Making English the official language isn't going to "force" people to only speak English. It will simply make it the one required for use by the government and and other public institutions. I think it's a good idea. It would help make the US more united and less fragmented by ethnicity.
There are three problems with that though, first it would exclude American citizens that do not speak English from participating in their government. Second should not the needs of fellow tax payers be acomidated? They pay their taxes just like everyone else. Third what about communities and small towns that have a predominatly non english speaking majority, should their local governments only opperate in spanish, greek, navajo, or what ever the majority of people speak in that town? In the end it is about equal acess for all Americans to their government. A nation for ALL the people not just those that happen to speak the language of the day.
I honestly can't believe there are Americans who actually think English ISN'T the official language of the USA. How dumb is that? In what language was the American Constitution written? In what language is the Pledge of Allegiance written? What is the language of instruction in schools, colleges and universities? What language is used within governmental departments? What is the official language within the legal system? What language does the American military use?
What nonsense. I hate this bogus, it's costing us money argument. It coest just tens of dollars. Oh, the horror. The last time I had documents translated into other languages it cost, let's see, exactly nothing. I had volunteers from the university who were students from various countries translate the documents. And, imagine the cost is the sign above the large red button that says, "Push This Button and your Ass will Fall Off" is in English only. We'll have to pay medical care for assless people. I live in Mexico. Spanish is the "official" language. Official forms were only in Spanish. Guess what? They've started adding English explanations because it was costing too much to have government employees explain the forms to people with less than fluent Spanish. Of course, explaining isn't something government employees do in the U.S., is it. My Spanish will never be fluent. I get by day to day but if it's something serious, I need help. The English-Only argument is ridiculous. But, feel free to get back to me on this when we quit supporting people who choose not to work.
The Op makes a very strong case. And one that should be embraced. If the usa doesnt have an official language. Then what an opportunity! americans are presenetd with. You can look around the world and from the 200+ Un member states. Pick a language to be the nations favourite. Or even create a new one. French mixed with russian. From a quote many would know "french is like wipeing your ass with silk" and russian, it is a clear and to the point communication exchange.
How is this 'smaller Govt' or 'Keep Govt. out of our lives'? Sounds like big Govt solutions to personal problems. What do you care what language the next guy speaks?
Yes English should very well be our official language since 99% of the country speaks it. Now I'm not saying to ban any other language as it is a nice quality to know and speak other languages, but everyone living in this country should be required to learn and know English since its the main language used by the extreme majority. I don't see why people would be against others beig required to learn the language everyone else pretty much speaks. Me personally I wouldnt go to another country and demand they understand my language, I would learn theirs.
I probably would have if it was the main language here in this country, but here we go already with dumb remarks about a past of over 300 years ago lol. I'm sorry live in now, and now is what is important. Btw, the American Indians today also speak English lol, in fact I'll bet the great majority of native Americans know more English than some old Navajo language haha. Also one more thing, I'm Mexican with Aztec lineage, I'm not immigrant if you know anything of what you speak. Now shush, or make valid points.
People should use their own language, always, everywhere. It costs very little to fix that, and only racist ranters want anything else. OK?
Um once again I never said to ban other languages, but of course like a spaz you overlook what I say and jump to conclusions. I'm betting you didn't even read the part of my original post stating other languages should not be banned as it is a good thing to know more than one language? Yeah I know you didn't read that, all you read from my post is that I think English should be the official language so you jumped the gun. Now let me tell you as a person who speaks 2 languages that I still believe English should be considered the official language in this country since the extreme majority speak it and all should be required to learn it. I'm not racist, or a dictator but I feel communication is very important to a country, and if we can't communicate with each other the more problems we have. Like if you went to Mexico you better learn Spanish to communicate, or in Japan you should have to learn Japanese, they shouldn't have to learn your language to suit you. It's not racist to say you need a direct line of communication.
If you are forced to speak some other person's language there is no real communication, ever - just bullying.
Spanish was the majority language in North America for the first 200 years after the European invasion. It has been projected that Hispanics will be the majority by another 60 to 70 years (possibly less). If that's the case then let's make Spanish the official language since it was the first European language, was the majority language in the past, and will again be the majority language in another generation or two.
Spanish has not been the majority other than for a few years. It was a mixture of Spanish , French and English. The English became dominate in no time and drove the Spanish out. A few remained and tried to control New Orleans but the French had that and Old Hickory taught them who was boss. yes, for a small period of time Florida was mostly Spanish, but not completely. This is America and we should have a national language. Not Spanish however, but English, or if you will, American. Not Spanglish or anything else.
You know why english was used by the pilgrims> Pure laziness! They couldent be bothered to push themselves to learn another. Now 200+ years later, modern americans have an opportunity to reverse that. Go for gold, learn Swahili.
That is incorrect - Mexico extended all the way to the Far West and Spanish was the majority European language there well before Anglos settled there. Names like Oregon, Montana, Nevada, Buena Vista Iowa, Colorado are all Spanish. Had English been the majority language there, the names would all be in English, not Spanish.
Agreed, English probably makes the most sense, but I don't care what it is. Has there been any studies that have either measured the most efficient language to learn or which language helps you learn the most?
They already mandate public schools which tell you how to speak and talk, so this is very minor compared to that. Universities mandate that I take Spanish classes even though I don't want to learn Spanish. Having one language is an efficient use of time and saves a lot of money at the same time. So, in my public school, I could say I forgot how to write in English during the middle of a test and want to take it in Portugese?
Because the U.S. beat the Native Americans. It's as simple as that, and you shouldn't have to learn someone else's language if you can defeat them easily. I'm part Native American by the way.
It would be nice if English were to be your official language. But that's an awful lot of people who will have to learn to speak English. How many? 300 million or thereabouts? Good luck with that chaps.
Of course it should be our official language. An official language will maintain greater national homogeneity, which in turn makes us a stronger nation.