english as the main language in the USA?

Question

Many states are declaring english as their legal language so they can do away with the expense of translators and translating materials at their expense. what is your opinion on this matter and do you think it is constitutional..

Answer 1

Sure it is constitutional - the constitution assigns power to the states that isn't specifically granted to the federal government.

Many people have forgotten this fact.

To another answerer; the United States does not have an official language.

Answer 2

Regardless of the veracity of the above statement, I think that federal agencies should provide forms in languages other than English, just to decrease the chance of error due to misunderstood forms etc. When citizens understand what they're filling out and why, things are much more likely to go smoothly. Even someone who speaks English fairly well might have trouble with the complicated language of legal documents and the like. And it's difficult for adults to learn new languages without dedicated time and study, not to mention extra money. Unless the government wants to offer free English classes at all times of the day, having translated forms and signs etc is the best idea, in my opinion. It might be constitutional, but it isn't right, and it isn't an easy solution.

Answer 3

It would be a good idea as most speak the English language anyway and so few do not. Even in Quebec, Canada many speak English as well as French. The first Colonists in the Americas spoke English and the U.S. Constitution was written in English. If an alien wants to be a citizen, the tests are in English. The pledge to allegence is in English and the BIGGEST reason is that those who speak English, IN ANY COUNTRY, receive more income than those who do not! We can say, just from that perspective, it is good for all who do not speak it!

Answer 4

DEFIANTLY ENGLISH NOW & EVER.

check this fact:
"" English is a widely distributed language, originating in England, that is currently the primary language of a number of countries. It is extensively used as a second language and as an official language in many other countries. English is the most widely taught and understood language in the world, and sometimes is described as a world lingua franca.[2] Although Modern Standard Chinese has more mother-tongue speakers, English is used by more people as a second or foreign language, putting the total number of people with a knowledge of English worldwide at well over one billion.[3]

Over 400 million people speak English as their first language.[2] Estimates about second language speakers of English vary greatly between 150 million and 1.5 billion, depending on how literacy or mastery is defined. English is the dominant international language in communications, science, business, aviation, entertainment, diplomacy and the Internet. It has been one of the official languages of the United Nations since its founding in 1945 and is considered by many to be the universal language[4]

English is a West Germanic language that developed from Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons. English derives most of its grammar from Old English, although a substratal Celtic influence has also been postulated. This is an area of ongoing research.[3][4] As a result of the Norman Conquest, it was heavily influenced, more than any other Germanic language, by Norman French, Latin and Classical Greek. From England it spread to the rest of the British Isles, then to the colonies and territories of the British Empire (outside and inside the current Commonwealth of Nations) such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others, particularly those in the Anglophone Caribbean. As a result of these historical developments English is the official language (sometimes one of several) in many countries formerly under British or American rule, such as Pakistan, Ghana, India, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and the Philippines"".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_language

I think this article will tell the importance for English to remain as an International language and the language of the US

Answer 5

The United States is constantly becoming more diverse. With this diversity comes many different languages. Therefore, it's important now, more so than ever, that the United States begins to set a standard language for which everyone can communicate.

Answer 6

English is and should be the legal language of USA. You or reason for the states doing what they are, may or may not be correct. You give me nothing to make me think you know what you are saying.

Answer 7

Yes, English is considered main. In this area we have cattered to 7 or 8 different languages because the people who have come don't feel they need or want to adapt; they want us to adapt to them. I thought we were to learn the language of the country in which we are in. Other countries have no problem putting the responsibility on the visitor's.

Answer 8

yes, English should be the main language... those coming here need to be respectful of our customs and culture... and one of those customs could be considered speaking English since it has been so widely used over so many years...it is also, called assimilating into society......

the old adage "when in Rome do as the Romen"...applies

Answer 9

Most people in the US speaks English

Answer 10

What do you mean legal language? It really depends on what it is intended for and what might occur from this. You have to ask more specific question with references.