if we live in america, why do we have to press one for english?

Answer 1

Because unlike other countries we get looked down upon for not being "PC". I think it is crap. This is America.. we speak English... speak English or LEAVE!

Answer 2

Because in America English is the common language not the legal language.

Answer 3

Because not everybody in America speak only english!
many other countries speak Spanish, French or Portuguese.

America is a Continent! not a Country! Think about it!

Answer 4

Puerto Rico is part of America. Its language is Spanish.

Québec is part of Canada (which is often part of North American corporate networks). Its language is French.

. . . and they need to know whether to transfer your query to Mumbai or not, since they don't speak Spanish or French there.

Companies and government agencies aren't interested in sovereignty and "official languages". They want to (1) make money and (2) get the job done.

I live in Europe. Nobody can get a call centre job in, say, Switzerland, without speaking all the languages likely to be presented by callers. So they don't tell me to "press 1 for German and 2 for French". I just speak the language of my choice. Occasionally the call centre operator has to figure out a word, but that's OK. I bet they all speak English too, but I've never tried.

In England, except perhaps in Wales they don't ask you which language you want. But I would like to learn Welsh and force the British government to speak to me in that language. I landed in Toronto Airport once and spoke French when I got to the Immigration officer. They had to bring out somebody else from an office who spoke French. And it wasn't Canadian-accented French: she was a delightful ethnic Vietnamese who spoke Parisian French.

I read in the New York Times that urban professionals in America are hiring Chinese nannies and sending their kids to Chinese schools. I see that somebody has learned something since 1923 when the Supreme Court had to strike down state laws banning the teaching of foreign languages to children of primary-school age: Meyer v. Nebraska, http://supreme.justia.com/us/262/290/case.html ; Bartels v. Iowa, http://supreme.justia.com/us/262/404/case.html

Answer 5

Teddy Roosevelt - early 1900's gives the answer:

" But where immigrants do not heartily and in good faith throw in their low with us, but cling to the speech the customs, the way of life, and the habits of thought of the Old World which they have left, they thereby harm both themselves and us. The immigrant who does not become Americanized nevertheless fails to remain European, and becomes nothing at all. The immigrant cannot possible remain what he was, or continue to be a member of the Old World Society. If he tries to retain his old language, in a few generations it becomes a barbarous jargon; if he tries to retain his old customs and way of life, in a few genrations he becomes an uncouth boor. He has cut himself off from the Old World, and cannot retain his connection with it; and if he wishes to amount to anything he must throw himself heart and soul and without reservation, into the new life to which he as come."
and
"From our standpoint we have a right to demand it (complete Americanism). We freely extend the hand of welcome and of good-fellowship to every man, no matter what his creed or birthplace, who comes here honestly intent on becoming a good United States citizen like the rest of us; but we have a rights, and it is our duty to demand, that he shall indeed become so, and shall not confuse the issues with which we are struggling by introducing among us Old World quarrels and prejudices."

Answer 6

English is the American language! Those who come to USA
should be required to learn English and about the government.
But why should they everything is being done so they will not have to learn the language!

Answer 7

i do no longer likely have lots of a concern pressing a button, yet I do have a concern with continuously getting somebody on the telephone who does not communicate English o.k., and that i will't in any respect understand them. i could besides have pressed yet another button. i've got not got a concern with criminal immigrants in the U. S..

Answer 8

Exactly why is every thing by-lingual If people want to live here they should learn the language. When people speak in a foreign language it make one suspicious that there trying to hide something.

Answer 9

I think that's a very good question. That system needs to be eliminated. We speak English here. They don't accommodate me when I go to any other country.

Answer 10

Because we have to take a stand and rise above the "retarded" Nature of Racism, and then say ... this is not racial profiling ... this is the truth, i want to work at wall mart too!
Rise America and keep your hold, oh thy beautiful Country, sea to shinning sea, No man will conker our Freedom, And woe to them who EVEN try!
J.C.Y-