This is the U.S.A. - English, please

Here we have two national languages, English and French.  Yes, there are a lot of people from other nationalities that speak other languages.  I won't say which.  But it does irritate me when they phone the office, and speak in their language to me.  I don't understand it.  ANd then they get mad at me because I don't understand.

One other kick was that a new HUGE hospital that was just built, the staff that work there (my co worker's mother is a nurse there) are required to be fluent in this other language

Frustrates me.

No, it doesn't bother me. It doesn't bother me to hear other languages spoken either.

In fact I hope both my kids will learn another one or two before they're grown...it will help them succeed in life and is a great way to expand your capacity to learn.

I am far more offended by the sheer number of "American" youth's who cannot speak English properly, and use the "like" "you know" "whatever" etc etc etc, endlessly.

I wouldn't know, English is my second language, lol.  But yeah it can get annoying sometimes when you are in a hurry and you accidentally grab the spanish version of instructions.

IrishSetterGrl

does anyone else get annoyed by how many things in general have Spanish translations on them?

No. Because the US doesn't have, and NEVER has had, an official language. English may be the "de facto", but that doesn't mean much. It annoys me that so many people complain about Spanish, actually. I think this country as a whole could use a little culture. God forbid we have to learn another language, or hear anything out of our comfort zone. /rant

Somethings are sold both here in the USA and in spanish speaking countries so instead of creating two bottles with one english and one spanish its easier to put them both on the same bottle.

I don't mind buying products with the laugauges added,  I don't mind having special teachers in the schools... But It P*sses me OFF BIG TIME when I call a GOVERNMENT agency and the first thing the recorded menu says Is if you want to continue in ENGLISH press one......

Excuse me I don't think so....... The folks who can not speak ENGLISH should be pressing for an option NOT ME !!!  ARRRRRGH...

I Feel Ya Girlfriend I Soooooooo feel your pain !

Bonita of Bwana

 Nope, used to it.  Well, not Spanish, French, but whatever.  Everything sold in Canada has to be marketed with both English and French on it or it cannot be sold, except in Quebec, I don't think they need English...that kind of annoys me, I guess, but then so does the majority of the Quebecois attitude.  We do get alot of stuff that has Spanish translations on it as well, but its no big deal.  I'm not an English snob.  I don't find my language better than any other because its the only one I'm completely fluent in.  I do have a thing for my First Nation language, but thats just because the only people I've heard speak it are family and therefore special to me.

I also like that around here the kids have a choice between French and Ojibway as a second language in school.  Ojibway is the First Nation in my region and alot of things have translations for that now too.  That doesn't bother me, though I wish there was a way that Kale could learn Kwa'kwala around here.  Sadly thats West Coast First Nation so no go on that.

Well.  Perhaps growing up in a bilingual country with immigrant parents have provided me with a different outlook.  I enjoy seeing other languages as it allows me to learn the similarities and differences in language.

Language is an artform and I enjoy hearing and reading all forms of it, even if I don't understand it!  LOL

I can follow most discussion in Spanish,  am rather feeble in French , The Hubs deals daily with Russian Tourists and many Central and South American Tourists/workers.   To be honest I do not mind it until I have my nails done and the girls chatter in Vietnamese ... they make little effort to hide they are talking about their customers and it does annoy me.  You try to chat with them and they clam up, You clam up and they chatter away together.  My tip does reflect this and I make sure the lady who normally did my nails understood that up front. She was gentle and talented and understood .

Bonita of Bwana

I totally agree with that - I would do the same thing (if I ever got a manicure LOL).

Rudeness certainly translates into body language well enough that anyone can understand even if they don't speak the language.  I've heard that something like 80% of what we communicate is in body language which can be regional but easily understood.

Bonita of Bwana

But It P*sses me OFF BIG TIME when I call a GOVERNMENT agency and the first thing the recorded menu says Is if you want to continue in ENGLISH press one......

Excuse me I don't think so....... The folks who can not speak ENGLISH should be pressing for an option NOT ME !!!  ARRRRRGH...

Think about it...if they were to let the non English speaking people know first, that they are to press to hear their language, then they would have to have the message in another language first, in order to let them know what to press to hear their language. You would then have to listen to that message first, before hearing anything in English. This way, they are giving you first chance to hear English. Least that is the way I see it.

And in response to first poster....no it doesn't bother me. What bothers me, is that so many people are not accepting of it. I'm glad to see that some on this forum are speaking up with the same feelings that I have.
 

rwbeagles

No, it doesn't bother me. It doesn't bother me to hear other languages spoken either.

In fact I hope both my kids will learn another one or two before they're grown...it will help them succeed in life and is a great way to expand your capacity to learn.

I am far more offended by the sheer number of "American" youth's who cannot speak English properly, and use the "like" "you know" "whatever" etc etc etc, endlessly.

My sentiments exactly!  As long as they don't forget to put the English instructions in, I'm cool with it.  Now if you want a chuckle, go and google TENJOOBERRYMUDS and read an exchange between a hotel guest and whoever is answering the phone for room service. It would be hysterically funny ..... if it weren't so pathetically right on.

Joyce

This reminds me of a comic:

http://xkcd.com/84/ 

If you've never tried to learn another language, or been to another country in which another language was spoken, I can see how it would be hard to empathize with immigrants. Just bear in mind most of those who don't speak English don't have the time, money, or sometimes even intellectual aptitude to learn English. When your formal education in your native country stopped at the 4th grade because you had to work to feed your family, and then move to another country to work 2 jobs to have enough money to make sure your children can at least get an education, it can be pretty tough to pick up another (difficult!) language on the side. Even if you had the time, some people just can't quite ever really "get it."

I don't understand how having menus, labels, etc. offered in many languages is offensive. I don't see why the prevalence of other languages is a threat.

It DOES make me furious to hear the gossipy ladies at the nail salon (and why are they always Vietnamese? lol). I find THAT extremely offensive, because it's just incredibly rude and unprofessional. 

Cita

 it can be pretty tough to pick up another (difficult!) language on the side. 

I think this is something that native English speakers tend to forget ... English is NOT an easy language to learn.  Just think for a minute how many words we have that sound exactly alike but are spelled differently and have totally different meanings, or how many words are used as both nouns and verbs. My big gripe is having people who haven't mastered English at about the 5th. or 6th. grade level having jobs where they have to deal with the public and answer questions.  Surely someone could find something else they could do while their English is slowly improving. Some of the exchanges I've had with the yard service guys are unvelieveable ... I just wind up smiling and nodding and hope I haven't agreed to something strange.

Joyce