How does bilingualism pose long term dangers to the fabric of our nation?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070331/ap_on_re_us/gingrich2008

i'm asking about a statement newt gingrich made. i'm black, live in a latino neighborhood, and am pro unlimited immigration... i just want to understand where he's coming from

even a blog post i did a while ago on english and america

http://bringfreedomback.us/2007/is-english-the-right-langauge/

Answer 1

Without even reading the article, I can safely state that we are in America, which is an English speaking nation.

Answer 2

"...the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto..."

That, by far, has to be the most ethnocentric statement that I have ever heard in my life! Mr. Gingrich has really lost it this time, and to be quite honest, he makes the whole being an American thing feel pretty lousy. Though I fully understand that English is the primary language of the American public, I also realize that the United States is a melting pot full of people from different parts of the world, and the Spanish-speaking population is increasing everyday. Given those facts, I feel that Newt should be careful not to make such idiotic and highly disrespectful statements in the future. It just makes him look...well...STUPID!

To answer your original question, no, bilingualism has never and will never have any long-term negative effects on how America--the United States of America, that is--operates. Citizens of the US will always be just that--CITIZENS OF THE US and the Constitution will forever be our written law. It's as simple as that. A foreign language (or 700--given the mixed country we live in) won't change a thing! What do people think Spanish is? A disease? That's ridiculous! Lighten up! Geez!

Answer 3

it only poses a problem when people make it one for example i have witnessed people get upset /frustrated at stores because customers ask if someone who speaks their native language could attend them and it would only be natural to want to be able to clearly communicate about ones business however i do recognize the people whom only speak one language most feel they have no need to learn another language b/c they are in the USA and the dominant language is English (however it is not the official language) i also don't see why some would not want to learn or have their children learn more than one language it can only be an advantage and while this country was taken over by English speaking persons then it should probably be recognize that Native Americans have many languages too and nobody is imposing we all learn Navajo or something (and Navajo is just one of many tribes and they too have their own languages) this country's culture is the combination of every ones heritage and if you are not accepting people because of their customs/heritage of their native country (languages included) then i don't think we are as United in these States as i thought .

Answer 4

The most successful countries in the world have one common language. China has tried very hard to reduce the number of languages in the country from 7 to 1. Japan has also reduced the number of languages.

Answer 5

I disagree with coragryp...

A common language is the only unifying force in a nation as diverse as ours. Look at Quebec, their problems, their separatist movement. Those same roots exist here.

This PC garbage is what leads to problems and disintegration.

I'm constantly told that this is a nation of immigrants, well, duh!
But you know what?, all prior immigrants into the United States learned English, this is our language, you are embracing it now.

Answer 6

I think that the only danger it imposes is that people might need to learn more than one language to be successful in the marketplace. The danger then of course is only knowing one language. Maybe there will be many more jobs for interpreters. The fabric of our nation will be all the more colorful.

Answer 7

america has no national language therefore i believe that we SHOULD have ballots in most of the common languages spoken/writen in america. people who are bilingual have higher grades and the reason that second languages arent taught in secondary schools is because multiple studies have proven that the younger you are down to a certain age the easier it is to learn new languages. Gingrich is obviously not read up on the facts. in fact puerto rico (one of our commonwealths) has an official language of guess what..... spanish!!

Answer 8

Which bilingual variety are you referring to? Spanish, I assume. Look ahead - do you see multilingualism on the horizon? Do you think all our other non-native-English-speaking minorities will sit still for such discrimination? It's alright with me (NOT) but be sure you know what you're asking for. You might get it, right?

Answer 9

Being Bilingual is an advantage. THe problem is that there are large parts of AMerica that only speak a single language, Spanish.

Answer 10

You liberals are idiots. Multiple languages is dangerous because in emergency situations, if there is no translator around, you are screwed. Also, it is expensive to businesses because now businesses including hospitals need to hire translators which is expensive and delays the process of healthcare.

The bottom line is that Mexicans are too damn lazy to learn English. They are a disgrace.