Why do people say you have to know English to live in the USA?

Cat's Eye

I don't think anyone says you "have" to know English, but it would be better if they did. The idea of immigrating here is becoming part of one society.

We've seen how multilingual countries end up with lots of division and the US is all about unity.

Corporations will always go the extra mile to attract buyers, but don't forget the extra expense will come from the consumers in higher costs.

Also it costs the taxpayers billions in extra expense each year to print tax and all other government forms in multiple languages.

So economically and socially it is advantageous to learn English, the official language.

Mr. Boof

Go to Germany and speak Chinese genius. Countries have languages - it's just the way it is. You don't go into someone else's house and tell them what to do.

And when they came over they learned the language - and most of them learned English BEFORE they came over. Adios!

Final Frontier

If somebody wants to get the most out of this country, they should know how to speak English. It will make it easier to finish college and start a career. Without knowing the English language, many doors will remain closed.

Richard S. from Vermont

You're an idiot. If I were to move to Mexico, I would learn Spanish as soon as possible. People who move to the USA and refuse to learn English are simply lazy. Period.

dbrhhooper

You may not need to speak English to do business with American corporations, but you need to speak English in order to live with Americans. You need to be able to communicate in the mainstream culture in order to fully particpate in and receive the benefits of American society. It is your responsibility to learn our language, not our responsibility to learn yours. If I ever move to France, I will have to learn to speak French.

fateridder

The only way to save this country and keep the core values of America is to cherish our language first and foremost .

Teslajuliet

If you live in America you should speak English!! We should not go out of our way to accommodate anybody!

tony a

yes our land our rules, why give away to others

Linda L

When people speak spanish in front of me i pretty much take it as a slap in the face.Its their polite way of saying F U and your country....What do mexicans and cue balls have in common? The harder you hit em the more english joo get..

twiztid642

its american do people should be speaking english.

:D

aj_lets_go_shopping

Because this is an English speaking country.

Scooby5150

english was the language this country was founded on. all of our historical documents are written in english. the bottom line is this..........speak the language and you will understand things. if you do not then get out. if you wanna stay then learn the way.

AAA hockey

well the reason is that everything is in english and the offical language is english

anothermauri

I think they have the right to speak their own language. I just don't think we should cater to them. This is America and english is our language. When we go to other countries they don't cater to us.

USMC WIFE

"Your culture" is the ONLY one that wont learn English. And "your culture" is the only one that gets news and such in it's language. EVERY OTHER CULTURE LEARNS ENGLISH, AND SPEAKS THEIR LANGUAGE ONLY AT HOME OR WITH FAMILY. That's the way my great grandfather and the rest of the family did it, that's the way that it should be done out of RESPECT for the country ou are now a part of.

BRE

you don't have to speak english just don't expect there to be someone to translate for you when you need govenment services.

As Americans our language is really the only thing that bonds this nation together....

Harold B

In 1789 the Congress of the United States made English the official language of the United States.
The Democrats have made some ******** statements about not voting to make English the official language to cast hatred against the Conservatives and say they are bigoted against Hispanic people but Democrats lie anyway.

Recruit From Wisconsin

we know you idiot, its just that the majority SHOULD speak english because its our language, they shouldn't come here and expect us to learn theirs so how are we gonna communicate? Theyre just too damn lazy to learn

Mr.Man

Well the people who built this country spoke English. The Constitution was written in English, The president speaks English, All our laws are written in English, All our presidents spoke in English, and guess what??? you speak and type in ENGLISH!! So Obviously if you cant learn the language your going to have a very hard time living in this country no doubt.

been there

Never heard it. What people are you speaking with?
I'll tell you, you have a better chance to make a better living
in the USA if you speak English. Your welcome no matter what language you speak. Land of the free, Home of the brave.

James k

don't have to, but makes things easier.............

volleyballchick

I don't care what language you choose to speak in your home or in private conversations, but I think that one must learn the basic language of the nation they are in so they can function in day to day life.

I don't think one should expect the shop around the corner to have a person that speaks a different language so it can cater to those that choose not to learn the language that is spoken in this land. If you go to another country and don't speak their nation's language, they aren't going to cater to you for only knowing english. They are going to ignore you. That is it.

I think it is rather errogant to go into another country and expect them to cater to your deficencies. If you can't speak the language of the nation, then good luck dealing with life. I don't think I should have to learn another language to cater to those that choose not to learn the language of this nation.

mikea_va

We all know America is a land of immigrants. I have no problem with people speaking other languages (I speak German with my Mom and Sister all the time)
The point is when immigrants came to the US they learned to speak English. They knew they had to communicate with other people, therefore they learned the language!!
That so hard to understand?????????????

william w

wow just kiss there ***es and let em take over and see what you get we dont say that you must speak english to live here just to learn our language so theres not a barrier between us .
go figure i know some spanish people they speak english and at the store they told some one me no speak ey englis.
right whats with the game .

Ret. Sgt.

You dont want to be an American, you just want the bennies. It's our official language. Another little fact, this is AMERICA not the tower of" babble "( which is what would happen if noone wanted to assimilate into this country's language and customs)

There may be many languages here but the prevailing language and language of business is English. I have learned Spanish on my own because of my past job. I didnt have to but did. If you are going to live here and accept all the goodies, learn the language.

Cecil T

You don't have to speak English to live in the U.S. anymore than you have to speak English to breathe the air here or anywhere else for that matter.

Almost all immigrants wanting to come to the U.S. are so eager to learn English that they begin learning it before they get here and eagerly learn it more completely once they arrive here.

They realize that they are free to speak any language they like, but if they want to function more completely, they will use the OPERATIVE language of the U.S. economy, the U.S. culture, and the U.S. legal system.

Life in any country is so much richer and more rewarding when you can speak the language of that country.

Why is it so hard to figure this out?

Kaitlin

You are right they should speak their language we have no right to force them not to speak their own language when they live America. However, because America is an English speaking language they need to learn it if they want to live in America. If I want to live in Germany I have to learn how to speak German just like all the other Countries, but they cant force me not to speak English in their country. Just because people speak their own language doesn't mean they don't know how to speak English. It is called respect.

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