Why do you think people get so upset when they hear our beautiful language?

[EFerrari]

I guess I must be stupid or something because I don't get that either.

Why is it so threatening or wtf?

:wtf:

Especially in the west, Spanish is so interwoven with our daily lives. It just baffles me.

[calico1]

1. Because they think we are

talking about them. I have White friends who have gone out with me shopping and if they hear someone speak Spanish within earshot they immediatly assume that person is saying something about them. Imagine the disappointment when I tell them, "no, they are not talking about you. They were trying to decide between Ragu and Prince." LOL.

I do think that is the main thing. People who only speak and understand English feeling vulnerable toward a person who can speak and understand both
English and Spanish.

But trust me. There are people who hear Spanish and think people are plotting against them. Whatever. If they only knew what some conversations were really about. :shrug:

[EFerrari]

2. How insecure do you have to be to believe that?

That a conversation you don't understand is about you? :shrug:

I've had the reverse happen many times because my skin is light. So, people have spoken Spanish believing I didn't understand. It was never about me. lol.

[Cleita]

6. When I was in school I was always asked to translate for my anglo

friends. It was always, "What are they saying"? They were always so surprised when I told them and that what they are talking about had nothing to do with them.

[roody]

3. Because Anglos or Engish only

speakers are used to their power and privilege, and they are uncomfortable around something they can't control.

[Cleita]

8. Bingo. You are so right. n/t

[Xipe Totec]

4. I was at Union Square in Somerville Mass yesterday

This is the spot where George Washington raised the first American flag:



All around me were people speaking Portuguese, and brazilian flags were flying from many storefronts.



We went into a bakery and the attendant, a young woman, came over to assist. We told her we were window shopping and she said to us, in Portuguese, "I'm sorry, I don't speak English". With some hand gestures and a few words in Spanish that I guessed might be close to Portuguese, we were able to get our message across.

She smiled and let us look around the store while she went back to talking Portuguese to a young man (possibly her boyfriend, by the way he looked at her). They were laughing and teasing with each other, completely oblivious to our presence.

We finally picked a loaf of pan dulce and paid.

On the way out, I blurted out the one word of Portuguese I know:

- Obrigado! - I said.

- bonada! - she replied.

And we left.


It was weird to be in this place, the heart of American history, and not understand anything that was spoken around me.

Weird, but beautiful at the same time.

At no point did I feel, threatened, unwelcome, criticized, or ridiculed. Quite the contrary, I felt that everyone around me was trying to reach out and connect.

To connect in a way that transcends language and culture.

Trying to connect through the universal language of smile.

:hi:

[EFerrari]

5. Ha! That's one thing I loved about Berkeley.

You sat grading papers on the plaza and there was the hum of the world all around you.

:hi:

[Cleita]

7. I know; When I lived in So. CA specifically various places in

Los Angeles County, one didn't need to travel the world. The world came to you. I met people from all over, enjoyed their food and their music. Variety is a wonderful thing IMHO.

[Maestro]

9. They are scared and paranoid I guess.

I have even been told in my workplace (years ago) to speak only English in the office area. I told them to F-off. I told them that if I wanted to speak to others who I knew didn't speak Spanish, I certainly would do it in English. However, if I have already started a conversation in Spanish with someone and another walks in who doesn't speak Spanish, I am not just going to stop and switch to English. How awkward and unnecessary! That rule didn't last long as the bosses saw how stupid it was. It was just a few xenophobes that suggested it anyhow.

[EFerrari]

10. Hi there, Maestro.

I feel uneasy with the way the Thuggery is exploiting this immigration non problem because it will have consequences for real people.

And -- this is funny -- I have a near memory of the first time I heard English. It sounded sort of harsh and scary. But then, *I* was probably only two or so at the time.

lol

[Maestro]

11. The first time I heard Spanish was before I could

actually realize it, as a toddler living with my grandparents on the Texas/Mexico border while my dad was in Viet Nam. My grandfather spoke Spanish as did the lady who helped around the house. She was from Mexico and came over to do domestic work. She was an indian from the local tribe there, the Kickapoos, I think. I am not sure what they were called in Spanish. Anyhow, Spanish has always been a close, endearing language to me for those reasons. But if I hear another language being spoken around me, I do not become uneasy. However, if some non-thinking, hick/elitist/white supremecist bastard walks in speaking English, then I get uneasy, but not with Spanish.

[EFerrari]

12. It took me a long time to understand that I adore my mother tongue

as much as I love my family. Being bi-cultural is a lot for a kid, flexible as they are, to take in.