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I feel when people hear foreign language in public it depends on the situation. For me personally, I feel it is rude if you are in a situation where you are the only one who doesn't speak the language or do not know what people are communicating about. Everyone should be included if in a communicative situation. However, being that you are out in public and at a subway, store, bank, and you are just talking to the person you are with in a crowd there is nothing wrong with that. If someone has an issue that is their problem. Everyone is entitled to communicate the way they feel most comfortable with.
This article raises some age old prejudices that have existed for a long time. Older americans are not tolerant of foreign languages because of the era they were raised. They weren't many languages being spoken in the US during the 60's, 70's and into the 80's. America was just coming out of the Vietnam effort not to discount the Korean war and before that WWII of course. There was a sense of American pride during these eras and Americans spoke English. Hearing another language disrupted the idealism that Americans held and that was disturbing. In addition I can see how White Americans are more bothered by hearing a foreign language because of the fact they are much more intimidated by other nationalities and cultures.
This article is very disturbing but I suppose not surprising based on the current political climate. Mostly, I don't understand why people feel that foreign language and foreign culture is perceived as negative or a threat in the United States. I especially don't understand when America is supposed to be known as the melting pot, a place once welcoming to immigrants at Ellis Island. This country is comprised of people who come from all over. The fact that we are still battling this in 2019 is astonishing. We need educational programs starting in elementary school nationwide that celebrate our differences and all cultures to spread acceptance of our differences.
I feel like a lot of key data was missing from the article, which lent this article to supporting a narrative without taking the opportunity to explore the underlying reasons for the data that was exploited; data was used out of context to link intolerance of people speaking languages other than English with partisan membership. While in the original Pew Research Center Article, “Americans See Advantages and Challenges in Country’s Growing Racial and Ethnic Diversity”, there was more relevant context, like that, “most U.S. adults (66%) – including a majority of those who live in neighborhoods with little diversity – are satisfied with the racial mix in their area”.
I find the data presented in both the Washington Post article and that provided by the Pew Research Center lacking. Why not analyze the percent of the ⅔ of our country that lives in neighborhoods with little diversity? Why not analyze the what percent of the Republicans surveyed live in neighborhoods with little diversity? Why not analyze the same for all racial/ethnic groups? From the data provided by the Pew Research Center, in neighborhoods with the least diversity for whites, blacks, and Hispanics, only 24%, 37%, and 25% respectively, wanted to increase the racial mix of their communities. If you are in a racially diverse neighborhood and have multiple races and ethnicities as part of your norm, it stands to reason that you would also have multiple languages as part of your normal environmental soundscape. Where are you more likely to encounter many languages in your normal day-to-day environment? In a city and its surrounding suburbs. Where are the highest concentration of Democrats? The same exact places, which we can remember as the same reason why in the last election a popular vote from the same heavily populated areas were able to carry the popular vote. On the other hand, where are you less likely to have such great diversity? The Pew Research Center released a report on Party identification figures from political surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 that showed urban areas, which are areas that in other Pew studies have shown to be most diverse (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwihxeaR4aDiAhWk1lkKHajODDAQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewsocialtrends.org%2F2018%2F05%2F22%2Fdemographic-and-economic-trends-in-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities%2F&psig=AOvVaw1DJ8pkxFGL3jfvrkC58syB&ust=1558120446575493 ), have the greatest percent of registered Democrat or Democrat leaning voters (62% compared to 31% Republican/Republican Leaning) (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjfvqnf4aDiAhUEU98KHUibA64QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Ffact-tank%2F2018%2F05%2F22%2Fkey-findings-about-american-life-in-urban-suburban-and-rural-areas%2F&psig=AOvVaw3uKt8DWMg0yYc3sJeVJIB7&ust=1558119974909347 ). Unsurprisingly, the spread narrows in suburbs, with 47% Democrat/Lean Democratic vs. 45% Republican/Lean Republican, with the bulging of 54% Republican/Republican Leaning of rural registered voters outnumbering the 38% Democrat/Lean Democratic, where it is least diverse racially and ethnically. Clearly, there is a tie between urban vs. rural diversity, which would impact exposure to different languages, but that is not mentioned in this article from the Washington Post; a missed opportunity.
The article could have also mentioned the notable finding by the Pew article they referenced that the higher your education, the greater your comfort with and welcoming of greater diversity. Since higher education still means that most of our students matriculate to larger and larger institutions that are pulling from larger and larger areas, thus increasing the chances for exposure to people from, at the very least, different geographical areas, you can learn to hear many languages as a norm instead of as an exception to your everyday life. Why did the Washington Post only share partisan data independent of such factors as diversity of the neighborhoods said party members reside in? Why was the urban-suburban-rural nature of diversity and the dominance of different parties in each location not discussed? Why was the education of membership not taken into consideration? If “whites (34 percent) are most likely to be bothered hearing foreign languages, followed by blacks (25 percent), Asians (24 percent) and Hispanics (13 percent)”, and we know that segregation still persists in our neighborhoods, so that people can go most of their lives without hearing a second language, why is it so surprising that Republicans, who are in highest concentration in rural areas, where they are the majority of the populations there, with the lowest diversity, are most likely to be upset? And yet, we will blame them categorically for the 47% that would be uncomfortable with what they do not know and have not had experience with. Most humans fear what they do not know. Why do we categorically blame the Republican in this article when it is clearly a much more complex issue? Maybe the fact that only 31-45% of us are Republican/Republican Leaning means we have less exposure to them and thus we fear what we don’t know or have regular exposure to and our bigger issue is partisan prejudice (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/03/us-counties-vary-their-degree-partisan-prejudice/583072/).
Where people fall on the spectrum of reactions to hearing other languages (from celebrating to despising) depends on many factors. I think the biggest influences are how much the person has traveled, and how closely connected the person is to their family's story of arrival in the U.S.. As the child of an immigrant mother who had significant exposure to my grandmother for whom English was her 5th language, being around other languages and accents was a beautiful thing, despite the fact that my mother and grandmother only spoke English by the time I existed. Unfortunately, I think many equate hearing someone speak a language other than English with that person "not belonging" in the U.S., despite the fact that nearly everyone in this country has some family history of "not belonging" at some point. One of the best things about my neighborhood is the number of different languages that I can hear while walking to/from my local grocery store.
I agree with others that there are many factors that contribute to ones view on hearing other languages being spoken. For me personally, I grew up around my grandfather who came to the US as an adult and was more comfortable speaking his native language with those around him. on the other side of that, he would occasionally speak in his native language to talk "about" others around him. I think it is human nature to wonder what is being said when you cannot understand the language. Living in foreign countries helped my personal perspective on this topic. I made a concerted effort to learn at least some of the language in all of the countries so that I could communicate on a primitive level.
It should be noted before reading my response that I did not review the articles sources, or studies. As a result, I am speaking mostly from personal experiences. I am not surprised by the findings that a majority of republicans are uncomfortable with people speaking other languages around them. Additionally, I expected those who were older to fall into that category. It seems that the older people are, the more they are stuck in their beliefs. If they were not exposed to other languages throughout their lives, they are more likely to feel negatively towards those who are speaking the languages. I feel like the findings are not surprising given the current climate of the US. Overall, the article saddens me because of how many students I know that speak other languages at home. I do not want them to feel that they cannot communicate in their language without it bothering others.
This article game me a lot of hope because citizens who were younger had a lower percentage of being "bothered" by people speaking another language. I think that 70% of people reporting that they were ok with other languages being spoken is really low. I would be very curious to see how this data was collected and if I have a biased view due to the positive reactions I see when someone has a different cultural background.
My parents came over in 1955 speaking Flemish. They refused to speak Flemish to us kids because it was so important to them that we assimilate to this country and they felt that language could be a big barrier if not learned correctly. Fast forward 40 years later...how they regret not teaching us both. (I just didn't want to repeat what others are saying...)
I can say that i'm not surprised by the results reported in this article. Looking at my own family there are more people I would consider racist, in the older generations compared to the younger generations. I want to go back a read the actual research because I have found that media outlets tend to focus on the more "shocking" or interesting aspects of research instead of the limitations of a study or the results as a whole.
El artículo no fue sorprendente en mi opinión. Desde el 11 de septiembre, muchos estadounidenses se han vuelto cada vez más temerosos de las personas que consideran extranjeras. Ahora, Estados Unidos se ha mudado a la era de "Hacer que Estados Unidos sea grande otra vez" y muchos ciudadanos republicanos se sienten amenazados con respecto a su posición en los Estados Unidos por parte de personas de otros países. Los idiomas son hermosos y espero que la gente no permita que la atmósfera negativa actual en los Estados Unidos los desanime a hablar sus idiomas nativos o continuar con las tradiciones de sus familias.
I agree with the part of the article that states that people feel uncomfortable around people that speak other languages. I hear people complain about this all the time. I personally love listening to people speak other languages even when I have no idea what they are saying. I find it fascinating that people can speak so many languages. I hope one day I can multiple languages.
As an immigrant, I am very aware that some people who only speak English are troubled by people who speak many other languages. I understand that there is a need for all whom live in America to learn some English to communicate when necessary. I also think people need to learn to live outside the box and experience many great languages that are around us. I am bilingual and hoping to learn multiple languages in the future.
One of the reasons that I love living in this area is because of all of the diversity that this area encompasses - which includes the many different cultures I see and languages I hear. I wish that I, (and my family), were able to speak another language other than English. I would love to at least be bilingual, but hopefully if I keep taking classes, it could happen one day!;) Anyway, I have heard people make comments about "foreigners" speaking their languages, and I'm fine with anyone who wants to speak their language if they're not doing to to be mean or deliberately exclusive. Sadly, I'm finding that a lot of families who speak other languages are not teaching it to their children, and those kids are not able to keep the language of their culture or communicate with the "elders" in their family. I hope this is not a trend that continues because I feel that its very important for families to keep and preserve their culture - which includes their language. Andrea Parker
When I was in high school I moved from Philadelphia to rural Wisconsin, where I encountered a lot of people who would have been bothered by, or skeptical of, people speaking a language other than English. I think a big factor in this is the lack of diversity in the area I lived in, many of the people in my small town had lived there for generations and had never left the state, let alone the country. I would be interested to see a map of the results, to see if places with greater diversity had fewer people with this opinion (which would be my guess). I am thankful to live in such a diverse and culturally rich place as the DMV and to have had the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S and experience other cultures.
I think it is important for all people to become comfortable with the idea that we come from different backgrounds and cultures. People who are native English speakers and people who are not each stand to gain by learning each other's language and culture to understand each other better. I also think that the ability to speak multiple languages says a lot about a person's intellectual curiosity and openmindedness-I hope to be able to do that someday.
We are a country that was built on immigrants. From the early settlers to the various waves of immigration throughout our history. This country has always been the land of free and used to be the land of the accepting. It is very sad to see that in this day and age – we as a society cannot accept others simply because they know another language. Being born and raised here are most often times more comfortable speaking English. That makes sense to speak in the language we feel most comfortable. For those people, who are immigrating to the United States, they are likely to speak the language of their native country first because they are best at it and most comfortable doing it. While I do believe it is important for those immigrating here to learn the language here in the US we do not have a “national language” and have always been the melting pot of the world. Language is part of who we are and the culture we come from. Be more accepting, be more understanding and above all treat each other the way you would like to be treated. Simple.
It's difficult to form a solid opinion on this article as are there are various data points thrown around in rapid fire fashion. The article switches between surveys taken by so many various subgroups it's hard to keep up with the main point.
One thing that is clearly stated however is how this negative view of different languages seems to decrease as the age of respondents decreased. That is a very hopeful sign for the future. I do agree that it is absolutely ridiculous for someone to be upset about hearing a foreign language being spoken in public. America is a mixture of many different cultures and that is what makes this Country so unique.
I can say from personal experience it can be frustrating when two people speak a different language in front of you while you are negotiating or just to make a comment about you without knowing. However, this is simple human nature and those bitter about this probably would do so themselves if they could, which they can't. These people are jealous that an immigrant has a special skill that they do not posses themselves.
It is hard to comment on an article without knowing the details of the data sampling and control factors. However, it is positive that 70 percent of overall Americans put their level of unease at “not much” or “not at all” to hear people speaking foreign languages. It is a progress from previous years (I do not have the numbers). I hope the Country will continue to make progress to embrace cultural and language diversities as it moves forward.
Although it is disheartening to read this story and see the statistics in the study, I think that we still have to keep perspective. It is the same old story of people being fearful of change and thinking that by accommodating others, it means that something is being taken from them. There are arguments that we will lose "American" traditions and culture, which couldn't be further from the truth. There are Little Italy's and Chinatown's in so many major cities. There are city parades celebrating Caribbean and Latin heritage. Many of the most successful restaurants across this country aren't traditional American cuisine restaurants. They are Mexican restaurants, Mediterranean restaurants, Indian restaurants, etc. What is baffling is the lack of acknowledgement that when settlers came to this country, English was a foreign language. During the first waves of immigration Italian was a foreign language. The solace in the study can be found in the fact that the people interviewed are still a minority of the population. It is also found in the fact that their younger political allies are less likely to feel the same way as they are more receptive to change and for many this world that is ever changing is much more familiar and comfortable to them.
People who are uncomfortable by others speaking a different language are insecure people. They feel left out or like they’re missing something because they don’t understand what is being communicated, so they have to be bothered by it or uncomfortable. Being that upset about other languages being spoken is sad and disappointing. Feeling such negative feelings towards other people that are simply conversing with others is a reflection of them as a person.
JD Setting matters to me. If for example I am at a bus stop or in the airport and people around me are speaking in another language I am not bothered by it.
If I am at a place of business and the people who will serve me are speaking in another language I am bothered by it if the purpose is not to help a customer. Speaking in another language to a customer who will be helped if spoken to in their native tongue is great.
However, speaking in another language to co-workers while customers are in the office I do not like.
I wish people could embrace the fact that having people who can speak multiple languages enriches our lives. When people encounter change that they feel will result in potentially changing their own deep cultural views, there is some level of fear. Often, their first inclination is to fight, flight, freeze, or appease. Over time, through everyday interactions one-on-one with people, I hope that people can stop fearing others and learn the value of having the opportunity to be with people that have different perspectives and languages.
The fact that more than 1 in 5 US residents speak a language other than English at home shows that times have changed and more people are bilingual. The disparity with the percentage of people being bothered amongst various age groups makes sense. The world was probably not as diverse then as it is now, when comparing whites younger than 30, to whites in the 50-64 age group or those 65 and older.
I’m all for racial diversity. When I hear my students speaking in another language, it warms my heart because that is not a skill that everyone has. At times, if they are speaking in their native language in my room during lunch, I'm curious why, but I'm not offended by it.
The article was very interesting and not surprising that many dislike the fact that people in the American other culture speak other languages. I personally feel that's the beauty of this country different cultures, people, and languages. This is a diverse country with many shared and different experiences that make us all unique.
I am endlessly hopeful that exposure to other cultures can help dissipate what is basically a fear of those who are different. Unlike nations who sit in close contact with foreign language speakers, the US languished for years behind its giant ocean borders content in the belief that anything outside was probably less developed and perhaps more dangerous. As a child I remember listening to adults talk about the danger of visiting France -- unsafe water, the need for money belts etc. Although we are a mix of different cultures who entered speaking unfamiliar languages, our immigration policy has always severely limited the intrusion of ‘the others,’ regularly reducing the flow of new people to a trickle, as if too many newcomers -- too many others -- would ruin the melting pot. White Americans with little to no exposure to other cultures remain fearful of anyone who is ‘different.’ I think education plays a part, but only because with better education comes travel and access to very different cultures. Those left behind struggle with a false narrative that holds back their chances of exposure to a wider and far more developed and exciting a world than they can imagine. I think continued immigration is essential to breaking down the false narrative, as is early and intensive learning of foreign languages, and travel. As Franklin Roosevelt said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
The fear that comes with the unknown is polarizing this country, but it's about time people woke up and realized that the world is changing. Not being able to adapt is what leads to extinction. The statistics in this article would indicate that the Republicans are out of step with demographic trends and opinions in mainstream America- 39% said it was "very good" that the population is made up of different races and ethnicities, vs 71% of Democrats and 57% of Americans overall. 60% say that a majority nonwhite population would "weaken American customs and values". What are American values exactly? And why are they any better than the customs and values of other countries? sas
I wish I was fluent in another language - I am working on it :-)! I spent a lot of time reading the comments related to the article and some were very telling. For example, a common fear was that people speaking other languages were talking about the eavesdropper. Seriously? They are talking about every day things, just like everyone else is! I do not understand the fear of the unknown; it's ignorant. People really need to get out and travel a bit.
Unfortunately, I was not surprised by the information stated in the article. I find it sad that so many still have these feelings. Working with families, I have seen their concerns and fears for their child knowing a language other than English. I always encourage and reassure families that knowing multiple languages is an asset and will serve them well in the future. I do feel that you get generations are becoming more tolerant, accepting, and curious about different cultures. I hope that we can get to a point where we can celebrate our differences and learn from one another rather than holding onto limiting thoughts and beliefs. kg
I wish I could say this article surprises me, but unfortunately, it does not. I have such compassion for people from other countries speaking other languages. I have an will always be drawn to all people from different backgrounds. I will continue to fight for people who have come to the United States and to support the people any way I can. I am so outraged by the statistics of those who would be bothered by people speaking another language. Unfortunately, we have a leader who seems to be that way as well and we have to do something because we have taken many steps backwards. EF
I'm very curious if people who participated in this survey explained why they dislike hearing other languages. I would like to hear their justifications. Is it because they are monolingual and don't value the importance of speaking other language? What could be other reasons? AA
Unfortunately, I am not really surprised by what is said in this article. It personally would not bother me, but I would of liked to hear why it bothers people so much that someone is speaking in another language then what they are accustomed to. I wish people would respect the fact that English is not the only language spoken and I wish people would be more accepting of that.
Sharon Faber - FL-16 - July 3, 2020 It's interesting because in Europe, most people are expected to know 2, 3 or more languages, and it doesn't annoy anyone hearing other languages spoken -- it's a necessity and a means to an end in order to communicate and do business across borders in close proximity. I think in the US, it's what the SOUND of that language represents to the listener...someone different than I, someone probably of a lower socioeconomic class that I look down upon (or who will usurp my tax dollars), perhaps an illegal...it's just indicative of the threat that cultural diversity poses to the existing white folks who don't want their chunk of the pie chipped away at.
I think a few factors might be at play, one of which is the part of human nature to be wary of the "otherness" of someone speaking another language, and how as humans, and maybe more so as americans, we distrust or even fear someone who is different from us. For my part, sometimes I am uneasy because it sometimes makes me feel a little foolish for being the typical american who can only speak English. The reasons more Republicans feel that way are more than likely extremely complex and I think are dynamic to the political climate and a hoard of other factors. Historically, Republicans could be generalized as white, old men who had all the money and therefore all the power or vice versa. If you have all the money and the power, you want to keep it, and the idea that there might be a group of people who are NOT like you who might be vying for your generous piece of the pie is unsettling. As the demographics of this country shift, I think some people think a "different" or "other" group of people will be taking away something that they have always exclusively possessed.
I personally think that this survey might be inaccurate. I know many Democrats that are uncomfortable when people speak in a different language around them, and discriminate as a result of their discomfort. But if you approach a Democrat and ask them point blank if they dislike it, they might either know that they *shouldn't* feel uncomfortable and answer based on that, or forget about how they really feel when the situation arises. I think it's important to acknowledge that this isn't a partisan issue, it's an everybody issue because we're all capable of carrying out racial microaggressions that can escalate into something like threatening to call law enforcement on someone who's just existing. Just because the Republicans are being upfront and honest about how they feel doesn't mean the Democrats are immune or incapable of feeling the same. (Emily Shpiece)
Personally this makes me sad. Half of my family is white and immigrants from European countries. I can't understand why these people don't realize that their ancestors are not from here and likely also spoke other languages before they the immigrated to this country. In my own family I feel a great sense of loss in that grandfather was from Italy and was in his youth a native speaker of the Italian but the same attitude we read about was so pervasive then that it caused immigrants like him to abandon their language and cultures to assimilate. I can only imagine how much much richness it would have added to our family we could have had the opportunity learn to communicate with him in Italian as well. I hope this wave of ignorance will fall out of favor in future generations and as the world becomes smaller through access to technology, travel and global trade. Aranda Brown
Not surprising at all given what Republicans stand for and who they vote for. My entire family thinks like this and constantly mutter under their breath that people should "go back to their country" or that anyone remotely Middle Eastern is a terrorist. (I don't speak to my family for exactly these reasons.) I think too often, Republicans think "American" means "white English speaker," but then those same people turn around and call America a "melting pot" and boast about how successful their ancestors were at immigrating. They only want the "right" kind of immigrant, and that usually means someone who is willing to assimilate completely and carry on the white patriarchal ideas this country has historically championed. What's sad is these people then go to Spanish-speaking countries and get mad that "no one" speaks English to tell them where the bathroom is. Republican hypocrisy at its best. Vote blue y'all.
This article is very troubling, though not surprising based on our current president and recent policies/views that Republicans have been pushing such as anti-immigration and not condemning white supremacy actions. I don't understand why some people view America solely for white, English speaking people. Indigenous languages and Spanish were spoken in this country before English even arrived. Many immigrants and some of the colonies spoke languages other than English. My ancestors came from Switzerland and spoke German. Even after 4 generations, some of my great-grandparents spoke German and did not assimilate much into 'mainstream American culture.' But no one called them 'un-American' after all they were white. Honestly, I think this complaint is just a way for people to be racist. Everyone has the freedom to speak and live as they want to. After all America is proclaimed to be a land of freedom- should it not be free for everyone?
Without reading past the title yet I was surprise that the broke it down from perspective of political arties. I would just have assumed that Americans as a whole would seemed bothered by foreign languages. I found it interesting Asians were the third most bothered group by foreign language, like how many did they survey to figure that? But how can one who speaks foreign language in another country be annoyed by someone else speaking another language.
But as a social studies teacher I personally am not annoyed for I believe what I teach that this country is built on immigrants and is a melting pot of all languages and culture therefore we should be accepting and learn from one another and could benefit from being multilingual.
Although I am not surprise, reading the statistics still irritates me. A part of the article states that there's a lower number for younger generation in comparison to the older generation who are bothered by others speaking a foreign language. I can understand that in a sense where the younger generation can sometimes understand words/phrases or is currently learning a language at school. Not only that, many younger generation represents diversity in their groups of friends or is studying abroad in another country. In terms of politics, there are strong opinions about immigrants to the point where ignorant people will tell minority groups to "go back to their country" because they're not speaking English. Growing up, my family and I have experienced racism because we're not white enough or speak enough English. - Cindy C
Even though this article was published last year, I am not surprised after reading this article. Most of the findings can relate to today a year after in 2020. I think this has to do with our current president. I want to know how this survey was administered and who were the people who took the survey. America is built on a community of immigrants. It is sad that there is a divide when we are the country that is often labeled as the melting pot.
I believe that these republicans who are bothered by hearing a foreign language in public places grew up in a homogenous area where only English was spoken and have been living in a similar environment until they formed their identity. I learned that by nature we humans become defensive when we are faced with something they're not familiar with. It's human nature. This make it even more important that Americans all across the country are exposed to foreign cultures and languages at least in their classrooms growing up. It's even more surprising to learn that only 20% of school children learn foeign languages in this country.
It is incredibly disheartening to read that so many Americans are so threatened by languages other than English, although sadly, not surprising. I believe a great deal of this feeling can be accredited to racism, ethocentrism and the insular nature of a great deal of the country--but I also wonder if many are defensively reacting to being seen as ignorant or less educated than their more worldly counterparts. I don´t believe this will be the overt, identified feeling, but I wonder if it is underlying some of their defensive behaviors. Maybe Americans feel threatened or exposed when they can´t make sense of the languages spoken around them. When they can´t make sense of the world around them, it is possible that they jump to defensive measures. Unfortunately, it is these thought processes that will leave America behind in development, engagement and progress in a multicultural world.
People do not feel comfortable around a language they don’t understand. It is the unknown and they don’t like to feel left out. Some American people think that English is the world’s language, and they don’t need to learn any other languages. If you don’t value the importance of different cultures and languages, you will never understand the positive impact of it on your life. If you limit yourself to only one language you tent to lose sight of the fact that the universe extends so far beyond your experience. Rekia
I appreciate hearing other languages spoken. It fascinates me that others can speak multiple languages when I am just trying to learn another one. It is sad that others are bothered by different languages being spoken. Perhaps they see it as threatening when they do not understand the language. We are all different and our differences are what make us unique.
I found myself getting frustrated, but unsurprised as I read this article. Although it can be frustrating not to understand what other people are saying, I appreciate and respect different languages. We live in a global community where everyone has different cultures, experiences, and backgrounds. Communicating in different languages is part of what makes us unique. It should not be seen as a threat but rather as a beautiful display of diversity. I hope that as a nation there comes a time where we can see the beauty in our differences and appreciate how multicultural a nation we truly are.
I did not find the information presented in the article to be surprising at all based on what I have observed in my life and from what is currently happening in our country; the data presented shows how prevalent racism and prejudice are in the U.S. However, I find it to be extremely disheartening that so many people do not value those who are different from themselves. There is no reason why speaking languages other than English should ever be viewed negatively, especially in a country that does not have an official national language. It is important to note that the data presented in the article shows that the majority of those who speak a language other than English in the U.S. are bilingual. As far as I am concerned, being able to speak more than one language is an asset, and something that I wish I could do. We need to keep an open mind and be willing to engage with those who come from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds in order to have a productive society.
I was not surprised by the Post's reporting of So many Americans feeling uncomfortable or viewing people speaking a foreign language in public as negative. I believe it is an ignorance that propels this racism and prejudice. I, myself, feel inspired and lucky to live in an area that is so multicultural. I grew up in a neighborhood that every other household was at least bilingual.
I don't find the information to be surprising, but it definitely makes me cringe to think of how many people are so closed minded to different cultures. It is sad that some people feel they are better than others because of their skin color. I think it is great that people are bilingual because they are able to communicate with many more people. It makes me sad sometimes having an ESOL student in class who gets treated as if they have a severe learning disability, when in reality they just don't speak English. I would hope that as more awareness is made about social justice and racial issues that there will be a change and Americans will embrace different cultures.
I am not surprised and it ties in to the racism and discrimination that people realize we deal with in the US. They probably do not know or forget that their ancestors were foreign to this country and most likely they spoke a language other than English. The beautiful thing about the US is that everyone is of different background but we all celebrate it through our Americanness!
I was a little bit surprised to read that many Americans feel uncomfortable hearing people speaking other languages than English. Many times I choose to speak my native language in public and I have never came across a negative reaction from native Americans. Many would actually stop me and ask what language I speak and then have a conversation with me about my culture and my country. I assume it may be due to the fact that I live in Maryland and many years I used to live on the border MD-DC where people are from all over the world. I actually got use to hearing many languages on the streets and I find it amazing and very interesting. Nonetheless, the longer I stay in the US the more I learn about prejudice, racism and discrimination that takes place in the U.S. I find it very disheartening as the U.S. is believed to be a freeland and home to people from all over the world where everyone can feel free and good about themselves. The article had one interesting and promising thought, namely young people seem to be more open minded that older Americans when it comes to speaking a different language in public spaces. I hope that one day all Americans will treat bilingualism and other languages as a proof of good education and bravery, as it means that one has to leave their land to live in the U.S. Monika Cava
The information in this article did not surprise me, but made me reflect on what is happening in our society today. As someone who is bilingual, I have also experienced people not approving of me speaking my other language in public in certain areas/around certain demographics. I feel as though Montgomery County is more accepting of differences and diversity compared to other parts of the country, so I do not experience a lot of the disapproving looks or judgement. I think that the judgement from certain communities resulted in my parents encouraging me to only speak English at home once I started school which resulted in me losing a lot of my native language. The article mentioned that the age and education of the person play a factor. The fact that the percentage of people who felt linguistic discomfort decreased as the person was younger showed that there is acceptance due to maybe exposure and understanding of other cultures. I hope that politicians and people in our society can learn to appreciate the beauty of other cultures and the advantages it brings to a country.
I love listening to people speak different languages. I love learning about different cultures. I find it so exciting to see how other people live. I feel lucky to have grown in an area where different cultures were embraced and to have had parents that encourage me to see people as individuals and respect people for who they are. I've raised my children to be this way. I feel that this article is correct when it talks about people finding it hard to be around people that speak a language that they cannot understand and be around cultures that they are not familiar with. This is the way most of ours society is.
I'll start with what gives me hope...70% of Americans overall are not bothered by hearing other languages spoken. I have a vivid memory of being at a small town gas station/ deli several years ago. A group of Spanish speaking young men came in after their work day. People seemed annoyed, stared or else ignored them altogether. I felt they were looked upon as inferior. I was absolutely appalled and embarrassed. I did not want to be associated with the other people there. I smiled, nodded, said hello, nice day...any small gesture I could think of in hopes of making them see that not all of "us" were the same. I had hoped in more recent years that things were changing, that people were becoming more "enlightened" and more appreciative of the diversity in our society. In some cases I believe that to be true. In other instances, as evident in the data presented in the article, we have a very long way to go!
I think that many people react to things that are new or things that they do not understand with fear. Fear of the unknown and what it means for them. Learning a new language is hard and a lo t of work maybe they feel insecure about their ability to learn a new language or fear that this new language could become the norm and they would be left out of conversation because they were unable to speak the new language. Often times are worse fears are in our head and will never actually come to be.
I was not surprised by what was stated in the article, but I think it is very unfortunate. I believe that diversity is what makes this country great because the more diverse we are as a nation, the more tolerance and acceptance we have for one another. I think the reason why older "white Republicans" don't like people speaking a different language is because of the way they were raised and the biases that existed when they were younger. It gives me some hope that the younger Republicans seem to have more of an acceptance of other languages and cultures in general. Hopefully, this trend will continue as this generation begins having children of their own, and hopefully they can raise their families in a more accepting environment.
I believe it is a huge benefit to learn multiple languages, and the US has so many diverse people that bring so much to this country. I have grown up in a very diverse area and gone to very diverse schools, I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many people from different cultures and countries. I do not believe including multiple cultures, customs and languages will "“weaken American customs and values", I believe it makes our country more accepting and knowledgable. I think they may feel uncomfortable because they do not understand what is being said, which in reality they should be more willing to learn and understand. I hope our society is moving into more accepting and empathetic ways, but we still have a long way to go. - Jennifer Wright
I think that knowing more than one language is so powerful. I am not surprised to read that for ~30% of native English speakers in America that hearing another language being spoken is bothersome to them. To me, however, it is beautiful! I think American can learn from our counterparts in Europe and Asia etc. and work harder to have broader bilingualism!
I was not completely surprised, but I didn't realize that the percentages were that high. Mostly, reading this makes me sad, so sad, muy triste. Why do some people see others' differences as less worthy? When will we ever learn? We need to show respect, appreciation, and do our best to listen and learn from others.
I was not surprised but this article, bit it saddens me. I think that people are afraid of the change - even when it is for the better - because it will be different for them. It is such a wonderful thing to be able to communicate in more than one language. I will I was able to do it better.
There were some parts of the article that I expected, but some parts I found surprising. It was no surprise that nearly half of white Republicans are bothered by people speaking a foreign language in public. I think it is part of human nature to want to protect your own customs and values, and sadly there is a large portion of our population who see 'different' people as a threat to their way of life. This is why our current president was elected. This same base sees him as a way of holding on to their values, however racist or divisive. However, it did surprise me to see such significant portions of non-whites be bothered by hearing a foreign language in public. I presume they are non-white Republicans. :0 Herring
Many Americans have never traveled outside of the U.S. so of course they are not used to hearing many locals speak languages other than English. The U.S. is also a large country and almost all citizens speak a little English. Sometimes people tend to distrust what they are not used to, whether it be how others are dressed, which language they speak, or another aspect of their cultural identity. Europeans, for example, often travel to other countries and are used to hearing and being exposed to other cultures so it is strange to them if they are NOT hearing other languages on a weekly basis. - Jesse Stradnick
I was not surprised at how others find speaking various languages is bothersome to many people. It is disappointing but I was not shocked. I am aware that others have a hard time relating to people who have blatant differences from them and they do not put in the effort to truly get to know people. I truly hope people can begin to accept the diversity in the US and appreciate it.
I think Americans are a very isolated society. Surrounded by oceans and bred to believe they live in the 'greatest country in the world,' there is an inherent lack of curiosity about other cultures. I have had odd conversations with colleagues over the years. A fellow high school staffer who believed in 2010 that Europe was impoverished and dangerous. She was proud of never getting a passport. Why? We are in the best place already she told me. Another younger woman whose honeymoon consisted of a trip to Kings Dominion, because it was safer than going to Europe. Both women were college educated, middle class and white. White Americans are just beginning to realize that we have grown up in a racist society that encouraged a belief in white culture as the superior culture. Cowboys and Indians. The old plantation. etc. S
K. yager--values taught and adopted are the greatest predictors of people's reactions. The discomfort is certainly caused by a feeling of superiority or by a feeling of being left out. Republicans and democrats have a specific cultures that are taught and passed down from generation to generation. Education is the greatest tool for improving upon the relationships among people. Every day I am shocked by my own personal ignorances that came from growing up with Republican, racist, and small town views. I considered myself a well-educated and compassionate individual, but am often shocked by some of the things that come out of my mouth. Bias is born out of family culture. Schools have to be ready to shed light on the error of people's ways and provide the perspective needed to shift individual thinking to a more inclusive values, values that drive people towards understanding an acceptance rather than categorizing and labeling.
When I read articles like this one, I am always amazed, (but not shocked), that people have opinions/beliefs that are so different from my own. I love hearing people and families speaking in their native language. I encourage my students and their families to continue speaking speaking their native language at home and in their communities so that they grow and and preserve their family language. It is so important to remember that diverse languages and culture help beauify our nation! It was refreshing to see that the younger generation seems to be more tolerate/accepting of people who speak languages other than English! This helps renew my hope and faith for acceptance and appreciation!! Andrea Parker
I thought that it was sad to know that there are people who recognize the benefits of diversity. I think they've forgotten that their great grandparents probably had to deal with the same thing when they arrived her. Once they were taken over by the "American" culture, and way of speaking their accent or language was only for speaking at home or with family. So you couldn't tell they were from another country. I do think it's important to learn the language of where you live, but it doesn't mean you should stop speaking your language.
How fitting that I am completing this assignment as I watch and await the results of the 2020 election. When reading this article, I am reminded why my vote is so important, now more than ever. I was actually dumbfounded at the statistic 60 percent of Republicans said that a majority nonwhite population would “weaken American customs and values.” As a country built from immigrants and once referred to as “the melting pot”, how can immigrants weaken our customs and values? What exactly are our customs and values? In my opinion, the most valuable part of our country is the freedom to embrace whichever custom and value you choose to. I love learning about new cultures different from mine and expanding my views from the walls of my own family. We should be encouraging our bilinguals to keep their culture alive through language! Maybe one day learning another language will be a priority and seen as valuable in the US as it is in many other countries.
What a time to be reading and on commenting on this particular article. Although it was short, to the point, and objective, it did it's job in stirring a reaction from me. I felt sadness and disappointment while reading, but was not surprised by the data. Personally, I am a bilingual English-Khmer (or Cambodian) speaker. I studied French from high school through my first two years at college and have enjoyed learning Spanish through PDO and through my interactions with my colleagues and families that I work with through the Infants & Toddlers Program. Also, I am in what many would call an "inter-racial" marriage (I prefer the term "inter-cultural") as my husband is Zimbabwean. His mother speaks Ndebele and his father speaks Shona. I had never even heard of those languages until he came into my life. My world is richer and happier because of diversity and I believe that if naysayers could put forth even the smallest bit of effort in being open - with their eyes, ears, hearts, homes - they might be able to see the value of and respect people different from themselves. I mean, people can change, can't they?
The title of the article itself is off-putting. To think that anyone is bothered by hearing another language contributes to supremacy, and thus oppression. I’m even a little confused that this is an article, though WaPo tends to slant toward liberal views. Regardless, I believe that being "bothered" may stem from fear. And, those who fear, I believe, don’t (fully) understand. And before understanding others, is understanding yourself. And, unfortunately, many do not recognize their own privileges, nor their racial and socio-linguistic awareness. -Mike Anderson
I find it disheartening that so many people are against hearing other languages being spoken in the United States. If we are supposed to be the land of the free, then one should be free to speak the language they choose. Should they learn English as well, absolutely. However, if I speak Igbo and I'm with my cousin who does as well, there is no harm in speaking in our home language. My wondering is if these individuals have issues with all languages being spoken in the US or just languages spoken primarily by people of color. If someone is speaking French do they have the same response? What about Russian or Greek? I believe these thoughts are more about silencing people of color than a language being spoken.
I like that in Europe, people can speak many languages. I wish it were more like that her in the United States. Learning other languages allows you to appreciate different cultures and other people. We should all learn to see the world from another's point of view.
This article sheds light on the sentiment that many people in the country feel today. It is sad to see that another language sparks fear and resentment rather than joy and inclusion. People easily forget how the United States of America was formed- by people from foreign lands settling here and bringing with them their cultures. It seems that when the foreign language is spoken by a person of color that language is more likely to be silenced than the language spoken by someone white. I truely hope that this will change! I am encouraged by the diversity of our county and the language programs that we have at the elementary school level- I hope that foreign language will be part of every elementary school. -Neeta L
After reading the article, I am not surprised by the findings of this article. I feel like sometimes, the uncomfortableness is fear of something they don't know. There are people who make the comment, "if you come to this country learn the language and the culture." I feel like these people are those who feel most threatened by change and things they don't know, so they want to in a sense "Americanize" everybody and their beliefs.
After reading this article, I feel sad that people are xenophobic and scared of things that are different from them. I personally love hearing people speaking different languages and feel that people should have free rights and be free of racist justment to speak their native language and celebrate their native culture no matter where they are in the world.
The article mentions that as the age increases within white people, the tolerance for hearing a foreign language decreases. This statistic does not surprise me as the older generation of people lacks diversity growing up.
This articles proves that there is a great need for change in country. We can not continue on with the old mentality and the old ways people use to live. However, in order for change to happen, these beliefs need to be called out and addressed. It is not normal to feel ¨bothered¨ when hearing a foreign language. I am hopeful that the people reading this article see this as a problem more so than a fact or knowledgeable information.
I think we should all embrace other languages and cultures. I think it enriches our lives and helps us to better understand each other. I think that diversity is what makes the country a wonderful place to be in. I have lived in places where there was no culture and I'm very excited about the fact that my daughters will be able to embrace more diversity growing up than I did.
After reviewing the article, I am truly not surprised by the information that was stated. People are often afraid of change and scared of things or people that they are not used to or resemble familiarity. I think diversity should be celebrated in every nook and cranny of the world!
This is unfortunate that some people feel this way. Languages are all beautiful in their own ways. I love hearing all the different languages thatI experience around me. It makes life unique and vibrant. I am envious of people who speak multiple languages.
I think it should be a given in this day and age to accept other people for where they come from and embrace their differences. I think it's absolutely insane that people are so insecure and ignorant of other languages that they would go so far as to get violent or threaten to call immigration. Although I must admit I am not surprised, but rather disappointed that this behavior is still prominent. I've even encountered speech directed toward me by other teachers and admin in MCPS when they found out that I speak Spanish with my students, especially my METS students, that they won't cater to it because "We're in America and everyone needs to speak English". Its horrible but very real, even in our school system with a heavy hispanic population.
OUr country has been called a melting pot. It is a place for all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, language to prosper and have the opportunity to be successful. It is disturbing that there are people in our country who are bothered by poeple of different color or who speak different languages. It is this diversity that makes our country great.
It saddens me that there are still people out there who feel that knowing a foreign language and speaking it is bothersome to people. We are a melting pot of exotic languages and cultures and so different than any other county out there. These people are missing out! There is not need to be fear, we are all the same:)
I wish I could say I was surprised by this article but I have witnessed this "discomfort" many times throughout my counseling career. I am surprised that it was found younger people were more likely to feel uncomfortable rather than older people as I assumed it would be the opposite. The world is made up of so many different languages and cultures so I feel it is ignorant to expect everyone to be able to speak the same language and feel "bothered" when someone doesn't.
This honestly makes me sad. Truly as someone who speaks another language and I envy anyone who does. It is so beautiful and no one should feel ashamed. It is amazing to learn another language even if that is english. No one should feel uncomfortable to ashamed of anything learning of a language or speaking to others.
The title alone causes a reaction. Especially during this time in America where cultural and race intolerance is prevalent. fIt’s ridiculous to get offended by someone speaking a different language when the article stated that the US has no official language. America is supposed to be a melting pot of different cultures, so of course with that mixing comes different languages. I have to say that the information in the article does not surprise me. The republican party has been known for its bias views on race and culture. --Kellye Townsend
I'm not at all surprised by this article. The majority of the people who have a problem with this are above the age of 50. They and their immediate family members lived through and benefited from Jim Crow, segregation, other groups having limited rights, etc. So it is no surprise that they continue to be irritated when a language other than what they feel should represent America is spoken.
I believe that our greatest strength is our diversity. We gain so many ideas from the fabric of our nations and improve upon them. We think about what we want to eat and we can have just about anything.
I don't understand why we seem to be so different from the rest of the world when we are literally made up from the world. Most of the world speaks more than one language and you regularly hear different languages as you are in the street. It is only natural that people of different backgrounds get together as we see something new, different, and forge new relationships.
I feel when people hear foreign language in public it depends on the situation. For me personally, I feel it is rude if you are in a situation where you are the only one who doesn't speak the language or do not know what people are communicating about. Everyone should be included if in a communicative situation. However, being that you are out in public and at a subway, store, bank, and you are just talking to the person you are with in a crowd there is nothing wrong with that. If someone has an issue that is their problem. Everyone is entitled to communicate the way they feel most comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteThis article raises some age old prejudices that have existed for a long time. Older americans are not tolerant of foreign languages because of the era they were raised. They weren't many languages being spoken in the US during the 60's, 70's and into the 80's. America was just coming out of the Vietnam effort not to discount the Korean war and before that WWII of course. There was a sense of American pride during these eras and Americans spoke English. Hearing another language disrupted the idealism that Americans held and that was disturbing. In addition I can see how White Americans are more bothered by hearing a foreign language because of the fact they are much more intimidated by other nationalities and cultures.
ReplyDeleteAnna Hugo:
ReplyDeleteThis article is very disturbing but I suppose not surprising based on the current political climate. Mostly, I don't understand why people feel that foreign language and foreign culture is perceived as negative or a threat in the United States. I especially don't understand when America is supposed to be known as the melting pot, a place once welcoming to immigrants at Ellis Island. This country is comprised of people who come from all over. The fact that we are still battling this in 2019 is astonishing. We need educational programs starting in elementary school nationwide that celebrate our differences and all cultures to spread acceptance of our differences.
I feel like a lot of key data was missing from the article, which lent this article to supporting a narrative without taking the opportunity to explore the underlying reasons for the data that was exploited; data was used out of context to link intolerance of people speaking languages other than English with partisan membership. While in the original Pew Research Center Article, “Americans See Advantages and Challenges in Country’s Growing Racial and Ethnic Diversity”, there was more relevant context, like that, “most U.S. adults (66%) – including a majority of those who live in neighborhoods with little diversity – are satisfied with the racial mix in their area”.
ReplyDeleteI find the data presented in both the Washington Post article and that provided by the Pew Research Center lacking. Why not analyze the percent of the ⅔ of our country that lives in neighborhoods with little diversity? Why not analyze the what percent of the Republicans surveyed live in neighborhoods with little diversity? Why not analyze the same for all racial/ethnic groups? From the data provided by the Pew Research Center, in neighborhoods with the least diversity for whites, blacks, and Hispanics, only 24%, 37%, and 25% respectively, wanted to increase the racial mix of their communities. If you are in a racially diverse neighborhood and have multiple races and ethnicities as part of your norm, it stands to reason that you would also have multiple languages as part of your normal environmental soundscape. Where are you more likely to encounter many languages in your normal day-to-day environment? In a city and its surrounding suburbs. Where are the highest concentration of Democrats? The same exact places, which we can remember as the same reason why in the last election a popular vote from the same heavily populated areas were able to carry the popular vote. On the other hand, where are you less likely to have such great diversity? The Pew Research Center released a report on Party identification figures from political surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018 that showed urban areas, which are areas that in other Pew studies have shown to be most diverse (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwihxeaR4aDiAhWk1lkKHajODDAQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewsocialtrends.org%2F2018%2F05%2F22%2Fdemographic-and-economic-trends-in-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities%2F&psig=AOvVaw1DJ8pkxFGL3jfvrkC58syB&ust=1558120446575493 ), have the greatest percent of registered Democrat or Democrat leaning voters (62% compared to 31% Republican/Republican Leaning) (https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjfvqnf4aDiAhUEU98KHUibA64QjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Ffact-tank%2F2018%2F05%2F22%2Fkey-findings-about-american-life-in-urban-suburban-and-rural-areas%2F&psig=AOvVaw3uKt8DWMg0yYc3sJeVJIB7&ust=1558119974909347 ). Unsurprisingly, the spread narrows in suburbs, with 47% Democrat/Lean Democratic vs. 45% Republican/Lean Republican, with the bulging of 54% Republican/Republican Leaning of rural registered voters outnumbering the 38% Democrat/Lean Democratic, where it is least diverse racially and ethnically. Clearly, there is a tie between urban vs. rural diversity, which would impact exposure to different languages, but that is not mentioned in this article from the Washington Post; a missed opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThe article could have also mentioned the notable finding by the Pew article they referenced that the higher your education, the greater your comfort with and welcoming of greater diversity. Since higher education still means that most of our students matriculate to larger and larger institutions that are pulling from larger and larger areas, thus increasing the chances for exposure to people from, at the very least, different geographical areas, you can learn to hear many languages as a norm instead of as an exception to your everyday life.
ReplyDeleteWhy did the Washington Post only share partisan data independent of such factors as diversity of the neighborhoods said party members reside in? Why was the urban-suburban-rural nature of diversity and the dominance of different parties in each location not discussed? Why was the education of membership not taken into consideration? If “whites (34 percent) are most likely to be bothered hearing foreign languages, followed by blacks (25 percent), Asians (24 percent) and Hispanics (13 percent)”, and we know that segregation still persists in our neighborhoods, so that people can go most of their lives without hearing a second language, why is it so surprising that Republicans, who are in highest concentration in rural areas, where they are the majority of the populations there, with the lowest diversity, are most likely to be upset? And yet, we will blame them categorically for the 47% that would be uncomfortable with what they do not know and have not had experience with. Most humans fear what they do not know. Why do we categorically blame the Republican in this article when it is clearly a much more complex issue? Maybe the fact that only 31-45% of us are Republican/Republican Leaning means we have less exposure to them and thus we fear what we don’t know or have regular exposure to and our bigger issue is partisan prejudice (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/03/us-counties-vary-their-degree-partisan-prejudice/583072/).
Where people fall on the spectrum of reactions to hearing other languages (from celebrating to despising) depends on many factors. I think the biggest influences are how much the person has traveled, and how closely connected the person is to their family's story of arrival in the U.S.. As the child of an immigrant mother who had significant exposure to my grandmother for whom English was her 5th language, being around other languages and accents was a beautiful thing, despite the fact that my mother and grandmother only spoke English by the time I existed. Unfortunately, I think many equate hearing someone speak a language other than English with that person "not belonging" in the U.S., despite the fact that nearly everyone in this country has some family history of "not belonging" at some point. One of the best things about my neighborhood is the number of different languages that I can hear while walking to/from my local grocery store.
ReplyDeleteI agree with others that there are many factors that contribute to ones view on hearing other languages being spoken. For me personally, I grew up around my grandfather who came to the US as an adult and was more comfortable speaking his native language with those around him. on the other side of that, he would occasionally speak in his native language to talk "about" others around him. I think it is human nature to wonder what is being said when you cannot understand the language. Living in foreign countries helped my personal perspective on this topic. I made a concerted effort to learn at least some of the language in all of the countries so that I could communicate on a primitive level.
ReplyDeleteEmily Downs
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted before reading my response that I did not review the articles sources, or studies. As a result, I am speaking mostly from personal experiences. I am not surprised by the findings that a majority of republicans are uncomfortable with people speaking other languages around them. Additionally, I expected those who were older to fall into that category. It seems that the older people are, the more they are stuck in their beliefs. If they were not exposed to other languages throughout their lives, they are more likely to feel negatively towards those who are speaking the languages. I feel like the findings are not surprising given the current climate of the US. Overall, the article saddens me because of how many students I know that speak other languages at home. I do not want them to feel that they cannot communicate in their language without it bothering others.
This article game me a lot of hope because citizens who were younger had a lower percentage of being "bothered" by people speaking another language. I think that 70% of people reporting that they were ok with other languages being spoken is really low. I would be very curious to see how this data was collected and if I have a biased view due to the positive reactions I see when someone has a different cultural background.
ReplyDeleteMy parents came over in 1955 speaking Flemish. They refused to speak Flemish to us kids because it was so important to them that we assimilate to this country and they felt that language could be a big barrier if not learned correctly. Fast forward 40 years later...how they regret not teaching us both.
ReplyDelete(I just didn't want to repeat what others are saying...)
I can say that i'm not surprised by the results reported in this article. Looking at my own family there are more people I would consider racist, in the older generations compared to the younger generations. I want to go back a read the actual research because I have found that media outlets tend to focus on the more "shocking" or interesting aspects of research instead of the limitations of a study or the results as a whole.
ReplyDeleteEl artículo no fue sorprendente en mi opinión. Desde el 11 de septiembre, muchos estadounidenses se han vuelto cada vez más temerosos de las personas que consideran extranjeras. Ahora, Estados Unidos se ha mudado a la era de "Hacer que Estados Unidos sea grande otra vez" y muchos ciudadanos republicanos se sienten amenazados con respecto a su posición en los Estados Unidos por parte de personas de otros países. Los idiomas son hermosos y espero que la gente no permita que la atmósfera negativa actual en los Estados Unidos los desanime a hablar sus idiomas nativos o continuar con las tradiciones de sus familias.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the part of the article that states that people feel uncomfortable around people that speak other languages. I hear people complain about this all the time. I personally love listening to people speak other languages even when I have no idea what they are saying. I find it fascinating that people can speak so many languages. I hope one day I can multiple languages.
ReplyDeleteAs an immigrant, I am very aware that some people who only speak English are troubled by people who speak many other languages. I understand that there is a need for all whom live in America to learn some English to communicate when necessary. I also think people need to learn to live outside the box and experience many great languages that are around us. I am bilingual and hoping to learn multiple languages in the future.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons that I love living in this area is because of all of the diversity that this area encompasses - which includes the many different cultures I see and languages I hear. I wish that I, (and my family), were able to speak another language other than English. I would love to at least be bilingual, but hopefully if I keep taking classes, it could happen one day!;) Anyway, I have heard people make comments about "foreigners" speaking their languages, and I'm fine with anyone who wants to speak their language if they're not doing to to be mean or deliberately exclusive.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I'm finding that a lot of families who speak other languages are not teaching it to their children, and those kids are not able to keep the language of their culture or communicate with the "elders" in their family.
I hope this is not a trend that continues because I feel that its very important for families to keep and preserve their culture - which includes their language.
Andrea Parker
When I was in high school I moved from Philadelphia to rural Wisconsin, where I encountered a lot of people who would have been bothered by, or skeptical of, people speaking a language other than English. I think a big factor in this is the lack of diversity in the area I lived in, many of the people in my small town had lived there for generations and had never left the state, let alone the country. I would be interested to see a map of the results, to see if places with greater diversity had fewer people with this opinion (which would be my guess). I am thankful to live in such a diverse and culturally rich place as the DMV and to have had the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S and experience other cultures.
ReplyDeleteKatlyn Kopnitsky
I think it is important for all people to become comfortable with the idea that we come from different backgrounds and cultures. People who are native English speakers and people who are not each stand to gain by learning each other's language and culture to understand each other better. I also think that the ability to speak multiple languages says a lot about a person's intellectual curiosity and openmindedness-I hope to be able to do that someday.
ReplyDeleteMatt Mizrahi
We are a country that was built on immigrants. From the early settlers to the various waves of immigration throughout our history. This country has always been the land of free and used to be the land of the accepting. It is very sad to see that in this day and age – we as a society cannot accept others simply because they know another language. Being born and raised here are most often times more comfortable speaking English. That makes sense to speak in the language we feel most comfortable. For those people, who are immigrating to the United States, they are likely to speak the language of their native country first because they are best at it and most comfortable doing it. While I do believe it is important for those immigrating here to learn the language here in the US we do not have a “national language” and have always been the melting pot of the world. Language is part of who we are and the culture we come from. Be more accepting, be more understanding and above all treat each other the way you would like to be treated. Simple.
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult to form a solid opinion on this article as are there are various data points thrown around in rapid fire fashion. The article switches between surveys taken by so many various subgroups it's hard to keep up with the main point.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that is clearly stated however is how this negative view of different languages seems to decrease as the age of respondents decreased. That is a very hopeful sign for the future. I do agree that it is absolutely ridiculous for someone to be upset about hearing a foreign language being spoken in public. America is a mixture of many different cultures and that is what makes this Country so unique.
I can say from personal experience it can be frustrating when two people speak a different language in front of you while you are negotiating or just to make a comment about you without knowing. However, this is simple human nature and those bitter about this probably would do so themselves if they could, which they can't. These people are jealous that an immigrant has a special skill that they do not posses themselves.
It is hard to comment on an article without knowing the details of the data sampling and control factors. However, it is positive that 70 percent of overall Americans put their level of unease at “not much” or “not at all” to hear people speaking foreign languages. It is a progress from previous years (I do not have the numbers). I hope the Country will continue to make progress to embrace cultural and language diversities as it moves forward.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is disheartening to read this story and see the statistics in the study, I think that we still have to keep perspective. It is the same old story of people being fearful of change and thinking that by accommodating others, it means that something is being taken from them. There are arguments that we will lose "American" traditions and culture, which couldn't be further from the truth. There are Little Italy's and Chinatown's in so many major cities. There are city parades celebrating Caribbean and Latin heritage. Many of the most successful restaurants across this country aren't traditional American cuisine restaurants. They are Mexican restaurants, Mediterranean restaurants, Indian restaurants, etc. What is baffling is the lack of acknowledgement that when settlers came to this country, English was a foreign language. During the first waves of immigration Italian was a foreign language. The solace in the study can be found in the fact that the people interviewed are still a minority of the population. It is also found in the fact that their younger political allies are less likely to feel the same way as they are more receptive to change and for many this world that is ever changing is much more familiar and comfortable to them.
ReplyDeletePeople who are uncomfortable by others speaking a different language are insecure people. They feel left out or like they’re missing something because they don’t understand what is being communicated, so they have to be bothered by it or uncomfortable. Being that upset about other languages being spoken is sad and disappointing.
ReplyDeleteFeeling such negative feelings towards other people that are simply conversing with others is a reflection of them as a person.
JD
ReplyDeleteSetting matters to me. If for example I am at a bus stop or in the airport and people around me are speaking in another language I am not bothered by it.
If I am at a place of business and the people who will serve me are speaking in another language I am bothered by it if the purpose is not to help a customer. Speaking in another language to a customer who will be helped if spoken to in their native tongue is great.
However, speaking in another language to co-workers while customers are in the office I do not like.
I wish people could embrace the fact that having people who can speak multiple languages enriches our lives. When people encounter change that they feel will result in potentially changing their own deep cultural views, there is some level of fear. Often, their first inclination is to fight, flight, freeze, or appease. Over time, through everyday interactions one-on-one with people, I hope that people can stop fearing others and learn the value of having the opportunity to be with people that have different perspectives and languages.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that more than 1 in 5 US residents speak a language other than English at home shows that times have changed and more people are bilingual. The disparity with the percentage of people being bothered amongst various age groups makes sense. The world was probably not as diverse then as it is now, when comparing whites younger than 30, to whites in the 50-64 age group or those 65 and older.
ReplyDeleteI’m all for racial diversity. When I hear my students speaking in another language, it warms my heart because that is not a skill that everyone has. At times, if they are speaking in their native language in my room during lunch, I'm curious why, but I'm not offended by it.
The article was very interesting and not surprising that many dislike the fact that people in the American other culture speak other languages. I personally feel that's the beauty of this country different cultures, people, and languages. This is a diverse country with many shared and different experiences that make us all unique.
ReplyDeleteI am endlessly hopeful that exposure to other cultures can help dissipate what is basically a fear of those who are different. Unlike nations who sit in close contact with foreign language speakers, the US languished for years behind its giant ocean borders content in the belief that anything outside was probably less developed and perhaps more dangerous. As a child I remember listening to adults talk about the danger of visiting France -- unsafe water, the need for money belts etc. Although we are a mix of different cultures who entered speaking unfamiliar languages, our immigration policy has always severely limited the intrusion of ‘the others,’ regularly reducing the flow of new people to a trickle, as if too many newcomers -- too many others -- would ruin the melting pot.
ReplyDeleteWhite Americans with little to no exposure to other cultures remain fearful of anyone who is ‘different.’ I think education plays a part, but only because with better education comes travel and access to very different cultures. Those left behind struggle with a false narrative that holds back their chances of exposure to a wider and far more developed and exciting a world than they can imagine. I think continued immigration is essential to breaking down the false narrative, as is early and intensive learning of foreign languages, and travel. As Franklin Roosevelt said, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
The fear that comes with the unknown is polarizing this country, but it's about time people woke up and realized that the world is changing. Not being able to adapt is what leads to extinction.
ReplyDeleteThe statistics in this article would indicate that the Republicans are out of step with demographic trends and opinions in mainstream America- 39% said it was "very good" that the population is made up of different races and ethnicities, vs 71% of Democrats and 57% of Americans overall. 60% say that a majority nonwhite population would "weaken American customs and values". What are American values exactly? And why are they any better than the customs and values of other countries?
sas
I wish I was fluent in another language - I am working on it :-)! I spent a lot of time reading the comments related to the article and some were very telling. For example, a common fear was that people speaking other languages were talking about the eavesdropper. Seriously? They are talking about every day things, just like everyone else is! I do not understand the fear of the unknown; it's ignorant. People really need to get out and travel a bit.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I was not surprised by the information stated in the article. I find it sad that so many still have these feelings. Working with families, I have seen their concerns and fears for their child knowing a language other than English. I always encourage and reassure families that knowing multiple languages is an asset and will serve them well in the future. I do feel that you get generations are becoming more tolerant, accepting, and curious about different cultures. I hope that we can get to a point where we can celebrate our differences and learn from one another rather than holding onto limiting thoughts and beliefs. kg
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say this article surprises me, but unfortunately, it does not. I have such compassion for people from other countries speaking other languages. I have an will always be drawn to all people from different backgrounds. I will continue to fight for people who have come to the United States and to support the people any way I can. I am so outraged by the statistics of those who would be bothered by people speaking another language. Unfortunately, we have a leader who seems to be that way as well and we have to do something because we have taken many steps backwards. EF
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious if people who participated in this survey explained why they dislike hearing other languages. I would like to hear their justifications. Is it because they are monolingual and don't value the importance of speaking other language? What could be other reasons? AA
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I am not really surprised by what is said in this article. It personally would not bother me, but I would of liked to hear why it bothers people so much that someone is speaking in another language then what they are accustomed to. I wish people would respect the fact that English is not the only language spoken and I wish people would be more accepting of that.
ReplyDeleteSharon Faber - FL-16 - July 3, 2020
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting because in Europe, most people are expected to know 2, 3 or more languages, and it doesn't annoy anyone hearing other languages spoken -- it's a necessity and a means to an end in order to communicate and do business across borders in close proximity. I think in the US, it's what the SOUND of that language represents to the listener...someone different than I, someone probably of a lower socioeconomic class that I look down upon (or who will usurp my tax dollars), perhaps an illegal...it's just indicative of the threat that cultural diversity poses to the existing white folks who don't want their chunk of the pie chipped away at.
I think a few factors might be at play, one of which is the part of human nature to be wary of the "otherness" of someone speaking another language, and how as humans, and maybe more so as americans, we distrust or even fear someone who is different from us. For my part, sometimes I am uneasy because it sometimes makes me feel a little foolish for being the typical american who can only speak English. The reasons more Republicans feel that way are more than likely extremely complex and I think are dynamic to the political climate and a hoard of other factors. Historically, Republicans could be generalized as white, old men who had all the money and therefore all the power or vice versa. If you have all the money and the power, you want to keep it, and the idea that there might be a group of people who are NOT like you who might be vying for your generous piece of the pie is unsettling. As the demographics of this country shift, I think some people think a "different" or "other" group of people will be taking away something that they have always exclusively possessed.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that this survey might be inaccurate. I know many Democrats that are uncomfortable when people speak in a different language around them, and discriminate as a result of their discomfort. But if you approach a Democrat and ask them point blank if they dislike it, they might either know that they *shouldn't* feel uncomfortable and answer based on that, or forget about how they really feel when the situation arises. I think it's important to acknowledge that this isn't a partisan issue, it's an everybody issue because we're all capable of carrying out racial microaggressions that can escalate into something like threatening to call law enforcement on someone who's just existing. Just because the Republicans are being upfront and honest about how they feel doesn't mean the Democrats are immune or incapable of feeling the same.
ReplyDelete(Emily Shpiece)
Personally this makes me sad. Half of my family is white and immigrants from European countries. I can't understand why these people don't realize that their ancestors are not from here and likely also spoke other languages before they the immigrated to this country. In my own family I feel a great sense of loss in that grandfather was from Italy and was in his youth a native speaker of the Italian but the same attitude we read about was so pervasive then that it caused immigrants like him to abandon their language and cultures to assimilate. I can only imagine how much much richness it would have added to our family we could have had the opportunity learn to communicate with him in Italian as well. I hope this wave of ignorance will fall out of favor in future generations and as the world becomes smaller through access to technology, travel and global trade.
ReplyDeleteAranda Brown
Not surprising at all given what Republicans stand for and who they vote for. My entire family thinks like this and constantly mutter under their breath that people should "go back to their country" or that anyone remotely Middle Eastern is a terrorist. (I don't speak to my family for exactly these reasons.) I think too often, Republicans think "American" means "white English speaker," but then those same people turn around and call America a "melting pot" and boast about how successful their ancestors were at immigrating. They only want the "right" kind of immigrant, and that usually means someone who is willing to assimilate completely and carry on the white patriarchal ideas this country has historically championed. What's sad is these people then go to Spanish-speaking countries and get mad that "no one" speaks English to tell them where the bathroom is. Republican hypocrisy at its best. Vote blue y'all.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very troubling, though not surprising based on our current president and recent policies/views that Republicans have been pushing such as anti-immigration and not condemning white supremacy actions. I don't understand why some people view America solely for white, English speaking people. Indigenous languages and Spanish were spoken in this country before English even arrived. Many immigrants and some of the colonies spoke languages other than English. My ancestors came from Switzerland and spoke German. Even after 4 generations, some of my great-grandparents spoke German and did not assimilate much into 'mainstream American culture.' But no one called them 'un-American' after all they were white. Honestly, I think this complaint is just a way for people to be racist. Everyone has the freedom to speak and live as they want to. After all America is proclaimed to be a land of freedom- should it not be free for everyone?
ReplyDeleteWithout reading past the title yet I was surprise that the broke it down from perspective of political arties. I would just have assumed that Americans as a whole would seemed bothered by foreign languages. I found it interesting Asians were the third most bothered group by foreign language, like how many did they survey to figure that? But how can one who speaks foreign language in another country be annoyed by someone else speaking another language.
ReplyDeleteBut as a social studies teacher I personally am not annoyed for I believe what I teach that this country is built on immigrants and is a melting pot of all languages and culture therefore we should be accepting and learn from one another and could benefit from being multilingual.
Although I am not surprise, reading the statistics still irritates me. A part of the article states that there's a lower number for younger generation in comparison to the older generation who are bothered by others speaking a foreign language. I can understand that in a sense where the younger generation can sometimes understand words/phrases or is currently learning a language at school. Not only that, many younger generation represents diversity in their groups of friends or is studying abroad in another country. In terms of politics, there are strong opinions about immigrants to the point where ignorant people will tell minority groups to "go back to their country" because they're not speaking English. Growing up, my family and I have experienced racism because we're not white enough or speak enough English. - Cindy C
ReplyDeleteEven though this article was published last year, I am not surprised after reading this article. Most of the findings can relate to today a year after in 2020. I think this has to do with our current president. I want to know how this survey was administered and who were the people who took the survey. America is built on a community of immigrants. It is sad that there is a divide when we are the country that is often labeled as the melting pot.
ReplyDelete-Melissa Wong
I believe that these republicans who are bothered by hearing a foreign language in public places grew up in a homogenous area where only English was spoken and have been living in a similar environment until they formed their identity. I learned that by nature we humans become defensive when we are faced with something they're not familiar with. It's human nature. This make it even more important that Americans all across the country are exposed to foreign cultures and languages at least in their classrooms growing up. It's even more surprising to learn that only 20% of school children learn foeign languages in this country.
ReplyDeleteIt is incredibly disheartening to read that so many Americans are so threatened by languages other than English, although sadly, not surprising. I believe a great deal of this feeling can be accredited to racism, ethocentrism and the insular nature of a great deal of the country--but I also wonder if many are defensively reacting to being seen as ignorant or less educated than their more worldly counterparts. I don´t believe this will be the overt, identified feeling, but I wonder if it is underlying some of their defensive behaviors. Maybe Americans feel threatened or exposed when they can´t make sense of the languages spoken around them. When they can´t make sense of the world around them, it is possible that they jump to defensive measures. Unfortunately, it is these thought processes that will leave America behind in development, engagement and progress in a multicultural world.
ReplyDeletePeople do not feel comfortable around a language they don’t understand. It is the unknown and they don’t like to feel left out. Some American people think that English is the world’s language, and they don’t need to learn any other languages. If you don’t value the importance of different cultures and languages, you will never understand the positive impact of it on your life. If you limit yourself to only one language you tent to lose sight of the fact that the universe extends so far beyond your experience. Rekia
ReplyDeleteI appreciate hearing other languages spoken. It fascinates me that others can speak multiple languages when I am just trying to learn another one. It is sad that others are bothered by different languages being spoken. Perhaps they see it as threatening when they do not understand the language. We are all different and our differences are what make us unique.
ReplyDeleteI found myself getting frustrated, but unsurprised as I read this article. Although it can be frustrating not to understand what other people are saying, I appreciate and respect different languages. We live in a global community where everyone has different cultures, experiences, and backgrounds. Communicating in different languages is part of what makes us unique. It should not be seen as a threat but rather as a beautiful display of diversity. I hope that as a nation there comes a time where we can see the beauty in our differences and appreciate how multicultural a nation we truly are.
ReplyDeleteI did not find the information presented in the article to be surprising at all based on what I have observed in my life and from what is currently happening in our country; the data presented shows how prevalent racism and prejudice are in the U.S. However, I find it to be extremely disheartening that so many people do not value those who are different from themselves. There is no reason why speaking languages other than English should ever be viewed negatively, especially in a country that does not have an official national language. It is important to note that the data presented in the article shows that the majority of those who speak a language other than English in the U.S. are bilingual. As far as I am concerned, being able to speak more than one language is an asset, and something that I wish I could do. We need to keep an open mind and be willing to engage with those who come from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds in order to have a productive society.
ReplyDeleteI was not surprised by the Post's reporting of So many Americans feeling uncomfortable or viewing people speaking a foreign language in public as negative. I believe it is an ignorance that propels this racism and prejudice. I, myself, feel inspired and lucky to live in an area that is so multicultural. I grew up in a neighborhood that every other household was at least bilingual.
ReplyDeleteI don't find the information to be surprising, but it definitely makes me cringe to think of how many people are so closed minded to different cultures. It is sad that some people feel they are better than others because of their skin color. I think it is great that people are bilingual because they are able to communicate with many more people. It makes me sad sometimes having an ESOL student in class who gets treated as if they have a severe learning disability, when in reality they just don't speak English. I would hope that as more awareness is made about social justice and racial issues that there will be a change and Americans will embrace different cultures.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised and it ties in to the racism and discrimination that people realize we deal with in the US. They probably do not know or forget that their ancestors were foreign to this country and most likely they spoke a language other than English. The beautiful thing about the US is that everyone is of different background but we all celebrate it through our Americanness!
ReplyDeleteIoannis Sarantopoulos
I was a little bit surprised to read that many Americans feel uncomfortable hearing people speaking other languages than English. Many times I choose to speak my native language in public and I have never came across a negative reaction from native Americans. Many would actually stop me and ask what language I speak and then have a conversation with me about my culture and my country. I assume it may be due to the fact that I live in Maryland and many years I used to live on the border MD-DC where people are from all over the world. I actually got use to hearing many languages on the streets and I find it amazing and very interesting. Nonetheless, the longer I stay in the US the more I learn about prejudice, racism and discrimination that takes place in the U.S. I find it very disheartening as the U.S. is believed to be a freeland and home to people from all over the world where everyone can feel free and good about themselves. The article had one interesting and promising thought, namely young people seem to be more open minded that older Americans when it comes to speaking a different language in public spaces. I hope that one day all Americans will treat bilingualism and other languages as a proof of good education and bravery, as it means that one has to leave their land to live in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteMonika Cava
The information in this article did not surprise me, but made me reflect on what is happening in our society today. As someone who is bilingual, I have also experienced people not approving of me speaking my other language in public in certain areas/around certain demographics. I feel as though Montgomery County is more accepting of differences and diversity compared to other parts of the country, so I do not experience a lot of the disapproving looks or judgement. I think that the judgement from certain communities resulted in my parents encouraging me to only speak English at home once I started school which resulted in me losing a lot of my native language. The article mentioned that the age and education of the person play a factor. The fact that the percentage of people who felt linguistic discomfort decreased as the person was younger showed that there is acceptance due to maybe exposure and understanding of other cultures. I hope that politicians and people in our society can learn to appreciate the beauty of other cultures and the advantages it brings to a country.
ReplyDelete-Sarah Kim
I love listening to people speak different languages. I love learning about different cultures. I find it so exciting to see how other people live. I feel lucky to have grown in an area where different cultures were embraced and to have had parents that encourage me to see people as individuals and respect people for who they are. I've raised my children to be this way. I feel that this article is correct when it talks about people finding it hard to be around people that speak a language that they cannot understand and be around cultures that they are not familiar with. This is the way most of ours society is.
ReplyDeleteI'll start with what gives me hope...70% of Americans overall are not bothered by hearing other languages spoken. I have a vivid memory of being at a small town gas station/ deli several years ago. A group of Spanish speaking young men came in after their work day. People seemed annoyed, stared or else ignored them altogether. I felt they were looked upon as inferior. I was absolutely appalled and embarrassed. I did not want to be associated with the other people there. I smiled, nodded, said hello, nice day...any small gesture I could think of in hopes of making them see that not all of "us" were the same. I had hoped in more recent years that things were changing, that people were becoming more "enlightened" and more appreciative of the diversity in our society. In some cases I believe that to be true. In other instances, as evident in the data presented in the article, we have a very long way to go!
ReplyDeleteI think that many people react to things that are new or things that they do not understand with fear. Fear of the unknown and what it means for them. Learning a new language is hard and a lo t of work maybe they feel insecure about their ability to learn a new language or fear that this new language could become the norm and they would be left out of conversation because they were unable to speak the new language. Often times are worse fears are in our head and will never actually come to be.
ReplyDeleteI was not surprised by what was stated in the article, but I think it is very unfortunate. I believe that diversity is what makes this country great because the more diverse we are as a nation, the more tolerance and acceptance we have for one another. I think the reason why older "white Republicans" don't like people speaking a different language is because of the way they were raised and the biases that existed when they were younger. It gives me some hope that the younger Republicans seem to have more of an acceptance of other languages and cultures in general. Hopefully, this trend will continue as this generation begins having children of their own, and hopefully they can raise their families in a more accepting environment.
ReplyDeleteI believe it is a huge benefit to learn multiple languages, and the US has so many diverse people that bring so much to this country. I have grown up in a very diverse area and gone to very diverse schools, I feel very lucky to be surrounded by so many people from different cultures and countries. I do not believe including multiple cultures, customs and languages will "“weaken American customs and values", I believe it makes our country more accepting and knowledgable. I think they may feel uncomfortable because they do not understand what is being said, which in reality they should be more willing to learn and understand. I hope our society is moving into more accepting and empathetic ways, but we still have a long way to go.
ReplyDelete- Jennifer Wright
I think that knowing more than one language is so powerful. I am not surprised to read that for ~30% of native English speakers in America that hearing another language being spoken is bothersome to them. To me, however, it is beautiful! I think American can learn from our counterparts in Europe and Asia etc. and work harder to have broader bilingualism!
ReplyDeleteLeslie W:
ReplyDeleteI was not completely surprised, but I didn't realize that the percentages were that high. Mostly, reading this makes me sad, so sad, muy triste. Why do some people see others' differences as less worthy? When will we ever learn? We need to show respect, appreciation, and do our best to listen and learn from others.
I was not surprised but this article, bit it saddens me. I think that people are afraid of the change - even when it is for the better - because it will be different for them. It is such a wonderful thing to be able to communicate in more than one language. I will I was able to do it better.
ReplyDeleteThere were some parts of the article that I expected, but some parts I found surprising. It was no surprise that nearly half of white Republicans are bothered by people speaking a foreign language in public. I think it is part of human nature to want to protect your own customs and values, and sadly there is a large portion of our population who see 'different' people as a threat to their way of life. This is why our current president was elected. This same base sees him as a way of holding on to their values, however racist or divisive. However, it did surprise me to see such significant portions of non-whites be bothered by hearing a foreign language in public. I presume they are non-white Republicans. :0
ReplyDeleteHerring
Many Americans have never traveled outside of the U.S. so of course they are not used to hearing many locals speak languages other than English. The U.S. is also a large country and almost all citizens speak a little English. Sometimes people tend to distrust what they are not used to, whether it be how others are dressed, which language they speak, or another aspect of their cultural identity. Europeans, for example, often travel to other countries and are used to hearing and being exposed to other cultures so it is strange to them if they are NOT hearing other languages on a weekly basis.
ReplyDelete- Jesse Stradnick
I was not surprised at how others find speaking various languages is bothersome to many people. It is disappointing but I was not shocked. I am aware that others have a hard time relating to people who have blatant differences from them and they do not put in the effort to truly get to know people. I truly hope people can begin to accept the diversity in the US and appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteI think Americans are a very isolated society. Surrounded by oceans and bred to believe they live in the 'greatest country in the world,' there is an inherent lack of curiosity about other cultures. I have had odd conversations with colleagues over the years. A fellow high school staffer who believed in 2010 that Europe was impoverished and dangerous. She was proud of never getting a passport. Why? We are in the best place already she told me. Another younger woman whose honeymoon consisted of a trip to Kings Dominion, because it was safer than going to Europe. Both women were college educated, middle class and white. White Americans are just beginning to realize that we have grown up in a racist society that encouraged a belief in white culture as the superior culture. Cowboys and Indians. The old plantation. etc. S
ReplyDeleteK. yager--values taught and adopted are the greatest predictors of people's reactions. The discomfort is certainly caused by a feeling of superiority or by a feeling of being left out. Republicans and democrats have a specific cultures that are taught and passed down from generation to generation. Education is the greatest tool for improving upon the relationships among people. Every day I am shocked by my own personal ignorances that came from growing up with Republican, racist, and small town views. I considered myself a well-educated and compassionate individual, but am often shocked by some of the things that come out of my mouth. Bias is born out of family culture. Schools have to be ready to shed light on the error of people's ways and provide the perspective needed to shift individual thinking to a more inclusive values, values that drive people towards understanding an acceptance rather than categorizing and labeling.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read articles like this one, I am always amazed, (but not shocked), that people have opinions/beliefs that are so different from my own. I love hearing people and families speaking in their native language.
ReplyDeleteI encourage my students and their families to continue speaking speaking their native language at home and in their communities so that they grow and and preserve their family language.
It is so important to remember that diverse languages and culture help beauify our nation!
It was refreshing to see that the younger generation seems to be more tolerate/accepting of people who speak languages other than English! This helps renew my hope and faith for acceptance and appreciation!!
Andrea Parker
I thought that it was sad to know that there are people who recognize the benefits of diversity. I think they've forgotten that their great grandparents probably had to deal with the same thing when they arrived her. Once they were taken over by the "American" culture, and way of speaking their accent or language was only for speaking at home or with family. So you couldn't tell they were from another country. I do think it's important to learn the language of where you live, but it doesn't mean you should stop speaking your language.
ReplyDeleteHow fitting that I am completing this assignment as I watch and await the results of the 2020 election. When reading this article, I am reminded why my vote is so important, now more than ever. I was actually dumbfounded at the statistic 60 percent of Republicans said that a majority nonwhite population would “weaken American customs and values.” As a country built from immigrants and once referred to as “the melting pot”, how can immigrants weaken our customs and values? What exactly are our customs and values? In my opinion, the most valuable part of our country is the freedom to embrace whichever custom and value you choose to. I love learning about new cultures different from mine and expanding my views from the walls of my own family. We should be encouraging our bilinguals to keep their culture alive through language! Maybe one day learning another language will be a priority and seen as valuable in the US as it is in many other countries.
ReplyDelete-Kelsey
What a time to be reading and on commenting on this particular article. Although it was short, to the point, and objective, it did it's job in stirring a reaction from me. I felt sadness and disappointment while reading, but was not surprised by the data. Personally, I am a bilingual English-Khmer (or Cambodian) speaker. I studied French from high school through my first two years at college and have enjoyed learning Spanish through PDO and through my interactions with my colleagues and families that I work with through the Infants & Toddlers Program. Also, I am in what many would call an "inter-racial" marriage (I prefer the term "inter-cultural") as my husband is Zimbabwean. His mother speaks Ndebele and his father speaks Shona. I had never even heard of those languages until he came into my life. My world is richer and happier because of diversity and I believe that if naysayers could put forth even the smallest bit of effort in being open - with their eyes, ears, hearts, homes - they might be able to see the value of and respect people different from themselves. I mean, people can change, can't they?
ReplyDeleteThe title of the article itself is off-putting. To think that anyone is bothered by hearing another language contributes to supremacy, and thus oppression. I’m even a little confused that this is an article, though WaPo tends to slant toward liberal views. Regardless, I believe that being "bothered" may stem from fear. And, those who fear, I believe, don’t (fully) understand. And before understanding others, is understanding yourself. And, unfortunately, many do not recognize their own privileges, nor their racial and socio-linguistic awareness.
ReplyDelete-Mike Anderson
I find it disheartening that so many people are against hearing other languages being spoken in the United States. If we are supposed to be the land of the free, then one should be free to speak the language they choose. Should they learn English as well, absolutely. However, if I speak Igbo and I'm with my cousin who does as well, there is no harm in speaking in our home language. My wondering is if these individuals have issues with all languages being spoken in the US or just languages spoken primarily by people of color. If someone is speaking French do they have the same response? What about Russian or Greek? I believe these thoughts are more about silencing people of color than a language being spoken.
ReplyDeleteCorinn Woods
I like that in Europe, people can speak many languages. I wish it were more like that her in the United States. Learning other languages allows you to appreciate different cultures and other people. We should all learn to see the world from another's point of view.
ReplyDeleteThis article sheds light on the sentiment that many people in the country feel today. It is sad to see that another language sparks fear and resentment rather than joy and inclusion. People easily forget how the United States of America was formed- by people from foreign lands settling here and bringing with them their cultures. It seems that when the foreign language is spoken by a person of color that language is more likely to be silenced than the language spoken by someone white.
ReplyDeleteI truely hope that this will change! I am encouraged by the diversity of our county and the language programs that we have at the elementary school level- I hope that foreign language will be part of every elementary school.
-Neeta L
After reading the article, I am not surprised by the findings of this article. I feel like sometimes, the uncomfortableness is fear of something they don't know. There are people who make the comment, "if you come to this country learn the language and the culture." I feel like these people are those who feel most threatened by change and things they don't know, so they want to in a sense "Americanize" everybody and their beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I feel sad that people are xenophobic and scared of things that are different from them. I personally love hearing people speaking different languages and feel that people should have free rights and be free of racist justment to speak their native language and celebrate their native culture no matter where they are in the world.
ReplyDelete-this post was by Michal S.
DeleteThe article mentions that as the age increases within white people, the tolerance for hearing a foreign language decreases. This statistic does not surprise me as the older generation of people lacks diversity growing up.
ReplyDeleteThis articles proves that there is a great need for change in country. We can not continue on with the old mentality and the old ways people use to live. However, in order for change to happen, these beliefs need to be called out and addressed. It is not normal to feel ¨bothered¨ when hearing a foreign language. I am hopeful that the people reading this article see this as a problem more so than a fact or knowledgeable information.
I think we should all embrace other languages and cultures. I think it enriches our lives and helps us to better understand each other. I think that diversity is what makes the country a wonderful place to be in. I have lived in places where there was no culture and I'm very excited about the fact that my daughters will be able to embrace more diversity growing up than I did.
ReplyDeleteD. Neely
After reviewing the article, I am truly not surprised by the information that was stated. People are often afraid of change and scared of things or people that they are not used to or resemble familiarity. I think diversity should be celebrated in every nook and cranny of the world!
ReplyDeleteThis is unfortunate that some people feel this way. Languages are all beautiful in their own ways. I love hearing all the different languages thatI experience around me. It makes life unique and vibrant. I am envious of people who speak multiple languages.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be a given in this day and age to accept other people for where they come from and embrace their differences. I think it's absolutely insane that people are so insecure and ignorant of other languages that they would go so far as to get violent or threaten to call immigration. Although I must admit I am not surprised, but rather disappointed that this behavior is still prominent. I've even encountered speech directed toward me by other teachers and admin in MCPS when they found out that I speak Spanish with my students, especially my METS students, that they won't cater to it because "We're in America and everyone needs to speak English". Its horrible but very real, even in our school system with a heavy hispanic population.
ReplyDeleteRenee Seidemann
ReplyDeleteOUr country has been called a melting pot. It is a place for all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, language to prosper and have the opportunity to be successful. It is disturbing that there are people in our country who are bothered by poeple of different color or who speak different languages. It is this diversity that makes our country great.
It saddens me that there are still people out there who feel that knowing a foreign language and speaking it is bothersome to people. We are a melting pot of exotic languages and cultures and so different than any other county out there. These people are missing out! There is not need to be fear, we are all the same:)
ReplyDeleteI wish I could say I was surprised by this article but I have witnessed this "discomfort" many times throughout my counseling career. I am surprised that it was found younger people were more likely to feel uncomfortable rather than older people as I assumed it would be the opposite. The world is made up of so many different languages and cultures so I feel it is ignorant to expect everyone to be able to speak the same language and feel "bothered" when someone doesn't.
ReplyDeleteLindsey Lipinski
ReplyDeleteThis honestly makes me sad. Truly as someone who speaks another language and I envy anyone who does. It is so beautiful and no one should feel ashamed. It is amazing to learn another language even if that is english. No one should feel uncomfortable to ashamed of anything learning of a language or speaking to others.
The title alone causes a reaction. Especially during this time in America where cultural and race intolerance is prevalent. fIt’s ridiculous to get offended by someone speaking a different language when the article stated that the US has no official language. America is supposed to be a melting pot of different cultures, so of course with that mixing comes different languages. I have to say that the information in the article does not surprise me. The republican party has been known for its bias views on race and culture.
ReplyDelete--Kellye Townsend
I'm not at all surprised by this article. The majority of the people who have a problem with this are above the age of 50. They and their immediate family members lived through and benefited from Jim Crow, segregation, other groups having limited rights, etc. So it is no surprise that they continue to be irritated when a language other than what they feel should represent America is spoken.
ReplyDeleteI believe that our greatest strength is our diversity. We gain so many ideas from the fabric of our nations and improve upon them. We think about what we want to eat and we can have just about anything.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why we seem to be so different from the rest of the world when we are literally made up from the world. Most of the world speaks more than one language and you regularly hear different languages as you are in the street.
It is only natural that people of different backgrounds get together as we see something new, different, and forge new relationships.