Why does the u.s. only choose to translate for Spanish speakers?

Of all the different languages that have immigrated to the u.s., it seems the u.s. gov only chose to start translating for Spanish speakers.

I never considered it until I was working in queens when Bloomberg was mayor and he gave a speech. After the speech he read In Spanish.

Then a Greek man and Japanese woman were speaking and said it was disrespectful of the mayor to only address 1 group in their language.

An Italian man chimed in and said he arrived in the u.s in the 50s and never had anything translated for him.

This made a Spanish speaking women to give her opinion.
She said Spanish people are a very proud people and would not give up their language so easy.

So is it fair that the country translates more towards one language?

What is the reasoning?

I am Half Spanish.

Nothing to be proud about in the culture. It's like any only ethnicity. Just very lazy which is why they never learned English, but want you instead to learn Spanish.

I would deport anyone with that mentality. Sorry.

Spanish is the only other language spoken by millions in the US. It makes no sense to translate for Latvian because there are a small number of speakers. In fact, the US is the second largest Spanish speaking country in the world. If you're going to translate for anything, Spanish makes the most sense.

For information in English, please press 1.
For information in Spanish, please press 2.
For information in Japanese, please press 3.
For information in Chinese, please press 4.
For information in Dutch, please press 5.
For information in Latvian, please press 6.
For information in French, please press 7.
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For information in Ig-pay Atin-lay, lease-pay ress-pay ine-nay.

a reply to: Bloodworth

I think it started with Spanish colonization. Reinforced because of major types of immigration here and the acquisition of certain territories and countries.

Today is by far the second most spoken language (both naturally and as bi-lingual study) so I think it makes sense why it is most catered to.

There is google translate now and voice translate.

Stop finding a billion things to be upset about.

The squeaky wheel gets the grease, plus every country below the southern boarder speaks Spanish.

Kind of like being NA, soon everyone will claim Hispanic heritage.

Another feature brought to you by years of illegal immigration.

We should all be learning to speak Chinese. At least, make your kids learn it. I expect that will be the international language of business in 20 years. But don't hold me to it. I doubt I'll live that long.

Edit to add: nothing wrong with having Spanish as a second language in the US. I find that second generation people born to Mexican/Cuban immigrants speak perfect English plus Spanish.

originally posted by: roadgravel
Another feature brought to you by years of illegal immigration.

Actually, in may parts of the southwest, including California, the Spanish were here first. The illegal immigrants were white people flowing into the Spanish territories. Although the Spanish asked for immigration to Texas, it was originally Spanish territory. It's not so much that the Spanish speakers crossed the border; the border crossed them. Yes, illegal immigration today is a problem, but it helps to understand the historical context here.

The better question is why are we translating in any language?

Perhaps one day the US of A will follow the Canadians and resort to duality of language. After all, Canada is the best country ever, eh?

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www.rapidtables.com...

In the end, technology will resolve this issue for most people.

a reply to: Butterfinger

every country below the southern boarder speaks Spanish

Really.

Brazil. Portuguese

Guyana. English

French Guyana. French

Surinam. Dutch

Belize. English

Also The Caribbean is a mixture of English, French and Spanish.

a reply to: alldaylong

Not to mention:

Indigenous languages of South America include, among several others, Quechua languages in Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and, less common in Argentina, Chile and Colombia; Guaraní in Paraguay and, to a much lesser extent, in Argentina and Bolivia; Aymara in Bolivia, Peru, and less often in Chile; Wayuu in northern Colombia and northwest Venezuela; and Mapudungun is spoken in certain pockets of southern Chile and, more rarely, Argentina.

In Bolivia, Quechua, Aymara, and Tupi Guarani are co-official alongside Spanish. In Paraguay, Guarani shares joint official status with Spanish. In Colombia, the languages of the country's ethnic groups are constitutionally recognized as official languages in their territories; more than 60 such aboriginal languages exist today. In Ecuador, Spanish, Northern Quechua and Shuar are official for intercultural relations. In Peru, Quechua, Aymara, and other indigenous languages are co-official in the areas where they are predominant. There are many other languages once spoken in South America that are extinct today (such as the extinct languages of the Marañón River basin).

In Brazil, there are around 135 indigenous languages confirmed. The regions with the most speakers are northern and southern Brazil, where there is a larger concentration of native people. Indigenous populations have been trying to keep their traditions of their homeland, with the help of Funai, the agency responsible for the protection of the native people.

Link.

a reply to: alldaylong

Sure, did I say literally?

The Majority speak Spanish, regardless my statement holds true as the the reasons for Spanish as the main secondary language in the US.

9 out of 14 in SA that habla Espanol

Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Peru
Uruguay
Venezuela

a reply to: schuyler

If that were strictly the case, Spanish would have been already been ingrained and not added.

NAFTA caused French and Spanish labeling a packages.

a reply to: Butterfinger

plus every country below the southern boarder speaks Spanish.

9 out of 14 countries isn't " every "

You meant " nearly every " i would presume ?

originally posted by: roadgravel
a reply to: schuyler

If that were strictly the case, Spanish would have been already been ingrained and not added.

Spanish has ALWAYS been a part of the landscape in the US. It wasn't added; it was incorporated. Do you dispute the fact that Texas was Spanish territory? Do you dispute the fact that the Spanish were in California before whites? What's your problem here?

a reply to: Bloodworth

Meh at least you don't have to listen to everything in French because one province decided to throw a hissy fit about it. A bunch of federal government things will throw the French in first too so you have to listen to that before you even get the English. I've met maybe a handful of people here who speak French...and they were from Quebec originally.