Poll: Spanish Spoken Here--and Two-thirds Don't Mind

ABC News ^ | October 8, 2007 | Peyton M. Craighill

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Spanish speaking in the United States is widespread and accepted by most Americans. But a third who experience this language difference are troubled by it -- and they have distinctly more negative attitudes about immigrants and Hispanics generally.

Just 10 percent of Americans concede any personal prejudice against Hispanics -- far fewer than the number who, in previous polls, have self-reported prejudice on the basis of race, against overweight people, or against Arabs and Muslims.

Nonetheless, among the nearly eight in 10 who hear others who speak mainly in Spanish, a third say it bothers them.

All told, 78 percent in this ABC News "Good Morning America" poll say they often or sometimes come into contact with people in this country who speak mainly Spanish rather than English -- including 55 percent who encounter it "often."

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Spanish speaking in the United States is widespread and accepted by most Americans. But a third who experience this language difference are troubled by it — and they have distinctly more negative attitudes about immigrants and Hispanics generally.

_____________________________________________________
I don’t know of anyone that enjoys a foreign language being spoke around them, it is simply rude and most people find it uncomfortable.

[Travis McGee]

Totally bogus agenda driven "push poll."

[Travis McGee]

We're not going to have 50 United States in 20 years.

[ga medic]

Why would you find others speaking a foreign language rude and uncomfortable? If they aren’t talking to you, what difference does it make what language they speak?

[longtermmemmory]

I speak more than two and I am offended by it.

It is not about being bilingual. It is about replacing identitiy.

Jorege Ramos of Univision is RABIDLY anti-english. In fact he says english is irrelevant in his book.

[Clemenza]

I have no problem when folks speak in Spanish (or Chinese/Arabic/Polish/Guajarat/Urdu, all of which are common in my area), as long as they speak English when in the presence of those who don't speak their language.

If they refuse to learn English, well, its their own damn fault for not advancing beyond dishwasher. Of course, my great grandmother never learned English, but she had her multilingual husband supporting her.

[Riverman94610]

It doesn’t bother me in the least and long as they are speaking to ME in English.
I work with a lot of Filipinos and many of them speak Tagalog to each other at lunch.Thats their right as long as they speak English to customers while on duty.And they know I don’t understand a word of Tagalog so they speak English to me.

[thulldud]

Reminds me of the folks in Page, AZ, that tried to require their Navajo staff to speak English while at work. They did it because the Navajo men were sexually harassing the women on duty, for which the business is liable under Federal rules. But, since the owners did not understand Navajo, they were unaware of the harassment. Turned out that other Federal rules prohibit them from requiring the staff to speak English (which they all knew, btw.)

Moral: ( You really need me to fill this in? )

[CHEE]

I feel the ABC News’ “Good Morning America” needs a Wake Up Call. The money they wasted on this Phony Poll could have seen better use as a bet on the winner of the “Great American Duck Race” in Dimming, New Mexico. (Tip: Never bet on an (East)Indian Runner Duck. They are not much good for eating, either.)

[TChris]

I have absolutely no problem with Hispanics of any nationality, nor with Mexicans in particular.

My problem is with the attitude of many foreign nationals that the USA should change, in any number of ways, to accommodate them and their culture or language. That's a standard that is not expected in any other country in the world. If I travel to Mexico (or Norway, or Singapore) I don't expect or demand that they all speak to me in English.

Every other country expects you to learn their language if you want to live there. I expect the same, regardless of the nationality of the person.

If you're going to live in the USA, learn English. Don't blame the country for your lack of English comprehension.

Don't expect or demand that Americans cater to your desires, though many will voluntarily do so. That's just rude.

[gubamyster]

ping

[Grams A]

But they asked 1200 people - certainly that is a representative sample of the United States population.

[Exton1]

propaganda

[raybbr]

“Tienes manchas de cagatha en tu kara”.

I wonder if they like that?

[television is just wrong]

In American culture, it is rude to whisper in front of others. Speaking another language in front of people who don’t speak that language is JUST as rude.