America is a country founded upon immigration, so itâs not a comparable example. In broad terms, Japan is historically a fairly homogenous nation ethnically, culturally, and linguistically (and yes, I know those are very broad terms, Iâm talking relative to North American countries like the US and Canada).
If the 1600s-1700s had gone differently, and North America remained predominantly populated by Native peoples speaking Native languages, then yeah Iâd say itâs totally within their rights to expect visitors to either learn the local language and attempt to integrate, or be left out of certain parts of society such as restaurants that want to cater exclusively to people who speak Algonquin or whatever.
Show up in Algiers and try saying âSorry, I donât speak Arabic. Do you have a French menu?â
Serinus@lemmy.world â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
Yeah, eventually. If Iâm going to live in a country indefinitely, Iâm going to try to learn their language. If Iâm in France for more than a year, Iâm going to try to learn French. Iâd expect the same of friends and family. Itâs not racist to expect people living in a place long term to be able to converse with the locals.
If theyâre working here for just a summer or two and spending most of the year in another country, no.
No?
PhoenixDog@lemmy.world â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
Weâre not talking about eventually or indefinitely weâre literally just talking about visiting a restaurant for a meal
Serinus@lemmy.world â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
Sorry, you asked a question that could have been seen as different from that context, so I was very explicit.
No, for just visiting you donât need to learn the language. If you plan to stay long term, you should learn the local language.
Goodeye8@piefed.social â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
So shouldnât all Americans speak (or at least learn) native American languages? You know, on the account that English isnât native to America. Neither is Spanish for that matter. Nor French.
diffaldo@lemmy.dbzer0.com â¨2⊠â¨weeks⊠ago
They are even racist to their own⌠Also you seem to be cursed. So you need to watch the video.
So you need to watch the video.