do you think that English should be the only language in our country?

Question

and also do you think you should get a fine if you speak any other language

Answer 1

it's in the Constitution of the united states that we are to speak the language the Constitution was written in. if people can't speak the language then they should not be here at all.

Answer 2

English should be the only OFFICIAL language in this country.
You should have a command of basic, standard American English in order to conduct business and legal affairs.
Otherwise speak what you want. I don't get offended at all when people are speaking a foreign language near me in public. But I do get frustrated when they cannot converse in English at a commercial establishment. And I am not talking about some one who got here two weeks ago.

Answer 3

Some of the responses here are so hateful and xenophobic. People have the RIGHT to speak whatever they want. Why does it bother you when people speak another language? Why are you so insecure? What's lacking within that being in the presence of another language makes you sweat? Noone's talking about you so just relax.

You racist hateful folks have inspired me to do one thing:speak more of my own native language (NOT ENGLISH) in public EVERYWHERE and as much as possible...yea- clench your jaws, plug your ears....and most of all -get used to it because last time I checked THIS WAS AMERICA and it's a country BUILT ON IMMIGRANTS from MANY lands. And guess what... they don't all speak English.

Answer 4

No, and no.

We're not wired to learn languages well as adults. Our brains just don't pick up languages well after early childhood. That's basic biology. An adult who comes to the US not speaking English may never gain more than a basic understanding, not because he or she is lazy or doesn't try, but because the pathways and spaces for language just don't exist anymore. I believe that people should do their best to develop a level of competency, as I would if I moved somewhere I didn't speak the language, but that when conducting important business like medical treatment or financial transactions, where the nuances and specifics are important conducting business in a language that you're fluent in is important.

I speak three languages. I grew up speaking English at home, I studied German, and lived there as an exchange student, and I speak French. My husband speaks both French and English-he's Canadian, and grew up speaking English at home and French in school. At home, we speak a mix of French and English, and we'll raise our children that way. However, my first language, and the one I'm most comfortable speaking is English, and when I need to conduct business, or follow careful instructions like on medication, I prefer to do it in English-even when the wait for assistance is shorter if I want to do it in some other language.

It's just not biologically possible for people to gain the kind of competency required to deal with some things in English if they didn't begin learning English as a child.

Answer 5

All immigrants should HAVE to learn english, no questions asked!! No English, no green card!! Fining people for speaking another language on the other hand is a bit ridiculous.

Answer 6

*sigh* This is the part of anti-illegal movement I DO NOT LIKE, a perfect example of xenophobia. Where a person is so afraid of all cultures other than his own, that the idea of banning all languages except for English is entertained.

NO!!!!! I do not think English should be the ONLY Language in the USA. NO!!!! I do NOT think *I* should be fined for speaking my language Lakota on this land where it has been spoken for THOUSANDS of years before the nasty diseased British exiles arrived on the East Coast with their English language.

If such a stupid law came to pass, I would never pay the fine, and I am certain those who would try to enforce that stupid law, would want to live instead of trying to force me to speak *only* English.

Now as an Anti, I do believe that anyone who moves to the USA must learn the English language in order to be a productive citizen, and assimilate. I am not going to learn your language to accomodate you. Unlike my ancestors I have a choice --- only one foreign language for me -- English.

If *I* have to communicate in English, in order to succeed and live on my land, so does everyone else. Otherwise get off my ancestors' land!!

Answer 7

Wholeheartedly! I think if 2 people want to speak their native language to each other (out side of the work place) then they should be able to. I do NOT think that we should have ballots in other languages. I do NOT think we should teach in public schools in a different language. There is no incentive to learn english if you can go around, functioning without learning it because signs and ads are in both english and another langauge.

My job has become increasingly difficult because of all the spanish only speaking people I have to deal with. I am required to use a translator line which makes me have to spend twice as much time trying to do teaching, etc. It is costing tax payers money and I think it is only getting worse. Does this make me happy? Not at all! I have met people who have lived here 10 years and don't know english.

Fines? no, I don't think that would help anything. Let's just make people who want to be citizens, learn english before they become citizens.

Interesting question!

Answer 8

I think English should be our official language. I think all city, state and national documents should be printed in ONLY English.

I don't think people should be fined for speaking other languages. What they do in their home is their business. That is what makes this country so great!!

Answer 9

NO. There should be no required language and there should be no official language. People should be allowed to speak whatever language they want, whenever they want. This is America, where we should value freedom of speech in whatever language. This country is made up of many different people who speak many different languages. Making English the official language negates the importance of all the other cultures and languages that exist in the United States, including the ones that were here before English-speakers arrived.

Answer 10

No, and no. However, I am starting to think you should be fluent in English to work, as you have to be fluent in Spanish to work in Mexico, since our own less educated folks are being passed over for those we made bilingual while not affording two languages to our own kids. It is a real issue, and I'm not sure what the answer is.

But no, people should be able to speak whatever language they want with their friends. However, to be a permenant resident I think you should know basic English.

Answer 11

It shouldn't have to be the only language but the country surely shouldn't be spending money to accommodate non-English speaking citizens!