Do we have a constitutional right not to be submitted to foreign languages?

Question

Certain people are beginning to act like it is unconstitutional to speak any language but English in public in the United States. If we make English the official language, doesn't that just mean that it's the language that government business is conducted in? Does making English the official language mean people wouldn't be allowed to speak other languages in public, even if they speak English fluently as well? Do you think as Anglophones we have some God-given right not to have to hear or read any language but our own in public, even when it has nothing whatsoever to do with governmental business, documents, or signage?

What's the take on this in other countries where there is an official language? Do countries that choose an official language for government business also make it illegal for people to speak other languages in their homes, in privately owned businesses, or in public? Do they go so far as to force Korean or Indian grocers to sell goods with English names on the cans?

To Shadowhawk: Why do you feel it is rude for people speak in their native tongue with others who speak it at social functions? I've never understood this. Sometimes it is simply more natural and more practical to speak in your native tongue. I speak French fluently, but when I run into an American or Brit while in France, I revert to English. It just makes more sense. Why is that rude?

To EugeneP: I understand your frustration with illegal immigrants, but don't you think you're characterizing Mexican immigrants a bit unfairly? You see a handful of Mexican immigrants flying the Mexican flag and refusing to speak English during a protest on t.v., and you assume that all Mexicans hate America and refuse to speak English. But that's ridiculous. You're unfairly stereotyping an entire population based on the actions (often misquoted and misunderstood) of a few. Is that fair? Is it rational? Does that sort of thinking help us solve this problem at all?

To Allie: You don't travel much, do you? Yes, actually, people go to Japan or China or Europe all the time and expect to be spoken to in English. American people, that is. Something like 50% of the business in Europe is conducting in Europe in countries where English is neither an official language nor a majority language. My ex-husband travels to China, Japan, Taiwan, and other Asian countries on a regular basis, and although he's the only Anglophone there, everyone does business there in English when he's around. Ask any European if you don't believe me: when Americans travel to Europe, and even when they move there, they expect to be spoken to in English, and they often are.

To machiko_146: Who said anything about requiring Anglophones in the U.S. to speak other languages? Who said anything about requiring any language period? Your entire response is a logical fallacy: a straw man argument, to be exact. All I'm suggesting is that while immigrants should be encouraged, perhaps even required, to learn English, and should be assisted in doing so, "English only" is not and should not be a proposal to abolish speaking other languages in public. The people who think that speaking in Spanish or French or Arabic or Mandarin Chinese in public should be illegal apparently do not understand that "official language" does not mean "only language".

Answer 1

Americans have a Constitutional Right to say anything they wish, in any language, as long as they are willing to pay the consequences in civil action suits. It is called Free Speech. But, if I say something untrue about someone and it is considered damaging to their reputation, they can sue me. If I say something that incites hate, I can be taken to civil court.
In Canada there are two official languages, English and French, but there is a large Asian population in Canada and the Asians use their native language much of the time.
In the USA many people speak Spanish. It is certainly not illegal. I think Americans are patriotic, and in light of current events they are touchy about the subject. I think there may be some concern that Spanish will become a 2nd official language.
The whole subject is about communication, and honest communication breaks down barriers.
Thanks for the question.

Answer 2

The opinion I have heard people espousing is that businesses,public schools and government agencies should not be required to be multilingual-which they are in some places. Some immigrants are raising h*ll because no one at the welfare office speaks their language! You can't tell me that's right. Speak your native tongue in your home with friends and family by all means-but don't ask me to support you with my taxes if you can't be bothered to learn my country's language. As far as grocers-if the goods were produced in another country and people want to buy them,they should know what they're buying or ask for help. I visit a store with many imported goods and that's what I do. No one is asking for english to be the universal language, but some immigrants seem to feel that their language should be. I'm sure some americans do this in other countries and it's just as wrong. If you want to live or visit some place,you can't expect everyone to understand you if you can't speak the language of that country.

Answer 3

There is no law proposed even for an 'official' language. That would make ballots and such have to be in English. The Senate Bill only requires English to be the National Language and the Common and Unifying language, which means diddly.

Anyone can speak what they like. However, I do believe that if you move to a different country, you should expect to learn the language of that country.

cantcu - that is fascinating. I will have to look that up.

Answer 4

It is not in the constitution. It is our common language and should be enforced as such. If English is the official language it means only for business and government purposes. If want to speak Klingon, Spanish, or whatever in your home that is completely cool. It has no bearing on learning a new language either. No one is talking about forcing people to use English in their private lives, but they should have a working knowledge of English.
It is that way in Mexico, after all. Of course, noting the sarcasm in your question, why stop with spanish? We are a "nation of immigrants" after all. All nationalities come here. So let's all be required to speak Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Russian. Let's speak it all. To h*** with assimilation!
Why should those from spanish speaking countries get preference?

Answer 5

I would love to hear from people in the tourism industry about a "constitutional right not to be submitted to foreign languages"! That's ridiculous. Everyone should be allowed to speak whatever language they want, and the official language should be- just as you have stated- the language that government business is conducted in. In the private sector, it should be the choice of the business owner which language they wish to conduct business in, and which language(s) they expect their employees to speak.

I used to live in Italy and there were many, many foreigners who chose to speak their L1 whenever they had the opportunity. Over time they learned enough Italian to survive on a daily basis, deal with the government, and find employment. But at home and with friends, they chose to speak their native language. Life in Italy goes on.

However, the issue about the grocery stores is slightly different. In every country in the world, food products are required to have the ingredients listed in the official language, for consumer safety. The original packaging can be in any language, but a sticker must be added that lists the ingredients in the official language so that consumers with potentially fatal allergies or religious dietary restrictions can make safe eating choices.

Answer 6

Immigration laws require you to be English speaking or have some form of English teaching and speaking classes when you arrive to the united states and plan on living and becoming a permanet resident or green card holder.

My oppion you should be required to speak English because that is the Majority of what this country is made up of English speaking citizens.

I believe it is also rude when people speak in different languages in front of heir guest or social functions its impolite and rude.

That's just my personal oppion .

People need to communicate effectively so i believe we all should speak English when conducting business and other important social functions.

If you speak another language use that in your free time when not conducting important social functions within society.

Answer 7

Wait wait wait. The governement can't outlaw speech in your home.
Tourists speak other lauguages in public in other countires all the time (just go to Europe where you can hear many lauguages in one day just in passing).


Makiing it the offical lauguage would only make it for business, education, and official things.

My opinion on this? A single launguage makes it simple for everyone. Launguage is a means to commincate and if everyone doesn't talk on the same wavelength- it's pretty much useless. If you want to live in America Learn the laugnuage.

I'm pretty sure that the whole world may oneday have one common launguage because of it's interconnectedness. The only reason many lauguages exist is because different cultures didn't interact that much. Now because of the internet and globablization- that has radically changed.

MVB- That makes no sence. Japan speaks only one lauguage and is not communist. One lauguage doe not mean you are communist. Countires with more than one laungauge is a realatively new phenomenon.

Answer 8

I agree that everyone in the US should be able to speak, write & read English BUT even some ignorant right-wingers can't do that. Our forefathers didn't mind dealing with the French (most-likely speaking in the French language) to help us defeat the British in order to have the priviledge for us to have a Constitution. Citizens have the right to speak whatever language we want. Anyone who disagees is an ethnocentric idiot afraid to venture to learn another language...it's not the fault of the linguistically-educated to stop communicating just because you're lazy.

Answer 9

I do not believe that there is a Constitutional implication one way or the other.
Should permanent residents of the US be able to read / speak standard English........ABSOLUTELY! For practical reasons. If you can't, you are less likely to be able to support yourself, and advance in prosperity....and that probably means that I am supporting you.
Do I care personally if you speak your native toungue around me? Not at all. Diverse traditions and experiences are a part of life. Just don't expect the general public to change and adapt because you won't grow. Also, It can be rude to to intentionally exclude some one by means of language in agroup setting.
I am am white guy and have had people change from English into Spanish to do just that to me. (Except they never bothered to think that I understand it!) Kind of small minded I think.

Answer 10

It's not a rights issue, it's a communication issue. In the US, where the official and most widely-spoken language is English, you can expect to conduct business in English. Would you move to Japan and expect everyone there to be able to communicate with you in English, or would you learn to speak Japanese?