In a free society, should one be able to speak whatever language they wish?

Question

Why or why not?

Answer 1

If a person or a family are here in the United States legally, then they by all means should go ahead and speak their native language in their own home, vehicle, etc. When they are out in public they should have enough respect for this great country to speak its national language. People who are clamoring to come here to live need to remember that they wanted to come here to our great nation so that they would be afforded opportunities not available to them in their native land. These are The United States of America, if you are her legally from another country, welcome, and please respect our laws and language. If you are not here legally, leave.

Answer 2

It is rude and does no good to speak a language that cannot be understood by everyone. That is why a set language would benefit everyone, including people who come here speaking other language.

Even in church, anyone who is speaking in tongues or whatever is required to have a translator or else say what they said afterward in english.

It is useless to try to have a country where everyone speaks a different language. People already have a hard time communicating and meeting each other. When there are different languages, how much harder will that be?

Answer 3

yes they should be able to speak whatever they want. but the important thing here is this. it should not be imposed on a country when they've already established a main language that everyone one born here knows.

if we had people from africa,germany,mexico,italy,india. all come to america, or england. and impose thier language on society and demand that they get special treaments. as in turning street signs into thier languages. having businesses solely speak thier language. (an outside language.) then everyone would be confused and everyone would be upset. so for everyones sake there is a primary language set. and whoever decides to migrate to this country should learn it.

Answer 4

Sure, you can speak any language you want. However, don't expect people to come running when you ask for help in Klingon....

My point is that if you want to be understood, you need to speak the predominant language of the country you are in. Not doing so could result in some serious problems; not because you will be persecuted for doing so, but because you won't be able to get help when you need it as quickly, if at all.

Answer 5

I agree-we should be able to speak any language we want- in private or among like minded individuals. In business and professinal setting, we should have one language- English. And everyone who is here in US should speak English. If they can not, then should enroll in school and learn it except older people or people with some sort of medical disability.

Answer 6

English is the language of American success and cultural unity. Americans, new and old, deserve nothing less than a government that seeks to protect and preserve English, to defend the need for employers to require English on the job

Answer 7

In a free society, people can speak whatever language they wish to speak.

However, the government should only have one official language.

Answer 8

I would think language would be used to communicate, absent that I cannot see how "rights" come into play.

You have a right to speak any language you want; but that "right" does not allow you communication, does it?

To communicate you have to meet the other party half way; now, doesen't that place rights into perspective when you have to actually respect the other party?

What a concept...

Answer 9

Yes, in private conversations but if you're out and about, wherever you are, you should be able to speak the language of the country. Especially if you intend to live there.

Answer 10

If I choose to live permanently or for a great legnth of time somewhere other than where I came from originally, and they speak a different language, then I should learn to speak whatever that language is. If I go to Mexico, then I should learn Spanish. If I go to Germany then I should learn German. That is only common sense and common courtesy. I suspect you will get a lot of answers from Hispanics who think they should not have to speak English while living in the U.S. That our citizens should be forced to learn Spanish to accomodate THEM.