Someone defend the other side of this American argument.

[Scumpernickle]

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.

English is one of the hardest languages in the world. We have entire courses on it in high school, heck, you can get a masters degree in English at colledge. Any language that takes more than 10 years to learn is hard.

Very-off topic here:If English is hard to learn, then what is Japanese compared to English? And I mean learning to speak it, write it, and read it.

 

[crimsonshrouds]

If a person goes to a country that speaks a different language, at least learn the basics of the language and get one of those little books full of translations.

I would like to visit Germany but before I do I would take a german class.

I would respect people of another country by at least putting forth a little effort with their language and customs. Instead of getting a four year old to do it for me. (I work at a wal- mart and i find it infuriating sometimes)

 

[911 fox]

OT If we move somewhere, we are expected to learn the language. A friend of mine was asked to leave a store in montreal because he didn't speak french. I don't see why it is unreasonable to want immigrants to become functional members of society.[/quote]

was he working there or shopping there

 

[DTice69]

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

Yes but now the national language is English so your logic just got fucked up the ass..... What the fuck's wrong with youz.

Stellar first post, new guy. You'll fit right in around here.
For the record:
Naughty words fly here, but being a dick doesn't.

Yeah I know my first post was pretty cool huh? Well considering that I quoted a guy who said "fuck" I don't see the logic in treating me like a three year old just because I said "fuck" too. As for me being a dick, looking down on other people pretty much makes you a stupid ignorant ****. Maybe we should get together sometime.

 

[Mcface]

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.

Then maybe he shouldn't have come to an English speaking country?

 

[Mcface]

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

To become a citizen, you have to pass and meet the requirements, and i believe you have to take a test.
So if you dont speak a word of English, chances are you are not a citizen of this country, and have no right that a citizen learn your language.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

No one should be made to learn English or Spanish. It would probably make more sense for newcomers to learn the local language, but if they don't, we just have to deal with it. Even if it sucks. I'm sure they don't like the communication barrier either.

 

[MaskedMori]

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.

English is one of the hardest languages in the world. We have entire courses on it in high school, heck, you can get a masters degree in English at colledge. Any language that takes more than 10 years to learn is hard.

Very-off topic here:If English is hard to learn, then what is Japanese compared to English? And I mean learning to speak it, write it, and read it.

Compared to english? They are close. English has alot of rules being broken for specific words, and a lot of rules that seem almost needless. As for Japanese... They have letters... For words... I'd say Japanese is harder.

 

[Low Key]

All of the Mexicans that I have met have had a decent understanding of the English language, and I used to work in fast food where I'm sure the majority of Mexicans working in the kitchen were illegal. It's all about where in America you are.

In any case though, I do speak enough spanish for basic communication, but I refuse to when it comes to patrons in my store. If I ever go to a spanish speaking country, I don't expect them to speak English to me.

I guess I did a bad job at opposing your argument.

 

[Infallible Fail]

I do think it's pretty silly how much we, in America, cater to those who don't speak our language of American. That said, you are a pretty big asshole if you are actually complaining about people speaking different languages. In Europe many people know at Least 2. Many speak 3. Much of the problem is rooted in our educational system.

 

[SUPERtwinky]

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

Yes We Do!
Or at least most of us...

 

[gamegod25]

-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.

Because saying "out the window throw me my hat" makes so much more sense *roll*

 

[Cakes]

Yeah I know my first post was pretty cool huh? Well considering that I quoted a guy who said "fuck" I don't see the logic in treating me like a three year old just because I said "fuck" too. As for me being a dick, looking down on other people pretty much makes you a stupid ignorant ****. Maybe we should get together sometime.

Yeah, see, this is what I'm talking about. We're all adults here (or mostly, anyway) so cussing is perfectly fine. Calling someone a "stupid ignorant ****" isn't.

 

[SUPERtwinky]

though I really can't give much of an argument either way here, there aren't many mexican immigrants in vermont, it's the Whitest State in America.

 

[Odude]

I'm a native English speaker, and I learned Spanish just because I visit Mexico a few times a year. It's not hard to learn a language where every third word is a cognate.

OP, I believe that you are speaking mostly of illegal immigrants, and not the kind that actually applied for citizenship the legal way. I have many friends that are legal immigrants, and 100% of them speak perfect English, as it is a requirement to learn when you emigrate here.

Sadly, most first generation immigrants of Hispanic origin tend to be illegal in my experience, and I live in southern California. Everyone in the service industry is either a college student or illegal here. It's very annoying.

Oh, and it's quite easy to find free English classes here. And ESL college classes run a total of $20 without financial aid, which is readily available (they even fill the papers out for you). Sadly, many of the ESL classes get canceled due to insufficient attendance. This seems more like apathy to me than anything else.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

The OP's main point, that if you're going to permanently stay in a country, you play by their rules including learning their language, is a valid one.

His berating of the man who bridged the language gap through his daughter while the OP did nothing, as well as the general tone of the rest of the argument is invalid because the OP presents his case in a very dick-ish way. Also the fact that he's done so in a very dick-ish way shows he made good choices when picking the title of the thread, he's very much living up the American stereotype of being an arrogant prick to the rest of the world.