Should English be our official national language?

Question

English is the language that we were speaking in 1607, when the first American permanent colony was established at Jamestown. It's been the language this country has done business in for 400 years.

Sadly, I'm seeing it change. We're being invaded by Spanish culture. Even our children are being brainwashed into thinking this is ok, with shows like Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go becoming mainstream entertainment. I pay money to a cable company every month who supports just as many channels in Spanish that I have in English. I can't watch half of what I pay for. Every number that I call now has a "dial 2 for Spanish" recording.

Why should we suddenly change and go bilingual Spanish now simply because our invaders refuse to learn and respect this country? Instead they have schools and the hiring of bilingual employees just to cater to their needs, when they shouldn't be here in the first place, let alone be allowed to disregard the language this country was founded on.

Answer 1

English should be the official language for one simple reason. The document that allows for all of our freedoms was written in English. The citizenship test should be an essay test about U.S. History (in English) and then an oral exam about the Constitution and the Laws of the United States. The test should be a comprehension test, not What is the first amendment say, but What does the First Amendment say, and what does that mean? Are there limitations, etc., all in English

Answer 2

As far as I know English is the national language, and that's the way it has always been throughout the course of history. Things change and people evolve along with the transition of time. What you're kids are learning, apart from speaking spanish, is tolerance, and having that quality is very important. It helps us become better people, the kind of people who are not limited to see only one side but all the sides any situation could have. The show "Dora the Explorer" does not only teach kids Spanish, it inspires kids to learn English in Spanish speaking countries too. Why? Because knowing how to speak English gives them better opportunities, and the same could be said here in the US.
As for the spanish speaking people who come here. I'm pretty sure most learn to speak the language to at least a basic level of understandment. If they don't learn it soon, then they do eventually, but it is always more comfortable for them to speak in their mother language. Specially when crucial things are at stake (e.g. money).

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but look at it this way:
Speaking spanish means lots of extra "$$$" ☺.

Answer 3

OK, I'm somewhat concerned.
The question is, should the official language be English.
I think it already is (see any encyclopedia).
Should the government waste money on making it official, I still have to think about it, I prefer that the troops come back safely, but that's another story.

Should the people that live in States, who are immigrant learn English, oh, YES ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Should comments be prejudicial, to other races, NO.
Should I think that knowing only one language is good, also no, that brainwashing comment. I don't agree with, I speak a few languages, and started to learn them as a kid. I'm no less of a person, nor am I any better than someone else for that matter, I'm just happy to visit abroad and understand whats going around in life.

Answer 4

I see your point, you want to put away Mexicans, huh? I don't blame them for wanting to go to the USA, I mean, Mexico is a poor country. Anyway as for your question, I don't see it(Español) becoming a hindrance in our daily lives. Why don't just leave those guys alone? I actually study Español, because I think it will benefit me a lot. A lot of countries speak it, like Spain, Mexico, Cuba, and other Latin American countries. I already know English, and what I'm trying to do is explore other languages. If you both know English and Español, then you can communicate with more than half of the world's popoulation.

Isn't that nice?:-)

Answer 5

I am born and reaised in the United Sates with my family being from Cuba. I think that yes, English should be our official national language. I don't see a problem with there being Spanish channels or there being operators that say to press '2' for spanish.

I am proud to be an American but am also proud to be part of the spanish speaking culture. These people are not invaders. These are people comming over here to obviously make a better living not only for themselves but for their family as well. I do think tha they should learn the English language, especiallyif they are going to be working.

I think that it's a wonderful thing that people from all over the world decide to come over to this country to live and share their coulture with the rest of us. Being bilingual is a priviledge and an honor. It is not disrespectful.

Answer 6

If you travel around the World, you will find that in most countries, the higher the level of education of their people, the more languages they speak.

For instance in Switzerland, their students learn, since Elementary School to read and write in French, in Italian, in German and in Romansche.

Does it make them any less proud of their country, their race , their nationality? Not at all.

Does it make them better suited to do business with all the world and take advantage of more opportunities that they would if they spoke only Romansche? Definetely.

I think the USA could have English as the "official" language for practical purposes, mainly so that all road signs, publications, etc are in one language only, which saves money.

But at the same time, I think that the public school system should force american kids to learn at least one foreign language during their school years, to improve their chances of succeding in a globalized World.

It is no secret for instance, that China's economy is growing very fast, and very soon it will be second only to the USA. A smart father with vision for the future would try to teach Mandarin (Chinese) to his kid.

It is expected that 30% of the US population will speak Spanish by 2050. That is not resolved with a law making English the "official" language. Those spanish speaking americans will also speak English, and they will understand you, but you will not understand them. I personally speak English quite well,I think, Spanish (my mother tongue), I understand some French and was even starting to learn some Mandarin, because I don't want to be left behind. You really enjoy more the world when you go places and understand at least the basics of their language!

Answer 7

The first "American" colony actually founded by the Spanish in the late 15th, early 16th century. Depending on what you consider a "colony", the date varies. As for the current "invasion" of Spanish culture I think that as long as English remains the language of business it will always be the national language.

The best answer I found I have linked below.

http://www.watzmann.net/scg/german-by-one-vote.html

Answer 8

The "every # I call is dial 2 for Spanish" thing is probably because you live in a bigger city. It's a situation of understanding. Also, if the "company" has any desire to capitalize, it for sure will "adhere" to a Spanish speaking crowd as well; especially if a large(r) majority of the city's population includes minorities.
Heck, I'm Asian and I don't hear "dial 3 for Korean" or Dial 4 for Chinese.....in fact, I've never heard that. So dont feel too overwhelmed. We live in America....where everything is seen as well hmmm.....profit? :( jk

Answer 9

Every other country seems to have a national language... why shouldn't we. I wouldn't expect the French to speak English if I was in France, so it would be up to me to learn the language if I wanted to live there.

I think we should have some knowledge of the spanish language because it is so widely spoken, but having a bilingual society would benefit spanish-speaking residents more than English speakers. To me, this isn't fair.

My Italian ancestors didn't let their kids speak Italian because they wanted them to "fit in" in American society. The same should be true for anyone else who comes to America to live.

Know the language or know you won't be able to function as an American.

Answer 10

English is our official language!! Unfortunately it, like so many other things that really matter, is not enforced by those in power and thus is nothing more than something to be ignored. Since every vote counts - it's important to make it so millions of illegal (yes - illegal in the first place) immigrants can vote for the party that offers them the most. It's sad when we have a virtual national holiday for Cinco de Maya - but can't celebrate the birthdays of our founding fathers except all lumped together. I'm glad I'm old enough that maybe I won't be around to see our proud country destroyed by illegal border jumping, baby-making and entitled "immigrants". The cause is lost and with our current political system there is no hope for change.

Answer 11

Yes because a majority of the population still speak English. If your upset about your cable switch. In the lower states there are a lot of Spanish speaking people but go up north and its almost rare to find someone who speaks only Spanish. I have to say I agree with you in alot of ways. I feel the same way. If I moved to Mexico or Spain I would become fluent in Spanish. But people don't care anymore it seems.