National Language?

Question

Do you think English should be pushed harder as a national language? Or at the very least the business langage of america?

Answer 1

Yes. Everyone engaged in commerce in this country should speak English (and that does not apply only to the illegal immigrant from the south - but also to the Asians and Eastern Europeans who have immigrated here).
However, conversations among private citizens should be allowed in whatever language is chosen. And, if we are going to insist that everyone speak English fluently, then we should offer widespread instruction.

Answer 2

I do think that choosing a national language is in order. It is getting quite crazy with the fact that everyone has a "right" to have government literature printed in their language. No other country does this, it's a waste of trees! It's a waste of time! If I want to go to France, you need to learn French, even though so many people vacation there from England, they will not even oblige the most lost. I think that it is still very valuable to learn Spanish and French (Our neighbors to the north and south primarily speak these) because I look forward to a unified continent one day. However, even though Japanese is not spoken often where I am at, it is a high asset in the business world. On the business aspect no, on the national aspect yes.

Answer 3

Out forefathers determined that this country should have no national language. People should have the right to conduct their business in any language that they choose. By not declaring a national language, they made this an implicit right in the constitition. If we choose a national language, then we will be no better than the French or the Quebecois in this respect. The principles of capitalism upon which this country operates should serve as a kind of automatic Darwinism to ensure that business is conducted in the most efficient language.

The framers of the constitution did, in fact, consider establishing a national language. Many did not want it to be English. They wanted to break all ties with England. Actually, Hebrew was one of the frontrunners.

Answer 4

Yes, I definitely think that if people want to come, live, and work in America, that they should learn to speak English. I don't have anything against other languages, in fact, I think it's good that people keep up their second language.

Part of what makes the US great is that it claims to be the "United" States of America. If we can't even come close to understanding each other (solely because of language barriers) then we compromise on the strength and unity of our country.

Answer 5

I am a LEGAL immigrant and English should be the national language in the US. Language is one of the most identifying factors when experiencing another culture and only if you learn the English language can you truly integrate youself into society.

Answer 6

I think it should be called our national language. Although, I do not feel it should be our business language! I feel that English is over used in the business world and that we push for others to use it. In reality we should be using others' languages unless we are dealing with European countries htat speak english.

~Josh~

Answer 7

No Way- if 'English only' legislation passes, it will make it even harder for Native American groups to preserve their endangered languages. Why should you care about Native American languages?- Well, from a theoretical linguist's point of view, the extinction of a language represents the tragic loss of important data that can be used to better understand how human language works, which in turn can help us understand ourselves better. Many linguists are currently racing to document many of these languages before they become extinct. English only legislation will only speed up the demise of these languages.
From a technological point of view, a better understanding of human language can eventually lead to better computer language capabilities. If we let endangered languages die, we will be making it that much more difficult to perfect a theory of language that will facilitate the development of pratical computer language processing and other things that have not even been thought of yet.
We should fight English only legislation for the sake of science!! Besides, for those of us who already speak English, would making English the "official language" do us any good? From my perspective, this legislation only hurts people, and doesn't really benefit anyone. Most immigrants that I know already have plenty of motivation to learn English, and don't need legislation to encourage them. The only thing English only legislation does is speed up the extinction of endangered languages, which doesn't help anyone.
Anyone interested in this subject area should read Mark Baker's "the Atoms of Language", for an excellent introduction to modern linguistics.

Answer 8

Yes. The U.S. is always on a role of "offshoring" where U.S. companies establish business outside our own country. There, customer service is lower and standards are brought down.

At the same time, one might think, if we as Americans want to make good business, then we first should start improving our own homeland language.

Answer 9

Yes. Other countries have official languages. Ours is English.

Answer 10

English is one of two offical languages of this great nation the other being French ou francais