Is the USA becoming a mult-lingual society...and is it a good idea?

Question

Multi-linguasim would seem to run
counter to the American ideal
of cultural immersion

Answer 1

It is becoming one, but it is a horrendous idea. I think we are losing our values and giving into people who just don't want to be Americans.

Answer 2

No, It just seems that we are becoming multi-lingual. The odds are against multi- lingualism happening in the US given this countries history.

There have always been places in American Cities where members of one ethnic group have congregated and tried to keep the traditions of the home country alive. But the language of this nation's business is English and by the 2nd or third generation the members of these ethnic groups will assimilate into American Society.

What is happening is that the idioms of the foreign language will become part of the language of the assimilating culture and be used by all in that country. Also the closeness of other countries to our borders makes it seem that we are speaking more diverse languages instead of more English.

If you watch the TV shows broadcast in the languages of the ethnic groups in your area you will see that they are about 75% US News, Translated, 2% news of the old country and 13% American still broadcasts or infomercials. All Spanish Speakers don't just watch Telemundo TV they watch Fox and CBS and HBO.

Answer 3

As a Multi-linguistic (native Spaniard) I see the benefits of knowing a second, third or more languages. However, if you live in USA you ARE expected to know English well enough that you won't need a translator or that every document is written in multitude of languages. Keep your culture between the four walls of your house and get on with the cultural immersion

Answer 4

Well.....I read an article yesterday where there are schools funded by tax dollars in which kids can sign up to be taught other courses like Science and Math in a foreign language. Most were Mandrin Chinese, French and I think German and Spanish. Of course this was voluntary and they say it is to help kids compete in the Global Job Market. Students whose basic language was English and were learning another language. Not as a means for those who won't learn English . Not the same as the forced bi-lingual, must speak Spanish, they have now, in which students come out being proficent in neither language.

I don't mind people volunteering to sign up for this......it bugs me when just 1 language is shoved down your throat because 1 group refuses to speak English. I don't really care what other languages people speak as long as they speak English here. If you're a kid and you have the chance to grow up and the new wave is Global....fine.....they are learning another language to go elsewhere. But like it or not, there are people who won't be in Global competition in another country and should have the right to work in their own country and not have to fight foreign workers who don't speak English or whatever their own native language is to simply eat and live in their own country.

So no.....I don't beleive in a multi-lingual society. Instead of traveling to another country you have to deal with that pocket of foreigners right across the street or across a state line or a portion of the country. I beleive it's going to cause massive seperation of people because people can't learn every language spoken fluently to compete Globally for a job in their own town or to shop or any other basic thing. All I can say is somebody better invent a mobile translator real soon if they think this is a good idea.

Answer 5

It's always been multi lingual as far a people in their personal lives. In government, the USA is an English speaking country and always will be.

Answer 6

It wouldn't be a bad thing if this were happening legally and voluntarily.

Sadly, much of the Spanish-speaking population is coming in illegally, and tolerance of the illegals is causing even some legals to feel that they do not need to immerse themselves in English.

There are many people learning Spanish out of FEAR that they will be overrun one day, or because they know they may not be able to get a job just by knowing the LANGUAGe OF THE COUNTRY, not because they have a personal interest in it.

Answer 7

No. We speak English here and people that want to come here should too. If I move or visit another country I have to learn their language.

Nothing is worse than going somewhere like Dearborn Michigan and every single store sign is in Arabic. At least put the English translation up there too.

My company is located in Michigan and does 90% of their business in Japanese. I don't speak Japanese so I couldnt read any of the training documents or watch training videos when I started. They send me emails in Japanese that I just delete. They give me plant tours in Japanese that are just a waste of time. Most of my coworkers don't speak any English. At the same time our customers also don't speak Japanese so they are always mad because we can't communicate with them which causes all kinds of delays and oops I did something totally different than what you wanted because I didnt understand you.

Answer 8

The USA is held together by two things. The Constitution (unifying law) and a Common Language.

If you want to see what kinds of problems we will have if we have more than one language, just look at Canada.

And if we must have a second language, lets go with one that will really help in the global market, Chinese.

Answer 9

People should learn and speak as language as they can, but most in the USA want our government to be conducted and ran in English Most that would say that the government should accommodate those in foreign languages are for the most part asking for press two for Spanish. Being I live in Miami and Spanish is the chosen language for most, even if they speak English, is because most Spanish speakers whether they are bilingual (English/Spanish) or not want to preserve their native language. So this in the end is not about learning others languages this is about Spanish speakers ties and pride to their language, which is not bad thing to want, but angers and cost in monies those of us that do not want to see Spanish as equal to English.

Answer 10

I don't have a problem with people speaking multiple languages. I think that is actually a plus, HOWEVER, I think ALL people within the US should learn to speak English in the society at large...schools, business, etc. I don't think there should be a need to cater to other languages.

Answer 11

Are we (the U.S.) becoming a multi-lingual society? Yes.

Is it a good idea? No.

The quickest way to create confusion in a society is to have more than one official (or un-official) language. A society runs smoother, and more efficient when everyone speaks a common language, IMO.