After the class I thought about the way people respond to Hispanics/Latinos speaking Spanish fluently around them as English speaking persona I want to say that the reasons this is so upsetting to people is because they usually assume that people are either talking about them or plotting against them. Which is wired but understandable because in America like anywhere else in the world we have social graces. And it is rude to speak "around"someone directly excluding them from a conversation, its just rude especially because you have no ideal what is being said. This can also interrupt the chain communication when trying to work on difficult work task. But aside from that All people ever shout out in defense of not liking Spanish speaking options are: "This is America speak English!" And yes this is America and our unofficial primary language is English but that the key point UNOFFICIAL so why continue to feel that this is the official language when we know that America has a large amount of bi-lingual Spanish speaking person residing here? I think that the English language globally has been declared the language of "intelligence" "professionalism" and just a overall higher level of "civilized"language when in fact even here in good ole fashion America people geographically speak very differently.Holding very different accents, dialects and pronunciation all over the U.S.of A so what the big deal?
And another thing we as Americans forget is that the people who visit us feel the same way we do when they are speaking Spanish or what ever their native tongue is with whom ever they meet up with her who also speaks that language. You don't think coming from a whole other country is hard enought, then everyone around you is speaking this "highest level" language with all these different formalities that they aren't accustom to in front of them as well. I sure they feel paranoid, scared or even frustrated because they have to depend on others to communicate correctly for them in order to get things done. Just remember that the next time you go to say "This is America peak English!" remember that they would if they could, also that the same way you feel excluded when they are speaking to someone in their language that they feel the exact same was too. (except is all around them because they are in America) Also take into considerations English has not been declared out national language and that no matter what language you speak there is aways going to be communications issues that's just the way it is. (because just like love, ignorance is also a universal language.) When all else fail know that we don't just communicate with our words but that body language is a universal language. Just like one of our class mate said when he was in a Spanish speaking country he was pretty sure that guy was upset with him, and that he probably called him out of his name; he probably was right. I personally feel that is people are so paranoid or scared that some one is "talking about them" or "plotting their demise" right in from of them they should excuse themselves from the situation but if its not life threatening. Please seriously be accommodating. Its what you would want someone to do for you.
