Life in Mérida

November 1, 2023 Newsletter

*Image: Expansion Magazine / Education First*

Do you need to know Spanish in Mérida? (or the REAL question, "How many people speak English in Mérida?")

October 16, 2023 in a social media post on Facebook, "Expansion Magazine" reported the following information:

How good a level of English do Mexicans have?
In Education First's English Proficiency Index, Mexico ranks second to last in Latin America, despite the fact that people at advanced levels can earn up to 20% more in salary. In the 2022 edition of its English Proficiency Index, Education First revealed that Mexico managed to advance four places, that is, in one year it went from 92nd to 88th out of 111 countries analyzed. This places it at a very low level of competitiveness globally and in penultimate place in Latin America below Ecuador and above Haiti.

So, let's continue in that same vein to manage expectations . . .

Angel and I are seeing an unusual trend in our research tours. Notably, other than asking about safety and water, potential residents want to know how many locals speak English (formerly, this was do they need to know Spanish). Unfortunately, an assumption is made that, because Mérida is a high-tourism destination, many locals speak English. This is NOT the case.

While you will find local workers in coastal tourism destinations who speak more English, you NOT find it here. Interestingly, we've found it also dilutes the culture. This is something we experienced recently when visiting San Miguel de Allende. Most people spoke English, menus were in English, and some shops priced their products in U.S. $. Needless to say, we were a bit shocked, to say the least. And, if I'm to be completely honest, it felt weird, strange, and I didn't like it.

A large part of why I moved to Mexico was to immerse myself in the culture, including the language. Culture is one of the most magical things about Mérida - preserving it in an authentic way. Did you know that Mérida is the only city that has received The Cultural Capital of the Americas Award TWICE?

Learning the language and respecting local traditions are part of being culturally sensitive. I've experienced it in the past few months as my Spanish gets better and better. Locals look at and interact with me in a completely different way. I feel like I'm respected more for speaking Yucatecan Spanish with a Yucatecan accent (very important). Yes, it's been a slow and difficult process. However, I'm beginning to realize what a huge impact it makes on how I am received by the local population. It's been quite emotional, frankly speaking.

The point of this information is this: PLEASE, PLEASE do not expect people here to know or speak English to you. Please be a conscientious and courteous visitor or resident. Please learn more about the culture to be more sensitive to the vast differences between here and where you came from. Once you get settled, please take Spanish classes to learn as much as you can. I promise it will enhance your experience exponentially!

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that just because a local is fluent in English doesn't mean they understand the culture, mindset, or nuances of other English-speaking countries (U.S. and Canada, for example). Nor does it warrant immediate trust!

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