Should we speak English or American?

Question

The more people not speaking English, the greater and faster our country fractures into ethnic enclaves separated from America.
If you can't understand someone, you can't talk to them. That creates confusion, conflict, prejudice and violence.

If they can't speak English, they won't become what it
means to be an American. We're being turned from the
successful 'melting pot' into a tension filled 'salad
bowl'.

We cannot teach our children and hope to
maintain academic standards if we allow millions of
foreign students to speak dozens of other languages.
It degrades education to the point of classroom chaos.

Answer 1

you shouldn't speak at all till you put your teeth in

Answer 2

Until May, 2006, the US did not have an official language, although English is the most widely-spoken one.

Aside from English, do you speak any of the dozens of languages spoken in the US? If you say speak "American", then you should consider the indigenous languages of North, Central and South America, as well as the official languages in the region, such as English, French, Spanish, Portugese, etc.

I just picked this up from Wikipedia:


Although the United States currently has no official language, English has long been the de facto national language. English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language and nearly everyone in the United States uses it as a daily language. On May 18, 2006 the Senate voted on an amendment to an immigration reform bill that would declare English the national language of the United States.[1] The immigration reform bill itself, S. 2611, was passed in the Senate on May 25, 2006, and now has to go back to the House of Representatives in conference to make sure amendments are agreed upon.

Approximately 337 languages are spoken or signed by the population, of which 176 are indigenous to the area. 52 languages formerly spoken in the country's territory are now extinct (Grimes 2000).

Answer 3

So what you're saying is that people who don't speak English aren't American? Wow!

I thought that to be American meant any or all of these:

* to be proud of being part of this country
* to learn the rights and responsibilities of citizenship
* respect for diversity and tolerance
* respecting others from different backgrounds (Isn't that what
the US is formed by... people of diverse backgrounds?)

It saddens me to see how many people reject the acquisition of a second (or foreign) language, just because they expect everyone to speak English.

Wouldn't it be better to TRY to understand some of those other languages?

Have you noticed how much Hebrew, Yiddish, Chinese, Dutch, Spanish, French.... (and so many other languages) are spoken in the larger cities?

If you went to live in a different country, would you feel comfortable if no one even tried to understand you?

If you've ever traveled abroad, you've probably noticed how many people make an effort to communicate with foreigners.

English is one of the most widely spoken languages in the US, but what is so wrong about teaching a bit more culture, other languages and customs in the classroom?

Answer 4

Language is a living, evolving thing. To fight it (like the French government tries to control their language) is pointless and a losing battle. Did you know that a "bird" used to be correctly called a "brid?" "Purty" will eventually be the correct way to say "pretty."

We can indeed "teach our children and hope to
maintain academic standards if we allow millions of
foreign students to speak dozens of other languages." In fact, this is better than speaking One Common Language. There are thoughts that simply cannot be conveyed in English or American--"schadenfreude," for example.

Communication will not go away, people will simply have to learn more to communicate, and they will be smarter for it. If you refuse to learn, then you will simply be left behind a bitter, old lady, and nobody will feel sorry for you. The onus is on you to become a smarter person today.

Answer 5

Many adults in America might not speak good English, but they speak ..some.
However, their children will grow up in America, or England, or... and speak English and at home, another language.
Sister Margaret, have you ever lived in a foreign country? Have you ever spoken another language yourself?
Are you now a teacher and qualified to speak about what "degrades our education"?
My children speak two languages and are learning a third at school now. Asian students often RAISE the academic standard in mathematics at some schools.

AND just where do you think modern English came from? Did you want us all to continue talking like William Shakespear? English IS a mixture of French, German, Anglo, and Middle English.
If a Spanish person wants to speak Spanish to me, let him. I LEARNED Spanish and French in school in the 1960's. Just about the time you still had teeth. Millions of American students will just have to learn, tolerate, enjoy, and change with the modern times.
The times, they are a changin' (Bob Dylan).

Answer 6

I feel the opposite! Everyone should be allowed to express what they want to in any language they want to. English is not superior to any language, but rather JUST another language. They're all JUST languages! I think it is expressing "cultural diversity" and "open-mindness" if you want to know a foreign language or culture. I speak English (of course), Spanish, French, and Portuguese and I believe I benefit from all of this by being more "open-minded" with other people and their customs. It's irrational to just ban someone's language. Language is more than just speaking, it's a major part of someone's culture and background. Try "opening" your mind and stop being ignorant. (Just Kidding) =)

Answer 7

What are you saying??? You asked a question, and then contradicted it completely with your unrelated comments!!

I will just answer the actual question, as the rest is irrelevant to me;
YOU can speak American - I, and the rest of the British people, will speak English.
That way you can contradict yourself 'til you're blue in the face, and it won't bother me...!!
; )

Answer 8

Americans do not speak any Anglo language. We are strangers in our own land, the real Americans live in reserves. We stole the land from the Indians, if the immigrants can steal it from us they should be treated as a welcomed oppressor just as we were. Do not act as the Anglo race was something special. The weak must fall.

Answer 9

Sister Margaret, are you sure that we should not call you "schwester Margareten". Do you still worship Adolf ?
Remember how he ended.
If you want to speak REAL ENGLISH go to London

Answer 10

What bunch of crap, all this ignorant rambling, have you ever been out of your house? Have you ever watched anything but Fox News. Can you find your butt when it itches. What I cook my eggs in has more brains. Fool !

Answer 11

my husband works in a very dangerous job. not only does speaking a language other than english make things confusing, it's damn dangerous. and many times it isn't because they can't speak it, it's because they choose not to for whatever reason or they say they don't understand.one day soon someone will be seriously injured or killed because someone else refuses to learn or speak english.