How would making English the official language help America?

Question

Republicans keep telling me how it's "horrible" that so many voted against it...

But I don't hear a lot of "why"?

Is Republican patriotism tied so heavily to the language that they wouldn't love America if they spoke another language?

well, it would save some money... granted... but many interpreters would still be needed...

and I'm not so sure that immigrants would go "OH, it's the official language and they voted on it... now I will learn English. I wasn't going too, but now, since they passed legislation... ok"

I don't want to be mean...

But passing this bill isn't going to solve the majority of the problems you people are mentioning... they aren't going to magically all learn English when the bill is passed...

the saving money on forms and some interpreters is one... but you would still need interpreters in court and in hospitals probably...

Do people realize that MANY things were bi-lingual during many other periods of immigration? and they aren't now only because we're several decades after the other immigration waves?

do you think this is a new problem in America? and it's only ever been Spanish?

Answer 1

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

What part of that is vague?

Answer 2

Being the official language would mean that the government would only function in the English language. That would include ballots for voting etc.

1. This is and always has been a diverse country where many languages and cultures are present. That is a good thing.
2. Our diversity means that the only things that bind us together are territory , the Constitution, and LANGUAGE.

3. Nobody should be voting here if they don't speak our language anyway. I would have no business voting in China
or Germany because I don't speak those languages.

4. It might be different if there were only two languages in question, but the fact is THERE ARE MANY LANGUAGES SPOKEN HERE BY IMMIGRANTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. We cannot possibly be expected to learn all of these languages or to spend our time and tax dollars translating things that people should be learning to read in English anyway.\

5. This is NOT a Republican issue and I AM NOT A REPUBLICAN. It is an American issue.

Answer 3

It would prevent any furthering of policies which arguably would stop our enabling immigrants - both legal and illegal - from learning English - which is, after all, a pre-requisite to becoming a citizen. May I assume that ultimately becoming a citizen would be the incentive when relocating to another country? I doubt it.
Personally, I live in a state with a large French population - yet I have never seen a public sign in a retail store or anywhere else that was written in French. Why? Because these immigrants strived to become Americans and learned the language. Which begs the question - why so many Spanish signs and bi-lingual messages in English and Spanish? Why is the United States catering to the Spanish speaking segment while other immigrants have essentially been ignored when it comes to their native language?
Surly it can't be because of the sheer numbers - since this would necessarily equate to catering to a large population of people who entered this nation ILLEGALLY.

Answer 4

Communication is key to community. Without a common language neighbors cannot speak to one another. It becomes a dividing factor.

Also, it is very expensive accommadating so many languages. In court, in hospital and in school if a person speaks a language other then english the institution is legally bound to provide an interpretor. All paperwork in these institutions also must be translated. All this is quite expensive and a really great way to end it is to have an official language. Ours would happen to be english.

Answer 5

Well, all highly educated and corporate jobs in this country are english speaking. Immigrants would have a better chance of getting a proper education and having opportunities that they currently don't have if they speak proper English. Because I know for damn sure a coproration like mine or any other is not going to hire someone who speaks englich like a 2 year old. I also find it pathetic that the Mayor of Los Angeles speaks the way he does. My 4 year old is a better speaker than he is. But I guess that's what happens when 3/4 of L.A. is hispanic. Nothing gets accomplished except nailing the news anchor.

Answer 6

This Country of Ours is an English Speaking Group of People from All over the World. We have survived and prospered as a Nation because we all speak the same Language.
All the People Legally entering Our Country do so to become Americans. They, like our Forefathers, learned English, and became Americans. They did not consider themselves SOMETHING AMERICANS! They became Americans, period!
These Illegals enter Our Country by breaking our Laws. The continue to do so by driving illegally, obtaining illegal documentation, and stealing our Hard Earned Tax Money by getting Free Education, Welfare, Medical Services, and even Illegally Voting in OUR Elections.
Then they Fly the Flags of the Countries they left, and demand that WE learn their Languages.
They, and the People who assist them are Dividing Our Country.
There is no reason that WE Americans have to push a button to choose OUR OWN LANGUAGE IN ORDER TO DO BUSINESSES IN OUR OWN COUNTRY!

Answer 7

Think a little harder. All public school texts and university texts, along with judicial forms that include the Supreme Court and all lesser courts, all hospitals, all criminal transcripts and tests are .... in English.

People can speak whatever language they want, but if they want a passport or if they want to take that coveted citizenship test or pledge our flag... they better have some understanding of the English language. It's not going anywhere. It is an integral part of what defines an American.

Answer 8

Why should we speak another language. The country was founded on English and Republicans don't want this country taken over by illegals. You need to relize the fact that all these new illegals are actually taking away our traditions as Americans. I mean, because of all them a lot of schools don't do holiday themes anymore. Like Christmas and holloween decor. Because 50 out of 800 students don't celebrate it, we should punish everyone else that does?

So because illegals come over and refuse to learn the language, everyone has to suffer?

Answer 9

I am not a Republican but I agree with this. Why? I ask you why not? Most of us speak English. Why is it so bad to expect people that come here to be able to communicate with us without a translator? Maybe if it were the official language, we wouldn't have " press 1 for English " or have instructions written in Spanish on all of our products. I would not expect any other country to do it for me. Would you?

Answer 10

English is the language of success in America. It is what unites us in America. People that do not speak English in the US have less education and are much less successful in the work force and make less money than the average American. By not making English a prerequisite to becoming a citizen, you liberals are actually hurting new immigrants, and lessening their chance to achieve the American dream.

Not only that, how do you expect non English people to understand our street signs, thus making the roads more dangerous. And how can you communicate in dangerous work environments if you can't understand each other??

Answer 11

This is often quoted -- cut and pasted, really -- and I apologize for perpetuating this, but I do agree with Teddy Roosevelt on this sentiment:

"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 of a nation to which we are hostile...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."

Theodore Roosevelt 1907