English is the only language in which business is conducted in the office where I work.  Of approximately 150 people, we have a few (literally, a few - 3 or 4, tops) who are bi-lingual - they also speak Spanish.  As luck would have it, I share a quadrant (four cubicles arranged in a square with open space between our desks) with two of them.\n\nIt's a pet peeve of mine when they sit at their desks talk to each other in Spanish.  They both speak perfect English, yet they choose to speak more Spanish than English - everything from casual conversation to business issues.  They're within their rights to use the language of their choice, but I find it rude and unprofessional in this context.  \n\nIn contrast, individuals are generally reprimanded for using "inappropriate language" because it is considered rude, unprofessional and offensive to others.\n\nI'm curious to know how other people feel, from both sides.
202233
It is not only rude, but also bad business to have some employees speak a second language at work. Many workplaces have an "English-only" rule. In your case, I believe you have a legitimate complaint. The conversations in another language may actually involve you. If it's a personal conversation that they don't want you to understand, they need to have it on their own time. It has no place in the office. Multiple languages in any workplace is divisive. I think you need to bring this up to management.
671032
Maybe you need to get it out of your head that to force bi- or tri-ligualism on everyone is a good idea.  The idea of language is to be able to communicate.  If you have everyone in a school, or anywhere for that matter, all speaking different languages it does not help the situation at all.  Whenever I get an operating manual for a new tool I have to look all over for English; 3/4 of the pages are wasted resources.  Once I went to Home Depot and saw an enire skid of something-or-other all printed in Spanish.  Last time I looked I did not live I Spain.\n\nGoing to school in America, especially public schools, should mean learning to read and write English, and not a bunch of other languages.  If you want to learn another language,  such as Mandarin Chinese or Farsi, do it on your own.  Spanish, French, and German has no use in day-to-day communication in America. When I was in high school I took a couple of years of French.  What a waste of time.  Thes programs are forced on us by people who think  it's a good idea but have no clue as to why.\n\nI, for one, am getting sick and tired of having to press 1 for English.
51217
The US does not have an offical language.  Some people would like to make English the one (I tend to agree).  But with our diverse culture I hardly think it would be fair or right
588644
Amen brother, It bothers me too. But you have to understand that most of them have also low education and their spanish is not going to be completely "proper", plus they don't really speak spanish all the time and the environment forces the to use only english. By the way I'm hispanic too, but you have to know when and how to speak properly. Chao!
562275
If you live in this country it should be mandatory to have a least a small grasp on the english language. Yea it pisses me off also but there isn't alot I can do.\nYo I called the IRS a couple of years ago and it was in Spainish! Not even an option for english that time, at least I don't think but who knows they were speaking spainish,lol.  I was livid!!\nUntil I move to another country I don't have to learn ANY other language.
30285
English is the offical language... but this being a free country they do not require you to learn it... it would go against certin rights if they required it... but I do agree with you that everyone should need to know at least the basics... I hate being asked "ah spanish?"\n\nGets very nerve racking....
540112
Well, I wouldn't say it bothers me, mostly because the US dosen't have an official language. I think it may bother some people who are afraid of change, because if enough spanish speaking immigrants come into the country, enough to make Spanish speaking americans the majority, then everything would be in Spanish, and people would have to learn a new language.\nMakes me wish I had taken Spanish instead of French in HS.
29423
Having students learn two languages is great, no matter what the second language is - I'm all for it. Hell, if you can get them trilingual, do it.\n\nEvery language that someone can converse in opens the doors to perhaps a job that would have never been possible, or come in handy in a certain situation.\n\nMy sister is quadrilingual, I'm trilingual. One of my proudest moments of hers was when she was when she called Cuba and conversed in Spanish, tracking down my aunt who was vacationing there in order to tell her that her father passed away. If it wasn't for my sister and the Spanish she new, my aunt could have missed the funeral.\n\nOn another note though, the best time to make someone learn a language is when they're young. If the parents know two or more languages, they should speak with their children in all languages. Some folks are concerned the child will be mixed up, but take it from someone raised in more than one language - it worked out just fine.\n\nI am happy to this very day I was raised to be trilingual, allowing me to get buy easy in a lot of places in the world, and being able to talk to people and relatives that I otherwise would have been unable to.
665119
English is the most widely spoken language in the world.  It is used most often in business and travel and tourism.  People who are proficient in English are able to act as translators in their native countries.\n\nIn English speaking countries being proficient in English shows that you are able to communicate your thoughts and ides succinctly and properly.  This is advantageous in the business world and will help to get to you gainful employment as employers appreciate the ability to explain what they want once and have it understood.  The same could be said for countries without English as the national language.  It would be to someones benefit to attempt to become proficient in that language.
49066
it depends on who u r communicate with,but in general,english is the most popular language in the world,also every company use business english  while do business across the world.
530350
SPANISH!  you will need to in the work world in the U.S. far more than any other language...ya its cool to know german or french or italian...if you have some family background of that....BUT if you want to be marketable in the job work and get an awesome job...you should learn spanish.....since we are in a very multicultural world where we work together with american and spanish everyday!!!  plus I have take  8 years of spanish and it is fun to know what others are saying in the bathroom or in a classroom or even on TELEMUNDO!
347985
Anyone who looks Hispanic and does not speak English in public is subject to being an illegal.  As far as I am concerned, they have to prove their innocence.  They are rude to not speak English in public.  We live in America.
6770
I don't think it's being forced on us, it's just that English is not being emphasized as the unifying factor that an "official" language should be. There's no real encouragement for Latinos to learn English anymore. Everything is readily translated for them. It's all given rise to a kind of entitlement mentality. Time was when many immigrants didn't want their children speaking the parent's language outside the home, if at all. They really had a different idea of what it meant to be an American and everyone was on the same page! Sad how times have changed. What was once a rich melting-pot of cultures has now become more of a stew with ingredients that just don't blend. Unfortunately, we've allowed it to get too far along to turn anything back now. Really sad.
631117
I believe you people are missing the point. English IS the official language of the U.S. Just because some people don't speak English here does not mean everyone here can't. If you go to a store and can't communicate with the clerk, leave, and don't return. If it's a national chain contact the corporate office. It's more than likely a local problem caused by the manager ( that is highly replaceable). \nJust because something is difficult is no excuse not to do it. It has been my experience that you can do ANYTHING you decide you really want to do. It takes hard work and determination but even someone with "learning issues" is capable of much greater things than learning the English language.\nStop making excuses and get to work!
487549
The retailers and companies because they don't want to shut out those who don't know English.  So, they cater to them so that they can communicate.  Same thing on products at the store -- they will sell more if those who only know Spanish can read the labels too.\n\nI don't think it is considered a "second language."  They just want to make everyone happy, including themselves by selling more.
106389
If someone cannot or will not speak English properly, you have every right to NOT consider them for employment. An employee is a representative of your company and a bad representative does NOT help your company's image.
299931
I don't speak Spanish and it seems that you don't either.  I consider it rude for someone from another country to come here and speak a foreign language to an American unless he/she first asks (in English) if they speak that language.  If he likes you, he will want to speak to you in your language.  I know that if I wanted to talk to a beautiful woman who doesn't speak English, I would learn how to speak her language.  I would not use English words that she doesn't know because it's very, very rude and I would want her to like me to.  How can I get her to like me if she doesn't understand what I'm telling her?