Should English be made the official language of the United States.........?
361921
I believe that English was the language used when our country was founded and should continue to stay our "official" language. I think if we start by adding Spanish as an official language it is unfair to all of the other immigrants who reside here. we cannot possibly cater to all. products and packaging being printed in other languages is the decision of the manufacturer, not law makers. If we are going to print documents in Spanish, shouldn't it be printed in every language for everyone? Could you imagine a group of Americans in Mexico or even Germany and demanding that they do everything in English because we can't understand the language? Of course not. It's a ludicrous idea. All of our ancestors came from many places all over the globe. When they arrived, they had to learn the language and follow the rules already in progress. they didn't demand we cater to their disabilities. So why is it different now? This is a land who welcomes all with open arms. Stop trying to force them behind Miss Liberty's back.
1132039
i say equality to all english is the official language here all people should be expected to learn it \n \nthe laws should apply to EVERYONE \n\ni should not be responsible for the education or welfare of a criminal  what have they done for my child? \n\nwe should have more minutemen to help eliminate this immigration problem\n\nand free speech should apply to everyone that pays taxes and obeys laws  i couldnt care less about what these illegals have to say especially since they wont bother learning english    \n\nit should be up to mexico to deal with them not us
1021366
English should always be considered the US National Language. It doesn't even make sense to consider otherwise. It's obvious there is a lot of controversy regarding all the millions of immigrants from all over the world, specially those with hispanic descendancy, however, they were the ones who came to United States, an English speaking country, to try and make a better life and secure a better future than their homeland can provide, so it's only natural they have to learn English and adjust themselves with American society, it wouldn't make sense if thousands of Americans decided to invade China or Brazil as their new home, start demanding left and right immigrant rights, trying to change things for how they want it to be. It should definitely be mandatory for everyone wanting to live in US soil to learn, speak, read and understand English.
66751
Nope. Never has, although there have been attempts in the past to make English the official language.
542987
YES,i agree with you!!! There should NOT even have to be a question of this!!! ENGLISH is the language that Americans have been speaking since this country was FOUNDED!!! Why should people even WANT to change it NOW?? And,as for OTE (other than English),i have NO problems with people speaking their own language, UNLESS,they are around people who do NOT speak their language!!!! THEN,i think it is RUDE and INSULTING!!!Those of you who speak other foreign languages,PLEASE have enough CONSIDERATION for others around you,who DON'T!!!
367365
greenpeacein79 has a valid point...  America does not have an 'official' language.\n\nIn the early days of the formation of this country, when it came time for our forefathers to write the documents that would lay the foundations of our sovereignty, English beat out German as the language of choice BY ONLY ONE VOTE.\n\nThat said, English is the predominant language used in the U.S., and the language in which all of this country's laws are written.\n\nFurthermore, anybody who wants to be economically viable in the global market, at least at this point in history, needs some command of the English language, it's that simple:  It's not an opinion, it's not a theory...\n\nIt's just a f*****g fact of life,... so get used to it.
570552
Welcome to America...where the primary language is ENGLISH!!!
939859
No, it doesnt matter if an illegal alien invented English, he/she needs to get their booty home, stay there, and go through proper procedures to enter USA. Until they do that, they will always be a tresspasser, a law breaker (a criminal) to the USA. We have lost all tolerance for ILLEGAL aliens. No one FORCES anyone to learn English, by the way, but an immigrant should, so they can communicate with their fellow citizens, and be productive, not insist that an entire nation appease them by us learning their foreign language. We are an English speaking nation, we don't speak asian, spanish, or Hindu, you got that yet? It isn't very difficult to understand, if youre an illegal, youre an illegal.
54665
I think you should speak the majority language of the country you are in...USA would be English, China would be Chinese, etc...
966164
Well, I wouldn't say it bothers me, mostly because the US dosen't have an official language. I think it may bother some people who are afraid of change, because if enough spanish speaking immigrants come into the country, enough to make Spanish speaking americans the majority, then everything would be in Spanish, and people would have to learn a new language.\nMakes me wish I had taken Spanish instead of French in HS.
446820
BECAUSE ENGLISH IS THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE U.S.!!!THAT'S WHY!!! C'mon, get real. Next my kid is gonna have to bilingually recite the pledge of allegiance. Except for the line about under God, because the left wing politically correct weenies won't allow that. A spanish version of the national anthem...Nope. Just doesn't work for me.
694119
Because it has never been passed by congress to make English the official language.  In the 1780's there was a bill to do this but because of the German speaking population it did not pass.  In fact by a 1 vote margin German failed to become the second language of America.  \n\nAll laws are written in English (other that Latin phrases) and some states require other languages be used as well.
707209
Our official language is English! If you don't like it, move to Mexico or Spain where it is Spanish! But if youre gonna live here, you better learn English!
959404
Never.  People who come into the United States ought to learn American English.
668646
I completely agree with you oh sassy one.  It is our fault for making it way too easy for them.  From ATM's, to product labels, to government forms and questionnaires...etc.  What we need to do is to stop the insanity and print everything in English only!  And for those Americans who holds a high ranking, executive or managerial position, do not hire anyone who does not speak English... use your discretion.  This is the only way we can stop this madness.  This goes for the other races who are non spanish speakers.  We need to unite and show those spanish speaking people IT'S TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH.
221341
It's up to the states to decide...opponents like the ACLU debate that making English the offical language would be unconstiutional because it would not enable the Spanish-speaking, German-speaking, and French-speaking immigrants and citizens from a fair and just trial, liberties and such.\n\nGoogle it, but I think because the United States is soo big and diverse, that it wouldn't be fair to the first immigrants of this country.
695631
this sounds like a homework question.  Perhaps, think about it a little for yourself.  Here are a few ideas to ponder:\n\nIn favor:\n(1) It's a cost-saving measure.  With an official language the government needs only print documents in one language, so you don't have to print ballots, bills, notes, etc. 2, 5, 10 times for every possible language under the sun that anyone MIGHT use.\n(2) It encourages assimilation.  We are a VERY diverse country, but what kept our country together (outside of armed military conflict in the 1860s of course) was the fact that when people got here, they learned the language, they learned "American" traditions, and they melded together.  Today, with so many cultures striving for cultural identity, we've become a less cohesive country, which has caused lots of strife. At a minimum, mandating English as an official language will send the signal that all Americans have the responsibility to communicate using the same tongue.\n\nAGAINST:\n(1) It's racist.  Just because English is the language spoken by the Founders of our country doesn't mean it's "official."  Official language makes people feel like second-class citizens, like their identity and culture are not important.  It also marginalizes the large minorities in this country who have not yet learned English.\n(2) It denies people equal access to the government.  There are many LEGAL immigrants and others who have not learned the language.  Making English "official" means that many of them cannot access government services (such as VOTING, social services, knowledge of the government, etc.) because they cannot read or communicate in English.  Such a result is unfair, unreasonable, and is probably violative of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendement, thus unconstitutional.\n\nSo you think about it.