why american people think that anybody who speak spanish is mexican?
This is an stereotype that really bothers me ... I speak spanish and some other languages; When somebody ask me if I'm from Mexico... I get really pissed
Hey Dude... not only in mexico people speak spanish, almost all southamerica but Brasil speak spanish, the you have Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, etc...
And yeah... I can tell when people is from the south, east, west, canada, Australia or England..
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Yeah I can imagine. There is so much racism and stereotyping that goes on in the US, and latinos get the brunt of it.
The US is one of the most ethnocentric, ego-centered countries in the world, I think. There is a whole continent right next to us, we don’t bother to learn anything about them. People are so ignorant if they think the whole of South America is the same, it is one of the most culturally diverse parts of the world. Every spanish-speaking country has a distinct accent and their own idioms, and every countries has tons of indigenous languages and cultures to boot, adding to their local dance, food, clothing, etc. And then there’s Brazil, and for some reason no one remembers that they speak Portuguese down there…
The reason people can’t tell spanish accents in the US is because most people don’t bother to learn spanish. I’m assuming you speak english pretty well, because your post is very fluent, so it is easier for you to differentiate accents. I have a friend who is still learning english, it’s difficult for him to tell accents still, although he can usually pick up a UK accent. Likewise, I can tell if someone is from spain, but it’s still hard for me to differentiate accents from different south american countries…Still, no one should assume that all latinos are from Mexico, that’s just stupid.
They speak Spanish in other countries?
There’s no need to get pissed, just politely correct them.
Cause we honestly can’t tell. When you see a white person do you automatically assume they are American? A lot of Europeans are white as well. We all sterotype to some degree.
I don’t really think it’s something to get worked up about. After all, the only Spanish speaking country the US shares a border with is Mexico, so it seems valid that most people would assume that if you speak Spanish, you probably come from that area. Plus, to non-Spanish speakers, it’s hard to discern the different accents in Spanish.
I don’t know. This bothers me as well. I have met Swiss people and told of the story, and people then say ‘aren’t they just like germans?"
NO!
I met Brazilians as well, and they got mad when I guessed a bunch of Spanish-speaking countries before Brazil.
I feel like even though I’m respectful, and ask where people are from instead of assuming they’re Mexican if they’re hispanic, but the United States is quite ignorant.
And, there are other non-Spanish speaking countries in South America. Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana do not speak Spanish.
Because Mexico is the largest Spanish speaking country closest to the U.S. I would imagine if you lived in Europe people would ask you if you were from Spain or if you lived in Asia the might think you were from the Philippines.
I don’t know, but I agree that it is a dominant idea in America. It is extremely racist to think this, and occasionally I find myself slipping into this way of thinking unfortunately. I think it stems from a lack of understanding of the language. Americans can tell who is Canadian, British, Irish, Australian because of the accent and vocabulary that they use even though all of those countries speak English.
It is extremely easy to forget that there is an entire south American continent minus brazil that speaks Spanish, because Mexico is the border country and the majority of spanish speakers who come to America. In some ways speaking Spanish is even beginning ot have a negative connotation.
because of ignroance, most americans don’t even know that méxico is in north america, I saw this answer once that said "just like all other south american countries.. méxico blah blah…"
it shouldn’t be offensive being mexican, its one of the most beautiful countries in this world… they have issues, but which country doesn’t.
also 70-75% of latinos are of mexican origin so they "assume" you’re one… (ignorance)
: D
The reason is because Mexico is a massive country with 110 million residents and a border with the USA, whereas Puerta Rica for example has 3.9 million residents, and even Cuba only has 11 million, and neither of these countries are as close to the US.
I just had this discussion in my Spanish class. People do take offense to this, and it is crazy. I would be upset too, only I am Mexican, so obviously it doesn’t bother me. :]
But anyway I hear a lot of people saying Spanish also…for example "he is Spanish" and this also drives me crazy.
you ever see the shirt that says "Im not Hispanic. Im not Latin. Im Mexican." haha
because america likes stereotyping other cultures, and all of you are the same .
It’s not really such a big deal. A lot of people just assume (and rightly so) that the majority of Spanish speakers in America have roots in Mexico.
But it’s not like you’re the only one suffering. When hearing someone speak an Asian langauge, a good amount of people wouldn’t be able to tell which language it is, and just guess "Chinese or something". I’m learning German, and you’d be suprised at the number of people who mention Nazis right off the bat.
Language stereotypes are everywhere, you just have to ignore them and move on.
People are using the word "racist" to easily here. Stereotyping happens when people don’t know any better. So, just because something thinks your Mexican because you speak Spanish doesn’t mean they are doing something wrong.
When people see brown-skinned people, they assume their black. They don’t take in account the different shades of Asia, South America and any of the other places. And why is that? Because assuming that they’re black leads to greater chances of being correct.
Same with being Mexican. I’ve bumped into more Mexicans than Dominicans and etc.
Sorry, but it happens. The things people are more familiar with… they are more familiar with. So, if its Mexicans that speak Spanish…then it is.
I get it all the time. but I don’t live in the US, I live in Canada..I hate being called Mexican (not because they’re calling me Mexican, just because I’m sick of hearing it) I just wish people would learn Geography…I’m sick of the stereotype…If I’m not Mexican then they ask if I’m from Spain and then they’re confused as to where I’m from, so because they took up my time to annoy the shit out of me then I take up their time by lecturing them on how many Spanish speaking countries there are in the world…that makes me feel a little better…I just get this from teenagers, never from adults.
I don’t like the stereotype at all so that’s why I don’t stereotype other nationalities…I’m pretty good at telling who’s from where.
Hmm.. .racist? I married an Azorian Portuguese. I’m an American of Irish descent. People assume I’m Portuguese and I don’t see HOW you think that assuming something about your heritage is racist. I find absolutely no offense in being mistaken for a Portuguese woman. I have long dark wavy hair. My skin does have a slight olive tone and my children do exhibit their Portuguese heritage in thier visage. So despite my blue eyes, I can see how the mistake could be made. Racism is NOT assuming someone’s heritage. Racism is having a negative attitude toward someone based on thier race. Maybe YOU are the racist (against Mexicans) for NOT wanting to be mistaken as a Mexican! If not, what difference does it make?
Because Americans are ignorant hahaha
oh… so can you guys tell apart which Asian speaker from the next? or all of you spanish speaker would just sum us all as chinese? correct yourself before you correct others.
It’s not popular at this time to be a Mexican and with reason when you turn on the news. I’m a Mexican American and I can’t stand the illegals from Mexico which come to the U.S. and abuse it.