Should English be the only thing spoken in the United States, or should we have to speak Spanish also?

Answer 1

we're in AMERICA. we speak ENGLISH. when we go to their country they expect us to learn their language they need to learn ours. I'm sick of people who live here who don't speak english. I don't go to your country and expect you to understand me and accomodate me just because I can't speak your launguage. sooo frustrating.

Answer 2

There are quite a bit of very vehement answers in favor of English, and while I do agree that illegal immigrants really don't have many rights in a country which they only live in (not have responsibility towards), we are all missing a very important point. How does any language become the primary language spoken? Majority of speakers. Already in the United States, we have many more people who do not speak English as their first language than who do. Granted, it's not just Spanish spoken, but those of the legal immigrants who come here and try to make a way for themselves and their families make up the new American demographic, much like the older European immigrants. When America was in its first years, so much German was spoken (because of so many German speakers) that it was proposed as the majority language. Many countries have numerous official languages and that is because of those who live there. So if so many people live here speak another language, and they are legal citizens, why not expand the official language group to include another with a majority number of speakers? So what if we have to learn a little Spanish (or whatever). They learn at least a little of English to get by, and whether or not it is official, Spanish will still be widely spoken and many of us who come into contact with those citizens day after day will have to hear it. Why not at least understand what they are saying? Don't retard yourselves.

Answer 3

I think that we should expand our knowledge of other languages. Sure this is the United States and our official language is English, but it is unfair to expect everyone to learn English. While I don't think we should add Spanish as another official language, forcing everyone that walks on the land to speak English is a slap in the face to all of our ancestors. Let's be honest, when most of us arrived on this continent we spoke other languages, be it a Native American tongue or Dutch, Italian, Chinese, French, Japanese, etc. And our version of English is so different from the "proper" English that is spoken around the world. So I guess if you advocate that everyone speaks English, then I think that we all need to learn a standard form, that is logical and consistent. So, no, English should not be the only language spoken in the United States.

Answer 4

This is America and our national language is English. While I think it would be in opposition to our Bill of Rights and personal freedoms in general to demand that it be the only language spoken in this country, there does need to be a line drawn.

Twenty years ago in California, ballots for elections were printed on one side in English, and in Spanish on the other. This was eventually stopped; the argument being that in order to become an American citizen and thus gain voting privileges, a person needed to be able to read and write English. I agreed with this.

Yes, California has a large Mexican history and population, but English is taught in the schools, and while Spanish may be the language many speak in their homes, English is still the way for them to navigate the world outside of that.

Again, this is America and our language is English. Speak what you'd like in your own homes, but don't force it on the rest of us.

I don't see the need for billboards in languages only a portion of the population can read, or labels on products at the store with incomprehensible instructions.

I understand that many companies now add multiple languages to their labeling process because they ship products all over the world and this can have the benefit of costing the consumer less overall. For reasons I do not fully understand, it still annoys the crap out of me.

So yes. This is the United States of America and our language is English. I do not believe that any other language should be required of us in our own homeland. I may be small-minded about this, but that's what I think.

Answer 5

This is a very tricky issue...on the one hand, I understand the diversity angle - it is not our place to dictate ones means of expression [see the First Amendment for further information.].

On the other hand...
I personally believe that if you truly want to be a part of a new culture than it behooves one to learn its language & customs. [the "when in Rome' theory]

I think bi- & tri-lingual signs are a nice courtesy to non-english speaking guests in our fair nation, but that's all it should be: a courtesy...NOT an obligation. Citizens should not be forced to accomidate those who choose not to participate.
My favorite example of this is the sandwich shop owner in Philly who posted a sign stating that he reserved the right not to serve people who could not or would not order in english. I don't neccesarily agree with his actions, but I understand his reasoning. He should not have to expend extra capital from his own pocket to accomidate non-english speakers if he chooses not to...In fact most, if not all retail establishments have a sign posted somewhere on the property stating the management's right to refuse service to anyone at any time. This particular business owner was just being more specific than most.

Was it legal? Yes. It's his place, he is the owner & as such may legaly refuse to serve whomever he pleases.
Was it the right thing to do? That's not for me to say.

However I will say that if you want to live here & take part in our culture, [and job-market] then learn the language. If not, well, don't get mad when you find out ignorance isn't so blissful after all.

Answer 6

Why would you limit people from being able to expand their knowledge of foreign language? Obviously if you come to this country not knowing English, you should learn it. But there are also people who come to this country in order to travel for business or pleasure. If people of the United States don't bother to learn a differnt language, how can you communicate with new people you may encounter. Or, what if you go to a different country, shouldn't you at least be familiar with their language in order to get around? No one has to speak only English or Spanish, but having that knowledge under your belt is an advantage.

Answer 7

English should not be the only language spoken here. However, I don't think it should be MANDATORY to speak another language if I live right here in the USA. (it should be a choice or an elective to learn another language).

I'm very frustrated at times when I drive up to a fast food restuarant like McDonald's (where a lot of mexican immigrants work) and I order in plain english something simple on the menu, and my order STILL comes up wrong! It's like, why should I be forced to succumb to formulating my sentences every which way to communicate when they should "understand or know" how to speak English? (especially working in a drive thru window where your communication skills should be sharp!). I'm not trying to be rude when I discuss this subject, but I do think immigrants (or people from other countries who migrate here)should make a conscience effort to learn the native language English that we Americans were taught to know.

Answer 8

English only! Look at the mess up in Canada with both English and French. This is America as we speak English here. I should not have to press "1" for English when I call some place. English is what has been spoken here and English is the language here.

DEPORT ILLEGAL ALIENS

ENGLISH ONLY IN AMERICA

Answer 9

This is the land of the FREE.
You should be able to speak any language.

You should not have to speak Spanish, but if you look at the "new world" Canada down to south America Spanish rules.

Also Europeans know how to speak 3-5 languages.

Answer 10

We should speak english. When I go to stores like Home Depot, for instance, It's like find your language. Even the announcements are mostly in spanish!! And when I'm in there (a-few times a month) I don't see any groups of people who even speak spanish! Since when has spanish speakers outnumbered english speakers? Please, learn english or get out.

Answer 11

There are many countries that have more than one language (Canada, Switzerland, Belgium etc..) and they seem to get on just fine. If people feel the need to speak their native tongue I guess you should let them. Learning Spanish is probably a good thing as it is the 2nd most spoken first language in the world.