Before you answer that English is the official national language - it isn't. It is the de facto standard, but it is not officially recognized on a national level.\n\nShould we not require immigrants to learn the language and integrate into society? Should the white house web page be written in Spanish?\nsee http://www.whitehouse.gov/espanol/index.es.html
121522
Until the last few years it wasn't necessary to have an official National Language. But now that we have illegal aliens coming here in droves it is suddenly important.
56948
I think it is a little extreme, but I can understand the frustration.  Here in Texas, I get annoyed when people of Hispanic origin refuse to learn English, and our society and government enables them to do this by not requiring immigrants to learn english, and even forcing government employees to speak spanish.  Also, our local and national businesses learn spanish to accomodate those who do not speak our language.\n\nI am all for immigration....that is what the makes the U.S. An intresting place to live, but I doubt that if I moved to Mexico or Spain or any other spanish speaking country, that they would learn english to accomadate me.  I understand why they would not....pride in their culture...we have the same and would appreciate immigrants having enough respect to learn it.  After all, it is free from our government.  \n\nSo, I guess my final thought on your question is that I agree that it is a little extreme to forbid it, but at the same time, I see why and understand the reason.\n\nTake care and God bless.
315070
If it's the American National Anthem, then of coarse it should be sung in English. English is our national language, like it or not.
166415
Being a legal immigrant, I must say it's about time that those Mexicans either learn the beauty of the English language, or beat it. It isn't that difficult to hold on to your heritage while respecting the country you chose to live in. For goodness' sakes, as much as I respect the Mexican Americans, why isn't the National Anthem sang in Hungarian then? Because then it would only be fair to have it in every language ever migrated to the US.
204387
spanish is BETTER!! It's already turing into OUR country now gringo, or haven't you noticed? little by little we have been importing our culture and our peopole into the u.s. It's too late for the gov of america to do anything now!!ajajajjaja! better learn some spanish gringo, cause soon your kids will HAVE to!! we even got our flags on some american schools in ca. and tx. georgia is being taking over too. WATCH the news and SEE!!
246529
I think you're confusing what people are saying.  Nobody's suggesting that Spanish is somehow a worthless language that nobody should ever speak.  As a matter of fact, every school I've been in since elementary school has taught Spanish.\n\nWhen people say that immigrants should learn and speak English, they're talking about assimilating into the United States instead of setting up their own little corner of it for themselves.\n\nWe don't want the U.S. to turn into a chaotic collection of warring tribes.  Refusing to learn English separates you from the rest of the country.  It's not in the country's interest to encourage that.\n\nLook up the term "balkanization" and see if that makes any sense to you.
605204
Yes, the main language is English.  There are 4 states right now that have more Spanish speaking people then English.  They are Texas, New Mexico, California and Maryland.
561120
Its a distraction for sure, and it has almost no practical value.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for it.  And no doubt it has a certain surface appeal to those who don't think it through.  But would it mean no more Spanish language newspapers?  Nope.  No more teaching in native languages in primary grades in school?  Probably not.  Would service workers still need to be able to speak another language?  Probably (in L.A. you can't get a job in a fast food restaurant unless you're bi-lingual -- think about how many people that excludes).\n\nIn fact, it would mostly mean that the government is only required to conduct business in English.  Of course if they want tax returns filed or foreign language criminals convicted the IRS and the courts will be doing business as usually: multilingually.
137370
Official language(s) None at federal level;\nEnglish de facto
324276
Yes, it should be required.  US is the only country where people don't feel the need to learn another language.  In most other countries, people are at least bi-lingual.  I believe it makes a better rounded individual and gives appreciation for other cultures.  Besides, learning a language is MUCH easier when you are young; as a grown-up, it's very difficult.
259405
Its silly. In my opinion if a country has a national language, you should try to speak that language. \n\nI have no problem with people in America not speaking English, because there is no official language in the United States. People say its English, and unofficially it is, but you cannot discriminate on language barriers because it is not in the constitution.
331877
I think it is a great idea!  We are a nation and we have the right to make an "OFFICIAL" anything.  Other countries have their official language.  We are not saying that you cannot speak other languages, but it should be MANDATORY that anyone who wants to be a citizen, must speak English.
366468
If Americans had to learn the language of everyone who comes to America legally or illegally, then we would all be in language schools 24 hours a day.\n\nIt's the RESPONSIBILITY of the person coming to live in the U.S. to learn English, not the other way around.
592891
I don't think there's a thing wrong with it!  If you want to live in this country....LEARN THE LANGUAGE!  I am sick and tired of going to the stores seeing so much written in Spanish now.  There's no reason for it.  This is the USA.....we speak ENGLISH....and if you don't like it, and you don't want to learn it.....there's also another freedom this country offers you...THE FREEDOM TO LEAVE!
180123
I think people miss the point of that.  Why do people hold the U.S. to a different standard than other countries.  EVERY country has an official language, and they all have people from other nationalities living to them.  If EVERY country tried to cater to EVERY language spoken in it, no one would get anything done ever.  Just because English is the national language of the U.S. does not mean that the U.S. is somehow slapping other languages in the face.  If you want to live here, work here, and thrive here...learn the language.  That does not mean that there is anything wrong with other languages or that we as U.S. citizens should not learn other languages, we should.  However, just like any other country we do have a national language and people should learn it to function here.  That is no different than if I went to Germany, Russia, Cuba, Japan...those countries businesses and schools will not cater to me...its in my best interest if I want to succeed in their country, to learn their language.  That is true of the U.S. also.  So, yes,it bothers me to with the press one or two thing....learn the language...but don't come here to BE an American and then DEMAND that everyone else here conform to your language so that you can function.  If you choose to operate here, then learn how we operate and do it.  I would have to do it in another country, so anyone who comes here should have to do it here.
193566
I agree with you. There are too many here that do not speak any word of English but yet they want to live here and be treated like citizens. I believe if they want to be taking serious about wanting to be here as Americans then they need to learn the English language as well. It is good to keep speaking your home language but you need to speak English as well
390890
It is called the dumbing down of the American society! As a nation we can only assimilate so many non-English speaking immigrants. Because of the overload of immigrants dumped into the school systems, the focus has shifted to learning English rather than learning correct grammar and an advanced vocabulary.  The curriculum has to be watered down, or better yet Dumbed Down to a level that they can then understand at their grammar level. \nMix this with a bunch of people who cry for illegal immigrants rights to an education, even though statistics show that they will most likely drop out and prove that they were a waste of an education anyways. \nBAM! A DUMBED DOWN society where our children are not able to focus on the basics of proper English and writing skills because little "Juan" couldn't keep up and it was against his rights for others to be taught more than he is able to learn because of his initial inability to speak, read or write in English!