Do you think that English should be the only language in our country?

loretta

it's in the Constitution of the united states that we are to speak the language the Constitution was written in. if people can't speak the language then they should not be here at all.

Nope, just the official language.

Nope, if people want to speak Klingon, more power to them.

Daniel

no, but it should be the only official language

whatwouldyodado2006

almost all countrys have an Official language. I dont really care what people speak at home. but if you dont have an official language, then people will cater to the language that most people speak. Not that that is a problem, but if you make it necessary for people to learn the official language, they will learn it.

aj_lets_go_shopping

Well it would be nice if people learned how to speak it before coming here.

Stephenie

It shouldn't have to be the only language but the country surely shouldn't be spending money to accommodate non-English speaking citizens!

Elizabeth M

Wholeheartedly! I think if 2 people want to speak their native language to each other (out side of the work place) then they should be able to. I do NOT think that we should have ballots in other languages. I do NOT think we should teach in public schools in a different language. There is no incentive to learn english if you can go around, functioning without learning it because signs and ads are in both english and another langauge.

My job has become increasingly difficult because of all the spanish only speaking people I have to deal with. I am required to use a translator line which makes me have to spend twice as much time trying to do teaching, etc. It is costing tax payers money and I think it is only getting worse. Does this make me happy? Not at all! I have met people who have lived here 10 years and don't know english.

Fines? no, I don't think that would help anything. Let's just make people who want to be citizens, learn english before they become citizens.

Interesting question!

tiredofaliens

I think English should be our official language. I think all city, state and national documents should be printed in ONLY English.

I don't think people should be fined for speaking other languages. What they do in their home is their business. That is what makes this country so great!!

here to help

no and no. we have enough of government telling us what to do with our personal lives. no one liked my question about it last night but it showed how unreasonable it is to make a law about it. they should learn our language,but not be penalized for speaking their own. does this country always need a group to hate?

oldsalt6585

Personally, I think English should be the day to day language in the community and business world. If you want to speak your native tongue at home and with your friends, do so. But do not expect me to have to PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH. What really gets my goober is this PRESS ONE FOR ENGLISH, UNO PARA ESPAÃ‘OL. What about the countless other languages in America? Oh, I remember, it's POLITICALLY CORRECT not to offend those espanish espeakers! I say, learn English like my grandparents, uncles, aunt and parents did when they came to America from Finland, joto!
Did you know that English was the chosen language over German in the early days of our country...by ONE VOTE.

Norskeyenta

America consists of all types of languages. We should not get a fine, if speaking our Native tongue. BUT in America the prime language should be English. I am full Norwegian, and I speak English in public places. I have heard and seen other cultures speak their native tongue and it is rude amongst other Americans. Speak English , in public. You are in a Country which is English.

summermoondancer2004

Loretta that is not in the constitution in fact the constitution states very clearly that Freedom of Speech is one of the primary rights we have and Freedom of Speech means you can say what you want in any language you want. Please point out the article that states we are supposed to speak in English.

There should be no official language because accepted language and official is different. People have lost enough freedoms here to question as to whether this is really a free country we do not need more government intervention.

Gary J

In a way, yes. Cable tv in english only, the same with radio, and all newspapers. All paperwork from National, state, and city government, in english only. But as for your fine, no, the only fine will be not getting anything done, without knowing english.

daylin_j

I dont think I should have to go into McDonald's in Texas and see that they have a special menu for them, I dont think I should have to tell my kids to shut up cause they are making fun of them in the gas station, I am really sick of being looked at like I speak something funny when they are the ones we can not understand.. and oh yeah my kids are learning Spanish now as a second language, by the school system now they have to start this in 2nd grade.. yes it is good on them but crap if you ask me...

spudmustang

NO. There should be no required language and there should be no official language. People should be allowed to speak whatever language they want, whenever they want. This is America, where we should value freedom of speech in whatever language. This country is made up of many different people who speak many different languages. Making English the official language negates the importance of all the other cultures and languages that exist in the United States, including the ones that were here before English-speakers arrived.

mJc

I think English should be the main language of the U.S. But it's always a good thing to encourage our children to learn another language though. Fining someone for speaking another language goes against our belief in "freedom of speech."

pal_013168

I think everyone who wants to live in America should learn english,ALL immigrants learned english,and I dont think immigrants should be fined for speaking another language,but I do believe it is in their best interest. que pasa?

Brutus Maxius

i think that there should be different language resources for tourists and visitors but if someone intends to live in the U.S. they should learn the nations language which is English obviously (especially illegal aliens. if you don't like it go back to mexico!!)

fuzzyblue

Some of the responses here are so hateful and xenophobic. People have the RIGHT to speak whatever they want. Why does it bother you when people speak another language? Why are you so insecure? What's lacking within that being in the presence of another language makes you sweat? Noone's talking about you so just relax.

You racist hateful folks have inspired me to do one thing:speak more of my own native language (NOT ENGLISH) in public EVERYWHERE and as much as possible...yea- clench your jaws, plug your ears....and most of all -get used to it because last time I checked THIS WAS AMERICA and it's a country BUILT ON IMMIGRANTS from MANY lands. And guess what... they don't all speak English.

Bunz

All immigrants should HAVE to learn english, no questions asked!! No English, no green card!! Fining people for speaking another language on the other hand is a bit ridiculous.

DwightTheDragon

I no speaka englissh

DAR

No, and no. However, I am starting to think you should be fluent in English to work, as you have to be fluent in Spanish to work in Mexico, since our own less educated folks are being passed over for those we made bilingual while not affording two languages to our own kids. It is a real issue, and I'm not sure what the answer is.

But no, people should be able to speak whatever language they want with their friends. However, to be a permenant resident I think you should know basic English.

tyson

My believe has always been the same one Loretta wrote. This country was founded by English speaking people. The Constitution that shaped our country and social culture was written in English. All of our business affairs have always been conducted in English. It just makes sense, and to push for otherwise is just the promotion of a subversive cultural change and we all know it.

Lakota

*sigh* This is the part of anti-illegal movement I DO NOT LIKE, a perfect example of xenophobia. Where a person is so afraid of all cultures other than his own, that the idea of banning all languages except for English is entertained.

NO!!!!! I do not think English should be the ONLY Language in the USA. NO!!!! I do NOT think *I* should be fined for speaking my language Lakota on this land where it has been spoken for THOUSANDS of years before the nasty diseased British exiles arrived on the East Coast with their English language.

If such a stupid law came to pass, I would never pay the fine, and I am certain those who would try to enforce that stupid law, would want to live instead of trying to force me to speak *only* English.

Now as an Anti, I do believe that anyone who moves to the USA must learn the English language in order to be a productive citizen, and assimilate. I am not going to learn your language to accomodate you. Unlike my ancestors I have a choice --- only one foreign language for me -- English.

If *I* have to communicate in English, in order to succeed and live on my land, so does everyone else. Otherwise get off my ancestors' land!!

Erika G

No, and no.

We're not wired to learn languages well as adults. Our brains just don't pick up languages well after early childhood. That's basic biology. An adult who comes to the US not speaking English may never gain more than a basic understanding, not because he or she is lazy or doesn't try, but because the pathways and spaces for language just don't exist anymore. I believe that people should do their best to develop a level of competency, as I would if I moved somewhere I didn't speak the language, but that when conducting important business like medical treatment or financial transactions, where the nuances and specifics are important conducting business in a language that you're fluent in is important.

I speak three languages. I grew up speaking English at home, I studied German, and lived there as an exchange student, and I speak French. My husband speaks both French and English-he's Canadian, and grew up speaking English at home and French in school. At home, we speak a mix of French and English, and we'll raise our children that way. However, my first language, and the one I'm most comfortable speaking is English, and when I need to conduct business, or follow careful instructions like on medication, I prefer to do it in English-even when the wait for assistance is shorter if I want to do it in some other language.

It's just not biologically possible for people to gain the kind of competency required to deal with some things in English if they didn't begin learning English as a child.

yes English only and fined is good as long as they are forced to comply

electricpole

English should be the only OFFICIAL language in this country.
You should have a command of basic, standard American English in order to conduct business and legal affairs.
Otherwise speak what you want. I don't get offended at all when people are speaking a foreign language near me in public. But I do get frustrated when they cannot converse in English at a commercial establishment. And I am not talking about some one who got here two weeks ago.

lone wolfe

josev learn how to spell wet back.

Dax

No, i do not think English should be the only language spoken in our country, however, i think it should be the offical language and should be required for people to learn. I think the Governmernt should open a deparment making it easy for imigants to learn english.
As for the fine, NO WAY! Inveloping culture into America is what we are all about, and learning new languages for yourself is a great way to expand your horizons, and learn cultural differences.

girliegirl

i think they should be able to speak the language they want to speak but should know how to speak english

Vaughn

No, to both questions. English has been the official language of most of the country since the USA's inception, and will always remain the official language unless we're invaded and defeated by another culture (not likely). But that said, other cultures have the right to hang onto their roots and to speak however they like. Previous attempts to "prohibit" languages -- such as slave owners punishing slaves from speaking the language of their birth -- have always turned out badly.

Anyone who answers "yes" to your question should also be prohibited from visiting another country and hoping they can speak English. See how unfair that would be?

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