why do mexican girls pretend they don't understand spanish?

[espanish]

why do mexican girls pretend they don't understand spanish?

if a mexican girl says she understands spanish but cannot speak it, maybe I would buy that
if she says she can speak it but only simple sentences, cannot form complex sentences, maybe I would buy that

but oftentimes I come across these girls who claim they understand zero spanish. they don't even understand hello. really? that's like saying I live in hawaii but I don't understand aloha.

 

[SW15]

There are Hispanics that do not speak or understand Spanish. They've usually been in the USA for multiple generations.

 

[Velasco]

Gen x girls did not grow up learning two languages at the same time as previous gen (gen y).

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

In some parts of the us it’s a way to make yourself less Mexican. In some cases they really do not speak it - the Mexicans call them “pochos” it’s a derogatory term.

most other Latin Americans have no issue with speaking Spanish- for some reasons it’s this was with Mexicans.

 

[espanish]

In some parts of the us it’s a way to make yourself less Mexican. In some cases they really do not speak it - the Mexicans call them “pochos” it’s a derogatory term.

most other Latin Americans have no issue with speaking Spanish- for some reasons it’s this was with Mexicans.

exactly, I have noticed this with mexicans only. but why would a mexican want to appear less mexican?

 

[devilkingx2]

One thing is that apparently Spanish sounds different in the different countries (as do most languages) that speak it so it's entirely possible that an Argentinian, a Mexican and a Spanish person wouldn't be able to understand each other in conversation.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

not true, this from a native speaker.

One thing is that apparently Spanish sounds different in the different countries (as do most languages) that speak it so it's entirely possible that an Argentinian, a Mexican and a Spanish person wouldn't be able to understand each other in conversation.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

Because of discrimination against Mexicans in the US. , Outside of hatians in Latin America the Mexicans are basically on the low rung of society.

exactly, I have noticed this with mexicans only. but why would a mexican want to appear less mexican?

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

to further my response accents in Spanish are the same as in any other language. E.g. a Brit an Aussie and an American can all communicate. So can a Spaniard, an Argentine, a Panamanian and a Mexican.

not true, this from a native speaker.

 

[Jake_Gyllenhaal69]

Because some are going through that white washed phase

 

[espanish]

to further my response accents in Spanish are the same as in any other language. E.g. a Brit an Aussie and an American can all communicate. So can a Spaniard, an Argentine, a Panamanian and a Mexican.

not a fair comparison since i cant understand a damn thing some irish and scottish people say.

 

[Kotaix]

I know of a TON of second generation children of all ethnicities who go out of their way to avoid the culture of their parents and intentionally don't learn the language so that they aren't singled out for being different. Some know the language and pretend not to know it for the same reason.

Also, the number of people in the US that don't speak anything other than english is almost embarrasing. Not that there is a need anyway, english is so far removed from other languages that it's hard to learn them.

In regards to spanish, I can confirm that spanish speakers from all spanish speaking countries will be able to communicate, it just depends on their level of education. Spanish is even 80% mutually intelligible with Italian and Portuguese if each participant speaks their own language.
There is a massive difference in slang between spanish speaking countries, so that is where some people might have trouble if they have gutter speak.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

you are not a native English speaker are ye’ laddie?

not a fair comparison since i cant understand a damn thing some irish and scottish people say.

 

[Modern Man Advice]

why do mexican girls pretend they don't understand spanish?

if a mexican girl says she understands spanish but cannot speak it, maybe I would buy that
if she says she can speak it but only simple sentences, cannot form complex sentences, maybe I would buy that

but oftentimes I come across these girls who claim they understand zero spanish. they don't even understand hello. really? that's like saying I live in hawaii but I don't understand aloha.

I've met a lot of this, not just with women but also with men. However, it is more common in women. And even though their parents only speak Spanish (sometimes even don't even know English), they grew up in the US and there is a stigmatism or sense of lower value with being Hispanic in schools and in the US so while they understand it perfectly and probably speak it with their parents they choose not to. This is also true for Chinese-American generations.

Meaning, they are embarrassed about their heritage which is a huge disgrace and shame because someone who speaks two languages is way more valuable in the professional world. Plus Spanish is one of the most beautiful languages out there.

Another reason is that they didn't care to keep their heritage and made an extra effort to assimilate and become "American" and truly don't know Spanish even though they look more Mexican than Frida Kahlo.

As I said when I encounter this I can't help myself but feel pity because it is a true shame. I want my children to be multilingual if not polyglot.


Modern Man Advice

 

[Dr.Suave]

This reminds me of the first time I visited Six Flags near Dallas. I was looking for one of the rides called "La Vibora". I came across one black girl who WORKED at the park and I politely ask "Where is La Vibora?" and she was like "Im sorry, I dont speak spanish" I was like wtf? Maybe it was her first day working there, who knows.