Poll: Should USA Adopt American English as the official language

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Do other non-English speaking countries routinely print their forms and signs in English so my life will be easier if I move there?

Yes. You have obviously never been out of the country.

I am not talking about tourist attractions and resorts.

I have a feeling that I move to suburbville Mexico, Brazil or Russia, the chances of seeing anything in English is pretty much slim to none.

You're comparing the United States of America to Mexico, Brazil, and Russia?

 

[Skunkwourk]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Originally posted by: Farang
No.. I have a feeling a lot of people's kneejerk reactions are that it should be official, but really that policy makes little sense. It is more designed to grab xenophobic votes in Republican-heavy districts.

Why should city/state/federal forms be pulished in a language other than English?

If you choose to move to another country on your own accord, why do you expect that country's government to cater to you?

Does Mexico print their city/state/federal forms in both English and Spanish? I really don't know the answer, but I would assume no (after all, look at their policy of treating illegal immigrants from Central/South America, yet illegal aliens here don't want to be treated like their own country treats their illegal aliens - how hypocritical is that???)

There are enough Spanish speakers in this country that I think it is even more ridiculous to want to eliminate Spanish in government, it is disenfranchising a significant portion of our population. The border with Mexico is not a clear cut line of where Anglo heritage begins and Iberian heritage ends, there are plenty of Spanish speakers down there who have every right to be speaking Spanish (look at the names of the towns if you need any indication).

With that said, your cost argument is weak. It is a relatively small cost to provide services in multiple languages, so if you're going to try to cut costs it seems to me as being foolish as cutting them in such a small but vitally important area--the area which allows government and citizens to effectively communicate. Like I said, this is great for xenophobic posturing--'Learn English, or else!'--but in practical terms it makes little sense.

While I agree somewhat, how is your point practical in the long term? Language use isn't something that will remain stagnant for eternity.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Originally posted by: Farang
No.. I have a feeling a lot of people's kneejerk reactions are that it should be official, but really that policy makes little sense. It is more designed to grab xenophobic votes in Republican-heavy districts.

Why should city/state/federal forms be pulished in a language other than English?

If you choose to move to another country on your own accord, why do you expect that country's government to cater to you?

Does Mexico print their city/state/federal forms in both English and Spanish? I really don't know the answer, but I would assume no (after all, look at their policy of treating illegal immigrants from Central/South America, yet illegal aliens here don't want to be treated like their own country treats their illegal aliens - how hypocritical is that???)

There are enough Spanish speakers in this country that I think it is even more ridiculous to want to eliminate Spanish in government, it is disenfranchising a significant portion of our population. The border with Mexico is not a clear cut line of where Anglo heritage begins and Iberian heritage ends, there are plenty of Spanish speakers down there who have every right to be speaking Spanish (look at the names of the towns if you need any indication).

With that said, your cost argument is weak. It is a relatively small cost to provide services in multiple languages, so if you're going to try to cut costs it seems to me as being foolish as cutting them in such a small but vitally important area--the area which allows government and citizens to effectively communicate. Like I said, this is great for xenophobic posturing--'Learn English, or else!'--but in practical terms it makes little sense.

Just to give you an idea, it cost Canada Billions to maintain bilingualism.

 

[Farang]

Originally posted by: m0mentary

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Originally posted by: Farang
No.. I have a feeling a lot of people's kneejerk reactions are that it should be official, but really that policy makes little sense. It is more designed to grab xenophobic votes in Republican-heavy districts.

Why should city/state/federal forms be pulished in a language other than English?

If you choose to move to another country on your own accord, why do you expect that country's government to cater to you?

Does Mexico print their city/state/federal forms in both English and Spanish? I really don't know the answer, but I would assume no (after all, look at their policy of treating illegal immigrants from Central/South America, yet illegal aliens here don't want to be treated like their own country treats their illegal aliens - how hypocritical is that???)

There are enough Spanish speakers in this country that I think it is even more ridiculous to want to eliminate Spanish in government, it is disenfranchising a significant portion of our population. The border with Mexico is not a clear cut line of where Anglo heritage begins and Iberian heritage ends, there are plenty of Spanish speakers down there who have every right to be speaking Spanish (look at the names of the towns if you need any indication).

With that said, your cost argument is weak. It is a relatively small cost to provide services in multiple languages, so if you're going to try to cut costs it seems to me as being foolish as cutting them in such a small but vitally important area--the area which allows government and citizens to effectively communicate. Like I said, this is great for xenophobic posturing--'Learn English, or else!'--but in practical terms it makes little sense.

While I agree somewhat, how is your point practical in the long term? Language use isn't something that will remain stagnant for eternity.

Heavily promote English but do not force it upon people by threat of inability to communicate with government. For example, public education in Spanish should be dedicated in large part to teaching English, so by the time the kid is in middle or high school they can go to an English-speaking school. This as opposed to pushing little Pablo into an English-speaking elementary where he falls behind and loses interests in school.

So it won't remain stagnant, we will push the trend towards English in a way that is fair to everyone.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: ZeroIQ

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i support all transcations/actions by federal/state/local government agencies/entities being in English only

private businesses however, i feel should be left out of it. the private business owner should be free to run their business however they want, including transacting in any languages they wish

i agree with this

As do I.

:thumbsup:

 

[Farang]

As for Canada.. French is much more institutionalized there. I don't think the situations are comparable. In the U.S., English is so dominant that we can push it on the Spanish-speakers and eventually get most of them to be bilingual. French Canadians are more reluctant to have English forced upon them I think.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: Farang
Heavily promote English but do not force it upon people by threat of inability to communicate with government. For example, public education in Spanish should be dedicated in large part to teaching English, so by the time the kid is in middle or high school they can go to an English-speaking school. This as opposed to pushing little Pablo into an English-speaking elementary where he falls behind and loses interests in school.

So it won't remain stagnant, we will push the trend towards English in a way that is fair to everyone.

Why the need to push toward English at all? If the nation gets populated with masses of non-English speaking natives, then so be it.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Farang
As for Canada.. French is much more institutionalized there. I don't think the situations are comparable. In the U.S., English is so dominant that we can push it on the Spanish-speakers and eventually get most of them to be bilingual. French Canadians are more reluctant to have English forced upon them I think.

Very different situation. You have a choice of using English or French. You are not forced to speak both. You are guaranteed service in either language in any sort of government service.

Quebec has a language police...figure that one out.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Absolutely not. This isn't England; this is America God dammit! We should adopt American as the official language. I don't give a damn if it does bear some passing semblance to that archaic gobbletygook they speak across the pond. In American an elevator is not a lift, a truck is not a lorrie, an apartment is not a flat, a stroller is not a pram and a cigarette is not a i love you! If they want to come over and start speaking English, we can say "Wow, you speak pretty good American for a foreigner." Why should we have to kowtow to their bullshit propaganda about the preferred nomenclature of our common language? This is America! In the spirit of our forefathers I declare our independence from England in naming our language!

American for the official language of America!

 

[Nitemare]

In government that is fine, but the government needs to stay the hell out of private business.

I don't want the local Asian mart or Mexican La Tienda to be forced to put up English, that's just fucking wrong.

 

[spacejamz]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Originally posted by: Farang

Originally posted by: spacejamz

Do other non-English speaking countries routinely print their forms and signs in English so my life will be easier if I move there?

Yes. You have obviously never been out of the country.

I am not talking about tourist attractions and resorts.

I have a feeling that I move to suburbville Mexico, Brazil or Russia, the chances of seeing anything in English is pretty much slim to none.

You're comparing the United States of America to Mexico, Brazil, and Russia?

Where are you seeing a comparison???

I am saying that if I move to a suburb of Mexico, Brazil or Russia, I probably couldn't go into a restaurant and order some food or go the DMV and apply for a driver's license or apply for a voter's registration card.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: ducci

Originally posted by: Farang
Heavily promote English but do not force it upon people by threat of inability to communicate with government. For example, public education in Spanish should be dedicated in large part to teaching English, so by the time the kid is in middle or high school they can go to an English-speaking school. This as opposed to pushing little Pablo into an English-speaking elementary where he falls behind and loses interests in school.

So it won't remain stagnant, we will push the trend towards English in a way that is fair to everyone.

Why the need to push toward English at all? If the nation gets populated with masses of non-English speaking natives, then so be it.

The problem is that they won't have as much incentive to assimilate, and then we end up being a de facto part of Mexico.

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: spacejamz
Where are you seeing a comparison???

I am saying that if I move to a suburb of Mexico, Brazil or Russia, I probably couldn't go into a restaurant and order some food or go the DMV and apply for a driver's license or apply for a voter's registration card.

And by saying so, you are implying that the US should apply a similar policy? That is not a comparison?

Regardless, saying "probably" really doesn't strengthen your argument. Also, as has been said - move to North Dakota speaking only Spanish and see how far you can get. It will be very difficult, but by federal law, it should not be impossible.

There is nothing wrong with people living in this country who are not able to speak English. There is also nothing wrong with a private business refusing to serve someone because of the language they speak.

 

[BoomerD]

Governmental agencies should only be required to provide information in the official language of the state, county, or nation. If a person requires that information in a different language, the responsibility should be on THEM to provide a translator.

 

[sdifox]

ok who are the 5 people who voted for Spanish as USA's official language?

 

[winr]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Yes, Yes, 1000 times YES!

:thumbsup:

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: Atomic Playboy
Absolutely not. This isn't England; this is America God dammit! We should adopt American as the official language. I don't give a damn if it does bear some passing semblance to that archaic gobbletygook they speak across the pond. In American an elevator is not a lift, a truck is not a lorrie, an apartment is not a flat, a stroller is not a pram and a cigarette is not a i love you! If they want to come over and start speaking English, we can say "Wow, you speak pretty good American for a foreigner." Why should we have to kowtow to their bullshit propaganda about the preferred nomenclature of our common language? This is America! In the spirit of our forefathers I declare our independence from England in naming our language!

American for the official language of America!

Sod off, wanker.

 

[dbk]

I don't care. People are going to talk in whatever language they want. It won't really change anything. It doesn't need an official status. No one thinks Chinese is the official language of the US.

 

[IronWing]

I prefer freedom, thank you.

 

[Captante]

Yes.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i support all transcations/actions by federal/state/local government agencies/entities being in English only

private businesses however, i feel should be left out of it. the private business owner should be free to run their business however they want, including transacting in any languages they wish

Uhhhhhh I thought our country really was like this. Am I missing something?

 

[Bateluer]

Yes

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i support all transcations/actions by federal/state/local government agencies/entities being in English only

private businesses however, i feel should be left out of it. the private business owner should be free to run their business however they want, including transacting in any languages they wish

Uhhhhhh I thought our country really was like this. Am I missing something?

I'm not sure the extent of all offical government documents, signs, and such, but for example in some communities with a large number of non-English speakers ballots for voting are required by law to be in multiple languages.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i support all transcations/actions by federal/state/local government agencies/entities being in English only

private businesses however, i feel should be left out of it. the private business owner should be free to run their business however they want, including transacting in any languages they wish

i agree with this

 

[manlymatt83]

Originally posted by: Lothar
Yes.