85% Of the Worlds Countries have a National language Why Not America?

volleyballchick

Because there are too many here in this country that don't bother to learn English, and they cry "foul" (or whatever it is in their language) when it is brought up.

I think that there should be an official language. Then the government (both federal and state) should only print forms in English (none of this different languages - how much money would be saved if all forms were printed in one language?). If it was harder to live here without knowing the language, do you think that illegal immigrants would flow into the country so freely??

bored at work

Its what happens when leadership cant agree on something. it just gets tossed to the side, and never resloved.

Dave

I didn't know that! How come it's not your official national language if it is the language of all official organizations throughout the nation?!

That's amazing!

Well, this is not a proper answer, I know. It's more of a comment. But you know, after reading the others' answers my opinion is it's actually a beautiful thing not to have a national language. That's really part of being a melting pot. I'm Brazilian and we are another huge melting pot. Portuguese, however is our official national language. Not fair - especially because it was only some 200 years ago that Portuguese really started to spread throughout the country. Before that, most people - even the European settlers - spoke Tupi, a native language.

Shame on us!

Roe

As far as I am concerned, it is English!.
Spanish is a close 2nd.
the official language of aviation and pilots is English! The problem here is , a lot of pilots do not speak intelligible English and controllers, can not understand them.Dangerous!
I wonder what the official language is on this yahoo forum. For some , its the furthest thing form English , I have ever seen.

mimilundgren

I saw this on Lou Dobbs tonight. That needs to be another big push for Americans. Insist on not just an "national" language...but

Insist on an

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

There is a difference...and the difference has legal ramification.

i_luv_music

because all these retards refuse to learn english, i agree with you.

sly

why should we do what other countries do?

It's because we don't do what other countries do that makes this nation so powerful..

The more you know, the better...

TG Special

Four simple words.

Stupid Liberal White Politcians!

Zoe

I saw that also on Lou Dobbs and it made me shake my head and blow my mind.

escapegrl1

We should. This country was founded on one language "English". Everything that it stands for (and will again regarding illegals) was founded on English and they want to tear it apart and make this a Spanish speaking country.

Republican Congress are wrong ,,, English is the official Language of America

bewise

Most of the worlds countries also have kings and queens, should we also get one of those? Really? common.. the people speak different languages.. Its what happens in "FREE" countries.. If you say english is the language spoken here that's freaking rude as hell.. Not to mention you only promote language discrimination and racial tentions.. People will say, screw you speak english.. thats about as negative as things get.. It would bring descrimination if you dont speak that language.. Stupid people will say things like.. Speak english.. its america.. What does that matter? Most of the people here do speak a single language and its already spoken here regularly .. its americanized english.. If you want to speak another language so be it.. but you wont get far anyway if you don't at least learn some english.. but to say this is the language of the land is like setting up some sort of linguistic theology.. This land is for americans and there are german americans.. native americans.. black americans.. mexican americans and many others.. should we say that only english americans should get their language chosen? We left england for a reason.. They were oppresive and their language by definition in many ways to this day still shows oppression.. as with the word "UNDERSTAND" meaning to stand under reffering to the queen and her subjects.. I speak english as my first language but most people who would say we need a national language dont speak other languages.. so they cant see the beauty in them.. all languages are beautiful in one way or the other.. its not fair or right to choose one over another.. it disrespects entire cultures..

3D Farms

Yes and we should call it , speaking " American " !

lost&confused

it will happen in time it will be enforced.....

Sapphire

We do. It's English. But a lot of us don't like that (I do).

Dastardly

We are the melting pot.

What real purpose does it serve to declare a national language?

Twynnone

"On May 19, 2006, the United States Senate voted to make English the national language of the United States. According to the bill, written by Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), the federal government will no longer provide multilingual communications and services, except for those already guaranteed by law.

Shortly after the approval of the Inhofe amendment, the Senate voted for another bill by Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), according to which English is the "common unifying language of the United States," but mandated that nothing in that declaration "shall diminish or expand any existing rights" regarding multilingual services."

We do have a "National Language." All you "whinners and complainers" need to do a little more research before you post your questions and stop watching Lou Dobbs.

torabis80

When it comes to colonial countries such as the US, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, etc., it is difficult to assign any official language because the indigenous people have mostly become a victim of genocide. They have been replaced by waves of people from other nations, each with a different language. When people are operating on stolen land, it is not possible to declare one language as having priority over another. True, English and Spanish are the most commonly used languages of the United States and to live comfortably and conveniently, people of the US should speak these languages. But, in reality, both of these languages are products of white colonialists and neither of them belong here. In the future, perhaps the demographics of the US will shift and another language will replace the popularity of either of these languages (not likely in our lifetime). That's just the nature of colonial countries like the US, they are occupied by non-indigenous people and for this reason no one has the right to declare their customs or language as the national one, instead language and culture will always be shifting. Most European, African, and Asian countries can declare a national language because the people indigenous to these countries are still the large occupiers of those countries.

Roland D.

I'd rather the local governments do most of the legislating on everything and the federal government do very little.

doggiebike

After the Revolution there were almost as many Germans as English living here. They wanted to use German. I believe one vote, in congress, was the difference.

hayleylov

they complain because they may not get catered to anymore

yo soy boriqua

what?!

cabjr1961

First off, the United States is a melting pot of many differing ethnic groups. The 85% of other countries are not as ethnically polluted as ours is. Plus with the constant infusion of immigrants from Mexico and the far east, some officials feel it would be insensitive to declare an "Official Language" leaving these peoples without a way to understand our culture.

kujigafy

we should too.

mcrthrprk

I would say it's because America has throughout history been known as "the great melting pot" because all the original settlers who came to America came from different lands. The Native American Indians are the only truly indigenous Americans. America is supposed to be tolerant and accepting of all races and cultures and the languages that come with them. It's what makes life interesting I think.

Who, me?

What's the point? To keep others out? Are you a Native American? Oh, so your ancestors were immigrants... hmm...

bumpocooper

I don't care one way or another. I personally believe that the US should officially become bi-lingual but not many support this.

Pissed Off Politician

Land of the free. We are our country and our country serves us. For our country to tell us we need to have a national language would be like telling us all men are not created equal which is not an American ideal.

SPANISH WAS HERE BEFORE INGLES

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