Is the term or idea " English Only " a contradiction to the First Amendment?

Question

We have the right to say whatever we want and express ourselves how we want............so language shouldn't matter right?

Answer 1

The term/idea "English Only" does violate the US Constitution. The first amendment protects our right to free speech...in any language, however we want, whatever we want to say. English only also violates an international treaty which was signed between the US and Mexico. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Treaty states that (at least) within the lands taken from Mexico the Hispanic people (up to that point Mexicans) be allowed to practice and hand down their heritage language, which is Spanish. The term/idea "English Only" also violates the New Mexico Constitution which dictates that all important documents be in both English & Spanish. New Mexico is the only state where it is law for both languages to appear in ALL documents of importance. Passing into law such an idea would be in violation of AT LEAST three different important documents and also in violation of our inalienable rights as human beings to speak in whatever language or form we wish.

However, I'd like to make it clear that...when in Rome, one must do as Romans do. Of course one may speak any language one wishes but one cannot possibly expect EVERYONE to understand at ALL times. If one finds themselves in a foreign country the least a person can do is learn the language. After all. the more languages a person speaks...the better! A multilingual person is more marketable and more likely to earn more than a monoligual person.

I've never understood why the US was so closed to learning new and different languages...everywhere else, kids graduate speaking at least two languages. Why not here? I'll tell you what though, I'm giving my kids a definite advantage by teaching them Spanish AND English. They both attend a dual language school and they're amazing me on a daily basis with their skills in both!

Answer 2

I disagree! It's nice to speak a second language but it ain't nice to impose that language on other people. Spanish is being imposed on this counrty and nothing is compensating for that imposition.

Consider, 30 years ago if you came to the average Hospital and only spoke spanish you had better have somebody with you to interpret, now speaking spanish is a more important job application plus, influencing the market. If you pick up the telephone and talk to customer services they don't ask you what language you speak and they don't provide for German, French, Italian Chinese, Nihongo, and so on, but they do ask you about Spanish costing you and the employer timeand money, and then they tell Blacks that they should not get affirmative Action!


I had a friend who use to hustle Chess for a living . He's a RussianJew and got throw out of a Chess Club by a German who got tired of his gambling and getting into loud arguments. The friend in a conversation stammered that he should go back to the Club and yell certian explitives which he gave in Russki Slavic. Another friend thensaid I didn'r know George the German spoke Russian and then paul realized his folly! That's why lingua Franc is vital!

The first line of the Constitution is for a more perfect Union and thus how can you be or feel United to a person who can't or dosen't even want to talk to you.
How can you trust such a person to aid you in the denocratic election process opr even assume he really understands the nations sense of law goverment and politics. Legal and Political Scholars often disagree on terms even while speaking the same language.

Besides orthodox spanish like the Kings English was styled after a king, and the spanish king had a lisp. I think if we are going to go for two languages lets try japanese, old people who loose their teeth can speak it much more clearly! !

Answer 3

True...we can express ourselves however we want, but just because we can it doesn't mean we can do it without consequences. For instance, I could drive naked to my state capitol building and stand out there protesting the government, but I'll probably be arrested. I can also drive over to the nearest Mexican food store that supports illegal immigrants and spew hateful terms (once again naked because it's too hot to wear anything at the moment!) at the management and servers, but I better be prepared for the consequences: i.e. probably a citation for being naked and charged with a hate crime.
My point is just because we can it doesn't mean we should. In the case of English only, it actually makes sense on a lot of sense to have a national language. For one thing, why should Spanish speakers have the luxury of signs, government documents, etc. and people from say Japan or Zimbabwe have to struggle to learn English to communicate? I think that this is condescending for Spanish only speakers. It implies and perpetuates the myth that people from south of the border especially are ignorant and unable to learn. I hope that's not the case. There's also the issue of safety. If these citizens can't communicate during an emergency, how can we help them or know what they need? If you are in this country, then you should learn English and become a part of mainstream society.

Answer 4

If you speak in a language that most of the population doesn't understand, how are you communicating? You have every legal right to speak any language you like, but if the point is to express an idea, you have to be understood.

One other point to be made here is that to carry on a conversation in public and in a second language is just rude. Bad manners and unfriendly to boot. Remember the "Seinfeld" episode in the Korean beauty parlor?

Answer 5

The current debate over establishing English as the OFFICIAL (not only) language of the US has no bearing on the 1st Amendment. No one will be prevented from speaking other languages. In fact, it will prevent reverse violations of the Free Speech clause. For instance, forcing a private business to conduct business in Serbian because two Serbians live in the neighborhood. More importantly it sends a message to all non-English speakers that the best road to success in our country is to be able to conduct business in our language. Encouraging immigrants to stick to their native tongues will keep them seperate and marginalized.

Answer 6

The Constitution of the United States and all of its Amendments are written in English. The term "English Only" is unnecessary in its redundancy. All it does is get azzholes like you fired up.

Answer 7

The 'english' debate is about provision of official services, I think, it doesn't mean u can't speak another language, it just means like when you're doing business etc., it needs to be in english.

Answer 8

Nope, the Amendments are written in English.

Answer 9

No, it shouldn't matter. But to protest for citizenship in a foreign language is really just a foolish move. If you want to express yourself, make yourself understood.

Answer 10

Is it contradictory to want to be an American citizen as well as hate freedom, be a rascist Nazi, hate capitalism, and speak a different language?