What do you think of the issue of bilingualism in the United States?

Question

Do you think that we,as a nation, should become a bilingual nation or should people that come here have to speak our language?

Answer 1

i've spent some time overseas... no country seems as accomodating to people who do not speak the native language as the United States. (we print signs and stuff in a zillion languages so we don't offend someone) I wish this was the case overseas. Seems like political correctness has pushed common sense out of the way.

yes, people of a country should seek to unite under a common language and expect others to do the same.

Answer 2

Ok, well i don't really think that is the same issue. I mean, if we weren't going to make people that come here speak our language then we wouldn't just be bilingual, we would be multilingual. But, i assume you just mean Spanish. Anyways.. i think it is a great idea for anyone and everyone to be bilingual, and not necessarily in Spanish, but instead in whatever they want. It is just a good thing to learn more than one language, it only has benefits. I mean, i think people should learn English if they live here, unless it's in a bilingual state or region, then whatever, but i don't think we should automatically throw them out if they don't learn it right away or don't get it right away.

Answer 3

I am a big supporter of learning to speak another language besides your own. However, as a nation, I do not think the USA need one. people in general do, in order to understand others, broaden their horizons, that kind of thing. But the US is not in need of being officially bilingual, since the majority of its speakers speak English. I think, actually, that the US should officialize English as the language of the nation.

I do think people who move to another country must learn the language in order to function in society. They can still speak their own language with friends and family, but they must understand the language of the country for legal and business purposes. We cannot expect the country welcoming immigrants adapting to everyone, it would be impossible.

Answer 4

I LOVE THAT IDEA..

But I do believe English should be a nearly required language. Most everyone here should speak it but I think we should really push for multiple languages. Studies have been done that show multiple languages in the brain increase intelligence. I don't remember where I saw it so do a search and maybe you'll find an article on it.

Answer 5

i think that it is a plus for people to be bilingual in america. i for example and fluent in english and russian. its a definite plus. i think that most people who do come to america who immigrate here just like i did do learn english as best as they can. but you cant expect them to be flawless in it if they grew up in a different country. i came here very young and therefor speak english with no accent. but my parents however are also fluent in english, but have an accent which will not go away. most people who permanently move to a country do try to learn that language, which is very good. so i think that we should become a bilingual nation, and that people who come here should learn english too.

Answer 6

People should learn to speak English (or at least the American version of it).

We should also promote the idea of speaking other languages as well. Unfortunately for me, I'm not very good at non-English languages. I'm good at math and programming though.

Answer 7

I believe that every person living in the Unites States must learn to speak English. I find it very confusing and insulting that people come to the U.S. to better themselves but then refuse speak English. Even major department stores are now posting signs in Spanish. America has always been a melting pot. But, as history confirms, communication is necessary to succeed in this country. It feels like a slap in the face when I witness adults, that have lived in this country for years, still unable to converse in English. While in high school, my daughter learned to speak Spanish. Please explain why so many enjoying the benefits of this country are unable or refuse to learn English. As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans".

Answer 8

I think it would be a great thing if everyone in the world were able to be multilingual by choice. But to have to be made to be bilingual to accomodate immigrants coming into your own country is not right. They have to adapt and assimilate to us. For instance, if I were to move to Holland, my a ss would be learning Dutch and not expecting them to address me in English. Learn the rules and laws of the land you're in!

Answer 9

They voted back in the day that English was the primary language.
German was only 1 vote shy of becoming our national language.

Learn the language. Bottom line.

Answer 10

In all thats fair, when we become a nation of any language along with american, we have to consider the many dialects and culture of the world within our borders. We may very well become through legistration a nation of babblers and mass confusion. God help us!