Why do some people say speak English please if they are already speaking English?

Answer 1

Some people are rude. It is a way of saying that a person's accent is making it hard to understand what is being said, but there are ways of doing this without shaming or embarrassing a person. I would usually say something like "Would you say that again? I didn't quite get it." It makes no sense to treat a person rudely who has the guts to be trying English out as a second language. If anything, we would want to encourage people to stay with English, and not humiliate them.

Sometimes this is said when technical language or jargon is being used eg a computer technician might say: you need more ram, a new hard drive and a better mouse. It can simply mean I didn't understand - please use plain English.

In fact we shouldn't restrict the answer to people speaking English as a second language. Sometimes people speak a strong and possibly unfamiliar dialect, or don't use standard grammar and syntax. But rude is rude. And English is a living thing; it is changing and growing all the time. It doesn't hurt to lighten up. No one is free from some idiosyncratic errors in language.

Answer 2

Some people may say "speak English please" if they are having difficulty understanding the speaker due to their accent, dialect, or speech clarity. It can also be out of frustration or a desire for easier communication. However, it is important to approach language barriers with patience and respect, as everyone has their own unique way of speaking.