So why hasnt congress made English the official language yet?

[Vich]

I don't understand why congress has not actually dealt with the official language problem yet. Is it that difficult/wrong/politcally-incorrect to make English the official language of America?

According to the 2000 United States Census, 18% of the US population aged 5 or older (47 million) people speaks a language other than English at home. Which is up from 11% in 1980, and 14% in 1990. So more and more people are speaking a language other than English at home. That is fine, I spoke nothing but Russian when i was at home, and actually think being bilingual is very important. However, what bothers me is seeing advertisements, signs, and messages in federal, state, and local level establishments. I could care less what a private company does they have that choice . However it pisses me of when I live in America and have to read directions not only in English but also in Spanish when i go down and stop at the rest area on the New Jersey Turnpike (All those rest stops are state property). Or when I go to the state capital and the bathrooms have signs in English and Spanish.

 

[shoegazer]

Yeah, in america we only want to read things once!

But seriously, how can signs in other languages bother you that much?? Personally, I find it quite pleasant to be able to even more easily ignore advertisements.

 

[Ronstang]

They are cowards who care more about keeping their jobs than what actually happens to this country. They are so afraid of loosing one vote they are constipated idiots anymore, and that goes for both parties. One of the great things about this country is the "melting pot" make up but that is only a strength because up until recently people coming here had a STRONG desire to be American and become part of the culture whereas now they simply want to come here and take what benefits them because their home country, who they still claim allegiance to, cannot provide them with much of anything.

 

[Vich]

Originally posted by: shoegazer
Yeah, in america we only want to read things once!

But seriously, how can signs in other languages bother you that much?? Personally, I find it quite pleasant to be able to even more easily ignore advertisements.

Its not just about being annoyed by signs in different languages that bothers me. What bothers me is this snowball effect that will eventually lead our country into a language war. When the % of people not speaking English anymore is high enough maybe you will see what i am talking about.

People used to come to this country wanting to speak English to be an American. Now a days people come to this country knowing the government will hold there hand and help them and not ask for anything in return. People are starting to ask for Spanish only speaking classes/ schools that are public and payed for by our tax money.

Go to any other foreign speaking country and you will not see them catering to you like we do. You think this would happen if a certain cultural group started going to Russia, or germany? Doubt it.

 

[ntdz]

What's the point? While I think everyone should speak English, I don't know what making English the official language would do besides piss people off.

Edit: I will say this. Almost nothing pisses me off more than when someone living in this country for TWENTY FVCKING YEARS can't speak English. My parents' house keeper has a 20 year old kid going to college (who was born in the US) and still can't speak a word of English, except hi and bye. WTF is that?

 

[Vich]

Originally posted by: ntdz
What's the point? While I think everyone should speak English, I don't know what making English the official language would do besides piss people off.

Lets just think about this for a moment.

Correct me if i am wrong I believe in a few decades the Hispanic population will no longer be the minority but the majority.
If the majority if these people only speak Spanish how do you think that will affect America? If English is not the official language then would it be ok if America became Spanish speaking?

Maybe this doesnt bother some people, but it bothers me. Maybe I am the minority.

 

[magomago]

Originally posted by: ntdz
What's the point? While I think everyone should speak English, I don't know what making English the official language would do besides piss people off.

Edit: I will say this. Almost nothing pisses me off more than when someone living in this country for TWENTY FVCKING YEARS can't speak English. My parents' house keeper has a 20 year old kid going to college (who was born in the US) and still can't speak a word of English, except hi and bye. WTF is that?

I agree with that first part. What is the point? Its already required for any real social mobility in the US...if you don't learn it - well you'll be disadvantaged economically unless you get money through other means.

Although I find it reallly hard for someone who was BORN in the usa and cannot SPEAK a WORD OF ENGLISH. If what you say is true - then that has to be one of the rare exceptions

 

[her209]

Same reason why Christianity isn't the official religion yet?

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: her209
Same reason why Christianity isn't the official religion yet?

Well, global warming comes in a close second

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: magomago

Originally posted by: ntdz
What's the point? While I think everyone should speak English, I don't know what making English the official language would do besides piss people off.

Edit: I will say this. Almost nothing pisses me off more than when someone living in this country for TWENTY FVCKING YEARS can't speak English. My parents' house keeper has a 20 year old kid going to college (who was born in the US) and still can't speak a word of English, except hi and bye. WTF is that?

I agree with that first part. What is the point? Its already required for any real social mobility in the US...if you don't learn it - well you'll be disadvantaged economically unless you get money through other means.

Although I find it reallly hard for someone who was BORN in the usa and cannot SPEAK a WORD OF ENGLISH. If what you say is true - then that has to be one of the rare exceptions

She was born in Mexico, her son was born in the US.

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: Vich

Originally posted by: ntdz
What's the point? While I think everyone should speak English, I don't know what making English the official language would do besides piss people off.

Lets just think about this for a moment.

Correct me if i am wrong I believe in a few decades the Hispanic population will no longer be the minority but the majority.
If the majority if these people only speak Spanish how do you think that will affect America? If English is not the official language then would it be ok if America became Spanish speaking?

Maybe this doesnt bother some people, but it bothers me. Maybe I am the minority.

I'm pretty sure the majority of hispanics speak English in this country, particularly 2nd and 3rd generation.

 

[judasmachine]

Because it's a stupid idea, that's why. It's one more BS way for some to force their opinion on others. Don't we have enough stupid laws yet?

 

[Jaskalas]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
Because it's a stupid idea, that's why. It's one more BS way for some to force their opinion on others. Don't we have enough stupid laws yet?

They don't have to come live here. They can always go home. The "force" is to attempt to save what remains of our country and culture before 1/3rd of us don?t speak the native language.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Jaskalas

Originally posted by: judasmachine
Because it's a stupid idea, that's why. It's one more BS way for some to force their opinion on others. Don't we have enough stupid laws yet?

They don't have to come live here. They can always go home. The "force" is to attempt to save what remains of our country and culture before 1/3rd of us don?t speak the native language.

Why is this an issue? If YOU as a free citizen don't wish to speak Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, whatever, YOU as a free citizen DO NOT HAVE TO. Is it really too much trouble to read a sign that says: Restroom/Bano? Come on...

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Originally posted by: her209
Same reason why Christianity isn't the official religion yet?

Is freedom of language in the constitution too? Didn't know that!

 

[Borealis7]

What percentage of Americans actually speak proper english?
the official language should be "Inaccurate English".

Jimmy Car once said on Conan O'Brien: "I do not have a British Accent, This is how the words sound when pronounced properly."

even on mainstream TV i heard someone exclaim "Wheaa-ma-Hosat?!?!" when he inquired as to the whereabouts of his "lady friends"

 

[babylon5]

3 words: Tower of Babel

 

[ntdz]

Originally posted by: Borealis7
What percentage of Americans actually speak proper english?
the official language should be "Inaccurate English".

Jimmy Car once said on Conan O'Brien: "I do not have a British Accent, This is how the words sound when pronounced properly."

even on mainstream TV i heard someone exclaim "Wheaa-ma-Hosat?!?!" when he inquired as to the whereabouts of his "lady friends"

It's called slang, and I know it may surprise you, but Britain has it too.

 

[Borealis7]

im not british my nationality shall remain undisclosed at this point.

 

[jackschmittusa]

I laugh at the French because they have a national government agency whose basic job is to keep France French. They don't want any barbarian words, food, customs, etc. contaminating their culture.

Establishing an official language here might lead to the same kind of crap.

 

[Siddhartha]

I would rather Congress spent its time working on issues like education, health care, and finding out if the intel GWB handed out before the Iraq invasion was "manipulated".

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
I laugh at the French because they have a national government agency whose basic job is to keep France French. They don't want any barbarian words, food, customs, etc. contaminating their culture.

Establishing an official language here might lead to the same kind of crap.

Hardly. What an official actually means is that official business of the state is handled in a certain language. Speak whatever language you want, but if you want to interface with the government in any way, you need to speak the language of the nation, and not expect everyone to bend over backwards to learn your language.

Want a driver's license? The test is in English.

Want government benefits of any kind? The applications are in English.

 

[imported_Shivetya]

multiple languages divide a people, they also can keep certain minority groups down. Perhaps thats the real reason, if people get hampered by the language they will turn more to the government for relief.

 

[jackschmittusa]

BoberFett

The government is already free to do that if they want. All they have to do is want to.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
BoberFett

The government is already free to do that if they want. All they have to do is want to.

"The government" is neither a single entity nor a hive mind. Every agency tends to do things their own way.