Why isn't English the official language of America ?

Answer 1

I often wondered that my self as I am a little sick of pushing 1 for English! so silly. When in America do as the AMERICANS DO!
I sure as hell don't get any special treatment when I am south of the border. Or any other part of the country that's for sure.
No one ever said they had to STOP speaking their language but when your an American citizen you should at least MAKE THE DAM EFFORT!

Answer 2

The de facto official language of the United States is English. There have been efforts in the past to make it the de jure (official by law) but with little success.

But there is some official standing of English in most states. In most states, you cannot invoke an interpretation of the law in Spanish(or other languages) if said interpretation conflicts with the law as written in English. It is against both House and Senate rules to use any language other than English (aside from isolated phrases such as my use of "de facto" and "de jure" above).

Answer 3

It is. The Inhofe amemdment to the comprehensive immigration reform bill passed the senate and a similar bill passed the house. I don't know about being signed.

The amendment was to amend title 4 United States Code, to declare English as the national language of the United States and to promote the patriotic integration of prospective US citizens. It passed 62-35, 3 did not vote.

FYI - ALL 35 that voted against it were democrats, including Obama, Clinton, Boxer and Feinstein, Kerry, Kennedy, Biden and Dodd.

Answer 4

Because'' even though some of us think we Americans are all the world is made up of, the more level minded thinkers realize that our so called nation, which is just dirt like everyone Else's dirt, is really just dirt to live on for a short time, around 75 years and then your in the ground and dead, so who says what ever language you spoke before you died should be a nation language, who really cares as long as you had the right to simply speak, find other people who speak your language and talk till you can't talk any more, and let everyone else do the same, to much CONTROL is a bad thing.

Answer 5

Only about 1/3 of the world's soverign nations have official languages. It is not necessary and in fact Engish is our defacto official language.

We once thought of making German an official language, so the idea is not new.

Remember though that English would not be our sole official language as most countries who have official languages have more than one. We would most likely have English, French, German, as well as Native American languages, Creole, etc. So it's probably better to stick with the status quo.

Answer 6

Actually, this came up back in 1770's, when the Constitution was being drafted. The official language of America narrowly escaped being German, as a matter of fact! No agreement was reached and later it was decided that no offical language was needed because it would just end up being exclusionary.

Answer 7

Good question. I wish press 2 would go away. Everyone is afraid of offending someone English will be pashed out within the next 10 years

Answer 8

Why should it be ? When people become citizens here, they already have to learn english. Why cant they still keep their original language to converse with folks back home and/or each other ?

Answer 9

Probably because the English were not the first inhabitants here. My first language is Lakota, not English. I speak English because I have to, more people speak English than Lakota.

Answer 10

because America starts in Canada and ends at the tip of
South America where many different languages are spoken........ mostly Spanish but also French and English!!!!!