Why do Americans get upset to hear Spanish in this country in everyday life?

Question

Yet, they go travel around the world and try to make every one in the world learn english, why? Is English destroying many languages in the world and cultures?

Answer 1

People don't learn english because of the tourists, its their consimption of our high quailty entertainment.

Plus, Spanish is annoying.

Answer 2

English ,now a days is internationally known language.Where as

spanish is a regional language n may not b familiar to each n every one.That must b the reason.

Answer 3

All said and done I still think US would have the highest no. of bilinguals in the world.

Matt gave Western Europe's example, I would actually disagree that these countries have more sympathy for people speaking other languages. I live in UK and can tell that even Welsh people with their native language speak English as a language of everyday life. So if you leave out asian immigrants, English is prefferred. New immigrant rules make it mandatory  that anyone coming in the country should pass an English test.

Answer 4

I personally dont mind hearing other people speak another langauge around me on the streets... I think it is awesome. People have the right to speak whatever they want. My only problem is when you have children who dont know English and so the school has to pay for a translator or when you have to print out several different versions of legal documents in 5 different languages (it is a waste of paper) things like that. I think English should be the official "working" language of the USA, meaning that all legal documents, government offices, public schools etc. operate in English. I am not saying that all other languages should be outlawed and it is not possible. If feel the same way about other countries and Americans. If I got to Mexico with my friend, yeah I should be able to speak English to my friend, but the working language is Spanish so I better know a few basic phrases if I am going to be doing anything that involved speaking to Mexican people. It is only polite and it shows you are making an effort to respect the culture and people.

And I do not think English is destroying the world. I am sure that if the USA had decided to pick up French as the langauge spoken after the revolution, people would be saying that French is destroying other world languages and cultures. With TV and the Internet that is just the way things are. If you think it is destroying your culture turn off the TV or the computer. But everyone is so connected, I can see how someone could say that. I think it is the responisblity of the community not to lose their history, language, and culture... it may be hard but it is not impossible.

Answer 5

I am upset to hear it. If I was in Mexico or a spanish speaking country I would expect to hear Spanish. If I was in France I would expect to hear French, If I was in Russia I would expect to hear Russian. I live in America I expect to hear ENGLISH!

Answer 6

Actually, I am an American (native English Speaker) and I embrace people speaking other languages within the US.  It's ignorant when people insist on everyone knowing English.  The US is an immigrant nation, and in its history the population was speaking many languages.  It is a shame that people didn't pass their native languages down to their children and grandchildren, as Hispanic people usually do.  

When you go to most other industrialized countries (such as Western European countries), it is rare to find educated people who aren't at least bilingual.  The norm in the US to know only English is embarrassing...  I believe everyone should learn Spanish as a second language.  I worked hard to learn it, studying it for 7 years, it's now an important part of the American society.  And it was worth it, knowing Spanish has really improved my life in a lot of ways!