I grew up Spanish in a small east-Tennessee town in the 1960’s. More than humiliated and scorned, the hicks and hillbillies were generally curious; however, there were some who, not understanding what we were saying, berated us, maybe because they thought we were talking about them!
Thank you for a very timely and thoughtful article.
Yes, small people think the world revolves around them. It's the most ridiculous thing when they assume you're talking about them! Grrrr. Thanks for the comment!
Thank for resurfacing this article. It was a great read.
What’s unfortunate is that now 8 years later, other diverse linguistic mechanisms have joined foreign languages as “things we don’t say/do in ‘Merica.” Like one’s pronouns, or simply “DEI” or “diversity.” (I’m in Florida for context.)
I don’t know how we got to this point so fast… but it’s sad and scary.
Thank you for writing about this and continuing to speak out. Hoping things go well in November, so that intolerance is not furthered or escalated by the #1 Deplorable.
It is astounding that in a country so set on world domination that everyone doesn't prioritize learning other languages.
It's sheer ignorance. We do not value languages in general; we do not understand how language and culture are intertwined, and we do not have enough respect for that which we do not understand. It feels like a deeply ingrained cultural problem - and almost a form of self-loathing. Didn't every single one of us (save the Indigenous population) actually come from somewhere else?
Fortunately, no one has ever said anything like that to me (I had my reply ready, haha). I've been speaking Spanish with many English speakers, and I've noticed that here in Northern California, more people want to learn this beautiful language. I encourage everyone to learn Spanish or any language they desire. However, in the US, staying connected with your community and seeking better job opportunities or getting into UC requires being bilingual. I'm blessed bc I'm trilingual and I committed to passed this to omy children one is trilingual already the other one needs to improve Spanish. Coming from Europe where most of the people speaks 4 languages I feel short ... Part of evolution - become bilingual at least. Gracias por compartir 🙌
When I noticed that they're not bilingual hahaha I told them "what? Why you don't speak Spanish? We're in Cali what's wrong with you? 🤣🤣 In a nice way of course. I let them think... Have a great day!
I’m blessed to speak four languages fluently. I’m also blessed to be living in Canada where I have not yet been (nor hopefully, ever will be) told in public to speak only English, or even in Quebec, to speak only French. Knowing multiple languages broadens the mind and deepens one’s understanding of other cultures and peoples. On the streets and in the malls one hears the sound of people proudly speaking how their hearts and minds feel. Free.
My daughters both lived in Spain for a number of years, my eldest is a school psychologist, her Spanish is impeccable, consequently she is sought after in the states. The Spanish speaking parents, even though some speak English , are thrilled to have her explain things in Spanish . It is an asset to many jobs. You were very wise to teach your children another language. I suspect that the people who criticize Spanish speakers, are not even fluent in English.
"There is a strange hysteria in this country about a person’s right to speak only one language.."
That so perfectly articulates the feelings I have been trying to find the words for, for a very long time. It is a weird phenomenon for sure.
That said, it's bizarre, that people don't imagine someone could possibly be...a tourist. Or practicing what they learned in high school...Spanish classes. Or here on a business trip from...Mexico. The ignorance is far-reaching and entitled.
Seeing as over a third of the USA used to speak Spanish and later was owned by Mexico and we took it by force during the Mexican American War, I believe there's a residual fear and guilt towards the original people. I'm looking at California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas and Florida. In addition the Spanish American War brought us Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines. Cuba got away and we're still mad. The Philippines transitioned into a Independent Country and we still are abusing Puerto Rico. By the way the US President decided to invade the Catholic Philippines to bring Christianity to the Natives and it resulted in a bloodbath. Typical ignorant American Foreign Policy.
There are knot-headed people who respond similarly to people who speak French in Canada. This is unfortunate, considering the fact that French is the mother tongue of a great many people.
Besides, if they wanted to keep Canada uni-lingual, they lost that battle a long time ago, just as the American goons have. In my home town alone, people speak dozens of languages (including Spanish) besides the officially mandated English and French.
Most Americans don't know that the USA doesn't have an official language. It's all part of a larger plan to keep the population ignorant, and it's frustrating. Thanks for the comment David!
Despite the entertainment value I would prefer not to have an official language. How could we choose fairly when both English and Spanish were involuntarily brought here, and none of the languages of Native America would survive the process of making them the national language. I’ll just have to muddle on with my English, French, Russian and smatterings of German, Irish, Yiddish, and Vietnamese.
I'm an American who's been living in Greece with my Greek wife for nearly 20 years. I'm about to secure citizenship here and our kids are dual-citizens. I have a ton of thoughts about this but I'll try to rein myself in.
Our kids are bilingual. While basically everyone in Europe knows at least two languages, they, like your kids, learned it in order to communicate with their non-Greek relatives in the States. While fluent, there is still vocabulary in English they don't know. When we're visiting there we code switch pretty regularly. I'll include a Greek word to explain something they haven't been exposed to.
I will admit that I, like you, sometimes convey information in Greek that I don't want bystanders to understand. Because, in that instance they're likely being imbeciles and screw them. :)
All "Americans" need to be continually reminded that we DON'T have a National language! Unfortunately, it is the same thinking that we can only speak English that keeps us using pounds, ounces, inches and feet instead of a rational measuring system. (Even though we still have to keep two different sets of tools to work on our vehicles and machinery!)
Hi, Walter. Can I translate this post and include it in cienciasocial.substack.com, in a new post about the situation of the Spanish language in the US?
The US is probably the only country in the world where being bilingual is frowned upon.
I think that's true.
Yep😕
I grew up Spanish in a small east-Tennessee town in the 1960’s. More than humiliated and scorned, the hicks and hillbillies were generally curious; however, there were some who, not understanding what we were saying, berated us, maybe because they thought we were talking about them!
Thank you for a very timely and thoughtful article.
Yes, small people think the world revolves around them. It's the most ridiculous thing when they assume you're talking about them! Grrrr. Thanks for the comment!
Thank for resurfacing this article. It was a great read.
What’s unfortunate is that now 8 years later, other diverse linguistic mechanisms have joined foreign languages as “things we don’t say/do in ‘Merica.” Like one’s pronouns, or simply “DEI” or “diversity.” (I’m in Florida for context.)
I don’t know how we got to this point so fast… but it’s sad and scary.
Thank you for writing about this and continuing to speak out. Hoping things go well in November, so that intolerance is not furthered or escalated by the #1 Deplorable.
It is astounding that in a country so set on world domination that everyone doesn't prioritize learning other languages.
It's sheer ignorance. We do not value languages in general; we do not understand how language and culture are intertwined, and we do not have enough respect for that which we do not understand. It feels like a deeply ingrained cultural problem - and almost a form of self-loathing. Didn't every single one of us (save the Indigenous population) actually come from somewhere else?
Fortunately, no one has ever said anything like that to me (I had my reply ready, haha). I've been speaking Spanish with many English speakers, and I've noticed that here in Northern California, more people want to learn this beautiful language. I encourage everyone to learn Spanish or any language they desire. However, in the US, staying connected with your community and seeking better job opportunities or getting into UC requires being bilingual. I'm blessed bc I'm trilingual and I committed to passed this to omy children one is trilingual already the other one needs to improve Spanish. Coming from Europe where most of the people speaks 4 languages I feel short ... Part of evolution - become bilingual at least. Gracias por compartir 🙌
My wife and I always speak together in Spanish, and it's simply lovely. I'm glad you're in a community that appreciates language!
When I noticed that they're not bilingual hahaha I told them "what? Why you don't speak Spanish? We're in Cali what's wrong with you? 🤣🤣 In a nice way of course. I let them think... Have a great day!
I’m blessed to speak four languages fluently. I’m also blessed to be living in Canada where I have not yet been (nor hopefully, ever will be) told in public to speak only English, or even in Quebec, to speak only French. Knowing multiple languages broadens the mind and deepens one’s understanding of other cultures and peoples. On the streets and in the malls one hears the sound of people proudly speaking how their hearts and minds feel. Free.
Absolutely!
My daughters both lived in Spain for a number of years, my eldest is a school psychologist, her Spanish is impeccable, consequently she is sought after in the states. The Spanish speaking parents, even though some speak English , are thrilled to have her explain things in Spanish . It is an asset to many jobs. You were very wise to teach your children another language. I suspect that the people who criticize Spanish speakers, are not even fluent in English.
...i have noted
a shared fluency↙️
f*ck____ f*ck____ f*ck___
sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t sh*t
&
🫧🍺 🍺🫧🫧🙊 🫠🫠🫧🍺🍺🫧🫧🙊 🫠🫠🫧🍺🍺🫧
&
💪🤬🤬 💪🤬🤬 💪🤬🤬
"There is a strange hysteria in this country about a person’s right to speak only one language.."
That so perfectly articulates the feelings I have been trying to find the words for, for a very long time. It is a weird phenomenon for sure.
That said, it's bizarre, that people don't imagine someone could possibly be...a tourist. Or practicing what they learned in high school...Spanish classes. Or here on a business trip from...Mexico. The ignorance is far-reaching and entitled.
GRACIAS Y FELICES SPEAKING SPANISIH IN AMERERICA
Seeing as over a third of the USA used to speak Spanish and later was owned by Mexico and we took it by force during the Mexican American War, I believe there's a residual fear and guilt towards the original people. I'm looking at California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas and Florida. In addition the Spanish American War brought us Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines. Cuba got away and we're still mad. The Philippines transitioned into a Independent Country and we still are abusing Puerto Rico. By the way the US President decided to invade the Catholic Philippines to bring Christianity to the Natives and it resulted in a bloodbath. Typical ignorant American Foreign Policy.
There are knot-headed people who respond similarly to people who speak French in Canada. This is unfortunate, considering the fact that French is the mother tongue of a great many people.
Besides, if they wanted to keep Canada uni-lingual, they lost that battle a long time ago, just as the American goons have. In my home town alone, people speak dozens of languages (including Spanish) besides the officially mandated English and French.
Most Americans don't know that the USA doesn't have an official language. It's all part of a larger plan to keep the population ignorant, and it's frustrating. Thanks for the comment David!
No lo sabía 😃
The attempt to make it official has been made more than once but always fallen short.
We should make Spanish the official language just because it would infuriate all the hatemongers of our society
Despite the entertainment value I would prefer not to have an official language. How could we choose fairly when both English and Spanish were involuntarily brought here, and none of the languages of Native America would survive the process of making them the national language. I’ll just have to muddle on with my English, French, Russian and smatterings of German, Irish, Yiddish, and Vietnamese.
Valid point.
I'm an American who's been living in Greece with my Greek wife for nearly 20 years. I'm about to secure citizenship here and our kids are dual-citizens. I have a ton of thoughts about this but I'll try to rein myself in.
Our kids are bilingual. While basically everyone in Europe knows at least two languages, they, like your kids, learned it in order to communicate with their non-Greek relatives in the States. While fluent, there is still vocabulary in English they don't know. When we're visiting there we code switch pretty regularly. I'll include a Greek word to explain something they haven't been exposed to.
I will admit that I, like you, sometimes convey information in Greek that I don't want bystanders to understand. Because, in that instance they're likely being imbeciles and screw them. :)
Awesome article, Walter. Thank you for sharing it.
All "Americans" need to be continually reminded that we DON'T have a National language! Unfortunately, it is the same thinking that we can only speak English that keeps us using pounds, ounces, inches and feet instead of a rational measuring system. (Even though we still have to keep two different sets of tools to work on our vehicles and machinery!)
Yes!
Excelente.
Ignorant people will stay ignorant because they refuse to be taught. It is sad, if not disgusting the entitlement in this country.
I agree completely!
Hi, Walter. Can I translate this post and include it in cienciasocial.substack.com, in a new post about the situation of the Spanish language in the US?
Sure!