ENGLISH as an official langugage?

Andy

I agree, we should have English as an official language. It is the language that the country is founded on. People are often mistaken that if we designate English as official language, we would prohibit other languages? What nonsense. You can learn anything you want. In fact, many universities require two full years of a foreign language in order to graduate. What it does is to tell those immigrant who refuses to accept our language and culture to shut up.

And whoever posted this: "Earth has no "owner" and no real boundaries"

We are not talking about Earth, we are talking about a much smaller geographic location call the U.S.A. and yes it has boundary and no people are not allowed to move in and out freely because we are a nation governed by law. This is our foundation and we will not allow any immigrant to change that.

And by the way, I know Chinese who live in NY Chinatown all their lives and speak very little English. That's fine, no one is putting a gun to your head to force you to learn, but do not then come and demand the government to publish official documents in your language or even more rediculus to ask to have your foreign language to be designated second official language.

Peter P

This is the USA if you want to live here,speak the language.. If you want to speak your native language that's fine But learn English...If you have ever lived in another country you will find that they DON'T translate anything into English for you..they expect you to Lateran their language..

FatPizza9

Frances: We HAVE to respect them? Don't you think they should respect us by learning our language if they choose to live here?

Asker: I'm as amazed as you are. This should have been done long, long ago. It would have been less complicated in the 1800's.

rayzser

I think English SHOULD be the official language. Get those mofos to learn one language so we can REALLY be united. I'm not going against learning more languages - that's good education, but the Constitution was written in English, the people who wrote it spoke English, and we should always speak English in this country when it comes to this "official" topic, etc. I HATE how the Mexicans and minorities are getting special treatment for not learning English!

*Boundless Brunette*

I agree with you. Instead of coming here to live and learn teh language people are just having everything translated for them. They wana live here they should learn the Language of our country. But since theres no official one.. it's preventing them from learning it.

They have everything translatted for them and so they dont need to learn teh language. I mean, they even have TRANSLANTERS in certain shopes/businnesses/ect.

Crazy Dave

They should have to! I shouldn't have to chose what language when going through a phone menu or using the ATM here in the Untied States. Learn English or leave!

Woody Woodburn

With what is going on everyone will end up speaking profanity!

chillywillyx

During every major influx of immigrants into the US, with the exception of the last 30 yrs or so, the migrants that came over here learned to speak English. It wasn't because they were necessarily Forced to do it, considering all the ethnic communities. It was because they felt honored to be living in this new country and felt obligated to become Americans. That meant assimilation into the new world, the new life they were entering.

TheEmporer'sNewClothes

Press one now ...if you want to confuse with mixed messages any foreign immigrant who wants to come to USA and become a citizen.

IT is required by law, that to become a citizen you need to speak a fair amount of English. The issue of other languages shouldn't be a problem because there are so many languages being spoken in the USA.

It is deeply insulting and foolish beyond further words here, that we accommodate Spanish speaking folks over any others for the most part.

I personally feel this is simply our government's proof to us, as a result of the pressure put on them by large corporations, to create a working class, Spanish speaking class of folks who want only jobs, don't care to become good citizens and are foolish enough to clue the rest of us into this ...by only speaking Spanish and refusing to learn English.

It is pooty spat on us for allowing them to do so.
I vote to make English our official language and to make those that can't speak it, pay to have it translated into whatever tongue they CAN speak. Either they would come here with some English or would "make arrangements" to have their own needs met, without bilking the rest of us.
I suspect English would be learned more quickly that way.

Dad

I have two fingers that are universal. No barrier there.

StoneCold

I thought that was the intended purpose when our fore-fathers, and law makers made mention of English as the official language in reciting the Naturalization of foreign citizens into Americans.

Miss 6

I think they just passed a law stating that English was the official language, I could be wrong, but it would make sense, if you're planning on living in America to learn English, so you can communicate with people outside of your community. (I don't care what language you speak at home with your family and friends, but when you are out and about I think you should be able to speak English)

Mr. Morden

First of all, you're exaggerating about the number of languages. Second, if we did establish English as the sole official language it wouldn't change the fact that there was was a legitimate need to translate signs, forms, etc. Third, an official language would only affect government agencies. You'll still have to dial one for English if the private company you're calling has their phone set up that way. Fourth, given our history and current demographics, it makes sense for Spanish to be official along with English if we're going to have an official language at all. Many countries have more than one official language because they recognize the fact that they have a diverse population.

pantagruel

Just how would that be enforced? Jail time? That would mean more taxes,and you never want to pay more taxes,so that won't work. How'bout anybody that speaks more than just English,should be exterminated? That would be cheaper than locking them up,or sending them on a free ride back where they came from. Just what is your plan? We could just waterboard people to find out who's been learning Spanish! Maybe there will be secret microphones to listen to people in public to make sure no one is cheating! Oh yeah! What a free country this ...WAS!

Ms.L.A.

No, only the Spanish are being favored in this way. Seems kind of shady to me and every other person who has assimilated and learned the language of America, which is English, should protest that they weren't given all this special interest! I find it disgusting! Especially since half of those Spanish speakers are illegals!

whatdoesitallmean.

I think it should be but with all the different races in our country that would not go over to well. However, what makes me mad is when people tell me (because i live in Calfornia where many immigrants live) that i should learn spanish in order to live in my own state. don't you think that they should learn english to live here? why should i change the way i was grown and the language i was taught in order to make their lives easier here? i shouldn't.

Joel Q

Near my city -in Northern Mexico- there are two settlements of North Americans who live in this area since the 1880's.

You would think that they forgot English and were by now Spanish speakers... surprise! They have their own schools, their own neighborhoods and do not mix very much even though they do get along with the mestizo, the local population.

People are people.

Wunsch

the only language that is going to take over English in the U.S is stupid Spanish. and even if we make English official language the Spanish people will over populate as and make the official language Spanish. Europe and Canada are turning into Muslim countries So the only place for English speaking Americans is the moon So let's just depend on NASA.

Crimson Dragoon

i don't really think introducing english as an official language would affect much. i believe in reverting back to speaking latin.

Salty Dog

I would say it's because the United States has a long history of having many people speak many different languages within its borders. The Amish people speak a form of Low German and have been here for more than 100 years. After the United States annexed half of Mexico in 1848 there were thousands of Spanish-speaking people within US borders suddenly. The Louisiana purchace brought in many who spoke French. Many Native American tribes also maintain their separate languages (although members also speak English), particularly the Navajo Nation. Incidently, the Navajo language was rather useful to the United States during World War II.

SilviaTic

US has no official language yet. There is a bill (S 2611) that was passed to the House of Representatives but I understand it has not been aproved (yet).
English is spoken by 82% of the population in US, being Spanish the second...
You have to understand that the US is a nation of immigrants. After all, the planet Earth has no "owner" and no real boundaries and since centuries, people have moved from one land to another for many reasons...
Many people moved to the US to scape from poverty, hunger, violence and authoritarianism.
Some day, you could be facing problems so big in your own city or country and may have to move too.
Most of the people who come to US, Canada and Europe have to face racism, rejection and have to work harder than anyone else to have what they have. They lost everything and need to learn a new language.
Think about that.

Xx_Starry_Eyed_Xx

you still have to respect the millions of people that speak spanish/chinese/german/french, etc

nomames

acquiring more than one language should be encouraged and not condemned

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