most Americans do learn Spanish as a foreign language in high school. It's the lack of necessity to know it for most that makes most forget it by the time they're adults.