Do you think English should be the official language of the U. S.?

Answer 1

Yes I do. I also do not agree with the practice of printing our official documents in multiple languages. The language of this country is English and that is all that should be used. I have been to many countries and I find that people expect you to use their language. Yes, many do speak English but they have a better respect for you when you try to use their language. They print their documents in their language. If I want to read one, such as a traffic ticket, I have to read it in their language, there isn't an English translation (experience, a friend driving my car got caught by a traffic camera. I had to explain what happened). People who come to this country should not try to make an enclave of the culture they left behind. If so, why do they come? We are not a multi-cultural country, we are a blend of many cultures. You want to be here, be an American, not a -American. That's ridiculous. You cannot be both. Admire your heritage, respect those traditions, but embrace your new home. The language here is English. Learn it.

Answer 2

Well, I'm not sure it really needs to be official, since if you want to becomre American, you're supposed to speak English, which shows that it is seen as the official language.

I'm not Americam (I'm French), I studied English at university, but I only learnt last year that English wasn't the official language.

I think it's important for a country to have one language. I know there are exceptions (Switzerland), but it does make things easier. In Belgium, there are tensions between the different linguistic (and cultural) communities. In Canada, it's a bit the same (although Quebec is big enough to not pose too much trouble, I think). In India, they decided to choose English for several reasons, one of which being that they have many languages there, and choosing one over another would cause trouble. Etc.

In England, at least in London, official documents are translated in several languages. A study has been made recently (about 2 months ago) which showed that the money spent on these translations would be better used to give new (and not so new) immigrants free language classes because, by translating documents, it slows the process of integration. Since people do not really need to learn the language, they just don't! They tend to stay in areas where people speak the same language, they work for people who speak their language, etc. In the long run, it really doesn't help them because they can't mix with the English population, they can't get decent jobs if they don't speak the language, etc.

I know England is not America, but I think it follows the same pattern. It's great if the y can still speak their mother tongue, but I think that immigrants should learn the language of the country they are emigrating to. I'm not saying that they should be expected to know it well at first, but learning a language helps people mix with the population and learn about their new country's history and culture.

I would find it odd to have to learn another language in my own country. If I wanted to live in Japon, I wouldn't expect the whole country to suddenly decide to speak my language just because I decided to live there! If that had been expected, France would have to print everything in French, Italian, Portuguese and Arabic (and maybe Romanian as well). That would sure be a nightmare to communicate.

Answer 3

No. I look forward to the day when I choose the gas station based on the language spoken as opposed to the price. I can't wait to get pulled over by a cop and we have to wait for an interpreter because he can't speak English. The day will come when the paper is twice as thick because each story is printed twice, so everyone in your household can read it. Even the street signs will have the name posted in several languages.
Sarcasm aside, today it seems like the two dominant languages are English and Spanish. What happens when Mexico's population have all made it across the border and Chinese people start making the swim to America. What then, are "Mexicans" and "Americans" going to learn Chinese too?
I won't go to a foreign country if I don't speak the language, at least partially. That is disrespectful to their culture. I know some Spanish because I know that one day I might NEED it. However, when a man comes to me asking Tu hablas espanol? I say what? huh? what? Because saying no means that I understood him. I'm smarter than that.
What about the hearing impaired? Do they need to know English? Or is that the equivalent of American sign language? I know the alphabet and a few words. It's respectful to be able to communicate with someone in their native language, even if it involves signing.

Answer 4

You did not provide an explanation for why you're penning this paper and I consider you're catching plenty of feedback considering of it. My supposition is that that is a few form of project you may have been given. But, sorry to sprint your hopes, I would possibly not materially give a contribution to this. I consider this can be a dangerous notion for the specific society to entertain and as a consequence I do not desire to aid it while an academic endeavor. This isn't a knee jerk reaction on my facet, no less than I do not consider it's. I have listened to the arguments of an Irish-Canadian who would remember whilst Gaelic was once banned in Ireland through the British. He used that as an illustration of why the Province of Quebec must now not be granted the authority to advertise French in that province. He believed it might be divisive and result in secession of Quebec and the cave in of the Dominion. Even if he's correct, what occurred to the precept of self-resolution? I have ancestors who lived within the US however did not talk English. I consider they had been as well residents as some other men and women. Their kids virtually all served within the military in the course of WWI. A character who speaks 2 languages is alleged to be "bi-lingual" Three languages = trilingual. Many languages, multi-lingual. One language: American. Although it's supposed to be funny it does factor out the sorry truth of American tradition. It stifles different languages. In the brand new international this is not well for the nation. Look how most important Arabic and Farsi audio system are to the US now. If English is remitted because the legit language, the US will most effective be extra deprived within the global sphere. The US demands residents who realise and talk Chinese, Arabic, Spanish, Farsi, Vietnamese, Russian. You title it, the US demands it. Somewhere within the US. I've learn, a regulation has been handed and it is legality sustained upon attraction, that during a industry milieu, an service provider can mandate that his staff talk most effective in English. This is an overly biased act and assaults all local Americans who're looking to maintain their languages, all Hispanics who're looking to maintain their tradition, and so forth. (What is the important center of tradition if it's not the language? Obliterate the language and also you obliterate the tradition.) I'm sorry, I do not desire to give a contribution to this mind-set. Can you do your paper at the poor ramifications of any such regulation? "To see within the seed. That is genius" -- Lao Tzu

Answer 5

Yes, all countries have an official language in which they conduct business. Because we have become so "politically correct" if anyone demanded copies of all government business be printed in their language (other than English) we would do it which would be prohibitively expensive and very confusing.

There is nothing wrong with English being our official language. It is about time that we Americans wake up as our country is beginning to crumble from within.

Answer 6

No!

There are to many legal ramifications. It could be the un-official, official language!

The US came within one vote1 vote of passing German as the official language. Most America did not speak English, and actually, we are getting to a point where most of America won't again! English speakers are going to be the minority!

Just because people were born in America doesn't mean they have to accept the speech of the soon to be few!

If I were English only speaking, you better be learning Spanish as your second language!

Answer 7

Yes. Because the majority of us already speak it. I am not against other languages being spoken in the home or between friends. But for conducting everyday business outside the home. We should all have a common language. And since most of us speak English and we are taught to do so in our schools. English seems to be the logical choice. But that does not mean we should rudely berate tourists by yelling at them to speak English in public either!

Answer 8

Absolutely! No government forms including drivers license applications should be printed in any other language. If you cannot read the government forms in English then you should not be entitled to whatever you are applying for from the government.

Answer 9

I was thinking more of Latin.....
Pater noster, qui es in caelis, Sanctificatur....
Of course English should be our language. I don't feel it should have to be mandated by law that we all speak the same language, it should be a given, understood by all that this is the way we do it here. Period.

Answer 10

Ahh ! English it just rolls off the tongue so nicely don,t ya think? Too much spitting going on in the Spanish lanquage....