Should English and Spanish be the two official languages in our country, USA?

Question

With the growing number of hispanic speaking people in the us, it seems to me that one would have to learn to speal spanish to hold a better job in some years to come.

Answer 1

I don't think we should have an official language. I believe that our diversity is the American way, and making something like an official language (even if it was 2 languages) would ruin everything that we have been working for.

I do however believe that more people should learn a VARIETY of languages, not just spanish, so that we can become a more intelligent nation.

Answer 2

I don't think you have to learn Spanish just because the Hispanic population is growing. I was born and raised half of my life in Mexico and I moved to the U.S. 11 years ago, I HAD to learn English because English is the language spoken here. I don't see anything wrong with speaking ones language at home, supermarket, school, clubs, etc. as long as we can communicate with others in their OWN language in this case English. No one should be required to learn ANY language just because there are too many people speaking it.

Since there are too many of us living in the U.S. government agencies such as police, firemen, state and local employees are paid a bit more because they speak another language; the reason for that is they can reach and talk to people that do not speak English, that includes Mexicans, Cubans, South Americans, Puerto Ricans, Europeans, etc. Note: Spanish is not the only language besides English utilized in the US.

A lot of native Americans (born in the U.S.) get offended when someone asks this question. Even though English has been spoken since the first European arrived to the now USA, there is still NO official language in the U.S. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_language ).

Nevertheless, I do think English should be the official language of the United States and if anyone else decides to exercise the First Amendment then by all means do so, but no one should feel forced to learn any language because they think it will help their professional career or will get them a better job....whatever happened with resumes, work experience, references and own accomplishments?

....so to answer your question, NO I do not think Spanish should be an official language IN the United States.




P.S.: By the way, he did not ask anything about illegal immigrants or border patrol, the question was very simple, and it had to do with the language....and not all Spanish speakers are illegals.

Answer 3

the responses to your question are a bit funny. we don't have an official language in the united states, unlike most countries. but if we were to have to decided on one then i dont see why spanish could not be included. what some people forget is that with the Guadalupe-Hildalgo Treaty the United States bought 2/3 of what was formerly Mexico. That's not including the former Republic of Texas which was,again, at one point part of Mexico. That's a good portion of the United States in which Spanish was the language. Also, the Louisana Territory was French and Spanish speaking.
If you look at other countries today, for examle India-which has many different cultures and groups living with in it, they have more than one official langauge. And not all Indians speak every single langauge that is official!
On terms of assimilation- even if you were to take the Spanish language away from Latinos you don't take their identity. To be Latino is much more than a language-its tradition music food dancing and all the other great stuff.

i just dont understand why there cant be two official langauges.

Answer 4

I am hispanic and I don't think the U.S. should have two official languages. Many hispanic people speak english perfectly. In Chicago where there is a large Polish population many businesses like to accommodate them by hiring people who speak
polish. It's all about money for businesses. Second generation immigrants adapt quickly to the language and culture. I do believe learning different languages is beneficial and makes your resume more impressive.

Answer 5

English should be the official language of the US. Like Spanish is the official language of Spain and Mexico. If I were to raise children in Mexico, I would be hard pressed to find a school that only taught in English. I would have to learn the native language Spanish... gee... what a novel concept huh?

I think we should make English the official language of Mexico! Then they would understand when the Border Patrol tells them to go back across the border.

Answer 6

America doesn't have ANY official languages at this point. THe defacto langauge is English. THe beautiful thing about this country is that so many different people want to come/ came here and make up the unique mixing-pot America we have today. FORCING someone to learn just English greatly limits the cultural variety we have.

Answer 7

No, English should be the official language and you must not be required to speak Spanish to get a job.

Answer 8

If English should be the other official language of every Spanish speaking company!

Answer 9

I think that English is just fine. I was born and raised in the US, and I think it would be retarded if I would have to now learn Spanish at my age.
I think that if people want to come here then they should speak English, why should I have to learn a new language when I did not move???

Answer 10

American English should be the "official" language in the USA and if people want to speak another language in their homes there is nothing wrong with that. Americans should learn one or more languages besides their own so they can speak with different people or be comfortable when traveling abroad.