Can you become a good American citizen if you do not learn English?

Martin S

No you can not.

This country is to provide opportunity for everyone, but learning English is crucial to becoming part of the country. All of our founding documents are in English, so despite what people say, it IS our official language.

My father came to this country without knowing one word of English and now he is completely fluent.

Not wanting to learn the language or expected the government to translate everything is lazy and disrepectful of this country that has taken you in.

EVEN IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY!

Chris P

If you do not make an effort to interact with 90%+ of the population, then I do not think you can be considered a good citizen.

davidmi711

No. Additionally to become a citizen of the US you have to pass a citizenship test that includes a command of the English language.

No, in order to be a good citizen you have to have good communication skills.

You can't.

You can talk any language you wish as long as you also speak English and give your loyalty to America and not your country of birth.

It's called assimilation.

Gretl

Define 'good'. If it means taking responsibility for yourself, paying your taxes, not sponging off the Gov, well, that's a start. But if you don't speak English, you won't get very far. Regardless of what the Spanish speakers only are saying, don't speak English, not good.

THE WRAITH OF GOD IS COMING

Well since you couldn't speak to the majority of us I doubt it. Why not try to be a citizen and fit in like people who move to other countries.

fredo

No. Participation in American government requires understanding English. Being able to thrive at a workplace almost demands it except for certain fields. I don't think we should make anyone learn anything, but we also should not mete out government money to those who fail to sufficiently protect themselves by learning what is essentially our national language.

pickles

no it is called American Citizen not Mexican,Polish,Chinese etc.

MEL T

No.

serenely, soMEone

Even if an immigrant is concientious and morally good in every other aspect, the language barrier would, at best, diminish even the immigrant's life. Those who interact would be negatively affected as well.

More importantly, I would ask: Can an American citizenry be functional if a significant percentage refuses to learn English?

...

Big Jon

I would say no.

In order to become a "good" citizen of a country you may be emigrating too, I would say that you need to learn the customs and language of that country. In order to understand the people of that country, you need to understand the language which they speak in order to mix and mingle freely with them and to understand that of which they speak.

It's not just the language in itself - it's the idioms and intricacies of the customs that become lost without an understanding of the language. The nuances and meanings of common, everyday phrases become lost without such an understanding. This would come not just with understanding the language, but with years of experience with the customs of the country.

This would be true of any country you might emigrate to, whether it be France, Germany, Russia, Mexico, and so on. You cannot understand the culture and ways of living without sharing the language common to the people of the country.

ãƒãƒ³ã‚µãƒ ãªçŽ‹å

no..... how can you be a good american if you do not speak their language.........

a1goodknight

Nope! One can only become a good American citizen if they come here fully documented, follow the legal path of citizenship which means learning to read and wright English, learn our way of government, appreciate and obey the laws of this land.

Get my drift?

American mutt

Even Native american Indians learned English. Anyone who wants to be A good American citizen should put forth an effort to learn the Language of this land. With the exception of someone who is deaf dumb and blind.

Dan

Adrian N

In general, no. It's like being a good employee without learning the core values of the company. Or being a good football player without learning the playbook.

It's possible, certainly. It's especially difficult for someone to learn a new language later in life. But I think at least an effort should be made to learn. A lack of effort to learn English is a decent indicator of a lack of "buy-in" to American culture and values. Not true in all cases, but it points in that direction.

A hypothetical example: a 65 yr old Russian woman who is not literate in her native language and who finally immigrates here. She may love America, but good luck teaching her English. I would still consider her a candidate for "good citizen".

Paula Revere

No. Can't serve on juries. I would say can't participate in govenment but I am sure they provide instructions in spanish for those unable to learn another language.

fairly smart

You won't be able to take the citizenship test, which is(should be & better be) in English. How do you expect to deal with the rest of the country outside your little community, if you don't know the language?

When I traveled to Europe, I learned French & German, so I could show the people I came in contact with that I had manners, & respected them & their country. The good news was, they were happy to practice their English, & most of them knew quite a bit, so I only got a little practice. If people there learn English just because, why can't supposed immigrants learn the language of the country they want to live?
If I ever went somewhere else to live, I would certainly learn & speak the language.

Micky

Lev8mysoul

In order to become an American Citizen you MUST learn enough working English to pass the Citizenship test, which is given in no other language than English. If you don't pass that test you can not become a naturalized US Citizen.

If your speaking ability of the English language is as clear as your writing of it in the question you posted, then you should have no problem on that level

It looks to me like others have given some pretty good answers as well.

B.Kevorkian

By re-defining what it is to be an American. Instead of becoming a 'good American' by being like other good Americans (who speak english, respect the law, do thier civic duty, etc...), you first judge yourself (or your culture) to be superior to existing Americans, then you enhance America by becoming a resident (legal or otherwise) or citizen of that country, giving it the benefits of your superiority, including your superior language and culture, of course.

SOMEGUY

Americans speak many languages. Be more specific about what location you are asking. America dose not just consist of just the USA. America is everything from Canada down to Argentina.

Kaliman

Absolutely, language by its self does not determine how good of a citizen you are.

Angelita

As far as becoming a US citizen, one does have to possess some knowledge of the English language in order to pass the test or tests. As far as being a "good" person, you can speak or not speak any language and still be a good person. Just being able to speak English does not necessarily make you a good person at all.

Ã‘usta

Just take the opportunity to learn a new language.

Looking ahead

Apparently yes though it would seem reasonable you need enough to get trough the tests and the ceremony.

Ron4prez

Yes, English is not obliged. We have a first amendment that grants us freedom of speech so there fore we can speak any language we want and still be model citizens!

Anyone who denies the right to choose what language a person should speak is a traitor!!!

mustagme

Absolutely. What makes a good citizen? Getting involved with your government by volunteering, voting, etc. Also, supporting your government through tough times, such as war and recessions. None of these require English as a first language.

r1b1c*

Of course!

America has over 950 million citizens, most of them are 'good' citizens. Most of them do not know English.

In America we speak in descending order Spanish, about 450 million
English about 300 million
Portuguese about 180 million
French about 20 million
other smaller languages like Greenlandic, Aymara, Quechua etc.

Selena

mustagme Absolutely. What makes a good citizen? Getting involved with your government by volunteering, voting, etc. Also, supporting your government through tough times, such as war and recessions. None of these require English as a first language.

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