Why should America's first language be "English" if it is a nation of immigrants who speak different languages

Question

I find it amusing that here in the United States when people speak of the most common language used they say it's "English". However, the English language comes from the English and while they are similar they are not spoken the same and they use several different terms. So shouldn't we in the United States call the language American? I suppose the reason why we don't is because this country was founded on immigration which is why this State is so diverse (I refer the U.S. as a State as in inter-state or international terms). Since we adopted the language from the English we still call it by its proper name. The same goes for Spanish. Spanish Speaking Latin American countries do not call their language Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban they call it Spanish because the Spaniards were the largest influence in that region. However, why is it the general American consensus to have America's first language be "English" if it is a nation of immigrants who spoke many different languages?

OKay this was just a question. It was not meant to offend anyone at all. And please do not tell me to go back to my country if I you know nothing about me. I am getting opinions and not trying to piss anyone off. I am a born American citizen raised in the United States so before you go assuming that all I want to speak is my second language think about the ignorant answers you leave. I am not saying that English should or should not be the national language, I was just posting a question that I hoped would envoke some intellectual answers as to the roots of the United States and the diversity within its borders and the languages spoken. I believe that it is important to have a common language that everyone can communicate with however telling someone to speak English or leave is absurd. Oh and the first people here were Native Americans so really their language is what is native to this country but when the Europeans came they took that too.

OKay this was just a question. It was not meant to offend anyone at all. And please do not tell me to go back to my country if I you know nothing about me. I am getting opinions and not trying to piss anyone off. I am a born American citizen raised in the United States so before you go assuming that all I want to speak is my second language think about the ignorant answers you leave. I am not saying that English should or should not be the national language, I was just posting a question that I hoped would envoke some intellectual answers as to the roots of the United States and the diversity within its borders and the languages spoken. I believe that it is important to have a common language that everyone can communicate with however telling someone to speak English or leave is absurd. Oh and the first people here were Native Americans so really their language is what is native to this country but when the Europeans came they took that too.

OKay this was just a question. It was not meant to offend anyone at all. And please do not tell me to go back to my country if I you know nothing about me. I am getting opinions and not trying to piss anyone off. I am a born American citizen raised in the United States so before you go assuming that all I want to speak is my second language think about the ignorant answers you leave. I am not saying that English should or should not be the national language, I was just posting a question that I hoped would envoke some intellectual answers as to the roots of the United States and the diversity within its borders and the languages spoken. I believe that it is important to have a common language that everyone can communicate with however telling someone to speak English or leave is absurd. Oh and the first people here were Native Americans so really their language is what is native to this country but when the Europeans came they took that too.

Answer 1

I think I understand what you mean. The whole matter kinda confuses me because English is not even our official language. It's the language de facto. Many people don't know that and just assume that it is official. I do believe that we are given a significant advantage by knowing the language from Enlgand because it is so widely spoken. But at the same time though I think the world is focusing too much on the English language and the U.S. right now. I think that the government should put more emphasis into studying the languages and cultures of other countries. This would likely cause others to view us as being less self-centered. Many of the people of European and African countries grow up learning as many as 3 or 4 different languages. I believe that we're just as smart as them and could easily do the same if more emphasis was placed on this.

Answer 2

Because, althought Native Americans were here first, the United States of America, as a country the one you are in now, was founded by people whose language was English. They founded the nation, and they set the rules. And, if you haven't noticed yet, even Native Americans learned and speak English in addition to their native language. This not the Babel Tower this the USA, love it or leave it....

Answer 3

Actually, most countries in the world have populations that are mixtures of different ethnic groups, not just the United States. Modern DNA testing is proving this more and more.

Usually, however, only one language among these different ethnic groups comes to dominate in the country. It is usually the language of the people who either have the most population or the most poltical and economic power.

Many people who speak languages like English, French, Spanish, Italian, German or Russian today have ancient ancestors who originally spoke other languages: Celtic, Carthaginian, Iberian, Basque, Greek, Armenian, Lappish, Finnish, Wendish, Gothic etc. However, eventually these six languages emerged as national languages in their respective countries through the economic, military or political power of just one group in those countries.

English in America will always be called "English" in North America until it is no longer mutually intelligible with the speech of England. Then, we might start hearing stuff like "Canadian," "Californian," "Texan," ("Tex-Mex?"), "Dixielandic," "Newyorkese," "American," "Britt / British" etc. But it will take several hundred years.

Answer 4

Because the language was founded by the English and that's just how it is. America shouldn't have to change their first language to accommodate the "new" languages that branch off of the original or what new immigrants speak. What about the original Americans? I have no problem with immigrants but should Americans really switch from their native tongue?

Answer 5

The english you speak in the States is already called american english and you should speak it all the time because is the official language, I don't think you should change it, but it would be wise that more american people would get involve with other languages, that would help your culture to be more interesting.

Answer 6

What would you suggest? Changing the language every time a new wave of immigrants from another nation came aboard? The English were here first, so English is what the language became.

You are correct that "American" is not "English." We pick up a lot of dialects from the other nationalities that join us. However, most Americans who haven't spoken to an Englishman think that he/she speaks "English." Capisce?

Answer 7

It's called English because America was founded by English settlers. The language took form from that route. There are a lot of different types of Italian and Spanish as well, but thery are just called the same.

Answer 8

because we need a offcial alnguage to keep order. we all need to talk to each other to communicate. the declaration of idependence, constition, etc are what this great country is based on and its in english. if u go into a resurant store, or almost any other lace, they speak english.

also, when we came to america, we were just colonies. having an official language, national anthem, etc let the rest of the world know that we are an independent nation and not a british colony

Answer 9

It makes more sense to give a basic language one name rather than American or Canadian or Australian etc.... Even though each nation have peculiarities to it's own.

We speak English because as a nation it was Voted that the National Language would be English instead of many other languages...

Answer 10

Because the majority of people who founded this country spoke English (granted, there were a variety of accents and small variations). We need a common language to keep the country united, and English is the most prevelant (and should stay that way).