Do you agree that Americans should be proficient in English?

Question

This is what Bob Corker (R-TN) has to say:

As you know, S. 1335 is a bill to declare English as the official language of the Government of the United States . I feel that all American citizens should be fluent in English. I further believe that all immigrants to our country should become proficient in English before they are allowed to become American citizens. As it stands, S. 1335 is currently being reviewed in the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Should this bill come before the full Senate, I will certainly take your concerns into consideration.

http://capwiz.com/proenglish/issues/?style=D&

Haha! Laugh now!!

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely. Nothing aggravates me more than when dialing the phone a voice insists I press # 1 for English!
If you came to this country to be a citizen here. You should be the one to adapt. Not me!
English should be the criteria and a requisite for becoming a citizen. You should not become naturalized learning your citizenship in another language.
The costs of printing every major language just on a voting ballot alone would be tremendous!
I say keep your language at home, pass it down to your family. it is part of your heritage.
But, don't make me change my way of life to accommodating someone who just immigrated here.

We do not need to divide this country any further by having language barriers. Efficient communication is necessary if people want to succeed in this great country of ours and rather than be a burden which we do not need. Speaking English would be such an assett to them and for them.

Answer 2

Absolutely. Proficiency in English should be a prerequisite for citizenship.

There are, however, a large number of Americans by birth who lack proficiency in the English language. Before we can teach English as a second language, we need to do a better job teaching English as a primary language.

I support S 1335 as well as HR 997

Answer 3

Of course,
Languages are either Bridges or Walls to Communication no matter where you live.

"Throughout history" --one language in a country unites more--two always divides somehow --History. Even today in places such as Canada and France there is a division between many of the people on language alone.

Colonization and trade between countries, have caused people to feel the need to bridge the communication gap because of having no language in common. There is a need to communicate and be understood. The modern tendency is toward breaking down linguistic walls, primarily on account of mass media. So we all understand each other


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. This is History

Communication is a complex matter. One language could unites millions of people from all over - The trouble is everyone wants it to be theirs

But here we have a Nation where English is primary used. Our schools use it. Our history records use it. If we want a Nation that is more United --than yes people should use the basic language of it. It helps people Unite better.

Remember One Language helps Unites people- two Divides-- that is the HISTORY in all Nations.

Answer 4

It is so rational and reasonable it is hard to believe that such a bill would be necessary, but, alas it not only is necessary it will receive much opposition. I hope everyone takes notice and tries to figure out the motivation of people who would oppose making English proficiency necessary. The English language has been referred to as the glue that holds America together. Who would benefit by diluting that glue?

Which political party prefers to consider people as individuals and which prefers to place people into small groups bound by common grievance or interests? If you treat everyone as individuals they must all speak the same language or risk being unable to communicate with each other. If you pigeon hole everyone into small groups, they need only be able to understand each other. They have no need or interest becoming part of the larger group.

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Answer 5

Yeah, Americans should be proficient in English. But how did we get by all these years without a law decreeing English the official language. It seems to me it was a social ethic, a belief in the value of the melting pot and not a law that got people to learn English. Again, I see signs of growing authoritarianism in the Republican party.

Answer 6

Of course the English language should be the official language of the United States of America. This would guarantee that all legal immigrants in America learn the English language.before they become American citizens.

Answer 7

"Do you agree that Americans should be proficient in English?" - When my dad was very young in 1940's his uncle was speaking German, when his grandmother came in the room and scolded him - saying "We only speak English!"
I find it interesting this is so difficult for people to understand. Before 1965 people spoke English and being a citizen meant something. People came here and learned to speak English, and participate being American. Never has America stopped anyone from living their culture, it was just spoken in English - to include the community more.
Speaking English does not demean a person - and it helps the emergency services (fire/police/doctors) of all the communities do their jobs better.
Too bad this is now political - this means less communication and just sound bites, and hard feelings will result.

Answer 8

OMG! Yessssssssss!

But like incognito adam stated no one should be FORCED to learn the language. I believe part of this bill includes the repeal of EO 13166 (limited English proficiency bill, ala BJ Clinton). I'd love to see that EO repealed and LEGAL immigrants who refuse to learn the language should then be barred from voting and would have to provide, at their own expense interpreters for any and all 'government services'.

Answer 9

YES, I think they should be fluent in English before they become citizens. Not just for speaking but for reading as well.

Ballots should not come in multilingual form. They should be written in ENGLISH. If someone has a problem reading the ballot they can always raise their hand and ask for help. IF they are too embarrased to ask for help because they don't understand what they are voting for, why are they voting? They will have two years before they get the chance to voice their opinion to get ready. If reading english is an obstacle? Work to get past it.

Answer 10

Yes!!! America is an English speaking country.

Answer 11

Hi, Ruth.

As an English scholar, yes, it would be nice if Americans' reading and writing skills were higher than a 6th grade average.

However, I think that should take place before anyone starts whining about immigrants.

Look up hypocrisy.

A lot of the folks who participate in this forum have poor language skills.

And then, there's Bush. 'Nuff said, there.

Good luck with S. 1335.