Should we be forced to be bilingual in our own country?

Question US

Should we be forced to be bilingual in our own country?

by ACEDMagazine Posted March 18, 2008 16:29:23

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+6 raves

So many job descriptions of late require applicants to speak Spanish and English. The last time I checked this was America, and America is an English-speaking country. Why is it we have to know Spanish to write for an English-speaking publication? To work at any local business that does not deal directly with Spanish-speaking countries? Even an office assistant in a doctor's office is required to speak both languages... They even tried to make Spanish the primary language in some South Florida schools. I am sure there are other similar circumstances in other parts of the country as well.

It is my opinion, if people come here they need to learn to speak English. We did not go to their country they came to ours. And if we had moved to their country, then we should learn their language. I don't think it is right to "require" people to know Spanish or any other language for a job in the US that does not directly deal with other countries.

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	No! We speak English in the States thanks. 80% 72 votes
	Undecided 12% 11 votes
	Yes! We should cater to people speaking other languages, even if it means not getting a job. 8% 7 votes

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Kathryn Berry 3 days ago

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
I am so upset about this, if there are 6 jobs out there 5 are bilingual only. Unless the company primarily does business with Mexico or a spanish speaking country then I feel this is descrimination and something should be done. I understood to get citizenship in the U.S. that you had to know english. In a lot of companies they also pay the bilingual employee more even if there other skills are less. When is a bill going to be put into place that it is illegal to discriminate based on a person needing to speak spanish in the U.S.?
Tammy 4 days ago

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
I have been passed up for 3 employment opportunities because I am cannot speak spanish! I am an HR professional I do not see the fairness that as an American, I should have to learn another language in order to communicate with employees. As an employee in this country, you should be able to speak English!
Janet November 07, 2009 15:16:07

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
(User did not leave a comment)
Kate October 22, 2009 18:46:52

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
No way, this makes me sick. You wouldn't go to Mexico and expect them to learn english so they could communicate with you.
James October 14, 2009 20:41:34

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
Its not only not fair!! it's racist that as an american i can't get a job because I cant speak spanish!!
Max7 October 04, 2009 20:04:33

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
I do not think speaking anything but english is what should be spoken in America as the main language. No matter where you travel, other countries hold fast to their language, as should we do as Americans.
elizabeth September 22, 2009 23:56:16

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
Yeah, it makes me furious when employers do the "bilingual in spanish prefered thing." Screw them. People, learn your Spanish enough to get the job because you won't use it in the job anyway. In my experience, I did this, studied for months and learned, and went out with bright eyes to find out that the Spanish- speakers will look down on you and ask how and why you know how to speak Spanish, where you're from, and will look for one of their own. Yes, they refused to speak to me in Spanish or in English b/c I am not of their nationality.

It is discrimination, but not always on purpose by employers who want to reach as big a pool as they can. It's an exploitation on the part of all the barely educated Spanish speakers who come to milk the system in U.S.A. and refuse to learn English. How many times I've gone into some business and no one would speak English to me! So don't cry to me about the importance of reaching out to all people- that's crap that certain people say to get themselves in the door and feel entitled to way more than they actually deserve.

Citizens first. Not a one of us can go to any other country and get by without speaking their language. It is true that the unskilled native Spanish- speakers benefit the low wage/no benefit type of employer. But believe y...

Yeah, it makes me furious when employers do the "bilingual in spanish prefered thing." Screw them. People, learn your Spanish enough to get the job because you won't use it in the job anyway. In my experience, I did this, studied for months and learned, and went out with bright eyes to find out that the Spanish- speakers will look down on you and ask how and why you know how to speak Spanish, where you're from, and will look for one of their own. Yes, they refused to speak to me in Spanish or in English b/c I am not of their nationality.

It is discrimination, but not always on purpose by employers who want to reach as big a pool as they can. It's an exploitation on the part of all the barely educated Spanish speakers who come to milk the system in U.S.A. and refuse to learn English. How many times I've gone into some business and no one would speak English to me! So don't cry to me about the importance of reaching out to all people- that's crap that certain people say to get themselves in the door and feel entitled to way more than they actually deserve.

Citizens first. Not a one of us can go to any other country and get by without speaking their language. It is true that the unskilled native Spanish- speakers benefit the low wage/no benefit type of employer. But believe you me, some get paid nicely (above and below the table in all companies and industries). Spanish speakers want so many benefits in U.S., why don't they put their lives on the line in their own country like Americans forefathers did, Black and white, to get their rights in their own country and speak Spanish there?

I'm a conversational in three languages L.A. girl. So I get to respond when some low-lives try to get away with insulting others assuming that they are not being understood. Bilingualism in Spanish (and as many languages as you'd like to learn) is a beautiful thing, but I believe is largely a scam nowadays in the U.S.
(more)
Erica Fowler September 03, 2009 03:24:50

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
(User did not leave a comment)
jobless and wondering why August 21, 2009 14:54:21

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
Wouldn't mind it too much, if the bilinguals would attempt to learn english then I would refresh my spanish skills if I go to their countries to get a job. BTW, I live in Utah, so these concerns look as it they are across the United States of America.
BY August 16, 2009 03:48:28

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
(User did not leave a comment)
Brisi July 08, 2009 00:48:55

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
No, but it is always better to speak at least another language, it is good to get a better job; for example here in Miami is really hard to find a good job for those that don't speak Spanish, but I still think that the ones who comes here to the United States should learn English.
English is beautiful. Don't you think so?
hellpaddy May 30, 2009 07:17:53

Answered: Yes! We should cater to people speaking other languages, even if it means not getting a job.
I have no pity for those who aren't bilingual. I put in the years in high school and college to become bilingual because I had foresight. I knew that the native Spanish speaking population would only increase so I made myself marketable. If you really think that all the business in the USA, a country of immigrants, should be conducted in one language, then you deserve to be turned away and see your job given to someone else who has the skills you do not.
+loner+ April 11, 2009 16:55:06

Answered: Yes! We should cater to people speaking other languages, even if it means not getting a job.
(User did not leave a comment)
Destined2BMe March 05, 2009 20:01:34

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
This is something that I really feel passionate about. I think its horrible for people to go through several years of school including college to get a degree in hopes of being successful because they took that extra step only to be told that you don't meet the minimum requirements. Who would have have known that if you have a degree and want a job in the United States of America you would have to be bilingual? I have a degree in public health and almost every job that i see require you to be bilingual in both english and spanish. I feel like I should only need or want to learn another language because it's something that's of interest to me, not because I want a job so I need to know how to speak another language. The primary language spoken in the US is english, so if people want to come over here then they should be willing to adapt to what's going on. If I go to another country I don't think that country will make it mandatory for it's citizens to learn english to accomodate me. And then you have these jobs who are hiring people who speak spanish fluently, but speak broken english (and as an American who speaks english, I can't understand them). To me this is really not cool and somethings really need to change.
Cynthia Moreno March 02, 2009 14:51:31

Answered: Yes! We should cater to people speaking other languages, even if it means not getting a job.
Companies such as mine or other international companies that have communications outside of the US have every right to expect you to be able to not only speak English, but the language of the country you must call and communicate with.
For instance our company has an office in the United States and one in Central America, it makes sense that you be able to speak in Spanish if you have to call Central America. It is a job requirement just like having a driver´s license. If you do not have a driver´s license you do not get the delivery job no matter how much you want it.
Jcasey March 01, 2009 21:01:28

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
I understand the need for cultural diversity and such, but when it comes down to it, not everyone has the capacity to learn another language. The only additional language that was offered to me in high school was Spanish and we were only required to take 1 semester of it. Our Spanish teacher taught "proper Spanish" which is of no use while trying to talk to someone who is from Mexico. Not all schools are equipped to teach this.

Now, I am at a point where I am in desperate need of a job, and because I am not bilingual, it is getting harder and harder for me to find one. If you want to speak your native language, that is perfectly fine. I FIRMLY believe that if you want to live in the United States, you should HAVE to learn basic English before you are given citizenship. If you are here illegally, then we should not have to cater to your needs. The people of the United States should not be punished just because we cannot speak someone else's language and we DEFINITELY should not be denied a job because we are not bilingual, even if we are better qualified than someone who has no experience, and no education and they are still preferred for the job just because they can speak another language.

I am by no means racist, I love diversity. I just think this is unfair.
Nicole Schlittenhart February 19, 2009 15:47:48

Answered: Undecided
I think if people are going to live here, where English is the primary language, they should learn English. On the other hand, it would not hurt for us to be sympathetic to their lack of the English language. It is only that a language barrier, people still reserve the right to be treated equally.
andy December 19, 2008 20:32:12

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
(User did not leave a comment)
Moderate - Whatever!!! Smil... December 17, 2008 19:00:03

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
moderated...
. . . . December 10, 2008 00:51:51

Answered: No! We speak English in the States thanks.
moderated...