85% Of the Worlds Countries have a National language Why Not America?

Question

I saw tonight that 85% of the Worlds countries have a regonized national Language. Why then do people Complain when it's suggested America make English our National Language? I also saw tonight yet another town is considering making English there official language Taney Town Maryland. It would appear if the Federal government fails to Act on this issue that Local governments will simply do it themselves. Thoughts and comments ????

Answer 1

Because there are too many here in this country that don't bother to learn English, and they cry "foul" (or whatever it is in their language) when it is brought up.

I think that there should be an official language. Then the government (both federal and state) should only print forms in English (none of this different languages - how much money would be saved if all forms were printed in one language?). If it was harder to live here without knowing the language, do you think that illegal immigrants would flow into the country so freely??

Answer 2

"On May 19, 2006, the United States Senate voted to make English the national language of the United States. According to the bill, written by Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), the federal government will no longer provide multilingual communications and services, except for those already guaranteed by law.

Shortly after the approval of the Inhofe amendment, the Senate voted for another bill by Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), according to which English is the "common unifying language of the United States," but mandated that nothing in that declaration "shall diminish or expand any existing rights" regarding multilingual services."

We do have a "National Language." All you "whinners and complainers" need to do a little more research before you post your questions and stop watching Lou Dobbs.

Answer 3

I didn't know that! How come it's not your official national language if it is the language of all official organizations throughout the nation?!

That's amazing!

Well, this is not a proper answer, I know. It's more of a comment. But you know, after reading the others' answers my opinion is it's actually a beautiful thing not to have a national language. That's really part of being a melting pot. I'm Brazilian and we are another huge melting pot. Portuguese, however is our official national language. Not fair - especially because it was only some 200 years ago that Portuguese really started to spread throughout the country. Before that, most people - even the European settlers - spoke Tupi, a native language.

Shame on us!

Answer 4

When it comes to colonial countries such as the US, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, etc., it is difficult to assign any official language because the indigenous people have mostly become a victim of genocide. They have been replaced by waves of people from other nations, each with a different language. When people are operating on stolen land, it is not possible to declare one language as having priority over another. True, English and Spanish are the most commonly used languages of the United States and to live comfortably and conveniently, people of the US should speak these languages. But, in reality, both of these languages are products of white colonialists and neither of them belong here. In the future, perhaps the demographics of the US will shift and another language will replace the popularity of either of these languages (not likely in our lifetime). That's just the nature of colonial countries like the US, they are occupied by non-indigenous people and for this reason no one has the right to declare their customs or language as the national one, instead language and culture will always be shifting. Most European, African, and Asian countries can declare a national language because the people indigenous to these countries are still the large occupiers of those countries.

Answer 5

As far as I am concerned, it is English!.
Spanish is a close 2nd.
the official language of aviation and pilots is English! The problem here is , a lot of pilots do not speak intelligible English and controllers, can not understand them.Dangerous!
I wonder what the official language is on this yahoo forum. For some , its the furthest thing form English , I have ever seen.

Answer 6

Most of the worlds countries also have kings and queens, should we also get one of those? Really? common.. the people speak different languages.. Its what happens in "FREE" countries.. If you say english is the language spoken here that's freaking rude as hell.. Not to mention you only promote language discrimination and racial tentions.. People will say, screw you speak english.. thats about as negative as things get.. It would bring descrimination if you dont speak that language.. Stupid people will say things like.. Speak english.. its america.. What does that matter? Most of the people here do speak a single language and its already spoken here regularly .. its americanized english.. If you want to speak another language so be it.. but you wont get far anyway if you don't at least learn some english.. but to say this is the language of the land is like setting up some sort of linguistic theology.. This land is for americans and there are german americans.. native americans.. black americans.. mexican americans and many others.. should we say that only english americans should get their language chosen? We left england for a reason.. They were oppresive and their language by definition in many ways to this day still shows oppression.. as with the word "UNDERSTAND" meaning to stand under reffering to the queen and her subjects.. I speak english as my first language but most people who would say we need a national language dont speak other languages.. so they cant see the beauty in them.. all languages are beautiful in one way or the other.. its not fair or right to choose one over another.. it disrespects entire cultures..

Answer 7

I saw this on Lou Dobbs tonight. That needs to be another big push for Americans. Insist on not just an "national" language...but

Insist on an

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

There is a difference...and the difference has legal ramification.

Answer 8

First off, the United States is a melting pot of many differing ethnic groups. The 85% of other countries are not as ethnically polluted as ours is. Plus with the constant infusion of immigrants from Mexico and the far east, some officials feel it would be insensitive to declare an "Official Language" leaving these peoples without a way to understand our culture.

Answer 9

I would say it's because America has throughout history been known as "the great melting pot" because all the original settlers who came to America came from different lands. The Native American Indians are the only truly indigenous Americans. America is supposed to be tolerant and accepting of all races and cultures and the languages that come with them. It's what makes life interesting I think.

Answer 10

We should. This country was founded on one language "English". Everything that it stands for (and will again regarding illegals) was founded on English and they want to tear it apart and make this a Spanish speaking country.