Someone defend the other side of this American argument.

[Arsen]

Because deep down I can see no logical, feasible, or actual reason as to why Americans should have the Spanish language shoved down their throats. I work at a popular store chain here in America, and I am deeply appauled at how many Mexican individual come over here and don't even bother to learn the language correctly. I was unable to communicate with this one man, was asked if I spoke Spanish, when I replied that I didn't he had his four year old daughter come over and translate between the two of us.

Now really, what am I missing here? Is there something morally wrong with me, as a citizen of the United States of America, simply asking for this man to speak a language which is fairly simply to understand? Is it just me or is this an insult to each and every person who had learned the language, made the attempts to respect the majority of the citizens in this nation and all, or whatnot...

It is not as if I am asking them to learn Chinese or Polish here. Spanish to English an English to Spanish are both very simple conversions which can be made. However, I am honest to God offended at the fact that many of the immigrants from South American countries actually believe America SHOULD be required to speak the language of Mexico and below...just because we're attached at the hip over at Texas there.

And by all means, I've met everybody. People from Chile, Poland, Denmark, Romania, and all. My Romanian friend once refused to order from a Quiznos because he was so offended at the lady not being able to speak English (this was in Las Vegas by the way).

Him: I take the time to learn this language, become a citizen, and this damn ***** doesn't even know a few simple words?

In all modesty, why do the majority of people from Mexico hold a constant disregard for this country when it comes to the language? Someone enlighten me here.

 

[SadakoMoose]

I wish you wouldn't call this an "American" argument...
Not all Americans agree with you...

 

[darkless]

-Snip-
simply asking for this man to speak a language which is fairly simply to understand?
-Snip-

I stopped here because English is actually one of the hardest languages in the world to learn, because it's spoken backwards.

 

[Arsen]

I wish you wouldn't call this an "American" argument...
Not all Americans agree with you...

By American Argument I mean this debate within America...I am saying "defend the side I oppose" essentially.

 

[QuirkyTambourine]

Well I'd be careful in saying that "The majority of people from Mexico hold a constant disregard for this county when it comes to the language" That's an awful lot of flamebait, but in any case;

For the record though I agree that we shouldn't have to learn Spanish just because people don't feel like learning English.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Quick point. You probably say that English is "fairly simple to understand." It's not really your assumption to make.

On topic: I agree with you. Why would citizens of any country not be able to speak the language? How do you get anywhere at all? Makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[fudgebo]

this will not end well for anybody, this topic is bound to explode in an argument.

 

[APPCRASH]

What the fuck is wrong with YOU? Why don't you know Spanish? They did after all colonize here before the English.

 

[sheic99]

Pretty simple really. Classes to learn English costs money, plus there the cost of the textbooks and whether or not they can fit the class into their daily schedule because god forbid the man would rather spend time with his daughter than a night class after work.

 

[jim_doki]

one, you Americans don't speak English, stop pretending that you do
b, this is something you have to deal with.

 

[3rd rung]

I understand your frustration and it does make sense that people should learn the language of the country they reside in, but also keep in mind that these people may not have the resources to learn English from a school. If we offered free lessons to teach people and they still refused then I would agree with you more but right now there are alot of factors prohibating these people from learning

 

[AvsJoe]

America should do what Canada does. Canada requires immigrants to learn either English or French before they can become a citizen.

What the fuck is wrong with YOU? Why don't you know Spanish? They did after all colonize here before the English.

And the flaming begins...

 

[Charli]

England and France have had this same irritation over the years too.

You're neighbors thats what happens. Brits had french shoved down their throats and all the way down the intestines up until very recently, when we can actually pick.

 

[Zildjin81]

I agree with the OP (no one else appears too).
If a country is kind enough to let you immigrate you should respect their language.

 

[APPCRASH]

America should do what Canada does. Canada requires immigrants to learn either English or French before they can become a citizen.

What the fuck is wrong with YOU? Why don't you know Spanish? They did after all colonize here before the English.

And the flaming begins...

Yep. Flaming. Guess I can't read the title of the thread anymore and state an opinion.

 

[Frankydee]

-Snip-
simply asking for this man to speak a language which is fairly simply to understand?
-Snip-

I stopped here because English is actually one of the hardest languages in the world to learn, because it's spoken backwards.

Pretty much this.

Though I do have to agree, it does get irritating when trying to communicate with someone who can barely speak english at all.

Fortunately it also means some fairly interesting encounters. Back when I was 18, an elderly hispanic couple comes into the pizza place I worked at and the old woman asks for a "Hawaiian" but and quote: "I'd like a pineapple and cum." I wish I was making this up.

So for about 2 minutes there I'm back and forth with this old woman trying to figure out what she was talking about. Turns out it was ham. After the couple leave my manager just looks at me for a second and busts out laughing.

 

[steveo_justice]

-Snip-
simply asking for this man to speak a language which is fairly simply to understand?
-Snip-

I stopped here because English is actually one of the hardest languages in the world to learn, because it's spoken backwards.

False. Romance lanuages and ours often present sentences in the opposite order, but the basic structure of English is really only secfond to esporanto in terms of simplicity.

 

[soulsabr]

What the fuck is wrong with YOU? Why don't you know Spanish? They did after all colonize here before the English.

Don't feed the troll.

 

[Aardvark]

Here's an argument. Their money is the same colour as the money you accept in exchange for goods and/or services. Accept their cash, deal with their language difficulties and stop whinging, register monkey.

 

[Cakes]

Now really, what am I missing here? Is there something morally wrong with me, as a citizen of the United States of America, simply asking for this man to speak a language which is fairly simply to understand?

English is an extremely hard language, actually.

Is it just me or is this an insult to each and every person who had learned the language, made the attempts to respect the majority of the citizens in this nation and all, or whatnot...

English is (presumably) your first language, I don't think you can really appreciate their position. I agree to some extent, but you're being a bit whiny and disrespectful.

It is not as if I am asking them to learn Chinese or Polish here. Spanish to English an English to Spanish are both very simple conversions which can be made.

What? Translating between English and Spanish isn't much easier than any other language, unless you include far eastern languages that have little to no relation with Indo-European.

However, I am honest to God offended at the fact that many of the immigrants from South American countries actually believe America SHOULD be required to speak the language of Mexico and below...just because we're attached at the hip over at Texas there.

Spanish is a language represented by an overwhelming amount of people in the States. Would it really hurt to learn it? They should know english, absolutely, but a bit of bilingualism is always nice. 'tis the same with French up here in Canada.

Him: I take the time to learn this language, become a citizen, and this damn ***** doesn't even know a few simple words?

Yeah, it's a problem.

In all modesty, why do the majority of people from Mexico hold a constant disregard for this country when it comes to the language? Someone enlighten me here.

That's quite a claim, sir. Really, the majority of immigrants think like this?