Should the English language dominate? Does it piss you off...?

Question

I'm a liberal, accepting and loving person of all races, religions, etc. Maybe it's just me but, if I were to uproot my family and my life to move to a different country where it would be better for me, I would take it upon myself to learn their language. It offends me and really pisses me off that in an engilsh speaking country, the best one on earth, has to start adding spanish words to our public signs and private lives to adapt. I've even met immigrants who REFUSE to speak english! I live in Michigan for Christs sakes! If you're going to travel, move your whole life and the lives of your children, go through the process to become legal, or risk being here illegally, why the **** is it NOT improtant to learn the ways of life here?!? I understand that it's they're heritage and they're proud, that's fine but, THEY made this choice!

Answer 1

It is Dominate-and the language of the US.

They either are Rude not trying to learn it--or are Stupid and can't.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know lots of older now citizens who have learned enough to pass the simple exam.

New ones it is understandable they need time.

Answer 2

No matter what anyone says, English is the official language
of the United States of America. The Constitution including
the Bill of Rights and all amemndments are written in English.

ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, FOX NEWS, CNN, MSNBC, TBN,
all use the English language.

The King James Version of the Bible is probably the most
used Bible for the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
on an international level.

The official language of the EU is English.

English is the official language of International Banking.

English is the official language of International Shipping
both on sea and air.

The Engineering or British system of measurement(inches etc),
is the measurement used by the builders of the Pyramid at
Giza.


They say that Mandarin Chinese will one day soon be the most
used language on the net, but even then, English will still be
the language used by business and travelers alike more that
any other language.

In Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, all major business is now
conducted in English.

If you fly an airlines into any international port in the entire world
you may contact the control tower in English and they will
respond in kind. Anywhere in this world!!!!!

Any sea going vessel above 15000 tonnes entering USA
teritorial waters with intention of putting into port must have
on board someone who speaks fluent English and can translate
into the language of the officers on board.

English isn't going anywhere for the time being, and those
who refuse to learn it will pay the price, no matter what anyone
says.

If someone doesn't want to learn English, I would suggest
learning the Hebrew language. Because when Messiah comes
no matter whether you are Jewish, Christian, or other, the
international language will become Hebrew!!!!!

I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!

Answer 3

I lived in the USA for five years, as you can see, I speak English. I believe is better to learn the language of the place you're going to. However I have to correct you on something. The United States of America is not an -English speaking country-, It's official language is English. On the other hand, there hasn't been a single day in which only English was spoken in the US. The country is built from people from all over the world!

I believe is very arrogant not to even let people go there, when we all own this lame planet we live on.

By the Way: God bless America means the whole continent. All over the world there are 5 continents not 6, so America is North, central, and south America.

Another thing, gringos go everywhere asking questions in English, and we answer, and not go huh?

I also speak German and Portuguese.

Answer 4

I understand that it frustrates you but the first people in this country were not speaking English. There was a complete different race and those were native Americans. This country has so many different cultures. I also believe that Spanish is one of the most widely spoken second languages in this country. And also there are people here from other countries besides people that are south of the border that are speaking a different language and they don't even speak English. So stop hating on Hispanics, I just think you have a problem with racism against Hispanics.

Answer 5

Did you know that your questions and answers are being seen in other countries too...I do wonder how you would like to live in Western Canada where all the stores put all the packages on the shelves with the French language side facing you? So you have to pick up EVERYTHING and turn it around before you can read the label in English. The French speakers live mostly in Quebec, and are a minority, yet everyone in Canada must be inconvenienced. That annoys me lots. It would be wonderful if all of North America could be one country (no more customs and borders between us). I think Spanish is a beautiful language and a lot easier to learn than French. Count your blessings if your store shelves don't display all the products with the Spanish side facing outward!

Answer 6

It doesn't piss me off, although it can be frustrating. I work at a hotel, and I am almost fluent in Spanish, and can get away with Portuguese and Italian. But when I run into a person who only speaks Spanish or Portuguese, they are always frustrated with me for not trying harder to learn their language!

Excuse me, at least I'm trying.

Americans are definitely perceived in an unfair light in this case.

Some people argue that in Europe it is not uncommon for someone to speak more than one language. That is true, but that is because one country is so geographically close to another.

The USA is really huge. Travel 3000 miles away from California, you're still in America in Massachusetts. With the exception of Russia (which is partially in Asia), such is not the case in Europe. So just because Europe does it, doesn't mean we must.

I also notice people overlook South America and Australia, which predominantly only speak one language.

I think if people were honest I would say it is because most people who come to this country have a love/hate relationship with America. They resent the "power" America has, but they want part of the benefits. They love the freedom that America offers, but hate how cultures they perceive as foreign exercise their freedom differently than they do. And America is a mixed salad of foreign cultures, moreso than anywhere else. One way to keep a bit of themselves I bet is to keep their language.

I could get mad, and say "well then go back to your country", but then I remember change effects everyone, not just them coming to this country, but also me and other Americans who welcome them. And the thing is none of us get to decide what we have to adapt to, and want we don't.

Answer 7

1) Have you ever been to a non-English speaking country? if so I'm sure you remember the relief of hearing English on the subway bus airport or hotel and anywhere else really. not every person in the U.S. lives here, we have a lot of tourists here, we can't make it a requirement to vacation here that you must speak English.

2) Not everyone necessarily wanted to move here. Many people have been forced to move to the U.S. by war drought famine and prejudice. What makes America so great is that we provide freedom. They may be trying to learn our language, or to old to understand the need to learn it especially when younger generations have learned it and help them in their daily lives. Yes i will admit it can be a bit frustrating trying to communicate with some of these non English speaking people, but i think it is a price i am willing to pay to be able to live in this FREE country.

Answer 8

I understand and unfortunately agree with you, but to an extent...have you ever lived abroad? Can you speak another language? for most immigrants our country is a world of shock and entirely different when it comes to how they used to live. English is already taught and has been for a long time in most European schools, we have to give everyone time to adjust and learn. Also, it is sad to think that because so many are changing their heritage for another that many languages are becoming forgotten. While we may not remember our Greek and Latin, at one time those very people didn't like the infusion of Celtic and Germanic language joining theirs. We now call it English!

Answer 9

By "public songs" I assume you're referring to the National Anthem? It was actually documented in Spanish by the federal government in the early 1900's. I don't understand why folks suddenly decided to make an issue out of it now.

As for the rest of your angst, America is the most monolingual 1st world country on Earth. That's not something to be proud of. Most of our kids grow up with English only and never learn a second or third language (unlike children in most other 1st world countries). I think it's time Americans woke up and realized we aren't the center of the world. In order for us to remain competitive in international commerce, we should learn other languages.

Considering our neighbors to the south have always been, and will continue to be closely tied to the country, Spanish would be a great choice for Americas second language.

Answer 10

I feel the same way as you. I accept people of all races and religions. I understand that people want to move here because of opportunity and freedom. But....they should become legal. i can't stand walking into a store and reading so many things written in Spanish. These people moved into our country..they should learn the language. And like I told another person who had a similar question.....our country offers alot of freedom, but if you don't like what we have here and how we speak here....there is another freedom that this country offers.....THE FREEDOM TO LEAVE!

Answer 11

You say you're a liberal, and yet you infringe on others' rights? Hmmmm...

If you went to another country, you probably wouldn't take it upon yourself to learn the language - Americans are arrogant like that. Why do you expect others to be the bigger person and learn the language in their spare time, between working as hard as they can and caring for their families?

I'm sorry if it offends you that others don't speak English, but that is really your problem, and their business and yours are not one and the same.

Have a pleasant day.