Is language a barrier in the USA?

Question

Should we make English the "official" language?

Why?

English is not the official language. It's the unofficial language. If it were the former, there wouldn't be a press 2 to hear this in spanish.

latj; Yes, English is the traditional language but there is no law prohibiting languages of other cultures. America is about diversity, right? Thought so.

Answer 1

English is the official language. All our laws, judicial decisions, and government announcements are issued in english.

Answer 2

A barrier for what? You can find most information in different languages. When you buy something you will see the instructions come in French, Vietnamese, Japanese, Spanish, German, etc.

But if you do not speak it fluently then you are in disadvantage whit the rest of the community.

The USA was not founded on the English language. Actually there was a debate between using English or German. And English got one extra vote.

English is not the official language of the USA. USA has not an official language. English is the MOST spoken language. But not the official language.

Some countries have more that one language, why not to adopt this idea. It is better to speak two or more languages than just one.

Answer 3

I don't really get it?

the U.S. has ALWAYS had many different languages...

huge immigration waves all through U.S. history have set up german towns, irish towns, china towns and more all across the U.S. in almost every major city...

and at the peak of the immigration, English was never the major language spoken in these areas... and many never bothered to learn English, but the second and third generations did...

I guess I don't see the point... the only thing I hear are people crying they have to sit through someone saying "press one for English or two for Spanish"... that seems to be about the largest problem they bring up...

and not only that... but I can't understand someone from southern louisiana... or certain parts of boston... or many other areas that have thick accents... any better than I can understand someone speaking a different language...

I always thought America was about Freedom... and being free... which includes speaking how you want... and as far as I can tell... it's always been that way...

and even beyond that... who would even endorse any "language rules"? do you want to fund some language police force, or just waste time making rules that won't even be enforced?

just doesn't make any real sense to me...

Answer 4

Of course. A common language is the foundation of a united people. America is made up of people from all over the world - and a common language unites us all as Americans.

When the proposal was initiated to make English America's official language, 34 Senators voted against it - 32 Democrats, one Republican and one Independent.

That baffles me.

Answer 5

Absolutely.

This situation is known as a passive occupation. The propaganda being circulated by the Mexican government right now says that we stole this land from Mexico. It is circulated because the situation with the illegal immigrants is the best thing to happen to them in hundreds of years.

They have established a parasitic economy. Each year millions and millions of dollars are sent to families in Mexico from workers & gang bangers in the USA.

Mexico has a policy for the illegal immigrants coming up from Guatemala it is very simple; "kill on sight".

So by their own actions we can see that breaking into a country with the intention to steal from it is grounds for trialess execution.

So all we really need to do is adopt Mexico's boarder policy. We have a better military so I feel that we could do even better.

Let's clear a 2 mile kill zone where not even a furry bunny rabit comes through. Screw the fence. I want a wall bigger and thicker than the great wall of China. I want land mines. I want special forces in helicopters with chain guns. I want napalm. I want full seismic equipment to check for tunnels. I want a black army. You get the idea.

The boarder has been sealed before. During both world wars, because Mexico fought against us each time.

I would like any person caught speaking Spainish in the United States to be automaticly suspected of treason. I would like this crime treated like a real crime. Grounds for detainment, questioning, and deportation.

Every other people group (including my own) that has come here has chosen to learn English. Because that is what we speak and it is a sign of respect. We should not have to force some one to learn it.

But these people do not respect us. So I do not feel a need to change myself for them. We need a common language.

Canada does not have a single language and constantly Quebec attempts to cut itself off and become independant. There is no stability. There are little factions that only speak one or the other.

My children will not grow up speaking spainish. I will do whatever it takes to be sure of this. I am open to moving to another country, but I would rather help to heal a dying Amercia.

Answer 6

Excuse me but what country are you from. You know what they say "when in Rome do as the Romans do". I think that quite well applies to here. This is the United States of America. English is the accepted language. Our educational, judicial, monetary,etc, etc, all are done in ENGLISH. This question is asked too often. If you ever went to France you would either learn to speak French or flop around like a fish out of water. When I lived in Germany, I spoke German, when in Korea, I spoke Korean. Do as the people do!!!!! ENGLISH!!!!!!

Answer 7

Yes, the United States should declare English the official language of the United States. The left immediately decry "bigot" and "racist" and "intolerant", but if one stops to think about it what we're really doing is subjugating a life of poverty on immigrants not required to learn English. It is not xenophobia, it is tough love.

Fedup ~ Well said.

Answer 8

Yes, we should declare it for TWO very good reasons:

1. It is the official language that the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights and all of our other laws are in. You can't even be on JURY duty if you don't know the language.

2. You have NO COHESION if you are not able to communicate with each other. This breeds anything BUT UNITY. Communication is key to ALL relationships and communities.

Answer 9

The best answer I can think of, and I think it is enough, is that since our country is based on how much one makes and how much one spends (including TAXES), it would be more fiscally responsible to have anything "official" done in one language.....English.

It's best left up to the individual states. Thank you.

Answer 10

Yes.......Because the country was founded on the English language....