Do you think English should be the official national language? I do.  more below?
488572
Yes, by making English our official language, it will speed up assimilation of the immigrants who at this time are being pandered to and enabled and encouraged to NOT learn English by having so many official documents in other languages.\n\nThe other day I got my food handlers permit.  The test was in English, Spanish, Phillipino, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Ukraine, Thai, and one or two of the languages of India. The Koreans at my table were HELPING each other with their tests.  The three Anglos, me included, worked on our tests ALONE.\n\nEnglish should be an official and common language.
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.
832802
English should be the national language and there should be fines for any business or company who knowingly hires illegals and for any landlord who knowingly sells or rents to illegals!!\n\nWhat part of illegal is so hard to understand?????????
570533
On spelling and grammar, I would have to say English people, for example when somebody uses 'is there more...' instead of 'are there more...' and 'too' instead of 'to' or refuses to use capital letters!!!!! Grrrrr! On other things, who knows? I think that I would go for English people! :)
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
216293
Yes.  I thinkit's great that people that speak other laguages come to this country.  But if you are outside your own home or a store for people from your country.  You should speak english.  The Mexicans that work for me are some of the hardest working guys I know.  But, I shouldn't need an interpreter to tell them what needs to be done.  When I was in the Marines I lived in Japan for 3 years.  I didn't expect the Japanese to make do for me because I didn't speak Japanese. I learned a little Japanese.  I wish I had learned more japanes, I am trying to learn my wifes native language.  I think people should be able to speak more than one language. But we live in America, it was founded on English, it should speak English.  Again I think everyone should speak a foreign laguage, but we should have one declared laguage that everyone needs to speak.
1132908
I don't recall there being any article in the Constitution that gives the English language any official status or that guarantees that American citizens should never be subjected to hearing languages other than the majority tongue. If anything, the United States was actually founded to encourage acceptance of diversity. Remember the First Amendment? It guarantees not only freedom of religion but also freedom of speech, and that means not just WHAT you want to say but also HOW (and in what language) you want to say it.\n\nI agree that immigrants should be encouraged to learn English, but not because Americans have some God-given right to never have to hear any language but English. If you're really all that concerned about immigrants who are having a hard time acquiring the English language, perhaps you should volunteer some of your time tutoring immigrants in English.\n\nEDIT: After all, it can take years to acquire a second language. How many years did it take for you to learn Spanish, and how fluent are you in it? That is, are you conversational? Would you be comfortable speaking in only Spanish all day long in every situation? How about when you travel to Mexico? Do you speak Spanish every second you're there, or do you just use Spanish when you have to ask for directions of something and revert back to English when speaking to other Americans you're traveling with? \n\nOr are you perhaps a second or third generation Latina? Did your parents or grand-parents speak Spanish? And if so, why is it that your mother tongue is English and not Spanish? It's amazing how quickly people become assimilated in this country, isn't it? It is admittedly difficult for those who immigrate to this country as an adult to pick up the English language, especially when most of them work long hours, rely on others for transportation, and can't afford college English classes. After all, it can take YEARS to become fluent in a foreign language. Don't you agree? Yet more often than not, the children and grand-children of these immigrants not only learn to speak English fluently but don't even learn to speak their parents' language, which is a shame, if you ask me. In the meantime, it does admittedly take those first generation immigrants a while to pick up the language, so maybe we should be a little more patient and stop being so judgmental. Those of use who have learned to speak a second language fluently realize how difficult a process it can be. If more Americans took it upon themselves to try to learn a foreign language, they might be a little less judgmental.\n\nFYI: French is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. It is spoken as a first language by people in France, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, etc..., but more importantly, it is spoken as a second language in countries where it is the official language or where it has a historical presence, including, but not limited to the following countries: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Tchad, Senegal, Guinea, Congo, Gabon, Central African Republic, Burkina-Faso, Cameroun, Ruanda, Burundi, Zaire, Egypt, Guyana, Guadelope, Martinique, Reunion, Corsica, French Polynesia, etc...
55460
There is no official language. Although some  people would like to belive so. Welcome to America, land of the slaughtered Natives, colonizing Europeans, and modern day monolingual people that would like to belive that because they only know english, so should everyone else. \n\nWelcome to America! Now speak whatever language you please. ;)
305614
no, keeping the laws that are already there and IN FORCING them is the answer.... we have laws that has to be obeyed and learned... we also have a language that should be the national language of America !!! English.......
648205
I'm English.  I was born in Yorkshire, England, and now live in High Wycombe.  Fair enough it's still Britain, but I prefer English.
858026
Who's refusing?  I love studying languages!  However, should we alow a secondary language to be official?  I don't think that's necessary.  We're creating a new language with the Spanglish and all the other wonderful linguistic creativity that is alive & well in the US
639445
nothing! and god bless them!  when my ancestors came over they had to learn the English language to survive in this country.  the same should be true of the many Spanish immigrants we have today.  English is the official language of the USA and either choose to learn it or choose to go someplace else.
529104
Speak English please.
848987
I vote for emphatic British English , by FAR the most beautiful in my ears.  I just love the rhythm & cadence & intonation of strong British erudite English.  The formalism of it.is so charming.\ncoming in second place to me is the High-German language.   so forceful & direct & powerful.  Makes anything you say sound like a command.  German is a no-nonsense language ideal for military & discipline & command.  and I like that.  \n\nI find the Romance languages boring.  I am not interested in the so-called Mediterranean culture.  I was raised in so-called Eastern mediterranean culture & I didn't care for it.  \n\nI also am charmed by the sounds of Swedish,& Norwegian - also very partial to the sounds of Korean& japanese.& Russian.  I love the cadence & the way they resonate.   And I also am fascinated by the sound of the Greek language in songs & speeches.\n\nI'm sick &tired of hearing how great French & italian are.  I want to differ sharply from this.
975521
The USA already uses English as the language of its government and legal system.  Making it official, like France or England does, calls into question whether we can then spend government money to publish things in Spanish, Vietnamese, or other languages.  \n\nSo, the language of the USA is English, but we do not deny our immigrants the help they need in their own languages while they are becoming American (which takes a generation).\n\nI think that most of the people who want to make English the Official Language want to do so to make it more difficult for immigrants to assimilate here.  I think they feel threatened by other cultures and want a return to an America they perceived as white and European.\n\nI think we should not adopt an official language, or 2 or 3, but we should continue to use English for our government and laws, and use multiple languages where people need help.
570552
Welcome to America...where the primary language is ENGLISH!!!
823543
Personally, I'm sick and tired of catering to a minority that expects us to learn their language in our country.\n\nIn my opinion, your example is a type of job stipulation that is contrary to any equal opportunity employment policy. \n\nI am an avid supporter of English as our official language  - and an avid opponent of all of the disincentives we use to discourage people from learning English. \n\nI would not expect any other foreign country to cater to my customs and language if I chose to live there.\n\nIf you want to be an American - then be one. If you want to retain all of the customs and language of your own country, than move back.