Do you think that people living in the USA should have to learn English?
By NYSheDevil
@NYSheDevil (25)
United States
February 14, 2007 10:12pm CST
I live in Queens, NY and encounter tens of people every day who don't speak a word of english. Not just people who recently immigrated here, but people who have lived here twenty plus years. All they know how to say is, "I don't speak english".
If I am going to visit another country I first learn enough of the language to have a basic conversation and if I was going to live in another country I would damn sure learn the language.
I manage a women's accessory store and it's extremely frustrating when non-english speaking customer's come into the store and look at me like I'm the alien because they don't understand what I'm saying. Then they try to ask me question's in their language like, "how much this?" and when I reply they don't get it. I'm sure some will argue that many cannot afford to pay for english classes, but if that's the case they certainly shouldn't be in my store buying a couple of hundred dollars worth of jewelry and handbags.
I feel that it's just plain inconsiderate to not learn at least a little of the language of the land you call home.
What do you think?
10 people like this
72 responses
@nyc113 (2)
• United States
15 Feb 07
I agree. I am a citizen of the U.S., and as a citizen of this great country, I should not have to "press 1" for English, or learn another language. If others want to reap the same benefits of our nation, they should be required to learn our language.
2 people like this
@alchemistrx (2547)
• Philippines
15 Feb 07
Definitely they should learn so they can communicate effectively.I suggest they try to read english books because it could be helpful.
2 people like this
@hh9905 (1275)
• Malaysia
15 Feb 07
I think they should learn English, for the respect of the Americans as well as for themselves. this is because they are not there for just some fancy holiday, but to LIVE there. I'd be irritated too if a person who does not speak the native language of the country (or at least try to) but wants to stay at the country they chose to.
In my country, many foreigners from America who does not speak our native language. Well, they could at least learn the word 'Thank you'. It's a symbol of respect to the country they're living. Luckily many of us speaks English. But at some part of the country, people just don't speak English. then i supposed they'll be just like you and your customers.
Anyway, the conclusion is that anybody who wants to live at another country ought to learn the primary language used at the country they chose to live (at least a little bit). It's a symbol of respect.
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
15 Feb 07
I certainly agree with you NYShedevil. But based on my own experience, a few years back, I went and live in a purely mandarin speaking country. Although, I can speak and understand mandarin fluently, I discovered that my accent are different from theirs. So people sometimes just kind of stared at me when I'm talking with them. I stayed and worked for 3 years, still I can't mastered their diction. I was so used with the kind of mandarin diction I use here.
@Billis (14)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Im kinda half and half on this whole topic. I mean I kinda do hate when people are sitting there talking in another language expecting you to understand it and all. Like at my old job there was a lady from somewhere i dont even know where she was from, but she talked in another language. Any way she was always trying to say stuff to me but I didnt understand what she was saying. I'd be patient and all but she'd start getting mad when I didnt understand, so that made me mad. But anyway on the other side when we go to other countries most of the time we still speak in our native tongue right?
2 people like this
@smints8985 (1594)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Yeah I believe it is only proper to at least know the basics of the language that people speaks around you... I am somehow amazed on how those people survive not being able to communicate through the basic language in the place where they are residing, if you plan to settle in a certain location, it is just right to learn to speak the language, if they don't think that it is for their own good then at least think it is for the convenience of the people that have to deal with them...
1 person likes this
@grinjaguar (571)
• Philippines
15 Feb 07
Yes i think they should learn english for they live in america they should act like an american.
2 people like this
@mbarryton (1872)
• United States
16 Feb 07
i believe they should have to learn it an like you said it is inconsiderate.
1 person likes this
@jbrowsin66 (1321)
• United States
20 Feb 07
I agree with you in part, though they say English is one of the most difficult languages to learn. I guess I'll have to withhold that opinion until I've learned a second language myself and walked in someone else's shoes. After a certain age I think it is also more difficult to learn than when you are younger. Certainly if I lived in another country I would want to watch TV, take classes, practice with natives and whatever else I could do to "fit in". When my sister got married and moved abroad her foreign born husband refused to speak english to her --she learned pretty quick, lol.
1 person likes this
@Makena1968 (682)
• United States
16 Feb 07
I don't blame you for becoming frusterated with people like that. I do think that people who visit an English speaking country should know a little English. Just like if I visit Spain or Mexico, I should know a little Spanish. It makes sense to me. It just would make it easier for eveyone concerned.
1 person likes this
@DJ9020 (1596)
• United States
15 Feb 07
I believe that if you are going to live somewhere you should learn the language. The main reason is for your own safety. If you have to call the police or an ambulance the language barrier could cause a delayed response and might even cost your life! If you are visiting for a short period of time, then that is different. But if you are actually going to live somewhere, I think it would be in your best interest to be able to communicate effectively.
2 people like this
@gnhuckie88 (52)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
I think one of the reasons why some of them doesn't spend much time learning english in fact it is there own common language it is because they are much too dependent with their government... Most of them would think; why should i go to school when i can eat three times a day without going to school or even if i would just depend on my priviledges given to me by the government...
1 person likes this
@cisco1 (539)
• United States
16 Feb 07
yeah i agree if you are living in the states you better learn english. tHIS country shouldnt try and speak your language,with having papers in different language or having and interperter, It should the immigrant should learn our language. I think we have it backwards and needs to be change. It not going to get any better because the government is not enforcing it!
1 person likes this
@jenvalenzuela (267)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
These people definitely must learn how to speak in english as English is a universal language. By learning English, even its basics, would make them improve their job status and would make them competent with their careers. Likewise it would help them earn very good relations with people they are surrounded with. Learning how to speak in english is very esential for them, i wonder why they hadn't considered learning or practicing at all?
1 person likes this
@dutchess67 (917)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Yes, they absolutely should have to learn to speak the language. I think it should be a prerequisite for being allowed to live here. I work in a large hospital and half of the nurses are foreign and you can't understand a thing they say. They cant pronounce the simplest last names!
1 person likes this
@nicolarolle (24)
• Bahamas
16 Feb 07
I think that they sould if only try to get the basic, because communncation is the key where ever you go or live i would love to learn some new language ,because if you can not communicate it is like you don't exist.
1 person likes this
@mnemosyne (47)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Naturally, they have to learn how to speak English since it is after all an English speaking country. The odds that they will get a job is low if they don't speak the language. Even people living outside US should learn English since the trend today is globalization. To be able to keep up with the rest of the world, speaking , writing and reading in a common language is a must.
1 person likes this
