Recently, there has been a push for English/American to be the official language of the U.S.A. I was wondering what everyone thought

Question:
Should English be the official language of the U.S.A.?

Choices:
YES, Americans should speak ENGLISH
Maybe, I haven't decided yet
NO, this is a diverse country that deserves diverse languages

 

English. I won't say English only, but if you want to learn in the free public schools, or any of the other wonderful things our country offers you should speak English.
When my grandfather went to school, he spoke no English. All he knew was French. When he spoke French, he was hit with a ruler or tape was put on his mouth. If he asked to go to the bathroom in French the teacher either didn't understand him or wouldn't let him leave.
He wasn't an immigrant, he was an American citizen. His parents and their parents were citizens all the way back to the Louisiana perchase. What was done to his generation was bad, but deep down the idea was right. I don't care how many languages someone speaks or which languages they are. But by the same token I don't think that I should have to accomidate someone who won't learn the language that their lawmakers are speaking in Congress.
If we want a multi-lingual nation, do it right. We live in a republic; elect Congressmen who don't speak English and see if they can get anything done (to the extent that any politions get anything done). Think it would work? I don't.

quote:

This is America,Not Mexico!

America is a continent of which Mexico is a part. When referring to Geography the correct term is The United States of America; America is the term used to englobe North, Central, and South America.

quote:

We can't speak to each other in whatever language... we'd look like a bunch of retards

Yeah because everyone thinks we're a swell bunch'a peoples now

Un peu. Porquoi?

There's nothing wrong with declaring English as the official language of America. I would not expect to go to any foreign country and see everything translated to me in English. Only large businesses and governments should have signs in multiple languages because they, as a result of their profession, need to communicate with foreign-speaking peoples.

What is ridiculous to me...is that so many important things can be done in several languages. The written test to DRIVE, in New Jersey, can be administered in Spanish. Why? There are NO road signs anywhere in the state (that I've seen) in Spanish. All stop, yield, traffic, construction, and flashing lights are in English.

The country should be sensitive to those learning the language, but we don't need to coddle anyone. You can certainly learn a language without losing your culture or adopting another one.

Parlez-vous francais shade?

For us, we have a huge Latino and a huge Hmong community. I know McDonald's toys are in English, Spanish, French, so it may be more of the area you're from.

Why not French? We have French-speaking folks on our borders, too.

quote:

The argument here really is "Should there be warning labels in English and Spanish on the 'Caution: Wet Floor' signs"?

That's actually an argument? Here everything is automatically in English, Spanish, and sometimes Hmong.

Well how far off is English from being the "official" language of US? The argument here really is "Should there be warning labels in English and Spanish on the 'Caution: Wet Floor' signs"?

Yeah, what's the point?

so, just wondering, whats the whole argument against making english the official language?

Again, it's not forcing anyone to speak it. It's about lessening paperwork by making it single-language only. You'd be surprised how much that would save.

Just calling it the official language won't make everyone speak it, unless you plan on making it a law, which would just be insaine.

I still stand by my opinion that having to declare an "official" language is a complete waste of time and totally pointless.

She probably meant since the colonization of America... but either way shes still wrong

quote:

since more than half the US has been speaking it for the past 400 years, yes I think English should be made the official language.

That's funny...I was under the impression that the United States had only been around for 230 years...

since more than half the US has been speaking it for the past 400 years, yes I think English should be made the official language.

yes english should be the national language. It has been our traditional language since our country was formed and it grants communication between our peoples considerable fluidity. We can't have a country with 50 different languages and expect people to know and understand all of them, espeically spanish. A bunch of mexicans cross the border and set up a life here and then refuse to speak english because they have pride in their heritage? lolz if they had pride in their heritage they would stay in their fucking country. English is necessary for people to get along, or at least one common language. English, since it has already been established here is the most obvious choice. We can't speak to each other in whatever language... we'd look like a bunch of retards. Learn english... speak whatever language you'd like in private, but when you want to cimmunicate with the rest of the world speak english.

I never said it was our doing. We aren't solely to blame for that, but we don't exactly get off clean either.