I’ve hears stories of some Americans telling other people who are speaking a non-English language “This is America, speak English!” even if the conversation has nothing to do with them. Why do they do this?

  • They are ignorant, taught hate, and told incorrectly that English is the official language of the United States, but in reality the United States doesn’t have an official language. In fact before WW1 there where so many German speaking Americans that spme cities had German spelled street names, and German festivals.

    • Mossheart@lemmy.ca
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      1 day ago

      I agree with the first part, but pre WWI was over a hundred years ago. I’m sure there’s more relevant and recent examples that could be found to strengthen an argument.

  • LordSinguloth@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    Happens in every country and in every nation. This isn’t a strictly American issue

    • Valmond@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Yep, went to france to kearn french, was questioned (by an idiot) why I didn’t knew (spoke) french well.

      They exist in all countries.

      • undrwater@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Don’t you DARE speak French in France unless you’re a native speaker!

        That country is the reverse complaint put forth in this thread.

          • OhmsLawn@lemmy.world
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            1 day ago

            Same.

            Of course, the first phrase I made absolutely certain I could rattle off was “excuse me I don’t speak French well”. Deliver that with a smile and they can be pretty damn forgiving.

  • IzzyScissor@lemmy.world
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    1 day ago

    If they’re anything like my mother, they automatically assume anyone speaking in any language other than English within earshot of her is shit-talking her, specifically. The thought that someone might be saying something mean-spirited about her is just too much for her tiny brain to handle. If you think she’s a bitch, she needs to know. It reeks of desperation and the need to be liked by all people at all times while also doing nothing to bridge that gap yourself.

  • phx@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    This happens in other countries as well. I’ve been told to speak the local (non-English) language when visiting friends overseas when having a private conversation.

    Generally, it seems to be nosy old people who are upset about not being able to eavesdrop

    • Roopappy@lemmy.ml
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      2 days ago

      True.

      Also, there is a psychological effect of people either feeling excluded from a conversation, or suspicious that they are being secretly insulted when they can’t understand it.

  • PrincessLeiasCat@sh.itjust.works
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    2 days ago

    A different perspective - my grandparents grew up speaking French. Then the state passed a law saying only English in schools when they were young children. They would get hit on the hands with rulers for speaking French.

    This was of course passed down to my parents and myself. But my mom still bitches about kids where I currently live being in school and unable to speak English because they’re new immigrants.

    She doesn’t see the hypocrisy and it’s sad.

  • Bob@feddit.nl
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    2 days ago

    I remember smoking outside a pub near Chinatown with a mate something like ten years ago when two Chinese people went by speaking Chinese, and he said “they should be speaking English; this is Britain,” so I asked why, and he couldn’t explain why. Just on a vague principle.

  • Drusas@kbin.run
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    3 days ago

    This is not an American thing. People around the world are biased against immigrants.

    • Crashumbc@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      It’s not JUST an American thing. People are biased against outsiders and people that are different.

      Ftfy

      • Drusas@kbin.run
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        3 days ago

        No. That’s not a fix. You’re still focusing on this being American, while it is pretty universal.

    • mojofrododojo@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      goddamn bro, just let your racist flag fly proudly huh?

      You need to realize there are americans, born here, with generations going back hundreds of years, that still speak other languages. And still get the snide ‘this is america’ bullshit.

      The post may include immigrants but that’s not the entire population. what a chudworthy moment.

      • Muffi@programming.dev
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        3 days ago

        I think you maybe read something that the op didn’t write? Pointing out that “there are racists everywhere” is in itself not a racist statement.

        • mojofrododojo@lemmy.world
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          3 days ago

          This is not an American thing. People around the world are biased against immigrants.

          this is their statement - assuming anyone they hear not speaking english are immigrants.

          it’s incorrect.

  • Professorozone@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Because in America we believe strongly in our rights: specifically the right to tell people they don’t have the right to speak any language they want. It’s called freedom man!