Do you think U.S.A. should be a bilingual nation?

Nurse Annie

No, I don't. But, it is. If I were to live in another country, I'd expect and be expected to speak their language. But, for some reason, many people in this country don't feel the need to conform. This breeds hostility and is a partial reason for tension between races.

Sure, I can understand that a few months may need to go by when speaking English is not top of the list. Finding a job may be a priority. But learning English must eventually happen and more avenues (like finding a BETTER job) may open up if English is learned.

Being a melting pot is wonderful, we have an abundance of cultures under 'one roof,' but we don't need to have an abundance of LANGUAGES, too.

We should learn a second language, but all American citizens should be fluent in English. Sure, bilingualism may be preferred for some jobs, but English should be #1, and we should always be open to learning other cultures, other histories.

You Need Me!

I think English should be the National Language.

Cali

If public schools had the funding to teach Icelandic (because I assume that's the second language you're talking about), then it's worth considering. However, in an educational climate where kids aren't even learning English correctly because of budget cutbacks, I see no way to introduce a second language without dumbing both languages down to a second grade level. Better to be a mono-lingual culture where people speak well enough to actually communicate that to be able to grunt semi-coherently in more than one tongue.

Josh

No, I think it's ridiculous.

J$mooTH

No I don't think so. It isn't about Americans being smart enough, and I see your ploy of trying to insult us to make us actually consider your idea...but if you want Spanish, there are plenty of places south of us you can go to have it.

Why should Spanish have status over any other language that was also spoken here, like the native languages?

Chris J

Language studies should be promoted in schools on even basis for all to attend. They are in many cases required for college students. But officially, no, US should not be a bilingual nation. We need to quit being pansies and make English the official language. Its ridiculous we haven't done so already.

*Carnage*

yes, I speak.....English and AMERICAN SLANG....so spank me.....lol....

besides, if Americans were not "intelligent"enough to speak two languages....how do these illegal loser latino's get their welfare and housing? dumbarse.

Silent Warrior

what two language exactly?
This nation has many cultures and I see only one language is suitiable because I don't see a second language that could potentially rise. but I do think we are smart enough.
But there isn't another language out there that have as must stance as the English language.

breekatz

i could not imagine, there was a time when mexicans immigrated here and embraced america fighting in wars and learning english.
today it is kind of a free for all.

Hank Mardukas

Anyone that wants to learn another language can but the government cannot mandate it.

america first

Yes! American english & British english!

Docar

Every country in the world that was a bilingual nation has made 1 language the official language due to the problems of having 2 languages! We do NOT want the US going in the opposite direction!
My sister-in-law and her husband are Chinese. When their respective families come over one doesn't know what the other is talking about as her family speaks Mandarin and his family speaks Cantonese (they both speak English). My nephew has to translate! One nation with 2 official languages is moronic and usually comes about due to 2 countries becoming one. NOT by choice!
Besides what would be the second language? I learned French in school but I lived up by the Canadian border. My wife speaks Mandarin which is the most common language in the world!
Of course most of the racists on here want Spanish because the illegal invaders from south of the border speak Spanish and are illiterate in any language (including Spanish) therefore making it next to impossible to teach them English!

Bill

Absolutely not. English has been the single most influential component in maintaining American culture. Language unifies people. Different languages hurt commerce, and are detrimental to the efficiency of government. Different languages divide people. Different languages highlight DIFFERENCES instead of commonality. They weaken a society. Look in The Bible at the story of the Tower of Babel. What was true then is true now.

Multiple languages make the cost of government higher. A very simple example: If you have to print every government document in two different languages, or if you have to produce two versions of public service announcements, etc, you obviously double the cost.

A single unifying language in the Unites States enables a person to efficiently engage in business across thousands of miles. It enables a person to enter into contracts across the continent that can be understood by all parties involved. The result is more jobs for people, a much larger market for goods and services, and a thriving, competitive economy. In short a common language is conducive to economic prosperity. Multiple languages have the opposite effect.

Americans should speak as many languages as they can. Individuals shold celebrate their heritage and perserve their family history, but English ought to be established as the official language of the United States, and all government communications, and services should be English Only. If a private company wants to engage in international business and chooses to incur the expense of managing a bilingual operation, that should be a private business decision by that company.

StoneCold

I bet you people in the U.S. already speak bilingual languages. Some Multi languages. So what is your point exactly? That people in the U.S.A. aren't smart? I beg to differ.

If people are really free in the U.S., then why should they have to learn other languages if they choose not to?

Sci Fi Fan Reloaded

Amnesty= Civil War.

LAKER HATER

no! we weren't taught bilingual in school so it shouldn't be a bilingual nation.

Pollita Love aka Did you miss me

Yes, the more languages a person can learn, the better.
And for the second question, no, I can't imagine some of them doing that, impossible.

Wow! I have a pig nose!

it already is

sk8rchick

Yes, but some Americans are just too lazy to want to learn a second language.

uuchurchlady

At the very least. We are ignorant boors to the rest of the world because we don't teach our children a second language from birth. Of course we don't even expect our children to speak their native language anything like perfectly much less write it coherently or spell it correctly. Even public speaking activities like debate and forensics don't coach for proper pronunciation (my favorite localism is pronouncing the letters ing as if they were een. Makes me gag to hear it.) Good question but a hopeless cause I fear.

Emily

it doesn't make sense for the u.s. to call itself an english country...lmao

don't you agree?

Zoe

I speak 3 languages, ASL, Spanish and English and I think that ALL Americans should at least know the second two. I go to a very diverse school and it is equally English and Spanish so it just seems smart to know the two languages. It would be strange though if the world US knew the languages, but imagine the immensity of peace that we would have.

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