I can understand why Americans don't like another language spoken...
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27555)
Philippines
October 19, 2017 7:18am CST
It is because I do not want to hear any language I couldn't understand.
Once, when I was making my leisurely walk, a group of Koreans perched on the campus bench were talking in Korean. They are in their mid thirties, I suppose, meaning, they were with the bulk of Koreans who made the exodus to my country because of fear of nuclear war.
Oh my, because I couldn't understand, I did get irritated. It was noise.
But then I thought, how could they speak my language if they are still alienated by culture. If I do not like what I hear, I must study Korean. Many of my countrymen could speak Nihonggo, Bahasa, Fookien, Spanish, even French, so, why not learn the language.
I never did try learning. I have no use for it. I don't have a Korean friend.
What is happening in America now, with Americans discriminating the none-English speaking migrants is simply absurd. If Americans want to understand the migrants, learn their language. Do not expect the migrants to speak English at once. The migrants will eventually learn, they have movies and television shows to learn English from.
Whereas, if Americans refuse to learn another language, they will be at a disadvantage. Migrants could converse in their native tongue and Americans could just either get angry or stare at the air.
I called the US Embassy a few years back, a Caucasian answered, she was the secretary of the Ambassador. Then she told me that she could speak in Tagalog if I wish to. I thanked her but said no, I could speak in English perfectly well.
2 people like this
7 responses
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Oct 17
Fortunately for me, I have overcome the uneasiness. The Koreans tend to keep quiet and assess the surroundings whenever they feel people are staring. They are a sensitive and understanding people, too. I think they feel very much at home in my country now.
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
19 Oct 17
That just give me idea to learn other country's languages. in our country i can understand Filipino, Ilocano and even some Kankanaey and Itneg.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Oct 17
I take my bow. At the universities in Manila, students with two or more dialects always have the edge. I did wish I learned Ilocano when I made the road trip across Ilocos three decades ago. Visited all the churches. Wonderful trip.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
20 Oct 17
@ilocosboy I will keep that invite in mind. Been raring to see the seascapes again. I haven't seen Baler, though. And Iloilo.
Okay, will rewrite my Bucket List. Wanderlust itching. Ha ha
1 person likes this
@ilocosboy (45155)
• Philippines
20 Oct 17
@eileenleyva maybe you should make another pilgrimage tour in our place.
@rebelann (117220)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Oct 17
My view is a bit different. If I were to embark on a move to another country the first thing I would do is learn their language. I feel it would be insulting to move into another country and expect them to learn my language.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Oct 17
That is wise. One must always come prepared.
However, there are varied situations for different people. My siblings in America are very fluent in English. Yet, when they see meet up, they talk in our native tongue. As is the case of family and friends all over the world. It just feels great to talk in one's own language.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (117220)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Oct 17
That is understandable @eileenleyva if you're at a family gathering then it would be natural to speak one's native tongue.
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (6421)
• United States
19 Oct 17
The problem is not an American refusal to learn other languages. The problem is an immigrant refusal to assimilate. For many decades, immigrants assimilated to our culture and learned our language. But, in recent years, they have refused - demanding instead that we assimilate to theirs. But, that's not how it works. We are not a nation of immigrants. We are a nation of descendants of immigrants.
America is a melting pot, but it is not a multicultural country. We do have our own culture, and it's high time immigrants respected that and assimilated to our culture again.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Oct 17
Being a nation of descendants of immigrants (why must a description of a people be phrased that way?), presuppose already a varied culture. The British came and brought with them their royal culture. The Chinese came and brought with them their poi and their dynasties. The Spaniards came and brought with them their don culture and power siestas.
All cultures incorporated makes up America. Except if, by own culture you mean the Mohicans and the like, oh yes, I love the Indians and would assimilate with them anytime. I love the circle dance and the spirits.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
19 Oct 17
That is sad because knowing other languages is a plus in many ways.
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
19 Oct 17
Language is an advantage. I encourage young people to study one or two more languages. Even the sign language. Or the Morse code. Communication is important. Always.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
19 Oct 17
@eileenleyva
I agree with you wholeheartedly.
1 person likes this
@Mr_Anomaly (790)
• United States
19 Oct 17
I'm an American, and contrary to belief, I actually enjoy learning other languages. Spanish is probably the biggest lingual priority for my country, as most of the immigrants are of Spanish descent. I believe the reasoning for people NOT wanting to learn other languages in my country is because they don't feel that they need to cater to immigrants when the base language for the United states is the English language. Most are also stubborn and don't feel it's necessary to have to adjust (food menus, street signs, etc.), but overall I think that most Americans like to keep things simple and don't want things to become overly complicated, or don't want to be forced to learn other languages and would rather learn them out of their own desire to do so. Hope this makes some degree if sense 
@Mr_Anomaly (790)
• United States
19 Oct 17
@sabtraversa are you throwing a jab at me and my english skills, Sabrina? 
oh and also, I enjoy learning other languages because I'd like to travel the world someday and to express my art to other countries rather than just my own, so to me, I am open to it... but I also understand why many Americans are closed off to it.
oh and also, I enjoy learning other languages because I'd like to travel the world someday and to express my art to other countries rather than just my own, so to me, I am open to it... but I also understand why many Americans are closed off to it.1 person likes this
@Daelii (5619)
• United States
20 Oct 17
It breaks my heart with all the racial discrimination and tension going on in America. I don't mind when people speak in whatever language they wish too. It's an American right to.
I wish public schools still made an effort to teach other languages to kids. If kids hear another language before age six it helps them later in life to pick up that language. So I've had no problems introducing my kids to other languages in movies, songs, etc!
