To think saying “please speak English” is no longer acceptable

[BooFuckingHoo2]

I used to say this a lot to my friends if they were mumbling or using slang I didn’t understand. (I would never use it to someone who’s first language wasn’t English!). My parents also used to say it to me when I was saying like all the time or slang terms.

I feel like actually maybe I could be being offensive accidentally (I have ASD so it’s hard for me to gauge) but I wouldn’t want to offend someone by mistake. I’m aware that whilst I wouldn’t say it to a non native speaker I could be overheard and someone might take it personally

This isn’t meant to be goady or racist at all so please delete if anyone feels it is.

Should I stop using this phrase?

YABU - no keep using it
YANBU - stop using it

Erm, well we are in England, I assume you are or at least the UK op? Shall we get rid of the English language and have a hybrid one instead so we don't offend anyone?

Shall we get rid of the English language and have a hybrid one instead
I think some areas already did this😂

@ItsSpittingEverybodyIn
The English language already is a "hybrid" language composed of many different influences, and yes, it is constantly changing and evolving (sometimes to reduce offence, but mostly because that's just what languages do)

I assume this will only apply to English, other languages will be free to make the same comment without any problem, we all 'know' how wicked the English are these days of simpletons.

Ah yes 'banter'....the art of being a cunt and blaming the other person for being offended

A word I use all the time when talking with the professionally offended brigade, love to watch their sensitive hackles rise.

'Professionally offended brigade' BINGO! Housy housy I win!
You do realise that bleating that phrase honestly makes you sound really thick?
Just banter!

You'll very soon not be able to say anything in this country because of the pathetic, terminally offended.

If there was a Degree in being offended, this country would have the highest number of graduates. Idiots!

@keeprocking you are not wrong. it is bit of self lynching going on in English language. This phrase used without any issues in my native language. No one does the mental gymnastics of why it's not ok in there and why we are horrible for using it, because there is simply nothing wrong with it🤷🏻 It's used same way as OP described.
I am sure every language group says version of this sentence (adding for those who like to dig just for the sake of it).

@SchrodingersImmigrant

The OP asked how the phrase sounds to other English speakers. So people told her how they perceive it. They can’t be ‘wrong’ about whether it’s a phrase that strikes them as rude or has negative connotations. Sometimes an innocuous sayings pick up negative connotations. That’s just how it goes. Language evolves, it takes on new shades of meaning.

In the context the OP gave it sounds fine but it would sound rude in some contexts to say “Speak English please” if you don’t understand someone. There might be an equivalent in your native language that is never rude, but that doesn’t necessarily have any impact on the English usage at all.

It is interesting how those shared meanings take on such strong political significance for many.

I work in an industry full of acronyms, abbreviations and jargon, I have to remind my team sometimes when we have trainees or outside visitors and might say 'and again in English please?' with a smile and they'll laugh and essentially translate. I think it depends on context

If someone mumbles, I think you should be telling them you didn't hear them clearly. It's helping them as much as you.