What is wrong with saying the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish?

Question

I was born, raised and educated in Puerto Rico. I was born an American by birth, as Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territorry and we were granted american Citizeship in 1917 without any requirement to know English. I remember having to learn and said the Pleage of Allegiance everymorning in front of the Flags and in Spanish. English language does not make you American, but your loyalty to the principles of democracy and liberty do.

Answer 1

I can understand where you're coming from. This country was founded on democratic ideals, and anyone that pledges their allegiance to this country and their flag should be entitled to the freedoms and liberties it offers.

But, you have to consider about 230 or so years of precedent. This country was founded on democratic ideals, but the ones that wrote up such documents as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution itself wrote them in English.

English is not the de jure official language of the United States, but it is most certainly the de facto, and is spoken by a wide majority of the citizens. Saying the pledge in Spanish, in itself, shouldn't be that bad. You're still saying it, and the words should matter, regardless of the language.

Perhaps it's because speaking in a different language than the common one sort of adds to the diversity of things. If I recall correctly, the goal was for all peoples to sort of shed their old cultural claims and become citizens, with the American culture being the unifying culture in the land. Perhaps we should have picked esperanto to be the common unifying language, so everybody would have to pick up a new language, instead of just newcomers.


I don't see anything wrong with it, it's just that the implications are there.

Answer 2

I've had more than one debate about this with my Spanish teacher. I don't believe that the Pledge of Allegiance should be said in a different language other than English. I am aware that freedom of speech comes with the citizenship of becoming an American, but the Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy in English. My teacher told me that I'm disrespectful for bringing up the subject because her husband served in the Navy and if anyone knew if it was okay to say the Pledge in Spanish it was her and not me. However, my dad's friend (who fought for America in Iraq for 2 years) is completely on my side. He said if his kid's teacher said the Pledge in Spanish that he would take him out of the class, he also said that if the Pledge is taught in English and not in Spanish at boot camp then there is no reason for it to be taught that way at school. I understand that it could be used for an educational purpose but there are different and less controversial ways to do it right??

Answer 3

As an American I don't care what language you say the Pledge of Allegiance in. You are just as American as the rest of us, and Puerto Rico's language is primarily Spanish right? With an English minority. You are exactly right about language not making you American, if that where the case, the U.S. would have an official language. Which we don't.

Answer 4

Some see it as disrespectful to pledge allegiance to America in a foreign language, however I learned it in German class in an American High school over thirty years ago and can still repeat it verbatim. I guess if you cannot say it in English that would lead some to believe you don't care enough to learn the predominate language!

Answer 5

America is an English speaking country.It doesn't matter if it is official it still is the primary language as it should be.The pledge of allegiance should always be spoken in English,especially since it is referring to America.However,if you are in your home state which speaks a different language,whatever makes you happy.

Answer 6

Not one thing. I couldn't say it any better than you did in your own last sentence. I find it astounding that this is even an issue, that people who hold themselves up as patriots would use this to marginalize spanish speaking American citizens (lifelong or new) who are, increasingly, the more inspiring embodiment of the American Dream. Best wishes to you.

Answer 7

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in ENGLISH! We all know that Puerto Ricans can speak english, so what is wrong with saying it like that?

Answer 8

That's crazy I'm going with the first guy if that's what yinz do in P.R. then that's that, but here on the main land I'm not going for that.

Answer 9

Nothing. People are making too big a deal out of it.

Answer 10

Because it would just further separate us from those who speak english.