If you're of Spanish descent, how important is speaking Spanish in San Antonio? (Austin: house, high school)

[huckster]

Of course we speak EEEEnglish here in San Antonio, that was stuttering.
English is , of course spoken and recognized the world over.
As is Spanish.
Though one time I encountered a Cuban fellow, whom I would call mulatto,
on the grounds of Western Michigan Univ. in Kalamazoo, Michigan
whose utterances I could not understand at all. Faintly only did I recognize Spanish in there somewhere, in his speech.
He worked there and spoke what I suspect was a blend of native languages mixed in with what I guessed was street slang and spanish. I could not understand the poor fellow at all. Not a word.
Maybe he did it on purpose on that day in 1979 to me , I don't know to this day.
Hispanics were rare on the grounds at the university in the seventies. Arabic
foreign students were far more common.

Originally Posted by majormadmax

Well, calling what we speak here "English" is just as incorrect using your criteria. We're not English nor is the language we speak the same as the English.

How stating Hispanics/Latinos (shouldn't that be capitalized?) using Spanish is "incorrect and offensive" is overblown, even Wikipedia states that Spanish is the "de facto national language spoken by the vast majority of Mexicans."

Ironically, I never met an Austrian who was insulted by the fact that they speak German; nor an Australian who was told they spoke English. Considering the histories of those countries and the origin of their languages, one would think they'd be even more sensitive to the fact; but alas it's not an issue nor do I think it is one here...

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by cinnamon_toast

I am very familiar with immersion language programs, I moved from the north where they are quite popular. I wish we had something similar but many would misconstrue such a program as catering to illegals.

That's why I wanted to add this information, should anyone reading misunderstand the point of dual language programs. I've too often heard people pontificate about Moderator cut: Off-Topic for this thread & forum when I mention my kid's in a dual language program.

Just wish we had a French one.

[cobralou]

There is no need to learn how to speak spanish just because you move here unless you plan on working for a company that requires bilingual employees. Just because the population of Hispanics is greater doesn't mean we only understand Spanish, the only time it benefits us is when we don't want people to know what we are saying.lol

[frannylee]

here's a question for anyone....does it matter what kind of spanish I learn?....the two years of Spanish in HS didn't cut it...lol....if a buy a spanish course, does it have to specifically "latin america" or does it not matter that much...thx

[pobre]

Originally Posted by cobralou

the only time it benefits us is when we don't want people to know what we are saying.lol

And you'd be AMAZED at how many non-Hispanics speak, or at least understand Spanish. So do be careful...

[frannylee]

you find it among all immigrants....the children grow up speaking english.....I've noticed that among the many thousands of Russian immigrants we have....the kids get Americanized pretty quick....my grandmother came here from Poland when she was a teenager...so did her husband.......none of her 10 kids born here did however....IIRC....

[frannylee]

spoke Polish that is....although everyone seemed to have a few words here and there....

[L210]

Originally Posted by frannylee

here's a question for anyone....does it matter what kind of spanish I learn?....the two years of Spanish in HS didn't cut it...lol....if a buy a spanish course, does it have to specifically "latin america" or does it not matter that much...thx

I'd recommend Latin American over Castilian or any other Spanish dialect from Spain. There are different dialects within Latin America, but the Latin American Spanish taught in schools or audio/software lessons will be closest to the Spanish you'll hear here. The Spanish use vosotros in addition to ustedes while most Latin Americans just use ustedes. That could make it kind of confusing when you're using a whole set of verb tenses hardly anyone uses here.

[frannylee]

thx...

[The Joker Stand]

Sorry if this has been asked before but has anyone seen significant strides in learning a new language with that R-Stone type software? I thought about purchasing but not sure if cost vs benefit makes it worthwhile to go that route.