Could someone tell me why the English language is now considered 2nd?

Question

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. English is a second language? Spanish is more popular.

How come the immigrants don't learn our language of English?
I heard one say, because we are too old (20 yr. olds) to learn, but yet we have to learn their language to communicate to them.

Answer 1

Ok, this is the 2nd time I have put this on yahoo answers but I feel it is so great it's worth passing along every chance I get. I hope others will appreciate it too. This was from a speech Teddy Roosevelt gave in 1907 and if everyone had the common sense that he had we would all be in much better shape today.

In the first place we should just insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an american and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else. For it is an outrage to discriminate against any man because of creed or birthplace or origin. But this is predicated upon the persons becoming in every facet an american and nothing but an american; There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an american, but something else also, is not an american at all. We have room for but one flag, the american flag.... We have room for but one language here, and that is the ENGLISH LANGUAGE... and we have but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the american people!

press 1 for english
press 2 for deportation
(Emphasis put on english language was mine.)
How much better could it have been said? Every american needs to read this.

Answer 2

Carlos E was correct. It is English as a Second Language. I seen something somewhere that more people combined in the world speak English as a 2nd language than those who speak English as their primary language; such as in this country.

Even if the bill ended up passing, that is supposed to be a requirement, so the English as a Second Language program and learning will continue to become more popular.

If they refuse to learn English, then they can just refer to Teddy Roosevelt's speech that Jones60 posted (I like it).

Answer 3

I don't believe that. Although Spanish is increasing on a worldwide level, English is still the most popular. Which is why most children in other countries learn English in school.

Answer 4

The term is "English as a Second Language."

It means, a person already has a first language (Spanish, Chinese, Russian, whatever) and English will be his "second" language.

The term does NOT mean that English is inferior or second rate. It DOES mean that a person already has a first language or mother tongue. The term refers to teaching English to foreigners (as opposed to American English-speaking students studying English in school).

Answer 5

The immigrants are too lazy to learn English, unlike immigrants of old, who learned English and assimilated to America. They were successful, Spanish-speaking invalids won't be.

Answer 6

I guess you haven't been out there lately, if you go to any store, or any places, even grocery stores, you see that the clerk is spanish, and always comunicate with the caucasians, black, chinese or any race in english. it may be broken english, but think about it; ain't that telling you that we come here and we learn your language, by the way I'll been in new york, 26 years, and before I came here I speak english and french and I did graduate back home as a bilingual secretary with full knowledge of my beautiful language SPANISH, so do something for yourself, the truth is that a lot of important business people come down here and want to comunicate in spanish, so

Answer 7

Could be because , our Politicians, no longer understand
English. They are only listening, to the Voices in Spanish,
and are turning A deaf ear to the ones in English.

Answer 8

Set up your phone to say, "Press One For English" or "Press Two To Be Disconnected Until You Learn English"

Answer 9

I'll tell you what. I'm American born and i live in the united states who's constitution says in the 14th amendment English is our official language. if some one comes in my face jibber jabbing, i will look at them and say speak English or get the hell out of my face.

Answer 10

Because English is an inferior language, lacking in complexity to communicate the variegated emotions actual human beings, Homo sapiens sapiens, are capable of feeling.