Why wont a foreigner learn English So we can communicate with them?

Question

Is it because they want to live here but would rather not talk to an American citizen? They own businesses that our hard earned tax dollars pay for but would rather not communicate with us.Isn't that ironic?

Answer 1

They just don't care, they expect us to learn Spanish, WELL FORGET IT. I believe if they're gonna live here they need to know English, esp. if they own a business. But they just dint care.

Answer 2

I think it just needs to be seen that the vast majority of jobs people get overseas (from an English speaking background) do not expect us to become as proficient in their language as English people seem to expect with English.

It is hypocrisy. English speakers are renowned for not bothering with other languages. On a global scale even our collage 'majors' in other languages are far inferior to European highschool English courses.

If English people started taking an interest in the cultures that are making more and more of the society, perhaps they would show more in ours.

You are talking as if it is reasonable to expect these people to completely forget their cultures just because they came to America. Americans on the other hand are allowed to still be American overseas. These 'foreigners' have come to America sold the dream of 'liberty' 'freedom' and 'multi-culturalism'. That is all a joke.

Answer 3

english one of the hardest languages to learn. some ppl even say it's harder than russian. because english isn't based on phonix like we think it is.

laughter and daughter? the only physical diffrence is 1 letter but they sound so diffrent.

and there r so many varriables in our language. so cut them some slack. they may wont ot talk ot us but can't. and it's harder for adults to learn a new language than it is for younger ppl.

Answer 4

They can communicate fine with people who don't make it clear that they are unwelcome.

Gracie - you are to be commended on your statement that you would learn the language of any country you might go to live in, but that would also make you unusual. Americans - and indeed, us Brits as well - are famous for going to work abroad and STILL expecting the local people to speak English.

Answer 5

it seems they want to reap the benefits of this country and try to be as little of a part socially of this country as possible

Answer 6

I think they don't want to talk to us.  I also think it should be mandatory to learn english and if you don't then go back to your country.  If I moved to another country I would learn their language.

Btw... friend of mine is a policeman and he has told me that alot of them do speak some english but choose not to.  So that tells me they just don't want to talk to us.  But they sure take all the english money they can get!

Answer 7

Well, a lot of them don't learn English, but a lot of them do. As to why some members of the former portion don't, learning a new language isn't exactly as easy as crossing a border. I've lived in China for a year and a half, and my Chinese sucks monkey nuts, though I admittedly don't really try. I watch my adult students try to learn English, too. They devote their lives to it, quit their jobs, and do nothing but study--still can barely form a sentence. (Language learning is not for everyone, just like art and music).  And I've seen and known plenty of arrogant US compatriots of mine who have lived here in China almost ten years and yet still refuse to learn Chinese and are actually proud of this fact. They have free time, comfortable lives, and functioning brains, yet they think it's perfectly acceptable to scream and rant in English to people who obviously can't understand them. A lot of the immigrants in the west, especially the USA, (not all, but a lot) don't have the cushy lives and free time these people do. Put all that together and eh, go figure. Human beings: Arrogant, busy, lazy, no language talent... Your answer lies in those last six words.  

Answer 8

Mostly, it's because most foreigners who come to the U.S. are afraid, and think they wont learn it very well or can't afford enough to get highly educated with the language...also learning a whole new language is not easy as it sounds because it requires a lot of time, specially English being one of the hardest languages...

Answer 9

lol sure.

I happen to love foreigners.

especially monkeys.

Answer 10

They want to be in the country and get all the benefits of the country but don't see it worth their while contributing and so they don't see that they need to learn the language.

Answer 11

The U.S. is made of immigrants.  Unless you are 100% native American, your family emigrated from somewhere else, and while you may be fortunate enough to have been born here, somewhere in your family line, someone came here for a chance at a better life.  Whether it be freedom from religious or political persecution, to live the "American Dream", or simply to escape famine, war, etc.  

There is no law stating an immigrant must learn English.  Actually we have a great big welcome mat laid out for immigrants called the Statue of Liberty which, in part, states;

"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-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

It is quite sad that you, and others, display so publicly, ignorance of the ideals upon which this country was founded. The hypocrisy in which you formulate your argument is laughable as business owners do not rely on "our hard earned tax dollars" to support themselves.  In fact, business owners pay hefty taxes just for the privilege of owning a business in the U.S.  Business owners generally create more jobs, and contribute greatly to the communities in which they are based.  

Also, you may want to consider mastering the English language, before you complain about those who haven't.

Answer 12

People have strong emotions about this, and very little in the way of compassion or understanding.

Most businesses are started with bank loans. That their businesses are funded by tax dollars is nonsense.

In addition, English is a hard language to learn. Why do you think so many native speakers are such awful spellers? Many high schoolers can't even write a short essay.

And what gives you the right to feel so superior? Most Europeans speak 2-3 languages. Learning a foreign language teaches you more about your own, broadens your mind, and introduces you to new bodies of literature and cultures.

Americans are terribly intolerant of people who are slow at learning English. In fact, they're hostile to them. Would this make you want to learn an unfamiliar language? So you can be like Americans? Face it, America is not the greatest country in the world, nor does it have the highest standard of living, nor is it the best educated. It is dominated by religious fanatics whose agenda is absolutely frightening.

Answer 13

For the same reason why you won't learn their language to communicate with them.

Answer 14

They don't feel the urge to learn English, because in the USA there are few jobs which really need communication with others (including teachers, consultants, lawyers, etc.), Do you usually talk to shopkeepers, barbers, waiters, ... more than two sentences?

Answer 15

Isn't it ironic that America was supposed to be a melting pot of all cultures, but people still get upset when someone who lives there doesn't have English as a first language?

Answer 16

If they own a business they are paying taxes on it.  The real problem is Americans speak only English yet are bordered by two different language cultures: Spanish speaking Mexico and French Canada.  No American ought to finish 6th grade without passing a proficiency exam in whichever language is most represented in his/her state.  

Most foreigners I know speak more than two languages, and it has long been a European joke: What do we call ppl who speak 2 languages--bilingual; ppl who speak 3 languages--trilingual; ppl who speak only one language we call Americans.  

I used to tutor Mexican kids who came to CA to work six months as a bus boy and go home to Mexico or Central America and buy a house.  They were eager to learn and good learners.

Answer 17

English is widely regarded as one of the hardest languages to learn. Thick American accents are also incredibly hard to understand. I'm completely fluent in English and I strain to understand some American shows sometimes.

Have you even considered it from their point of view? Yes, there are people that use the system but for crying out loud it's incredibly intimidating living in a new country with a language barrier! Some may conquer it easily but some people are shy.

It's not so easy to be an immigrant. I accept there are users out there but in every job I have worked with them they are the hardest-working and nicest people ever. Better than half "real" citizens!!

Answer 18

here here to Gavin, Lost, Kwazy & Tzddear... great answers...

dont generalize sweets.... immigrants (whether or not they learn english) have contributed greatly to this country... so everyone needs to put ignorance in the back seat, get over themselves and move on...

ironically enough.. this section of Y!A is focused mainly on ppl WANITNG to learn more of other languages... good for them!

Answer 19

America has no "offical" language. It has an "international" language, which is English but there is no "offical" language. If someone comes to America, they don't have to learn English although it's strongly recommended.

Probably, the reason why they don't learn English is because it's too irregular.

Why not try to learn the foreigner's language? I bet it'll be more easier.