Are we doing more harm than good by having 2 languages in the Divided States of America?

Question

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger told a gathering of Hispanic journalists that immigrants should avoid Spanish-language media if they want to learn English quickly.

**DO they WANT to learn English since everything is now in Spanish too?


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/06/14/national/a162328D73.DTL

Answer 1

If you go by HISTORY rather you believe the Bible or Written accounts--one National language for a country UNITES--two always DIVIDED. It is just fact.

Even today in countries like France or Canada or others--that have more than one--it divides. It causes problems And sometimes prejudices.

It is nice to know more than one--knowledge is always useful--but for a Country or Nation to remain Strong (history) one unites -two divides.

Language can be a Bridge or a Wall. Undoubtedly, in language humans have their ultimate means of communication. When there are animosities between nations and ethnic or cultural groups, language ceases to be a bridge. It can become a wall that adds to the divisions between people. if you can stop all the hatred in the world than no problem. Since I don't see that happening-than we should learn from history.

And No-some don't want to learn another if they don't have too-that is just a fact too.

Answer 2

You're right. I'm Hispanic and I know English, there should only be one official language. My mom supports what Schwarzenegger said, when we first came here (legally) she work jobs cleaning houses then pick me at school, waited for my father to come home from work and then she'll go to night school to learn English. She never though she was entitled to Spanish services, she is proud of knowing English (she knows the language very well). The rest of my family are immigrants and we know English and we are upset that many liberals think we are dumb enough that we can't learn a new language. It isn't racist for a person to say "you should learn the language of the country you're in". If an American went to Mexico demanding English in government services, do you think Mexico will give it to him? I live in an area where 90% are Hispanics, almost everybody agrees that English should be the official language and the children of the immigrants know English very well (some don't even speak Spanish). Unfortunately, there are some people who have been here 15 years and don't know English! They don't need to since almost everything is in Spanish, there is no need. Indians and Arabs learn English because they have to, why should we Hispanics get better treatment? Only because we are a rising minority? That is not fair and I refuse to be given preferential treatment because of my ethnicity. I speak both English and Spanish fluently, but I speak English more and I hope that English becomes our official language.

Answer 3

This is actually an issue Im more inclined to lean toward the "right."

This is America and Im kind of getting irritated by everything being written in Spanish.

If poor Chinese orphans can learn English, migrant workers can learn English.

What bothers me are people who have lived here for 15-20 years and never bothered to try to learn English.

Answer 4

I wish we would just go ahead and make the official language English already. It is crytical to the overall unity of the US.

I think it's shameful for people to come here and not want to assimilate as quickly as possible. What is the point in coming?
If I were to move to another country, I would honor my new residence and assimilate to them just because it is the right thing to do. Sure I would have my little American tokens around but you have to learn the language and culture. End of story.
Nobody is forcing anyone to come here. They need to do their first civic duty and assimilate. A lot do but it really urks me when people are here for more than 2 years and still can't speak at a very basic level. Disgraceful and disrespectful.

Answer 5

What a tempest in a teapot!!!! I mean, who cares??

I can't believe some of the answers I've read: "English is a universal language..." Give me a break! English is one of the most difficult languages to learn, and the only reason so many people in foreign lands studied it was to do business with the US. (When Japan was on top, everyone was learning Japanese, remember?)

"If I moved to another country, of course I'd expect to learn the language..." But, what would you do in the meantime? What if you needed to have your phone installed, or you smelled gas?? You would certainly be happy if the operator said, "Press 2 for English", wouldn't you?

And what was that about English being the national language already? We don't even speak ENGLISH in the US; we speak "American"---and I have a whole boatload of friends from England who will attest to that!

But, once again, really, who cares. If someone is too lazy to "push 1 for English", we have really gone way, way too far down the path of laziness!

PS----And I just love the guy who says it is "crytical" that immigrants learn English, and it "urks" him that they don't. (Where did he learn English????)

Answer 6

Of course they should want to!!! Would you dream of going to some other country without learning the language??? I sure wouldn't. We make it all too easy for them. Every damn time I call about any of my bills the first thing I am asked is to press "1" for English.....WTF language do you think I want??? I am calling an American company!!!! Why is there a choice??? Lets stop coddling them. If you want to come here you better know the language and have a job skill we need. That is how it is in Australia. You can't just show up there and demand citizenship and get welfare and speak another language. Lets take our country back.

Answer 7

Where I live, all public signage is in at least three languages: english, spanish and vietnamese.

The vietnamese I don't begrudge, since we have a large population of political refugees who didn't exactly come here by choice chasing the American dream - more like being chased. And, Spanish has always had a substantial presence here, because of your history.

But, yes, it is divisive when the children and grandchildren of immigrants don't learn the language of thier country, instead, clinging to that of thier ancestors' homeland.

Answer 8

English is the national language.

Answer 9

Actually, 80.4% of the population speaks only English and of the remaining 19.4%, 55.4% or another 10.7% of the total population speaks English "very well" so that overall, 91.1% of the population either speaks only English or speaks English very well as a second language. That includes 53.3% of Spanish speakers, which puts them ahead of Russians, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, Cambidians, Hmongs, Thais, Laotians, and Vietnamese in terms of linguistic aculturation.

I'm not saying that the problem doesn't exist, but I do think that it tends to be exagerated.

Answer 10

I believe we need to have one official language, English. If people want to learn other languages that is up to them. But I don't think we should have to bend over backwards just to suit Spanish speaking immigrants.