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?

  • Jimmybander
    link
    fedilink
    485 months ago

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

    • @irish_link
      link
      -75 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
        35 months ago

        Find proof and come back to us, then.

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

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        15 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.