English: the official language of the US?

[Last Roman]

There has been talk of making English the official language of the US.

I think this is a good idea. But we should not use it to discriminate, but to unify. Language is a pretty powerful thing and I think it would do much good if everyone in the US used it as their main language in public.

So, what's your take on it? Should we or no?

[God]

Eh? It's not already?

[Last Roman]

Eh? It's not already?

we've never had an official language, just like we don't have an official religion, etc

[Carach]

Eh? It's not already?

im with god..(LoL..)

[caratacus]

Being British myself I do not feel I should comment on what is an American matter(Revolution and all that), but is not the real problem that of uncontrolled immigration into the country. This is a very real problem for the whole of the Western world not just America as people from poor underdeveloped but large populas countries seek to bettter themselves by relocation to richer more affluent ones.

[Ahiga]

It was the unofficial language, but I believe congress finally passed a law instating it as the official.

[removeduser_487563287433]

What would be the point of doing such a thing than giving evidence of anti-hispanic feelings?

[God]

Well it sounds like a waste of time to me. Is it going to change anything?

[Sétanta]

We should simply because it has been the De Facto official language for the whole of American History. Why not make it de jure as well and stop wasting time and money making bi lingual stuff for people who don't want to learn English.

[Ó Cathasaigh]

I approve of it. Does having French the official language of France make hispanics feel unwelcome there?

The only thing it realy does is protect English from being over run with spanish in the future. More and more hispanics will come, but many will learn English. It keeps the hispanics (if they get the majority, which they may eventualy) from just saying "Spanish is the official religion" and suddenly Millions of native born americans have to learn a different language in their own country.

[removeduser_487563287433]

I approve of it. Does having French the official language of France make hispanics feel unwelcome there?

The only thing it realy does is protect English from being over run with spanish in the future. More and more hispanics will come, but many will learn English. It keeps the hispanics (if they get the majority, which they may eventualy) from just saying "Spanish is the official religion" and suddenly Millions of native born americans have to learn a different language in their own country.

Poor example, as usual. Hispanics in France tend to be the Spanish in which case they probably live in Spain. Making English the official language of the US at this particular point, when it has been unnecessary for centuries would be an obvious move to curb the influence of other languages, and there is only one candidate for the boogey man.

The idea of English being overrun by Spanish in the future is funny and paranoid. Reminds me of the rubbish the BNP spouts.

[Last Roman]

The idea of English being overrun by Spanish in the future is funny and paranoid. Reminds me of the rubbish the BNP spouts.

I don't think it is all that paranoid or funny at all. The number of Hispanic immigrants increases each year and that will make it much harder for them to assimilate, because why do it if there is no need? This will make it necessary

[removeduser_487563287433]

I don't think it is all that paranoid or funny at all. The number of Hispanic immigrants increases each year and that will make it much harder for them to assimilate, because why do it if there is no need? This will make it necessary

I find this hard to associate with the extinction of our language.

[danzig]

Poor example, as usual. Hispanics in France tend to be the Spanish in which case they probably live in Spain. Making English the official language of the US at this particular point, when it has been unnecessary for centuries would be an obvious move to curb the influence of other languages, and there is only one candidate for the boogey man.

The idea of English being overrun by Spanish in the future is funny and paranoid. Reminds me of the rubbish the BNP spouts.

Try walking around NYC and thinking its unnecessary as you encounter countless people who cant speak a word of english There is nothing wrong with English being the 'national' language and learning it a requirement for citizenship as nothing bad can happen from the bulk of the population being able to you know actually communicate with one another. Of course Howard Dean (DNC leader) has branded English as an offical language as racist, its ok Howard your wild barbarian screams can be understood by everyone regardless of the language they speak so no need to be worried more people my discover how much of a nutcase you really are by them learning english.

There is nothing 'paranoid' about wanting a language as a requirement for its citizens, if there is no enticement to get people to learn the offical language (regardless of what it maybe) then they wont. My grandmother lived in this country for 60 years and barely spoke a word of english (Italian) and I could never figure out why, she thought why bother and that is a mistake imo.

Seeing as you are obviously so defensive about your culture, why would the Hispanics (who, if american citizens, have as much right to be there as you) give up their culture and bow to yours? If you're serious about assimilation, meet them half-way, as no American in my view has a right to talk about "their culture" when they have had it for about 300 years, if it can even be described as a culture. Seeing as how English is not an official language, they have no obligation, morally or practically, to learn English.

Always amusing when a Brit gives lectures on conquering/taking/annexing lands, culture etc. If a person wants to become a citizen of a country they under an obligation to learn the culture, language etc of their new home they decided to live in. And why on earth does 'no american' have a right to talk about their culture...and yes it is a culture despite your arrogance dismissal of it.

[KingOfTheIsles]

Bah, one more.

Oh please shush about America annexing Mexico's land so long ago. We won it through conquest, like Turkey did Anatolia.

Let's look at the annexations of Poland, then. Did Prussia or Austria have any right to force the german language on the Poles, even though it was taken by conquest? Especially when the Poles were the majority in those areas. It was pure imperialism, nothing more, and the antithesis of nation-state principles. I doubt you would be so accomodating if the Hispanics were in the majority, and forced you to use Spanish.

OR, they can start learning English. Why should the majority bow to the minority?

Because in many places in the south, Spanish is the majority language?

Always amusing when a Brit gives lectures on conquering/taking/annexing lands, culture etc.

And so of course, I carry the collective responsibility of my country's past deeds on my shoulders? I never agreed with the empire. I should make it clear that "you Americans" meant those specifically in this thread, not the entire population. Way to turn it into a nationalistic slanging match.

If a person wants to become a citizen of a country they under an obligation to learn the culture, language etc of their new home they decided to live in.

But they are not necessarily immigrants, legal or illegal! Is the concept that people may have lived in the areas annexed by the US from Mexico so alien? And in any case, there is no "standard" american culture, that was the entire point of my post. There is no such thing, just a melting pot of different cultures, which is so admirable and attractive, and has been so. But these changes to the language are just the largely white north imposing their own version of the "american culture" on areas in the south, which have their own version of it, which is as legitimate as the one in the north.

[Last Roman]

Because in many places in the south, Spanish is the majority language?

it is?

And I meant the overall nation, not specific areas

[Gaius Baltar]

Because in many places in the south, Spanish is the majority language?

Despite outward appearances, put forth by the media, the latino population is a minority. IN all sections of the country. That is, legal residents of the US.

If you start counting ILLEGAL immigrants the numbers change. But using illegals as a basis for pubic policy violates all foundations for governmental institutions.

[Ahiga]

Bah, one more.



Let's look at the annexations of Poland, then. Did Prussia or Austria have any right to force the german language on the Poles, even though it was taken by conquest? Especially when the Poles were the majority in those areas. It was pure imperialism, nothing more, and the antithesis of nation-state principles. I doubt you would be so accomodating if the Hispanics were in the majority, and forced you to use Spanish.

Exactly why I want us to establish English as the official language. To prevent that from happening in the future.

And you truly like to paint a picture of us moving into mexican lands and just brutally opressing the inhabitants. I'm taking American History this year with a teacher who makes it a great effort to point out the darker aspects of American history (Not making us to be evil, but enlightening us on facts that most don't even know of), and I recall hearing that the mexican government hired people to attract american immigrants to settle in the rather empty territory.


I'm sure you'll refute me and we'll both continue to argue with little proof behind our opinions.

So if enough Mexicans immigrate over and become the majority, it will be ok to make spanish official right? It would be the will of the majority then, and if what is espoused by the pro english official languege people is true, then Mexicans should become the majority rather soon. So in a few short years we will all be speaking spanish.

Yeah, I hate the analogies which make this out to be some sort of covert mexican invasion of immigrants wanting to reclaim their lands - it's just people wanting a better life with better pay and less corrupt governments, idn'it? But you seem to accuse me of saying that's happening. I'm not. If mexico sought the land back they'd need to bring us to the diplomatic table or start sending in troops, just as greece would.

And my analogy of Anatolia and Greece already dealt with that - Why should Turkey tolerate a greek dominance of politics and culture in their west, just as England should tolerate a french dominanec of politics and culture in their southern coastline (or vice versa)? Why should any country tolerate that kind of foreign influence along their border with any sort of happiness?

Why does having one dominant language mean you can't encorporate another culture? Doesn't Spain start to draw upon it's rich moorish heritage despite having Spanish be the dominant and national language?

[danzig]

And so of course, I carry the collective responsibility of my country's past deeds on my shoulders? I never agreed with the empire. I should make it clear that "you Americans" meant those specifically in this thread, not the entire population. Way to turn it into a nationalistic slanging match.

Well when you poorly word something what exactly do you expect? You used 'you americans' without being specific so by appearances it was YOU who were turning this into a nationalistic 'slanging' match but since you corrected it no point in continuing along that line.

But they are not necessarily immigrants, legal or illegal! Is the concept that people may have lived in the areas annexed by the US from Mexico so alien? And in any case, there is no "standard" american culture, that was the entire point of my post. There is no such thing, just a melting pot of different cultures, which is so admirable and attractive, and has been so. But these changes to the language are just the largely white north imposing their own version of the "american culture" on areas in the south, which have their own version of it, which is as legitimate as the one in the north.

If they arent immigrants then it is safe to assume they DO indeed speak english even if they speak spanish at home, the problem we have is we are making it unnecessary for future generations immigrants, legal or not to get by without speaking a common language and of what good can come of that? Its not like we are talking about banning spanish, just that every citizen of this country should be able to communicate in a common tongue and since the vast majority of American speak english it only makes sense. Too many people are trying to sell this as if its something bad and I cant for the life of me see what exactly the problem is, if I moved to France I would expect I would have to learn French if I wanted to fit into my 'new' homeland. While American culture is indeed a melting pot of different cultures it does have its own distinct american flavor and anyone wanting to make this their home should feel some connection to it and the only way to do that is to become familiar with it culture, its history and yes its language.

What is funny about this whole debate is you have a bunch of people who speak Spanish an European language arguing that they shouldnt be forced to speak a language that isnt theirs ie English another European language. Reminds me of this protester here in NYC who got on tv and was ranting that he his people wont be forced to adapt to culture of white, european oppressors who stole their land....yeah but mister see long ago in a galaxy far away there was this country Spain and well er you are kinda of speaking spanish now.

[Emperor Dimitricus]

well, it hasnt worked too well for england. we still have people speaking all sorts of languages and all government documents printed in languages i havnt even heard of.