As I walked into Target today, I vaguely noticed 2 women speaking to each other in Spanish on the sidewalk in front of the store. What I noticed more was a local man, who looked a little scruffy around the edges. He kept repeating something as he walked past the women towards the store entrance.
Man: I kent unneerstan wat yur seein' (I can't understand what you're saying).
When he entered the store, he joined up with an equally scruffy-looking woman, who I can only assume is his wife or girlfriend. As soon as he was by her side, he commented, "Eef theer gowin' tuh leeve een thees cuntree, thay ot tuh lurn the languig" (If they're going to live in this country, they ought to learn the language).
Personally, I'm more offended by his misuse of English than their use of Spanish. I would imagine that their Spanish is exponentially better than his English, and that they know a fair amount of English whereas I would be shocked if he knew a single word of Spanish. Why would these 2 women, whose native language is Spanish, speak any other language to each other?
I have tremendous respect for people who are brave/adventurous/driven enough to move to a country where they don't speak the language. Imagine how vulnerable you'd have to let yourself be to take a risk like that. It is not their Spanish that offends me but his ignorance.
3 comments:
Maybe they were commenting on his poor English and didn't want to offend him!
Nicely said - as usual. I totally agree. I also wish many Americans would take the time to learn that Nevada... is not pronounced NeVAYda... and for once and for all people... the 'S' in Illinois... is SILENT!!!
Very good point. I do have a problem with people who refuse to learn English and think it's our problem if they can't understand things in english and not theirs, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with simply speaking your native language to another native speaker.
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