10 Struggles Latinx Who Don't Speak Spanish Will Relate to a Little Too Hard

Updated on 7/26/2018 at 11:30 AM

Some people find it pretty hard to believe (ahem, perhaps a little too hard to believe) that some millenial Latinx don't fully speak Spanish, but we know better — and so do the creators of shows like Jane the Virgin and One Day at a Time, who make an effort to represent all Latinx, not just those fluent in a second language.

Whether you're a Latinx who just didn't pick up Spanish easily or your parents chose not to teach you the language, chances are you face a few awkward situations. From suddenly being lost in a conversation to constantly dealing with unsolicited comments on why you should have learned Spanish , sometimes all you can do is shrug and laugh. Here are 10 struggles you're sure to relate to if you fall into this camp.

When someone stops you on the street and asks for directions in Spanish.

You sheepishly apologize and do the best you can with hand gestures.

When you have to explain that your parents didn't teach you Spanish.

You would actually love to be bilingual today, but it's just not the case, you know?

When your Latinx friends suddenly switch to Spanish mid-conversation.

And you don't understand what they're talking about anymore.

But you play along as if you understand anyway.

Sometimes you're just over reminding people you don't speak Spanish and explaining why.

When you probably don't know enough to maintain a conversation, but you try anyway.

It's the effort that counts, right?

When you decide to take a Spanish class and people ask what you're doing there.

You just want to learn, too — come on!

When you visit a Spanish-speaking country and try to get by before admitting you don't speak Spanish.

You're determined to persevere.

When you're just over the looks of pity people give you when you tell them you don't speak Spanish.

You've been explaining this your whole life.

When you struggle to watch a Spanish-language film or show and have to put on subtitles.

The experience is just not the same.

The judgment you face when people claim you're not Latinx enough.

Really though? Really? *eye roll*