Rude to speak a foreign language? (General discussion) Language Learning Forum

Rude to speak a foreign language?
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Language Learning Forum : General discussion

17 messages over 3 pages: 1 2 3

Darklight1216
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Joined 5098 days ago
411 posts - 639 votes

Speaks: English*, French
Studies: German

Message 17 of 17

01 October 2013 at 9:33pm | IP Logged

Astrophel wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone else feels this way, and how you handle it:

I'd really like to practice my Spanish with native speakers in a certain part of town and in businesses that cater to the Spanish-speaking population, but I feel it's rude to open the conversation in Spanish - like I'm insulting their English ability, or denyin them the chance to practice English. The only time I really get to practice Spanish is if someone's English is so bad they're obviously struggling and then they're grateful when I switch to Spanish. I just feel so awkward about it because if it's a shop owner or something, even if my Spanish is better than their English overall, their English is usually more fluid (if accented) when it comes to the limited and repetitive interactions that happen in a store, and then they're giving me this weird look.

How do you go about practicing your language with minority groups in your country? Can you relate to what I'm saying, and is there a way to make it seem less rude?

I wish I had your problem. It is so seldom that run into French speakers that I simply cannot allow myself to be restrained by thoughts they might possibly think this or that of my speaking French to them.

Anyways, why do you think that they will believe you are belittling them? Have they said something that suggests this? A "weird look" might just mean that they are surprised to hear you speak Spanish.
Please don't be offended by what I'm about to say, but isn't it possible that your attempts might be more amusing than insulting? That's how I tend of my imperfect French.

As far as denying them the opportunity to speak English goes: these encounters are happening in the United States of America, right? In all likelihood, they have plenty of chances to speak English every single day.

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