Many people forget that there have always been a lot of Spanish speakers in this country. Remember, the entire southwest used to be part of Mexico. Do you really think all those people who were living there when the US got that land automatically gave up Spanish and started speaking English? I don’t think so.

Also, it should be mentioned that Florida was under Spanish rule for a long time.

un-patriotic? ha ha I’m sorry…. (perhaps you should learn English properly before you accuse some one of asking you to speak another language)

There is no official language in the United States, and there are some places in the United States where very few people speak English. So why should you expect everyone to?

I believe that it is a gesture of politeness. In Britain, students are required to learn French in school. In France, people who own business speak English, and of course there are people who do not learn the language when they visit. Therefore they are very lucky that the locals know their language -what would they do if they didn’t?

America is a country of immigrants, and they fueled the economy at the turn of the century (1900′s) So why be hypocritical and make our immigrants unwelcome?

Everyone is wrong. You better learn Chinese.

He has made similar suggestions several times. He isn’t saying that Americans should learn Spanish instead of Latino immigrants learning English, which I assume is the genesis of your “stunned” reaction. He is saying that the immigrants will learn English anyway, but that Americans should also learn other languages, not necessarily just Spanish. Historically, first-generation immigrants to America who come from non-English-speaking countries have not picked up English very well, but their kids have.

There is absolutely nothing unpatriotic about suggesting that Americans should learn other languages. Learning a foreign language not only gives you insights into other cultures, but your own as well. Unfortunately, Americans tend to expect not only immigrants to America to speak English, but also the people of any other country to which Americans travel.

We are a Country of people that basically only knows English….that doesn’t mean we’re patriotic…..it means we’re limited.

There are only small areas of the USA that doesn’t have Spanish speaking people……to keep up we need to learn a 2nd language.

Here’s the quote:

“I don’t understand when people are going around saying, ‘We need to have English only.’ They want to pass a law ‘We want English only.’ Now I agree that immigrants should learn English. I agree with that. But understand this. Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English. They’ll learn English. You need to make sure your child can speak Spanish. You should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual. We should have every child speaking more than one language. It’s embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe and all we can say is merci beaucoup, right?” (crowd applauds.)

So what’s so unpatriotic about learning another language? In the corporate world, people who know more than one language get paid more. How is getting paid more for learning a skill un-American?

Edit: And it definitely will help him win the vote here in New Mexico. Remember that Latino vote he was lacking? There ya go.

First of all, these illegal immigrants are lucky enough to make it into the U.S., and then they have the audacity to ask us to learn THEIR language?! I think learning English is a pretty basic prerequisite for living in America. Fine, that’s great if some people take the time to learn another language, but no, it shouldn’t be required, and we shouldn’t be focusing solely on Spanish.

Some people believe that. What does is have to do with being patriotic? Do you live in place with a lot of Hispanics ? Realistically it would help my work situation if I learned
Spanish .

prr

“Instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn english – they WILL learn english – you need to make sure your child can speak Spanish, you should be thinking about how can your child become bilingual.”

I don’t think it’s unpatriotic, it’s being realistic. Spanish is the most spoken language in the US next to English. I would think it a good idea to be able to communicate with 34 million other Americans. (Note I say Americans–this has nothing to do with illegal immigration.)

Although I do admit he put it awkwardly.

Ok the exact quote is long but here is the jist

he said that he knows that english is the main language and everybody should learn and speak english, but instead of worrying about everybody else learning english you should teach your kid spanish.

A lot of people are understanding that as us changing for immigrants. In my opinion he is saying that we can’t rely on what other people are going to do, that is what has gotten us into the situation we are in. We need to start taking care of ourselves and be PROACTIVE instead of reactionary. Everybody should undoubtedly learn english but until they get their act together you and your family should learn spanish so you can understand what they are saying when they talk spanish.

I speak 3 differnet languages (gujurati, spanish, english) and it comes in handy cuz when people are saying something about me in spanish i know exactly what they are saying. I dont let people knwo I know spanish I just use it for my benefit.