What are some cons to making English the official language of the United States?

Question

Thanks to all!

Answer 1

Well, for one it's unconstitutional -- the Supreme Court already ruled that other languages cannot be excluded over 90 years ago.

So making it "official" only means that govt activity and govt documents would only be published in English and no other languages.

The problem with that is the old saying "ignorance of the law is no excuse" -- and the reason for that is because people are expected to be familiar with the law, since the law is published. It's called "constructive notice". And it's the way the court gets around the Constitutional Due Process requirement that people know in advance what is illegal and what the possible punishments are for any given crime.

BUT -- if the laws started being published only in one language -- when the govt knew that many people didn't speak or read that language -- then the concept of "constructive notice" gets tossed out and we're back to having due process problems -- because the govt knows that many people are unable to understand the law, and has forbidden it from being explained in their fluent language.

I realize a lot of people have an emotional attachment to English -- and expect everyone who comes here to understand that language. The reality is -- people don't. And by forbidding laws from being posted in other languages -- by saying they will only be posted in English -- it causes problems.

Answer 2

What are some cons to making - I am trying to figure out exactly what you are asking, care to rephrase the question? Are you asking why we would like to make English the official language?

Answer 3

wasting time of the legislature. There is no need for it. Signs are in English already. The law is conducted in English. You can't arrest someone for speaking non-English in the streets. ITs just a waste of time. Its symbolic, but only to the xenophobes.

It won't change a thing. You'll still have people around you who don't speak English. Making it an official language only affects the government.

Answer 4

None


What are you smoking? What would you have the official language be...Tagalog?

Answer 5

well,if you want to talk to me you have to speakthe language i was born speaking,which is english
no one ever told me we had to speake any other language.

Answer 6

i won't have to repeat my order 10+ times because the waiter/cashier doesn't speak even a little bit of english (this is a huge problem in arizona)

EDIT: oops that a pro

Answer 7

I can't think of any.