Should the U.S. make english its official language?

[LightningBoy]

I believe that since you need to be 16 (about 10th grade) to drop out of school, that you should have to have at least a 10th grade level of english speaking to get your U.S. citizenship. The unfortunate fact is that if you do not speak adequate english in America, you are going to fail in life; and be a drain on the rest of the nation.

I think English should be America's official language, and the all government business should be done as such.

[Republican_Man]

I agree, and that's true. Plus, English is the fastest-growing language IN THE WORLD. More and more countries are speaking it. It's becoming the world trade language. Not only are you going to fail in the US, but you're going to fail in the world eventually. And I don't mean that in any cruel way--it's really the truth. We studied languages and the progression of them and branches and stuff of different language families in AP Human Geography too, so that even adds to my reasoning.
Now, as to whether or not English should be our official language I say yes. That is the language that you need to know to succeed, and simply is the language of America. I'm fine with not assimmilating to American society--with acculturating instead--but learning and speaking the language in public is something you must do in America. I thought that English was the official state language until recently.
However, in Colorado it is--as stated in one of the articles of the state constitution--and yet government documents, etc. within the state of Colorado are also in Spanish. What's up with that? The official language in Colorado is English, and should, therefore, be the only language on government documents in Colorado.
It should also be the only language on government documents in the US, and the government should provide classes in English for new immigrants. If you come to the US, learn English. Speak English. And it should be the official US language.
That's my opinion, of course. If you disagree, feel free to explain why

[IntrepidIsMe]

Well, according to the latest census, Caucasions will be the minority by 2050, so that would also most likely include the English language.

[Republican_Man]

English is still an expanding language and an important one (across the globe) and must also be kept in the US too. I disagree and think that English should be named the official state language, and thsoe that come to the US NEED to learn English--not the other way around.

[IntrepidIsMe]

Well, I never said that English should or shouldn't be named the official language, simply that in the US it will also be the second most spoken language rather soon. English is an important language at present, I agree. But, there is a reason behind the fact that Spanish is the default second language taught in schools.

[TrekkieMage]

I actually found it very helpful to know Spanish. I went to a bilingual elementary school and by the time 5th grade rolled around I was fluent. As in I was thinking in Spanish, not translating. Unfortunetly since there isn't any mandatory continuation of it I've lost most of it.

I think English is technically our official language, but it's just not manditory for a lot of things.

Now what about making manditory Spanish classes? That way the transition into English for immigrants would be easier.

[Republican_Man]

Nah. It shouldn't be mandatory, Spanish. Although I LOVE taking it. I've taken it since 6th grade, and took it back in 1st and 2nd (then they changed it to French--blech). I'm still in it, and I hope to be fluent because I do feel the need to learn it, particularly considering what I hope to do in the future. But I don't think it should be mandatory, just because we have thousands of illegals entering this country each year. They should have to acculturate to the US, not the other way around (and I do say acculturate, as in keep their customs but adapt to ours as well--not assimiliation).

[Jeff Miller]

Funny, you can't find more than two or three people where I live speaking english its mainly muslim or Spanish.

[Republican_Man]

Oh, that happens in the south of the United States, and some other parts. I live in Colorado. There are Spanish speakers all around. That doesn't change the fact that in Colorado the state constitution specifically states that English is our official language (and that has yet to be changed) and that the majority of America still speaks English and that if you come to America you should know how to speak English and therefore English should be the official language, like I for so many years thought it was. Although the opponents of this do have logical points. I just disagree with them.

[webtaz99]

While I have a bias towards American English (I feel that distinction should be made) because I grew up here, I think "English" should be declared the official language for America as a stop-gap measure.

What we really need is a world language. And "English" is way too messed up to be the one.

There is growing evidence that humans have a "hard-wired" ability to process language in the abstract (i.e. at a level where sign language and hieroglyphics are equal). Scientists are learning how our brains naturally process language, and some of them propose building a spoken and written language to match the natural processes. This would make the new language easier to learn and use for everyone.

THAT is the what should be the "world language", which would also make it the best candidate for an official American language.

[Starbuck]

[webtaz99]

This stuff about making it easier on immigrants makes me SICK! Didn't our ancestors do enough by establishing this great nation? Aren't we doing enough just by letting them come to our great nation? Isn't it a big enough favor that we aren't tossing the majority of the illegal ones out? Don't we already hire bilingual teachers, hospital workers, police, etc?

I was FORCED to learn English! WHY? I was told, "So you can be a member of society." Learning passable English is the LEAST an immigrant (particularly an illegal one) can do to deserve being part of the greatest nation on Earth.

[Republican_Man]

Exactly, webtaz. Plus it IS becoming an ever-expanding language in the world, and while your idea two posts ago is an interesting one, I think that considering the way English is going in the world, we're pretty close to having a world language already.
But yeah. WE shouldn't have to adapt to them. They came to this country--mostly by VOLUNTARY migration (unless you are a refugee)--to expereince the fruits of our great state (state is synonomous for country, again. I won't say nation anymore, 'cause it's incorrect ). WE should not have to adjust to fit THEM. Like the immigrants before them, THEY should have to adjust to fit US. That's my perspective. Don't take it harshly, please. I'm all for acculturation, not assimilation, but being in America and knowing English is, like, a necessity.
Should Americans learn Spanish? Yes, I think so. It's important in today's America, and that's why I'm doing it--for what I want my future to be needs it. But should they be forced to? No. But in a way we already are, because of the requirements of colleges and stuff.
And do you live in Colorado, Starbuck?

[Seven of Nine]

Can you at least get it right then? American is not English

(J/K... I understand what you're saying... just a few things are different.)

The official language for England is English (wow... big surprise!).
The official languages for Wales are English and Welsh, as far as I know. What's wrong with having more than one official language?

[oberon]

[LightningBoy]

FACT: One in three non-english speakers in the U.S. are on welfare.

Drain on english speaking citizens. YES! I don't give a hoot if its offensive, it's the truth. If you come here, you should speak the language that most of us speak, at least reasonably well.

You're really showing me that liberalism can be blinding, eh?

[Puck]

I think we need to stick to the argument at hand and stop bringing in the liberal vs. conservative argument into every discussion.

And sure it's the truth...for one out of three non-english speakers. Language has nothing to do with people who are on welfare. Work-ethic does, and that is something that doesn't know ethnic boundaries.

[oberon]

[LightningBoy]

What higher level jobs don't require english speaking?

Communication skills are essential, I refuse to believe that a third of spanish speakers are simply lazy. They've got boatloads of work ethic, but can't apply it, because they've no communication skill; no English!

The facts show it, as do common sence, if you don't speak english in the United States, you will fail at life.

They either need to learn english, or be deported. The fact that our country is a lot better of than Mexico is really irrelevant; I don't want to be expected to hold their hand.

But, oberon, you're avoiding the fact I just presented you (something you do a lot, avoid) how can you say they're not a drain, when 1 out of every 3 are on Welfare, taking your tax dollars, and mooching?

[Puck]

[LightningBoy]

And I'd bet their children speak english pretty well.

How many on the Forbes 400 are non-english speakers? How many US businessmen, managers, bankers, lawyers, or doctors are non-english speakers?

I totally respect people for trying, but they're going to be stuck in jobs working long hours, hard labor, and low wages.

By your logic, 1/3 spanish speakers is simply LAZY. I don't buy that.

[Puck]

[Republican_Man]

Everyone here has good arguments. I don't think, LB, that we should place this on party or ideological terms. Yes, there may be trends towards the ideas of members of certain parties and ideologies, but that says little.
What my opinion is--and feel free to disagree--that throughout history immigrants have adapted to American society (whether it be through assimilation or acculturation)--including the language. Just because we have an expanding minority doesn't mean that the immigrants coming into this country shouldn't learn English, or that English shouldn't be made the official language. If you want to succeed in America, you have to know English. And because of everything with regards to business and what have you in America, English, I think, should really be the official language of the United States, like it is in Colorado--and Colorado should actually FOLLOW the Constitution and do what it's supposed to do.
You all have good arguments, particularly those of Hispanics being expanding and so Spanish is important, however I disagree.

[Hitchhiker]

For the record, all dialects of English are quite stupid. I mean, English is the mongrel language of the world cobbled together from various portions of other languages. It lacks preciseness where preciseness is required, and ambiguity where that is desired. Plus we have way too few words that rhyme with "purple".

When I look at the demographics of the U.S., it would make sense to have English and Spanish as the official languages, considering the immigration trends. It's like having English and French the official languages of Canada--and you don't see us having problems with our Francophones, do you? It's not like we've got an entire province wanting to separate, or minority governments, or anything silly like that.

In other words . . . it's all semantics. Regardless of what is "official" or not, English is the predominant language and will be until something better comes along or the population shifts dramatically in favour of non-English-speaking people.

[Starbuck]