I am Mexican American but i don't speak Spanish?
First of all calling myself mexican american is a stretch. Yes my ancestors came from south of the border but I have never thought of myself as anything but american. I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH!!! I get asked this on a daily basis and it really gets on my nerves. It's as if people just expect because i have a year around tan i have to know spanish. I live in america speak english!!!! does anyone else feel this way?
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omg, i have the same exact identical problem.
Some people i dont even understand, because im in their Spanish1 class and yet they still ask, "Dont you already speak Spanish?" but HELLO? im in your Spanish 1 class figure it out!
its really annoying, i know.
nobody seems to do it to other people with other nationalities… but i dunno.
and sometimes my teachers are like that too. "Do you speak Spanish at home?" or "Does your mom speak Spanish at home?" my mom doesnt’ even speak SPanish that well…
and it just bugs me a lot.
its kind of like a stereotype. that you’d assume all people who look hispanic speak SPanish
so why dont you just learn spanish its really not that difficult. If not rage agains the machine for all i care
Lots of Chinese American don’t speak Chinese
you not the only one
You and a few million second, third, etc. generation descendants of immigrantds from different nations and cultures who live in America.
Hey. I’m puerto rican and everyone assumes that I speak spanish. I can speak it but not fluently. It pisses me off when I’m at work and my boss assumes that I can help with customers that speak it. I get the basics thats it. I don’t like being classified as someone like that when I’m really not like that.
I am half German/American. I am very pale. People say " Alfietezein " to me. I hate it. I live in America, so i speak the American language…
They call black people, African American…and I don’t speak a lick of african, and I never been to africa…so now you know how we feel. haha!
Hi. I know a blond haired anglo guy who has a Hispanic last name. He was adopted by a Mexican-American family. They never taught him Spanish, either. He has a lot of funny stories about that topic.
My best friend in HS was half Mexican–an English dad, a Mexican mom, he "had a year round tan". Yes, he spoke Spanish, but with an English accent. Amazing.
It is rather unusual especially if you have a Spanish given name and a Spanish surname.
I have lived in Honduras for over 25 years and don’t speak a word of Spanish. This raises many questions I must admit.
I am an Indian (south asian) and look like Spanish, and people expect me to Habla Espaniol too, but I have no clue and I dont mind it, take it easy
I teach a class full of students who feel like you. My school is only about 10 miles from the border. All of my students are hispanic and they are chastized by the teachers and students across the hall because they only know English. They always refer to my class with snide remarks and call them the "English" class with disdain. Just because you are certain race doesn’t mean you automatically come equipped with knowledge of a particular language. You are not the only one. Cheer up!!!
my ancestors are from germany, i don’t speak german…my wife’s from turkey, she doesn’t speak turkish….why this perpetual thing with XXXXXX American..you are either an American or an illegal alien…get over it and let’s move on with the business of AMERICA!!!!
I do I’m puerto rican and Mexican i could understand it and i know a couple of words such as my #’s ans colors . But at my school your either Mexican , pureto rican, black or just whit you have to be one in order not to be a weakling. Then you have to prove you self such as say something in Spanish and we you do you don’t sound Spanish or you don’t have a ascent when you talk.
I’m polish but don’t speak it. Don’t worry about it
You have self hate. You need to learn spanish. With so many of us here, if you want to give yourself a leg up on othters in the job market, you should know spanish.
It shouldnt get on your nerves, theres more of us everyday, and MOST of us, are proud to stay in touch with our heritage by speaking spanish….you can also get much more out of any traveling in latin america that you do, if you speak spanish.
I live in america, speak english……whoopee for you, do you want a cookie……
Yo vivo en USA, y me da gusto hablar mi lengua natal, malinche.
I think it’s just something that might not be understood by other cultures. i think people are expecting you to be bilingual. there are plenty of people who live in america and are americans that are bilingual. i don’t think they meant it to be intentionally offensive
what would it cost you to learn a second language? Being American does not have to mean being rigid or dense. This story reflects poorly on you- not on those who speak more than one language. Good luck kiddo.
wow you seem uptight
I agree
Well, if this will give you some comfort; and I do hope it does, my grandaughters are 1/2 Puerto Rican, and they are in the same boat as you. My son-in-law was born here, in this country and English is his first language; because you speak English here. Both of them are asked the same questions as you. They both are taking Spanish, now, in High School and are tutoring the kids who don’t have English as a first language. My son-in-law travels extensively, for his job and takes them with him, so they can translate for him, as well.
No, not at all. You shouldn’t forget where you are from, that’s the problem with many Americans, they forget where they are from and what people they come from. Also, English isn’t the official language of the U.S. and it seems like you are giving your back to the people you come from. If you aren’t in touch with your culture, well okay, but don’t get mad when everybody else is. The U.S. gives freedom of speech, that mean I can speak whatever I wish in whatever language I wish. Spanish doesn’t make a whole culture either, what about the food you eat? Do you have an accent? What holidays do you celebrate? If you just want to be American and forget about your background, that’s fine, don’t expect us to do it. I know many Mexican-Americans who don’t speak Spanish and are working so hard to learn it, I think that’s great, the more languages you know the better it looks. You could try the same, it wouldn’t hurt. That’s how I feel.
My parents are Mexican, and I grew up speaking Spanish and English. Know what? I liked it because I was able to communicate with a lot more people and it opens up your mind knowing more than 1 language. I live in Italy now, and can also speak Italian….learning Italian opened up my mind even more. There’s nothing wrong in learning more than 1 language…if you are dead set against it then okay, but I believe you are missing out on a lot.
Prime example: If moved to China, I better learn Chinese, or I’m going to have a very difficult time. I don’t understand why some immigrants refuse to learn English. I am not a racist, but am proud to be American. That is the only national flag I will ever wave. There are American Citizens, in my city (born and raised in the US)who do not speak English. When asked, why they don’t speak English, they say there is no need to, since almost everyone speaks Spanish. Sadly they are right. And yes, I do need to become more fluent in Spanish, not because I feel it’s my heritage or cultural duty, but because if I need to speak to someone who needs help or vise versa. But you do have to admit…it is pretty cool to speak more than just one language. My two cents.
Its people being raciest when they expect you act or speak a certain way just because of the color of your skin. We are all products of our environment. i bet you most Mexicans cant speak Nahuatl (or even know who spoke that language)
Next time just counter back with “Omg, you’re white and you’re not slaughtering Native Americans!?” or “Omg, you’re black and you’re not a stereotype!?” OR “Omg, you’re asian, but you can SEE!?”
I know what you all feel…l to do not speak spanish either and so what…l am an AMERICAN FIRST HISPANIC BY SURNAME….my father told me when l was younger…to get to know other cultures and learn from them…..don’t stay within your own…l am so glad l did…i have met so many interesting people and made good friends….l don’t care for mexican food…my favorite is ltalian….these mexicans expect us to speak spanish….l don’t think so…some of them can speak english but they refuse too use it….they need to adapt our culture is american and speak english…..if they don’t like it ( GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY)