ANSWERS: 100
  • I think it's dumb because the only reason we are all here in the united states is because people immigrated here. It's sopposed to be a free nation so why would be force others to adapt to our customs? When the reason some people moved here is to have a better life Plus there is nothing wrong with having a diverse culture
  • I think it would be beneficial for people who intend to remain in the United States to learn English. It can only improve their ability to be able to advance themselves economically and socially. I do not think it should be the only language they should speak. It is always easier to understand something in your native tongue. There will always be a period of time to adjust to the language of the country you are residing in if it is not your first language. I think there are better ways to express ones frustration of not understanding a foreign language than the expression quoted in the question. Usually the people who say that statement only know one language themselves, and if they ever travel to another country will be frustrated and complain that no one speaks English over there (expecting them to know it)... instead of heeding their own criticism and learning the other language.
  • I belive that if you are speaking to me or 90% of the American public you better speak English. I am not going to learn spanish for you and if you want something from me you better ask me in English or bring a translator because I'm not going to stand there and watch you wave your hands around or waste my time trying to understand you. But if you want to speak spanish or whatever to your children and in your home thats none of my business. But you better teach them English too.
  • Edited "Although the United States currently has no official language, English has long been the de facto national language." - Wiki I believe English is the most spoken language in the USA, and therefore I still think that people in the USA should learn English, and speak it. That does not mean that other languages can not be taught, or spoken, however residents to the USA should be able to speak the most common language. Thanks for that info David. Comments: # onkponk: It is certainly true that English is not the "native" language of the United States of America; as well, there is not an "official" languge here, either; however, more than 80% of the people living here speak English. Exactly, which is why I think people in the USA should be able to speak English.
  • This is how I feel about the situation. I feel that if you live and work in another country, a major part of that is being able to communicate with other people. If you work in a place where you are speaking to people who the majority of the population speak english, you would need to speak english to those people in order for it to be effective. I don't demand that every person here speaks english, every single day, and never speaks their language. That would be idiotic IMO. I look at it this way: If I moved to Mexico, I would assume that I should learn Spanish since that is the main language there. If I moved to Africa, I would learn their dialect so I can communicate effectively. It seems unfair to be the one demanding everyone else learn english, even though I am the only one who can't communicate. Same goes for if you move here. If you work and are around english speaking people, logic tells you in order to communicate effectively you need to find common ground. English generally just happens to be the common denominator here, because English is our main language. Also, in the case of immigrants, if they loved everything about their country and their country is so much better, than why did they move here? I understand in cases where immigrants come here in cases where there is no other choice. But if it was so much better, why come here? I wouldn't go to your house, because I thought it would be better than where I am now, demand that you make me what I want, and speak how I want, but still claim that my house was better. But that is more of a side note than on the actual topic.
  • It would be a wonderful thing if we were all polyglots but that is not the case and I do believe that if you immigrate to a country it should be a requirement to learn the language of that country. The languge of the United States is English , so immigrants should learn to speak English. This applies to any country in the world.
  • I think that it would be very thoughtful and considerate to explain to a newly arrived immigrant that in order to be sucessfull in America, they will have to develope a working knowledge of English.
  • I am all for people coming here to look for a better life. If my ancestors hadn't, who knows? I grew up in a small Midwestern town that was almost entirely white and was so incredibly narrow-minded. I used to argue against all the illegal immigrants and the jobs they "stole". Then I went to College to be a teacher. I had a class called "Multiculturalism in Education" and was forced to deal with issues like this every time I was in class. It was very insightful. My view now is this: I would never presume to tell people not to immigrate here; I would not be so egotistical and red-necked as to say they can't come and hopefully have what I have. I do, however, believe that if someone is going to move to the United States of America they should definitely learn English as it is spoken by 82% of the population (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_in_the_United_States). As a teacher I appreciate the ESL (English as a Second Language) students that are doing their best to learn to understand what I am teaching. Please son't get me wrong, as I said before I am all for people coming here to look for a better life. I just think it makes logical sense that if the majority speaks one language, that should be learned.
  • I think that people should learn enough English in order to be succesful in day to day communication only because the majority of Americans speak english. I don't think people should have to master english, but they should learn enough to hold and comprehend a basic conversation. If they are in an enviroment that calls for speaking a lot english then they should learn more. If they don't need to speak english that often then they should have someone translate to make it easier on both the non-english and english speaking people involved in the conversation.
  • I think that if you are going to be in America you should learn some basic english only so you can communicate with people here. The same goes if I were to go to say Germany I would want to learn some basic German speech before I went. It only makes sense. As far as do you have to speak english? No but it would help. You know when you think about it, We Americans don't speak true English, we speak an American form of English.
  • May I point out that when people say this, they are usually speaking to a person who is in fact in the process of learning english!
  • if you go and live in a country who's language is english, then yes you should learn and speak there language. noboby is stopping you from giving up your native tongue, but it is rude if you think you can go to another country for a better life (example) and just resume as if you where in your native country. Plus get the benefits of the new country! I don't feel it is wrong that people ask for people to speak in the native tongue of the country they are living in! Tourists are a totally different story!
  • Its very sad but very true indeed as well. People from other countries migrate to this country due to the economic problems and difficulties they face there. In their howmland they know their language and how do they expect to achieve in this country? They should know english but shouldn't be forced to speak it. After all this is a country full of a diversity of immigrants, and they are the ones who hold the country from falling to bits, believe it or not.
  • Ugh, I do too. I mean, America was made up of immigrants from everywhere of ALL languages. Grr...
  • I no longer live in the USA, so from the other side of the fence I can tell you that other Americans who don't bother to learn the local language are at the mercy of their translators. They sign what they're told to sign, they believe what they're told to believe, and they generally leave large amounts of money behind as they become sadder but wiser. If immigrants want to continue to be busboys, day labor, and janitors, they are welcome not to bother studying English. If they want to be taken advantage of by their couut ntrymen who DO know English, that's their privilege. No skin off my neck. But if they want to get ahead and fit in--to be able to drive a car, read the fine print, apply for a good job--it would be to their great advantage to learn English.
  • I agree, everyone should learn to speak English in the USA. As a matter of courtesy, I find it polite to speak a foreign language only between people who can speak or understand the language.
  • Whilst I'm not living in America, I do think that if you move to a country you should expect to learn the language of that country - no matter what age you are. Of course it will be difficult but there are language classes that are inexpensive and even free in some cases that children and adults can go to. The laws of the land are written in the dominant language of the country and ignorance of those laws even if being unable to read the language in which they're written is no longer an acceptable defense. I think that if you're not prepared to learn and attempt to speak the language and cannot provide adequate proof of your attempts to learn, then you also have no right to expect rights such as financial aid from the government of the country you're in. Perhaps that's really harsh of me, but that's how I see it.
  • If you are going to be a legal citizen of the united states of america, you should know or learn english. If i became a legal citizen of France. i would or expected to learn the language of France, french. There is no difference.
  • Well let's reverse the situation for just a minute, because I understand the underlying sentaments your aiming for. How would you feel if I came to your country, and refused to learn or speak your language and instead insisted that you and your government learn my language and opress it upon your society whether they liked it or not? You wouldn't like that now to much would you? America may be a melting pot for culture and it's many languages, but the english language is the foundation in which this country was founded and established. It is an insult to every American, no matter their creed, for you to refuse to conform to our way of life... and ultimately adopt our culture,... the english language is the foundation of that culture. And if you are going to be a free American, it is only right that you show the respect to our American four fathers who made that opportunity possible in the first place, and honor them by learning OUR native tounge.
  • I think in America, people should at least try to learn English, IF they are living here. Vacations, no, there is no reason, just maybe the most important phrases "yes I would like fries with that" "where is the capital" things of that nature. Living here however, I think bilingual would be just fine. I do NOT like it however, when a person gets angry with me in USA, because I DO speak English and not Spanish, or another language......
  • It makes me feel uneasy when I see small immigrant children speaking spanish. That means to me that thier parents don't speak english. When they become school age, it puts a hardship on the schools to communicate with these children to become educated in the english language. One must learn english to do business with americans. When I go to a chinese restaurant, the orientals speak thier language amongst themselves, but when they take my good ole' american dollar, they tell me in english, thank you, come back again!
  • I have a problem with the way that statement is handled. Americans tend to be pretty arrogant about English, and forget that the language is not even indigenous to this land. I think it is helpful for people to be able to communicate with each other, so I encourage immigrants to learn English. However, approaching it as if they "have" to will do nothing to further the goal of understanding. Even if we speak the same language, this approach doesn't facilitate communication, understanding, or respect. Respect for each other facilitates communication much better than demands does.
  • I think that people who live in the US should have to learn English so that they can communicate with others who only speak English, but I don't think they should be told they are not allowed to continue speaking their native language.
  • You don't HAVE to speak any particular language...it will probably be easier on you and the people you try to communicate with (those who are primarily English speakers, that is...probably not any easier with your Italian speaking cousins, lol) if you have at least a working knowledge of English, is all.
  • I think that learning the language of any country before moving to it is comon curtesy at least.
  • A common language helps to unite a country. When you have people speaking different languages, you only have pockets of people.
  • I think if you visit any country, you should attempt to communicate in that countrys language. Someone who doesn't want to learn the english language is not one who has the best interest of the American peoples in mind.
  • 1) There are many countries in South America where you do not have to speak english... 2) it is a sign of tolerance to accept that in some areas, people prefer to speak another language For instance: "Three US states are officially bilingual: Louisiana (English and French), New Mexico (English and Spanish), and Hawai'i (English and Hawaiian). Three US territories are also bilingual: American Samoa (Samoan and English), Guam (English and Chamorro), and Puerto Rico (Spanish and English). One US territory is trilingual: Northern Marianas Islands (English, Chamorro, and Carolinian) Furthermore, in Florida, at the municipal level, HIaleah recognizes both English and Spanish while Miami recnognizes English, French Creole, and Spanish as official government languages." 3) if you stay with your language group, it is OK. But if you want to go in other areas, it will certainly be helpful to learn english. And it would be good that the survival of these language groups could be supported with some school courses. Anyway, you should be encouraged to learn english. 4) If you live in an area of the US where many people prefer to speak another language as english, it would be a good think if you learned this language too. 5) here is an article which shows the support in the bilingual community for ending bilingual education: http://onenation.org/0598/052998c.html 6) here is an interesting article about the Muhlenberg vote. An urban legend tells that German almost became the official language of the US. "On January 13, 1795, Congress considered a proposal, not to give German any official status, but merely to print the federal laws in German as well as English." Source: http://www.watzmann.net/scg/german-by-one-vote.html
  • i dont think we should do that because when we go to other countries we just expect everyone to speak English.. and yes i know that lots of countries have people that do but its not right of americans to do that.
  • no, this is ab, type without txt abv or lv the cnty. Gd blss Amrca
  • I think people should learn it out of sympathy - after watching a lot of American movies and listening to American music, most Americans seem to have trouble enough speaking the one language.
  • I beleive that if you come to the country, you should learn to speak the lanuage, I don't know why I should. However I do beleive in equal opportunity, most certianly.
  • I believe everyone should be able to speak English; however I respect all cultures and encourage passing family traditions along. I just think that everyone in the country can share something and be able to communicate with each other.
  • Yes I believe wherever you choose to live you should learn the language of that country.
  • I think I'm an "equal opportunity person," but I do think it's beneficial to the immigrant and to society if that person takes the effort to try to learn English.
  • Equal opportunity, as long as you are putting some effort out. Learn the basics of the local language wherever you live or travel to.
  • One should learn the country's language. However I will say this, I was born here so I'm an american, I don't appreciate people who need directions or what not asking me if I speak "English" just cause I look like a different race. :|
  • I don't see how thinking Americans should speak English has anything to do with being for or against equal opportunity - they're not mutually exclusive. I think most, if not all, border controls should be loosened or simply abandoned, perhaps only being retained to focus on actual criminals attempting to flee the country. That applies to people who come here from overseas as well - if they want to be here, let them come, and let them work. On the other hand, I don't think that non-citizens, or at least non-registered aliens, should be able to access government welfare programs such as social security, disability benefits, medicare / medicaid, or welfare itself. I don't think any special allowances or help should be offered. Not speaking English is a serious disadvantage in America's workforce, but if someone wants to hire you even without English, good for you, otherwise, no one should hold your hand trying to get you work or get you English lessons.
  • If you live here you should speak the language and even if you are visiting you should learn some key words that would be helpful. My husband had to learn Spanish to speak to his crew and it should have been the other way around.
  • Equal opportunity,and welcome immigration from all countries,no matter if one speaks English or not..
  • The country was built by immigrants who came to America, worked hard, and learned the language. I just don't see why that should change now.
  • i don't think that it is fair that we have to pay to keep them up through taxes. i also have met a few illegals who are hard workers and just want to make some money. we shouldn't kick all the illegal ones out, but they should have to do something legally to belong here. if i lived in mexico, i would want to come here too.
  • If I immigrate to France, I don't expect the French people to necessarily understand my English. While there have long been enclaves of ethnicity in our towns and cities, official business of the government has, and should continue to, be done in English. I take offense to your use of the word "OR" separating equal opportunity from speak English. I do not see them as opposites.
  • I'm a "I live in Australia, and most of the idiots over east can't speak English properly anyway, so I don't know what they're complaining about" person.
  • This question groups many ideas and issues as one. I believe anyone travelling for even a short time to another country should learn at least a little of its language. Legal immigration is what built this country. It is, in fact, what built most countries. The issue many Americans have is illegal immigration and those who reap the benefits others have to pay for. That's a problem, but I believe companies that employ and exploit illegal workers are as big a part of the problem as those living here undocumented. As for equal opportunity, I'm not sure where that fits in here. If you're asking whether everyone should have equal footing and the same opportunities available to them in this country, I would suggest that depends on several factors, from education to work ethic to assimilation. If you live or move here, you commit no crimes, educate yourself and strive towards a better life, opportunities will avail themselves to you, regardless of race or national origin.
  • On the one hand, America was founded by immigrants. I don't have a problem with legal immigrants at all. On the other, it doesn't make sense to me that some people who immigrate here don't learn the language.
  • I think that, by the language argument, most Americans need to get busy learning Cherokee, Lakota, [pick a Native American language and insert here]. The palpable double standard and eurocentrism highly embarrasses me. I believe in equal opportunity.
  • Enter legally, speak English or leave. Forcibly if necessary.
  • I'm fine with the various languages, and I am an equal opportunity person. I feel that there are too many immigrants in my area. If they want to live in the USA then they can, but some have to leave. There are so many of them in my area.
  • I think we should all speak pig latin.
  • I don't see those as two oposing viewpoints. I am all for immigration, and all for equal opportunity- I'm a card-carrying Liberal with a capital "L". :) But I also believe that if you made the decision to move to a country that has a different dominant language from your own, you should learn the language. If I were to move to Japan, I would not expect them to provide me with anything in English. If that occurs, I would consider it a pleasant surprise, a luxury, not an entitlement. It is up to me, as the immigrant, to make the effort to learn how to communicate in the language of the nation I plan on calling my home. Language is a tool that we use to communicate thoughts and ideas to one another. If someone does not want to learn this nation's tools, they don't want to participate in this nation.
  • I believe in helping people maximize their potential for success. English skills are helpful in that way. For that reason, I have taught, at times, English as a Second Language to some very eager, motivated, and inspiring students. I love immigrants. They bring freshness, ambition, a heightened work ethic, strong family values, and really good food to us and keep us growing and inspired.
  • I'm all for equal opportunity however, I do believe that when I go to a store at least a few people should know English for people like me, that know no other language so that I can get help too. That's all. I just don't like going to a store and not being able to find anyone that speaks English. Oh and store announcements, if they could do them in both English and Spanish here, that'd be great.
  • I don't see why you can't be both.
  • English is the hardest language to learn on the face of the planet. A legal immigrant, eventually learns most of the english language. its just natural and comes with the territory. I believe in equal opportunities for all legal immigrants in America. I do not believe in equal opportunities for illegal immigrants. these people have violated the law, therefore they have no equality in America.
  • yes you should learn the language to the best of your ability. you should also be legal. i'm fine with immigration thats legal...its the definition of america! without it, there would be no diversity. but the immigrants should give back to their community (ie taxes)
  • I care not what you speak..but if your speaking to me..speak english.
  • These people come to the US in search of freedom, opportunity, education, etc. And who are we to judge them for wanting to live a better life. And most of them try there best to learn our language!
  • I'm an immigrant and I firmly believe that if you cannot be bothered to learn english, what in heck is going to motivate you to make an effort to integrate into America? There is no other appreciable country in the world that I know of that lets people off the hook in this regard. English is part of America - so why mess with it? Either you don't LIKE America and should not be here or you are taking a chance that down the road America will not BE 'America' anymore. To all the immigrants who are here - I'm tired of being solicited or bombarded with appeals to 'lend my voice' to groups who want to make America more like where they came from - if you want it to be more whatever, stay in the darned place and change what you don't like about it. We Immigrants were not REQUESTED to be here - we were giveen PERMISSION to be. The way I see it - the day America starts DEMANDING our presence here is the day we can start throwing our wieght around and calling th shots. For crying out loud - if our own countries were not failures, or inadequate for our personal needs, and we were not willing to dig in and change THEM.....what the heck has us thinking we are fit to change HERE???
  • I think the Americans should learn to speak English properly themselves before they make that a requirement for citizenship.
  • Both. If anyone aspires to be more than a day laborer or dishwasher, etc., they need to know English.
  • they should but people shouldn't sound ignorant while saying it. they act like their language is the best and if you can't learn it gtfo, and lots of americans do think that way.
  • Anyone that MOVES to a different country needs to live by their rules and speak their language! So if a Spanish person moves to CA then they must learn American-English. I as an English person have moved to Norway and I must learn Norwegian. I have lived here for just under 3 years and am pretty good at it now. Everyone here speaks English, but I must still speak Norwegian.
  • If you wish to be a part of the culture, you have to participate. The language you speak is the common denominator of a society. So, I think it is to everyone's advantage to be able to communicate, but I would not put anyone in jail who made the choice to be so isolated from their environment.
  • well, for one thing...America consists of many countries..Canada, US, Mexico, all of central and south america..... I feel that it is against what the US is supposed to stand for to require everyone to speak English...the land of the free? I thought the US was built on the premise of accepting immigrants..Isn't that what Ellis Island was all about? "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
  • I live in south Florida were we have many Spanish speakers. I speak very little Spanish (I grew up min the mi-west) I have no problem doing my best to try and communicate with a Spanish speaker in my broken Spanish if they are willing tom try and speak their broken English to communicate with me. I do get very upset when someone comes up to me speakings Spanish like it's asummed, then when I tell them, no hablo they roll there eyes at me like I'm the ass hole.
  • I agree with it. If you don't like to speak English move. We don't need you.
  • The foreign-born population of this country must be an Americanized population - no other kind can fight the battles of America either in war or peace. It must talk the language of its native-born fellow-citizens, it must possess American citizenship and American ideals. It must stand firm by its oath of allegiance in word and deed and must show that in very fact it has renounced allegiance to every prince, potentate, or foreign government. Theodore Roosevelt Advocates Americanism, 1915
  • I think that's a pretty simplistic view to have. Considering that America grew due to it's welcoming in people of all cultures and ethnicities thus being called "a melting pot"... it should not be unexpected to encounter people who speak a multitude of languages. I do agree that people who live here should put forth an effort to learn English in order to communicate in the countries most commonly accepted language (not sure if it's legally the 'official' language or not). I understand peoples frustration when they can't communicate, and it goes both ways those who can't speak English and those who don't speak foreign languages... but to say that you HAVE to speak English and no other language is a bit against what America was founded on, that being freedom. Not only English speaking people are allowed the freedoms that living in America grant. For those that say if you don't like speaking English then leave... I'd say the wrong person is being asked to leave. It's people like that who mistake their prejudice for 'pride'.
  • As the general level of basic grammar is atrocious here on AB, not to mention the spelling, sometimes learning even one language is too much trouble. Offence where it's due...
  • I find that statement very shallow, very narrow minded. I feel like responding, "This is America - speak Lakota"!
  • Being an immigrant and having to have learned English. I have no problem with it. I think that the very least everyone who comes to this country is learn the language.
  • I can understand it, but I think it's rude. If your going to come live here in the US. Learn to speak English. If I was going to live in Japan I would learn to speak Japanese.
  • Perhaps I am biased, perhaps I am a bigot. Perhaps I am an employer who is absolutely never going to hire someone who does not speak my language. Mostly because I'm not going to increase my overhead costs by hiring an interpreter, buying bilingual signs, and printing training materials in other languages. I'm too old and cratchety to learn another language myself. Sorry. I will, however, welcome you with open arms. My forefathers were immigrants who spoke German and Gealic... They had to learn English to survive in an English speaking country. When I move to France, I will learn French. You can too.
  • The only real concern I have concerns the food service industry. With so many native spanish speaking waitstaff and fast food workers, it can often be hard to know if your order was understood. I think that when someone is going to be working with a primarily English speaking customer base, that they should have a good working understanding of the language, and the ability to use it!
  • Whether you're going to sneak in or come in legally, you need to know and abide by the laws and speak English.
  • This is my thoughts........
  • In America,you should speak English. In the past, many immigrants came here and learned the language or at least made sure thier kids knew the language. If you travel to other countries your expected to learn their language. If you don't know English you can get conned by people who know the language, and in some cases, you can get conned by your own ethnic people who know how to speak English. So learn to speak English in America!!!
  • Provided they actually mean the USA and not the American continent (I hope no-one would try saying that in Peru!) I think it's fair enough - OK so you don't *have* to speak English, but if you expect to be understood on a regular basis you do. Put it another way (and I'm not even an American) - is it not a bit wrong to expect everyone in the US to learn a ridiculous amount of languages just so they can understand anyone who wants to talk in whatever language they fancy?
  • I feel it pretty wrong to. Language is a wonderful thing and it should not be restricted in anyway.
  • I agree with this man: "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907
  • If I were to go to another country, I would endeavor to learn the language of that land. Many of my relatives came to this country and WILLINGLY wanted to learn english. They were PROUD and eager to do it. They didn't want to be catered to. I say NO it is not wrong to have to learn to speak english.
  • THIS IS A TOUCHY QUESTION.....I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD MAKE AN EFFORT TO LEARN....IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WORK IN A SOCIETY WHERE A CERTAIN LANGUAGE IS PROMENANT...IT MAKES SENSE.....FOR EXAMPLE....I TRAVELED TO SPAIN.....AND WAS IN DOWNTOWN BARCELONA....THERE WERE TOURISTS GETTING FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THEY WERE SPEAKING ENGLISH AND NO ONE COULD UNDERSTAND....THAT, TOO, IS WRONG...IS JUST ABOUT PRINCIPLE....
  • No, because when people say "America" I infer they're talking about the continent. English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and many other dialects etc. are spoken in America (the continent). I know your question most probably refers to the United States, I'm willing to accept that you should at least make the attempt to learn English in order to have a better communication with the vast majority of people there.
  • I believe that if you move to (or even visit) another country, you should expect to, be willing to, and at the VERY least, make an effort to learn the language of that country. See http://www.orangefrogproductions.com/ofp2o_auth_ops_immigrantamericans.shtml for my views.
  • i think that different ethnicities are what America is supposed to be about. we are the melting pot after all. i don't mind people speaking their native language.
  • I find that many of these speak-english-or-get-out people can't even read or write english themselves let alone speak proper english.. i think americans should realize that this is NOT an english only country and should strive to become bi- or multi-lingual.. arguing for enlish-only is like arguing for stupidity..
  • This one really sounds racist..there are a lot of American tourist here in the Philippines and we never tell anyone of them "HEy! this is Philippines!Speak Tagalog! it's a good thing that even the lowest class people here speak the basic English..you don't have to slap on someone's face that they can not speak your language so take your ass home..just give them a hand signal NO if you can't understand them.they know it.
  • no i dont agree i think its wrong im british and u stole our language stop speaking it :P u lot should speak native american after the people u stole ur country from :P
  • Americans are expected to learn the language of another country before going there, why can't they learn at least a little english before coming here? I don't understand why we need to cater to people who don't care enough or are just too lazy. Why do I have to learn other languages? I was born in an english speaking country. Why can't they learn the language here? Or does that require too much work? I find it very wrong when someone comes to my country and tells me I need to learn their language.
  • If I went to France, I'd learn french first. I'd expect anyone who went to any country to do the same, even if they learned it after they arrived.
  • Well they should be saying this is the United States you should speak english. In Mexico they speak spanish and Mexico is part of North America, and then we have Central America and South America...The correct term should be United States...not America, since in saying so makes that comment incorrect, since the United States is not the only country part of the Americas!
  • I feel a person should learn the main language of what country they're livin in. So if you live in russia?...russian... latin america..spanish... so america please atleast try an learn some english.....
  • EVERYONE who comes to this country better get there butt in gear and learn the language. It is not my job to learn all of their freaking languages. We speak english. If they want to come to the best country in the world, they better speak the language or get the hell out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Years ago no one spoke english. They all spoke native american languages.
  • Well there is a difference between you having to and you being able too, and if you live in america then you need to learn the language,if i moved to D.R, i would have to learn to speak spanish just aswell as understand it, it makes it easier for communication.
  • You should probably learn to speak the language of the country you live in. Just seems logical.
  • I think that you should definatly speak english in America. Sorry if im being rude or anything but it pisses the hell out of me when someone approaches speaking spanish and says,"oh i thought you seak spanish,oh you should learn,very good language, stupid sorry" And then if you are in Spain then you have the right to say that. And if you are in France approach someone speaking in French,this rule goes to all countries.
  • If you moved to france don't you think it would be a good idea to learn french? So why live in America and not learn english?
  • If I went to live in another country that spoke a language other than English, I would learn the native language. It's called being a good guest.

Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC

Answerbag | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy