Spanish & Portuguese speakers?

Question

I live in NYC and I frequent the area of Astoria, Queens where there is a sizeable Brazilian and Latino community (i don't really consider Brazilians Latino, just Brazilian) Anyway, I have noticed a lot of Brazilians and Hispanic folks when they talk to each other, they simply use their own native tongue and understand each other perfectly. I know the two languages are mutually intelligible to a certain degree but I just think this happens out of sheer laziness from both parts to properly learn the others language, mostly when it comes to Hispanics learning Portuguese. I do see some Brazilians who at least try and 99 percent of the time end up speaking Portunol but Hispanic people NEVER try to even speak Portuguese. Why do you think this is? I call it linguistic laziness. What do you guys think?

I am a Latino who is currently learning Portuguese, I am reasonably conversational in it and expect to become fluent in a year or so God willing.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Between Portuguese and Spaniards happens the same, I guess. A lot of times Portuguese use the so called "Portunhol" so that Spaniards can understand them better.
Probably Portuguese understand better the Spaniards than Spaniards understand Portuguese.
Usually Portuguese also seem to be more willingly to speak foreign languages than Spaniards.

Juan · Answer

@ Granny how am I contradicting myself? I just mentioned that I speak Portuguese, at least conversational and expect to reach fluency in about a year. Are you reading my question correctly? and yes I know every one in the US will always choose English over Portuguese because we are in America and not Brazil, but since Portuguese is much easier for us Spanish speakers, why are the majority of Latinos who come in constant contact with Lusophones so lazy to make an attempt to learn it? Why most Latinos don't even bother with it? I call it laziness and no I'm not including myself because I am making an attempt to learn it properly.

granny · Answer

I suppose you are entitled to your opinion.
Brazilian and Spanish languages are not interchangeable. 
You don't know all the Hispanics nor Brazilians to be able to generalize. 
And...you are contradicting yourself, are you lazy?

I am a New Yorker, born and raised in Manhattan.
Latinos are more interested in learning English, specially new comers. Portuguese is not a language they deem important for their survival or daily interactions in NYC boroughs.

I enjoy languages, was raised with English (mom), and Spanish (dad).
Currently learning Italian, and dabble in European and Brazilian Portuguese.

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Spanish & Portuguese speakers?

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