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Discussion: Americans learning Spanish vs Hispanics learning English
Member Since: 6/16/2011
Posts: 2,785
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Ultimately, English is the language of trade and of the market. Its usefulness extends from just America, but also countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and most western European countries. Learning another language is not necessary as you can fully survive in America to your top potential by speaking only English. There's always benefits in being multilingual as you are not only learning a new language, but are learning about a different society and culture and their ways of speaking. It'll allow to to expand your horizons and feel comfortable with other people, maybe even leading to your own adventures in a different country.
However, even though the United States has no official language, the language is obviously English and it will not go anywhere anytime soon. I empathize that it must be hard for an immigrant to immerse themselves into a new language, but I feel like you have much more potential in America if you can speak the language. Sure, you can get by but to be moderately successful you should know basic English. It's not the first generation immigrants making impact or being successful, but the 2nd generation who can get the best from their own culture/language and apply it to their American roots.
For a society, I'd rather those who can't speak English to learn it before those who speak English to learn a different one. It allows for any abuse against immigrants to make their way to the forefront and would allow immigrants to have an easier time integrating into American culture. Obviously, the best option is for everyone to be multilingual.
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Member Since: 8/9/2012
Posts: 18,572
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Quote:
Originally posted by Lethal
Everyone should learn English, seeing as though its the most universally spoken language on earth. It's rare that anyone would ever use Spanish outside of some Latin American countries.
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Spanish is barely below English in how widely it is spoken. English is also lower then Chinese.
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworl..._languages.htm
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Quote:
Originally posted by Newt
The US doesn't have an official language, This isn't YOUR language. It is however, the working language in the states. If you plan to be here, you really should know some English.
American's should also be forced to learn a second language. We're so dumb compared to....basically every other country when it comes to language.
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Not really. The most spoken second language is English in the world. Most people learn English because they have too. But why is it we pick on Americans to speak another language when other countries with a majority of English speakers don't get picked on? Like I said earlier geography plays a major role. Speaking a second language is usually for business or other opportunities. There's no point in another language in the US. In fact the whole America's don't really speak another language besides English as a second. If America spoke French it would be smart to learn English as a second right?
Let's all attack the UK, Australia and New Zealand too. And how about Anglo Canada too?
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Member Since: 9/4/2011
Posts: 29,960
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What language did our founding fathers speak?
Exactly
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Member Since: 6/16/2011
Posts: 2,785
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Ultimately, the reason why Americans don't speak another language is because of the lack of necessity. People who do not know English have pressure on them to learn it in order to impact a huge market and for business purposes. There's so much cultural impact English speakers have in terms of movies, songs, tv shows and books that entice people to learn to speak English. In addition, the United States is pretty much situated on its own with only Mexico to the South, but there's usually not a constant influx of people to and from Mexico.
In Europe, there are many tiny countries collectively which border each other so there's a huge incentive to learn the language of your neighbors.
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Quote:
Originally posted by RudeBoyy
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English is the most spoken second language in the world. It's also the lingua franca meaning the world language. Everything is in English, you won't get far not knowing English as it's the language of science, business, entertainment, the Internet and so on.
Like we are speaking English right now. Chinese and Spanish aren't even on that level. French is also more important than those two.
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Member Since: 7/3/2011
Posts: 10,425
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Do not come at me with all that mira mira ****, like I'm supposed to understand you. We're in America boo.
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Member Since: 9/4/2011
Posts: 29,960
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Banned
Member Since: 2/25/2012
Posts: 5,503
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Quote:
Originally posted by Tropez
English is the most spoken second language in the world. It's also the lingua franca meaning the world language. Everything is in English, you won't get far not knowing English as it's the language of science, business, entertainment, the Internet and so on.
Like we are speaking English right now. Chinese and Spanish aren't even on that level. French is also more important than those two.
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French is more local than Spanish though, correct? I may just be ignorant but what "main countries" speak it besides France and Canada?
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Member Since: 8/1/2012
Posts: 12,442
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Speaking multiple languages is one of the best traits you can have imo. I'm learning Spanish right now and I really like it.
As for the OP's question: it goes both ways. But I do agree that when you come to a new country, you should learn the language in order to integrate.
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Banned
Member Since: 8/18/2013
Posts: 18,861
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Quote:
Originally posted by DejaVu
Do not come at me with all that mira mira ****, like I'm supposed to understand you. We're in America boo.
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Thank God I was born and raised in America, yet I dont have this mentality
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Member Since: 12/3/2010
Posts: 19,759
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Quote:
Originally posted by kylespearsfenty
French is more local than Spanish though, correct? I may just be ignorant but what "main countries" speak it besides France and Canada?
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A lot of Africa uses French.
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Member Since: 12/16/2008
Posts: 59,380
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Well, in certain way English is easier to learn than Spanish, mostly because the latter has lots of orthographic rules, accents, etc unlike the former, however that doesn't justify the fact that some US citizens don't want/try to learn another language or Hispanics to learn English just for laziness.
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Member Since: 4/16/2011
Posts: 20,617
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Quote:
Originally posted by kylespearsfenty
French is more local than Spanish though, correct? I may just be ignorant but what "main countries" speak it besides France and Canada?
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It's the official language of the UN + the main political capitals of the EU are French speaking + a lot of African countries like mentioned before.
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Member Since: 5/18/2012
Posts: 20,576
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Quote:
Originally posted by kylespearsfenty
French is more local than Spanish though, correct? I may just be ignorant but what "main countries" speak it besides France and Canada?
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No its not. You have all those countries in Europe like Switzerland and Belgium. Those countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Spanish is important but it's localized in the Americas while French isn't. And France is a pretty important area in Europe.
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Member Since: 12/16/2008
Posts: 59,380
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Quote:
Originally posted by DejaVu
Do not come at me with all that mira mira ****, like I'm supposed to understand you. We're in America boo.
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You should say US then because most of the countries in American speak Spanish...
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Member Since: 5/1/2011
Posts: 9,640
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French aint **** on Spanish tho. Spanish slays French in every single aspect 
The ignorance on this thread 
While i do agree that spanish speakers should learn english IF they live in the US. I also believe americans should learn other languages stop being so uncultured, go out of their bubble see the world not just the mall and mcdonads.
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Banned
Member Since: 2/25/2012
Posts: 5,503
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Quote:
Originally posted by Tropez
No its not. You have all those countries in Europe like Switzerland and Belgium. Those countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Spanish is important but it's localized in the Americas while French isn't. And France is a pretty important area in Europe.
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Very informative, all 3 of you. Thanks.
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Member Since: 4/14/2011
Posts: 48,397
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The founding fathers spoke English that's true but to say English is the only language that should be spoken doesn't take into consideration the fact that tons of immigrants came from Europe speaking no English, a lot of the white people who take offense in other languages being spoken have German or other European ancestors so they're disrespecting their cultural heritage by doing that. Also Native American languages......so sad they're disappearing
As for French, it is still most prestigious than Spanish but it's mainly used as a second language unless you're in Western Europe or Eastern Canada 
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Member Since: 4/14/2011
Posts: 48,397
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Wait not Spanish vs French being brought up giving me Katy vs Gaga teas 
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