Do you believe English only should be spoken in U S ?

Question

I my opinion I believe yes.Here's my stand on it.There are too many different cultures in the U S to speak on a National level ALL languages.We must have 1 common language which all can speak or mass confusion in all aspects of daily life would result.Speaking your native tongue at home or with friends is fine but in the workplace,schools etc. we must have a common ground and that would be language.Do you agree or disagree?And why?

To those who seem to have misinterpreted my stand I didn't say BAN all other languages.Please refer to the body of this post for clarification.

Answer 1

I agree,we cannot be united with many different languages. A society must have one unifying language to prosper and work well.

Answer 2

English is our common language. I'm not sure what exactly is bothering you. It doesn't bother me if I see people speaking different language at work or in public. I think the problem really is different for different regions. I haven't had any problem with someone talking to me only in Spanish or French or whatever.

I mean yes, people should know English in the US, but I don't see it as major problem. I don't think there should be laws that say you must speak English in public. That will be very scary.

The US's problem with language is nothing compare to other European countries or Canada where different regions might have totally different languages.

There is no mass confusion. I just don't see that. Mass confusion haven't been seen. So why even worry about it?

The thing is that more you want to do in this country, and better you want to be you have to speak fluid English. People are kind of forced to learn English naturally anyways. I don't see need for laws demanding people speak English in public. It just haven't gotten to that extreme point just yet.

I mean I kind of agree some what, but it is not a problem right now.

Plus, nothing wrong with being bilingual. Lot of Europeans speak 2 or more languages. It's good for your brain too.

Answer 3

There is nothing wrong with people talking in their native tongue to each other, but English should be the official language. That way things like school, government and commerce will flow smoothly and we can enjoy our diversity at the same time. Not being able to communicate forms a barrier between different peoples. Our most common language, English, should be the standard.

Answer 4

Yes, English should be the official and public language. We can't afford to post signs in 100 different languages. Yet, to single out any other language for preference is unfair to other immigrants who speak a different one. English is the prevalent language ever since the founding of the US. Use of other languages should be allowed, privately, but not in official or public capacity, except in cases of life-threatening emergencies. If an immigrant requires a translator for official business, he or she should have to pay for the translator.

Answer 5

English should be the national language for the reasons you mention.
Just spoke w/ a relative who packed up & left the US permanently.
His host country ,Belgium, asks that all immigrants learn the language as a matter of "courtesy".
The lessons are free.
Many people in his new home speak some english & appreciate his efforts to learn their language.
Ever gone into a store in some areas in our own country & not be understood & have to point at what you want?
They can count money though.

Answer 6

Considering there are 342 languages spoken in our country, what would you do with the other 341?

And, your immigrant ancestors came here from somewhere else too....just like EVERYONE'S ancestors did - except for the aboriginal population. We are a NATION of immigrants and diversity is what make us the country we are.

Just because you can't speak a second language doesn't mean everyone has to follow your lead.

English is the language of COMMERCE.....most people who come here learn to speak it. It is REQUIRED before one can become a citizen.

Things must be tough in Podunk if you spend all your time worrying about the differences in our culture rather than the common ground.

E Pluribus Unum...... It is our nation motto.....bet you don't know what it means.

Look it up, bub.

Answer 7

Gosh, how did we ever manage to get just that result over the past couple centuries without a lot of rabble-rousing and enforcing legislation. You'd almost think that people were more sensible then! You'd be wrong, of course, but it's hard to believe that we've become a nation ruled by stupidity where once there were ideals and principles.

Answer 8

Ishootdogs(what a name)
would you impose your requirement on the natives that were here speaking their languages before the first English speaker sat foot on this soil? Sorry but I don't think they will agree. I speak 3 languages and if Americans could learn other languages they could have prevented 9-11 because someone would have understood along the way what the fools were planning and 3000 people would still be alive. I think it should be mandatory that we learn 3 languages other than English, I don't care what they are but I think every student should have to do this.
It is required in Japan to learn 5 languages other than Japanese and their education level makes us look like amateurs. It has already been proven that children that learn more than one language have a higher IQ than those who only learn their common language.

Answer 9

I totally agree. Of course, some La Raza members will call you racist, but that is what they do! English should be made the official language of the US govt and President Clinton's multilingualism order should be repealed.

Statement by the great President Teddy Roosevelt about Immigrants.

"In the first place we should 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 such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming
in very fact 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, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag …....We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language....and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

President Theodore Roosevelt, 1919

Answer 10

I sure do!
Been to many other countries for short periods and did the best I could to learn how to order food, say hello, etc. If I were to move somewhere permanently I would presume I should learn the local/most common language.

I agree with you that the New US Citizen's culture and home language should still be used and taught to their children and used when ever possible, but not in schools, workplace, etc.

Answer 11

May I remind you that India has 17 official languages, and they seem to get along just fine. If someone doesn't want to speak English in the US, it will be their loss. Why should we be concerned?