Some people feel that english should be the official language of the United states and every one should have to speak english in government jobs. Other believe that this limits job opportunities and infringes on the rights of people who can not or prefer not to speak english. what do you think? argue and support one of these ideas.
2006-10-31 12:53:40 · 23 answers · asked by Harlems Star 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I think it should be illegal to permit the use of dual language signs, labels, or any form of printed matter. It is getting to the point now where if you pick up a bottle or box in the supermarket you have to hunt around to find English; many stores have signs all over the place in Spanish, and I'm getting sick and tired of it all.
2006-10-31 13:03:06 · answer #1 · answered by Kokopelli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow....ok...Well, this is a pretty complex issue with two clear sides to the debate. On the side of making it the official language, is that many say that in America, you should adopt the language of the nation you are going to. The old, when in Rome approach. Another reason that some cite is that it helps to push individuals to learn the language faster. I know that in the area that I live in, New York City...knowing Spanish is essential to survive in certain areas, for if one was to go there and not be able to converse in Spanish, you couldnt get anything. This is also true of other languages as well, with an area in the City where Chinese is the main language, Chinatown, and another where Russian is the main language. If one was to venture into one of these areas, and not know the respective language, you are essentially in a foreign country. Some say that having the official language be English, would force those who live in these communities and dont make an effort to learn English, and assimilate into American society to try.
On the flip side, there is the fact that making English the official language basically cripples those who do not know English, whether that is because they have just entered the country, or because they never learned the language. One thing that most people dont seem to realize, is that making the official language English, would require the government to publish all official documents, and flyers and such, in English, and only English. Including things such as citizenship forms, and voting ballots. With a large percentage of the US not speaking English, is this not a form of discrimination.
There are really a lot of sides that have to be considered when making a choice such as this one. Personally, Im not sure where I stand. I can see the pros and the cons of both sides. Ill leave it up to you to come up with an opinion.
Pyro
2006-10-31 21:16:28 · answer #2 · answered by pyro_briar 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English should be the official language in the United States. It costs the government enormous sums on money to print up everything in 2 or 3 languages. It does not infringe on anyone's rights to require them to speak English. Those persons limit their selves by refusing to learn English. The best way for advancement in this country is learn the language. It does limit who an employer can hire. If there is one person there who speaks any language other than English, that employer must hire and pay more for a person who speaks both languages.
2006-10-31 21:15:11 · answer #3 · answered by eferrell01 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought English was (is) the official language of the United States! Everyone does have to speak English in government jobs.
Different areas of the U.S. have prominent second languages, like Spanish in Miami where I grew up. I think it's a definite advantage to learn a second, even third language; the more you know, the greater your possibilities and job opportunities.
I've lived in Canada where there are two official languages (English and French) and now live in (tiny) Belgium where there are THREE (Dutch, French and German). While many people here speak English, ALL legal documents are in the official languages. If I want to understand what's going on, I need to have a passing knowledge of at least one of the three.
It should be the same in the United States.
2006-10-31 21:06:36 · answer #4 · answered by pat z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably you prefer that Americans should speak other languages, but English is the official language and it will always be as long as America is run by Americans. You can speak any language you prefer in your home, free time and with your family and friends. if you want a country who doesn't give a damn of your nationality and what language you want to speak move to Canada. if this people don't prefer to speak English they should not move to country's where English is the official language.
2006-10-31 21:01:43 · answer #5 · answered by cool2b 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and I'll tell you why.
When the first wave of immigrants came to our country, it was a REQUIREMENT that they not only learn our language, but also the guiding principles of democracy. They were here to BECOME AMERICANS! Not try to recreate whatever countries they came from here. If they liked it so well in their home countries, they ought to stay there. Somewhere along the line something went terribly wrong and the idea of becoming an AMERICAN ceased to be the force driving immigration. Now the "New Immigrants" insist on maintaining their 'cultural identities' and expect America to cater to THEIR ethnic peculiarities instead of learning how to be AMERICANS. I believe in order to partake of the advantages of living in this free society, these people should stop their whining and get with the program. But the liberals and their near communist agendas are dead set against any sort of restrictions whatsoever, and unfortunately, they have infiltrated all of Americas cherished institutions with their foolish ideas. Print all documents in 12 different languages?? Give me a break. It is a sad commentary that there is so much disrespect towards the very principles this country was founded upon, least of all the language, but communication between AMERICANS would be greatly improved if we did indeed become a nation that insisted on a common language, and it ought to be English, like the founding fathers intended.
2006-10-31 21:09:20 · answer #6 · answered by The Oldest Man In The World 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, English should be the official language of the US. I'm surprised that as Americans we aren't demanding the right to have people speak English to us, because when we travel overseas, we expect those in other countries to speak English to us there, why not in our own country.
2006-10-31 20:59:39 · answer #7 · answered by Kelli 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, English should be the official language of the US, anything else should be declared unconstitutional. When i immigrated to this country I did not expect anyone to speak my language, it was up to me to educate myself and learn English. Why do Spanish speaking people want special treatment? It is not fair to the rest of the Immigrants who learned the English language.
2006-10-31 23:08:08 · answer #8 · answered by mimi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey some countries have 2 or more national languages why not america ?? English would have to be the primary one though ! in Puerto rico we have 2 official languages Spanish and english !!!
2006-10-31 21:39:55 · answer #9 · answered by vintage flowers 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that the whole world needs a official language.
we should respect our cultural languages to ,but we all need a global language .
since English is the most spoken language throughout the world i think English should be the official language of America because America not only consist of Americans but also people throughout the world.
We all need a single language to communicate.In doing so i don't think that we are restricting job opportunities,because its essential that each of us understands others point of view and this can only be possible if we have a language in common
2006-10-31 21:01:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋