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?

  • @jamiehs
    link
    English
    1193 months ago

    Because those Americans are entitled, insecure, ignorant, xenophobic assholes.

    • Jimmybander
      link
      fedilink
      483 months ago

      Just like any other asshole who gets mad about this. It isn’t a uniquely American attitude.

      • @irish_link
        link
        -73 months ago

        This is true however there are much more documented instances of this in America. Could be a pure numbers game (more people more cases) but no full proof of that.

        • @laughterlaughter
          link
          33 months ago

          Find proof and come back to us, then.

          (I didn’t downvote you, by the way.)

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          13 months ago

          Conflicts over language have been tied to other conflicts (political, cultural, war) for a very long time. Cultural genocide against indigenous people has targeted indigenous language use among young people. Many people in India have objected to the establishment of Hindi as a UN language because they fear it will advance the extinction of their own language. I’m not saying some Replacement Theory bigot kvetching because someone dared speak a language besides English is equivalent. It’s more that language does have a special place in culture in a way that is very common.

    • davel [he/him]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      9
      edit-2
      3 months ago

      Just as there are two kind of race, white and political; and there are two kinds of gender, male and political; there also are two kinds of language, English and political.