Does anyone else think ENGLISH should be our national language?

Question

I mean do I not like Spanish or does everyone else agree?

Ok yes I am an American and with all this about a melting pot and everything I mean cmon people. Can we go into mexico and force them to learn English? Can we go to Germany and make them learn English too? We are a melting pot but why is language a factor?? We can still have many races and ways of life but how do we communicate if everyone speaks another language??

Answer 1

Yes it should, and it really surprised me a while ago when I found out it wasn't officially it. Wait, you are in the U.S right? I don't know about the U.K, (I mean your name is Royal Navy, so I hope you are in the U.K) but it should be in the U.S.

Answer 2

I don't think that designating English as a national language would really change anything from they way things are right now. Other languages would still be printed and spoken where people felt it would be beneficial to others in the community. Also, English as a Second Language classes would still exist to help students who aren't native speakers learn the language so they can learn other subjects in school. Because the U.S is supposed to be a welcoming place for people from all countries and backgrounds, establishing a national language kind of kills the "melting pot" no?

Answer 3

Eighty-five percent (85%) of Americans believe that English should be the official language of the United States. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 adults found that only 11% disagree and 4% are not sure.

Last month, as part of legislation on immigration reform, the Senate voted 63-34 to make English the “national” language. The semantic difference between an “official” language and a “national” language is something that only a politician could love. The survey did not attempt to make any such distinction.

An official language would require all government publications and business to be conducted in English. That requirement was not included in the Senate legislation. However, the bill does state that no one has "a right, entitlement or claim to have the government of the United States or any of its officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or provide services or provide materials in any language other than English."

Making English the nation’s official language is favored by 92% of Republicans, 79% of Democrats, and 86% of those not affiliated with either major political party.

It is supported by 91% of those over 40 and 78% of those under 40. There is little difference in the views of men and women or across income categories. Eighty-eight percent (88%) of white Americans support English as the official language along with 76% of non-white Americans.

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D) was upset by the measure that passed the Senate and declared it “racist.”

The House of Representatives did not include a requirement for making English the national language in their immigration reform proposal.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Americans now say that immigration reform is a “very” important issue in terms of how they will vote this November. Among those who say immigration is very important, 92% favor making English the official language of the United States.

Answer 4

Are you American? If so, I'm an immigrant from Asia who grew up in California and learned Spanish in school. I absolutely believe that English should be the national language although our strength as Americans come from diversity and culture. I LOVE the fact that there are towns in the USA where signs are not in English and very little English is spoken. Those towns contribute to the vibrancy, charm and adventuresomeness of this country. But there's no way in the next hundred years that the national language will change from English to Spanish. If anything, with China coming into dominance, the next "world" language might just be Mandarin.

Answer 5

I do. I think it's fine for people to speak their native language when with family, friends or within their neighborhood, but in general for all public purposes I believe we should use one common language. Since it's always been English and since our country was established in that language, why would we change it now? Or why would we want to hear several languages whenever we inquire of any business or governmental office? That just confuses everyone and gives foreign born people less incentive to learn the ways of their adopted land.

However, we the people did not get to vote on this issue but were left with the results of "our" elected officials.

Can you imagine trying to place an emergency call to a hospital, police station or fire station and having to spend the first two or three minutes establishing what language we choose to hear?

I think this was an unwise choice.

Answer 6

A nation unifies by those things its members agree to have in common. Goals, language, mutual defense, agreement to abide by social laws. When 'diversity' divides one group of people from another, it is detrimental to the nation.

The purpose of the Federal Government is to ensure the nation's security, unity and security. When separatist movements like MECHA/Aztlan insist upon carving out their own nation, identified by the race of its people and the language they will speak, it is the duty of the Federal government to take action to prevent their agenda from progressing.

Those insisting upon NOT learning English tend to have a separatist attitude - that they do not need to be a member of the American nation and join in what makes us Americans identify with each other. Those persons are NOT our countrymen and cannot be until they choose to be. So long as they choose to be 'other', they deserve to be treated as 'others'.

Learn English. Be Americans. Or, go back to the nation whose language and other norms you prefer.

Answer 7

English is the spoken language of this country, anyone coming here better learn it.. If I go to McD's and I can't understand the person taking my order,,I'll be in the managers face and make sure he has no job after I'm done Bi*chin.

Answer 8

I agree. But were gong to keep ******* around with that border ****. And everyone will have to learn Spanish and English will become the 2nd Language.

Answer 9

YES - American English (true English from England has so many differences from OUR form of English-like "torch" for flashlight, etc., so to just call it English is a little weird - but American English seems just right)

Answer 10

Yes, most definately. English should be the national language.