Can you become a good American citizen if you do not learn English?

Question

This is a serious question, asked as neutrally as possible.

I'd appreciate intelligent answers. Please don't try to guess my views.

Thanks!

Answer 1

No you can not.

This country is to provide opportunity for everyone, but learning English is crucial to becoming part of the country. All of our founding documents are in English, so despite what people say, it IS our official language.

My father came to this country without knowing one word of English and now he is completely fluent.

Not wanting to learn the language or expected the government to translate everything is lazy and disrepectful of this country that has taken you in.

EVEN IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY!

Answer 2

In order to become an American Citizen you MUST learn enough working English to pass the Citizenship test, which is given in no other language than English. If you don't pass that test you can not become a naturalized US Citizen.

If your speaking ability of the English language is as clear as your writing of it in the question you posted, then you should have no problem on that level

It looks to me like others have given some pretty good answers as well.

Answer 3

You won't be able to take the citizenship test, which is(should be & better be) in English. How do you expect to deal with the rest of the country outside your little community, if you don't know the language?

When I traveled to Europe, I learned French & German, so I could show the people I came in contact with that I had manners, & respected them & their country. The good news was, they were happy to practice their English, & most of them knew quite a bit, so I only got a little practice. If people there learn English just because, why can't supposed immigrants learn the language of the country they want to live?
If I ever went somewhere else to live, I would certainly learn & speak the language.

Answer 4

Even Native american Indians learned English. Anyone who wants to be A good American citizen should put forth an effort to learn the Language of this land. With the exception of someone who is deaf dumb and blind.

Answer 5

In general, no. It's like being a good employee without learning the core values of the company. Or being a good football player without learning the playbook.

It's possible, certainly. It's especially difficult for someone to learn a new language later in life. But I think at least an effort should be made to learn. A lack of effort to learn English is a decent indicator of a lack of "buy-in" to American culture and values. Not true in all cases, but it points in that direction.

A hypothetical example: a 65 yr old Russian woman who is not literate in her native language and who finally immigrates here. She may love America, but good luck teaching her English. I would still consider her a candidate for "good citizen".

Answer 6

Even if an immigrant is concientious and morally good in every other aspect, the language barrier would, at best, diminish even the immigrant's life. Those who interact would be negatively affected as well.

More importantly, I would ask: Can an American citizenry be functional if a significant percentage refuses to learn English?


...

Answer 7

Nope! One can only become a good American citizen if they come here fully documented, follow the legal path of citizenship which means learning to read and wright English, learn our way of government, appreciate and obey the laws of this land.

Get my drift?

Answer 8

I dont believe so. Americans speak the English language. How can you become a "good" citizen if you dont want to adopt the language of the that we speak.

I can understand that people can be good without speaking a certain language. But to become a good American you have to want to speak to Americans, the same would go if you wanted to be a good Russian or Japanese citizen.

Answer 9

I would say no.

In order to become a "good" citizen of a country you may be emigrating too, I would say that you need to learn the customs and language of that country. In order to understand the people of that country, you need to understand the language which they speak in order to mix and mingle freely with them and to understand that of which they speak.

It's not just the language in itself - it's the idioms and intricacies of the customs that become lost without an understanding of the language. The nuances and meanings of common, everyday phrases become lost without such an understanding. This would come not just with understanding the language, but with years of experience with the customs of the country.

This would be true of any country you might emigrate to, whether it be France, Germany, Russia, Mexico, and so on. You cannot understand the culture and ways of living without sharing the language common to the people of the country.

Answer 10

As far as becoming a US citizen, one does have to possess some knowledge of the English language in order to pass the test or tests. As far as being a "good" person, you can speak or not speak any language and still be a good person. Just being able to speak English does not necessarily make you a good person at all.