New Mexico Is Losing a Form of Spanish Spoken Nowhere Else on Earth

[AJ]

I've been there a couple of times. My impression is that some people who speak English pretend not to in order to avoid answering tourist questions.

I wish I had thought of that when I was working in Boston.

Just like folks in Japan and Europe. English is required in a lot of schools overseas. The Japanese will not answer in English as they are afraid it will make them sound foolish due to their accent. Why the Europeans do it I am not sure, maybe the same reasons. We have a lot of Spanish speaking folks here, they do the same thing. They understand but refuse to answer in English.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

The other day When I was trying to help those Mexican Guys pump Diesel- they spoke pretty good English.
The Maverick Truck Stop pump instructions were printed on their receipt.
They were probably had a problem reading the instructions.

 

[oldbrownhat]

I've been there [Québec] a couple of times. My impression is that some people who speak English pretend not to in order to avoid answering tourist questions. ...

That was my impression as well. Many can speak English but prefer not to. They are very protective of their cultural heritage and language and get a lot of preferential treatment from the Feds in Ottawa, often to the annoyance of the rest of us. The provincial motto is "Je me souviens", meaning simply, "I remember" but although the originator of the phrase never explained it, it implies remembrance and pride in their French heritage and the understanding that it must never be compromised. But there's no question that they have a very vibrant culture.