UK Citizen?

Question

Should people who can't speak English or are not willing to learn English be allowed UK Citizenship?

Or refuse to speak English even.

Answer 1

Its not always that easy though is it?

Yes, someone of their own free will should make the effort to speak any native tongue. It is courteous, and also practical. it will benefit them and the nation as a whole.

The reality is that in many ghettoised communities in the UK, many people, especially females are not encouraged to integrate, and are even prevented from integrating by other members of their community.

Is it then fair to exclude them from Citizenship on that basis?

I do however, think I see where you are coming from on this point.

Answer 2

I think speaking English (to a certain defined level of fluency) should be a prerequisite of getting British citizenship, however, there also needs to be consideration taken for the fact that it is increasingly more difficult to learn a second language as you get older and different people have different preferred learning styles (e.g. sitting in a classroom with headphones on isn't going to work for everyone). Also, we have some many speakers of community languages in the UK, those who speak English as a first language should make more effort to learn these languages. English is no longer the most spoken language in the world, there are actually more Mandarin chinese speakers in the world so we should all be looking to learn languages such as Mandarin, Spanish and Arabic to make the UK more competitive in the global market. As a nation we are rubbish at making the effort to speak other languages and other countries are going to start taking their business elsewhere unless we ALL wise up.

Answer 3

Politically i'm a social liberal, and i'd still have to say no. Unwillingness to communicate* in english isn't just unfair, it's intimidating towards others. If the culture among those who are actually educated 'UK Citizens' were multi-lingual, then perhaps we'd be saying differently. But the fact is that citizenship in Britain should be considered a privilege, not because of patriotism or nationalist ideals of any kind, but because it's rational and more convenient for everybody concerned. And if you're not prepared to learn the language of the country you want to live in, then you don't deserve that privilege.

Answer 4

Y'know, there are still a couple of monolingual Welsh villages. They should be able to speak English, Welsh OR, for sake of completeness, Scottish Gaelic, the native languages of the UK.

But this is an English country and not speaking English isn't beneficial to our society, it means you can't communicate to most people and leads to social segregation, which is to be avoided. Foreign language children at our schools are also bad as they impair the learning of others, who speak good English.

Answer 5

I think it goes way beyond learning the language you have to be aware of some of the culture and history too so I guess no I don't think you should be a part of a country you don't understand don't want to understand and will never know anything about. However even if you aren't fluent but show willing I would have thought that would be enough.

Sorry to be picky but you cant be a citizen in a monarchy - they could choose to be a subject (as we all are) but not a citizen, you only get those in a republic.

Citizenship classes are misnamed.

Answer 6

If I were planning on living in another country I would show courtesy to that country by learning at least a little of the language and continue to learn more, and also learn about the country and its customs. I think I am entitled to expect the same courtesy from anyone coming to live in the UK. I suppose that means 'no' in answer to your question.

Answer 7

Let me ask you this do all the ex pats in spain speak spanish? Most people come here to work so do our holiday reps learn to speak the language of the country they are repping in? Do the Brits in Saudi all speak arabic?
How many languages can you speak then?

Answer 8

No, they shouldn't. If I moved to France or Germany I'd expect to be able to speak the language, and I wouldn't expect any government departments to have all of their leaflets and forms in English.

Answer 9

i dont think they should. if they are coming to this country i think they should make a contribution to it too. if they cant speak english it wont really help. i have noticed people especially from my culture/race who are eager to come but are reluctant to make any contributions. they dont give minorities in britain a good image, and those who make an effort to play a part in british society. its a bit of give and take.

Answer 10

the same can be said for people coming to live to Wales - should they be allowed if they do not respect, and are not wiling to learn the native language nor the culture of the country.

The answer is simply NO - THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED HERE, AS THEY ARE INFLUENCING THE ORIGINAL CULTURE and it is not fair on the country.

In Rome, do as the romans do, but here? i dont know WHAT has happened!

Our politics are a disgrace and need to be changed BIG TIME!