There is no such thing as the American language. Get over it. English is not the American language. German is not the American language. Spanish is not the American language. They all are. Perhaps if we offered classes to teach English to immigrants at a young age, things would be better for you. But alas, we don't. Work on that instead of complaining.

when you go to other countries, do you realize the fact that americans always expect the people there to speak our language instead of speaking the language of those who live there? also, it's statements like yours that disgrace america to the rest of the world as ignorant, uneducated people who think they are better than everyone else.

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you dont understand english, you better learn quick or get the hell out now.

With the pathetic ease of the English language, hah...

And don't take credit for the English language so much. The British began it, well, Germanic tribes, but anyways, you know what I mean. The English of a true American like you mean is redneck English, which is a strong insult to those of us who appreciate well-spoken language.

Though, NYC English is just a tad better.

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you dont understand english, you better learn quick or get the hell out now.

Ouch...Have you ever heard of the saying, "America, land of oppurtunity" or America, the melting pot? America was built by immigrants and the only people really from here are the Native Americans, and they even speak other languages than english! AMERICA=land of oppertunity, home of the brave....

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In 1500 there were around 14,500 languages, in 2000 there is less than 7,000.

Yes, but around the globe. Not in one country.

India can't, at least for years and years and years to come. The people in the different regions hold huge pride to their people, their language. And, in case you've never heard it, Hindi and Punjabi (these are the ones I've heard) are pretty damn difficult. Yes, it would bring many advantages, but it's something the people must want first before it happens.

It can't be English because: a- they are not English and b. It's not their native toungue. That's like if Spain made their official language Russian; it's unfathomable.

Every language is a hybrid and contains words from many other languages. It's not just English, trust me.

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However I by far don't think the whole world should start speaking soley English

Oh God no. The beauty different countries have is the different languages. It's very interesting to go from nasal French, to toungue-rolling Spanish, etc. It's a sound play that's an art. I'm sorry if I sound odd, I just love learning languages and appreciate their unique beauty always.

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This is a country with hundreds and hundreds of different dialects, many systems of writing, and you frankly expect they magically get ONE national language?

In 1500 there were around 14,500 languages, in 2000 there is less than 7,000. On top of that in the 16th Century around 7 million people spoke English as their mother tongue. By the 1990s this number was over 350 million with 400 million more using English as a second language.
More than 80% of content on the internet is in English, and almost half of the worlds growing population of foreign students are enrolled at institutions in Anglo-American countries.


On this evidence I can see no reason why a country as large as India can't, with a lot of time adapt to one language, this is if progress can be made in narrowing the cleavage between rural and urban areas. Huge steps towards this were made during the BEIC and the Raj, because it was known to be vital to an economy for everybody within a region to speak the same language, to allow trade and communications to flourish.

I also don't see why this language can't be English. If there is any objection to speaking this language from any areas of the world, then they should realise the language is an ever changing dynamic hybrid, which has its roots in Germanic tribes, of which evolved through a melting process encorporating aspects from languages as far as the middle east.

However I by far don't think the whole world should start speaking soley English, as much as that would simplify things, homogenisation isn't exactly a good thing. And I myself hope to seeon learn a foreign language.

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You can either go one way or another, promote a national language other than English,

This is a country with hundreds and hundreds of different dialects, many systems of writing, and you frankly expect they magically get ONE national language?

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people who speak english always have the vantage point and it really gets on my nerves.

India has only been independant for 58 years, before that it was a country that was either ruled directly or indirectly (via zamindars and mansabars etc?) by the British, and contained within a series of semi-autonomous nations such as the southern Maratha Confederacy which was also dominated by the British. The English language helped to unite this country, without the presence of the British it is unlikely we would see an independant India as we know it today...which happens to be the worlds largest democracy.

You can either go one way or another, promote a national language other than English, or teach the masses English. Whichever would create a much stronger India.

but i do belive it is for your own benefit taht you should always know the local language wherever you are..otherwise settling in takes double the amount of time ..

in my country every state has a language of its own..and a lot of people in this part of the world consider english speaking people as superior..what they dont seem to understnd is that its nothing but another mode of communication..people who speak english always have the vantage point and it really gets on my nerves.

I think people who come here should try to speak English because it is the most common language, but I don't think people should complain as long as they're trying. I wouldn't go to Italy and expect people to talk to me in English, I would do my best to learn Italian once I was there, but I would expect people to be patient with me as I learned.

I also think languages should be taught in american schools starting at younger ages. A bilingual country is the way to go.

Though it is a bit rude to come here and expect that people can speak your language, we shouldn't complain. It is also rude to say, "Learn my language! Not the other way around!"

I've almost completely chosen to be a linguist, so I'll be the first to advocate multi-lingual learning, but that goes for the other people too.

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One good method to stem the tide is to allow in those who can work and benefit this country.

That I think is a great idea. That's what the US should do, now that I think to it...

In the UK immigration has become a big issue. who to let in, who not to let in etc. One good method to stem the tide is to allow in those who can work and benefit this country. Working here will often require learning the language, until the language is learned you will only be able to aquire cheap labour jobs etc etc, and learning a language can take time. However, myself wanting to emmigrate once I finish university, and not being able to speak the language of my destination, i know how it feels for these people, and they need time to learn and adapt, and their children will no doubt grow up speaking English. There are very few exceptions to this rule, and those taking advantage of british hospitality and acceptance need to try harder to equip themselves to live in our society, although we by no means want a complete surrendering to our way of life, as people from foreign nations, especially the middle eat have much better morals anyway.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but...

The United States does NOT have an official language. Meaning you can't really whine of it.

And let go of your American pride for once. Do you realize the countless advanatages of learning multiple languages?

I'm in China and no we don't expect foreigners to learn Chinese.None of the foreigners I know speak real Chinese or attend real language school,they may understand a little Mandarin but that's it.