Why did the United States choose english as its language?

Question

Since North America was discovered by Spanish Europeans
And most Americans that have european heritage, have German heritage

Answer 1

The first official colonies in North America, that BECAME the US were the colonies chartered by England. Since they spoke English, we do also.
The US did not conciously adopt English as its language of choice, it was what happened. The population of the colonies at their founding were English speaking peoples. Additionally, many of the early immigrations, Irish, Scots, Welsh, to the southern portion of the country were also English speaking populations.

Basing it ONLY upon a population ancestry density map, then yes, German origins do seem to be greatest....in the midwest....but its a rather narrow way to base things. In the northeast Irish and Italian lineages are the greater, in the south it would be African-American ancestry, etc.

Answer 2

The U.S. was settled by the French, Spanish, English, Dutch, and Swedish. Throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, England (and later Great Britain) established new colonies, took over Dutch colonies, and split others. It was the 13 "British" colonies that became the United States of America in 1776.

Although the United States has no official language at the federal level, some Americans advocate making English the official language, which is the law in 25 states (including California and Florida). Also, knowledge of English is required of immigrants seeking naturalization.

Therefore, it follows that English has developed to be and today is the de facto national language of the U.S. with about 215 million, or 82% of the population aged five years and older, speaking only English at home.

Answer 3

The 13 colonies that staged the American revolution were colonies of England...and thus mainly spoke English. It wasn't really a matter of choosing a language, English was the common language of the time in the Eastern United States.

Granted, as Americans expanded westword it forced English on the Indians, Spanish, French, and Mexican land that they overtook.

Answer 4

United states was created from thirteen English colonies and they bought the rest or conquered them. Of the thirteen colonies only a small percent had any heritage with other nations. Bits of French in the northern and western areas, Spanish in Georgia and Dutch in New York.

Answer 5

? From Jameston 1607 onwards until 1776 most of North America was a British colony. They speak English.

Spain & France stayed away. Something about the Royal Navy, I'd guess. Besides English was the language of commerce, law, and the religions in all the colonies.

Answer 6

The origin of the U.S. was the British Colonies. There are influences of many others here, some the British fought with to maintain the colonies, some the U.S. fought off after. Later, many immigrated here, but after the second generation groups usually assimilated into the dominant culture.

Answer 7

The language was never chosen in that there is no official language in the United States. It just happens to be used the most.

Designating English as the official language would be akin to designating a particular religion as the official religion -- and would violate First Amendment to the Constitution. Additionally, such a law would violate the 'equal protection' clause of the 14th Amendment.

Furthermore, by designating English as the official language, the State could further begin designating what words are English at all. Your grammar and vocabulary (and, ultimately, ideas) would be controlled by the government. No thanks.

Answer 8

The United States doesn't have an "official" language, although many people (including myself) think that English should be.

Answer 9

the United States was founded by the English

Answer 10

Well I dont think that people chose english as the US's language. It happened because of the colonist from england, and they populated and spread across it, so it happened by course.