What difference will it make making English the official language?

Question

Will there be any difference, as to how it is now?

Answer 1

Not unless you offer free English classes and provided transportation to and from them. Trying to make people learn English by passing a law is like outlawing ignorance without not providing free education.

Answer 2

I believe it would be. Imigrants are coming into the United States where our learning and speaking habits were and are based on the English language which I agree should become our National language by law. Try going into a country outside of the USA and demand the people in that country to speak English and see what happens. So what is so different then us wanting to do the same thing. If you want to live in another country and survive you had better learn their language. I respect their choice so why shouldn't they respect mine? In the old village within a city they spoke their previous country langauge within that village but taught the English language to their children as well as spoke it themselves. I think it's high time that the USA press the point and make the English language mandatory for all incoming immigrants to make a harmony among all peoples in how we speak. There are no more villages within a city any more.

Answer 3

It would depend on how the law was worded. Canada has two official languages (English and French) and has an Official Languages Act that spells out the rights Canadians have regarding both languages. And let me tell you, it can get pretty complicated.

I think in the case of the US, the difference would be fairly minor. It wouldn't stop literature and services from being provided in other languages (a lot of that is decided at the state level), but it might create a sitation where someone cannot say he or she has the "right" to something or another in their native language, esp. if that language is one spoken by a vast minority. (I'm thinking like maybe an African dialect or something.)

I'm in favor of it, but given that I don't necessarily trust politicians, I would be wary of the wording of the law.

Answer 4

Whatever country you live in, you should know that countries language. Making English the official language would stop some of this bull of making our teachers and employers and employees learn a "second" language to accomodate other people. As it stands now, some school districts are making teachers and principals learn a second language (spanish) because of communication barriers. It would require those going to school to know my language. Which, is, if you really think about it, and quit making it a racial issue, is proper. If i were to move my family to another country, do you think that country would put signs up in english for me? NO! Learn the language and the laws here. I am tired of changing laws to accomodate people who want only the freedom here, but none of the responsibility!

Answer 5

Not really, except that it will add some "oomph" to the requirement for citizenship for understanding English. We really do need to make a common language official - every other country in the world has their "official" language. I don't see what the problem is with the U.S. having one, too.

Answer 6

If you are refering to USA, yes. It would make a big difference.
People here would have to learn english, beginning with the president, vicepresident, the congress, business people, ordinary people, journalists, professionals, workers ( like plumbers, carpenters ) , I mean, the whole 220 million people who live in this country, practically none of which actually know english.
I know a graduate from Harvard University, who was hired by the University to find out the development of graduates, and he told me that in a certain corporation, the president told him that the only people who could write a letter in english were his secretary and himself, because not even the vicepresidents knew how to do it

Answer 7

Everyone will have to know English which will make life easier and less expensive for many government offices and health care offices which according to Federal Law have to provide non-English speaking customers with interpreters to insure proper communication.
I am an immigrant myself and I think that besides the requirement to learn English, every immigrant who has sufficient mental capacity should learn English just to show respect to this country for being accepted as residents.
When I was in sports high school, my coach always made sure that when we traveled to different speaking countries we would learn at least to say "Thank you", "You are welcome", "hello" etc. He taught us to respect host countries.

Answer 8

Probably none. People will still speak the language in which they are most comfortable. Business will advertise in the language of he customers they wish to attract. The DMV and registrars of voters will publish in the languages needed in their communities and teachers will do their best to reach all of their students.

The biggest difference will be that some polititians will be able to pat themselves on the back for "doing something" about the illegal alien question and tens of thousands of dollars will be wasted on the effort.

Answer 9

Nah... Look at Belgium... FOUR official languages and they do just FINE.

Besides, how patriotic IS English anyway?
Isn't it called English? ...as in the language of England?

How about a NEW language just for the U.S.?!?
We could call it United Statesish!

GEEZ.... :-)

Answer 10

If english we mandated by law as the official language then we could certainly save money on government documents printed in other languages, we could save on govt. employee saleries by not having to pay extra money to someone because they are bi-lingual.

We could save on phone bills like when the 911 operator answers and you don't speak english she could just hang up and save on the phone bill.