Are you ok with the USA becoming a bilingual state like Canada ?

[UndertheOcean]

Or is this a deal breaker for you ? all immigrants must be Anglicized.


Personally , why not ? Switzerland and Canada are multilingual , and I don't see them imploding.

[eShirl]

1. HELL yes!

Trilingual would be even better.

[treestar]

2. It should be no big deal

Many countries function just fine with several languages. Even more than one "official" language. The hand wringing over this is just useless. There's no harm to be done.

Immigrants are going to learn English anyway. People learn English all over the world, too - so it's not even just our country. Our language dominates the world, so there is no need for handwringing about some people speaking some other language in our country.

[DrDan]

29. it is a big deal!!!

We are probably the only country on earth that discourages learning a second language.

Well . . . discouraging is perhaps a stretch. Using a second language is CERTAINLY looked down on.

We SHOULD be encouraging second and third languages.

But . . . we are so obsessed with our boundaries. And seem to have laid claim to English . . . as if it were invented here.

It is sad how few speak a second language.

And we should be ashamed of that - not proud.

[devilgrrl]

3. The US should be tri-lingual: French (Cananda), English and Spanish (Mexico)

:shrug:

[Xithras]

13. French? In the U.S.?

I learned French in high school, and it's the biggest waste of braincells I have. In the decades since, I've used my exquisite French skills exactly ONCE...to help out a lost French tourist in Yosemite.

I'm aware that there are small pockets of French speakers in the U.S., but there aren't enough to justify trilingualism. There are many other languages with much larger speaking populations that should come first (there are probably more people who speak Russian or Hmong as a first language in the U.S. than there are French speakers, thanks to recent immigration)

[Selatius]

18. There are regional justifications as opposed to national justification.

There are still noticeable Cajun French-speaking populations in Louisiana. If a state borders Quebec for instance, there's probably enough French transplants from across the Canadian border that the notion would require serious contemplation.

There used to be a French-speaking population in coastal Mississippi as well, but they were forcibly assimilated in the 1800s with an active program of discouraging the speaking and learning of French in schools and public life. I know it, given that I live on the coast. The only remnant of French heritage left is French names on buildings and roads and French last names of some of the older families. Beyond that, the language has been erased. Given the situation with southern Louisiana, with more and more of it seemingly being wiped clean by natural disasters and the incompetence of the executive branch of the US gov't, I think it would be worthwhile to, at least with Louisiana, make an attempt at preserving a cultural artifact of the region such as a language.

[GoneOffShore]

92. Ah bien oui, hein?

Bien sur, il faut que parle la belle langue francaise tous les temps.

[conspirator]

108. French is a dying language. Chinese or german should be the third language nt

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

44. I should be trilingual : (

[Hugabear]

121. If you want to learn a useful 3rd language, then either Chinese, Russian, or Arabic

Any one of those three would be very good to know in today's world.

[snot]

4. yes.

i'm not so ok with our failure to teach most US kids any language other than English.

[DavidDvorkin]

5. I'd prefer it if the entire world spoke English

Much more convenient for me.

[sentelle]

6. well it all depends on the languages

I think it would be cool if the two languages in the US were Pig Latin and Klingon.

[UndertheOcean]

10. haha !

[sentelle]

123. you see

I was going to say Esperanto. But that's not a 'real' language.

[terip64]

7. yes!

[backscatter712]

8. We're already a multilingual state, whether the hatetards like it or not.

Roughly ten percent of the citizens of the U.S. speak Spanish as their primary language. No amount of hatetardery is going to change that.

Yes, as a matter of fact, I am in favor of Spanish being recognized in the U.S. in the same way that French is in Canada.

[trof]

9. As long as the other language is urdu.

;-)

[XemaSab]

11. I'm holding out for Kyrgyz myself

Come on, we NEED 12 words for "pasture!"

[seemslikeadream]

12. sure

why not

[Poseidan]

14. actually, we should have two national languages

Studies have shown, people who know two languages fair better on standardized tests. In other words, knowing two languages makes you smarter. It isn't that smart people simply learn multiple languages, it's something about knowing two languages that actually helps your brain.

Of course, we may want to finalize research before going ahead with such a project.

[Canuckistanian]

15. Learning Mandarin Chinese would be prudent

If things keep going on their present path, America's business language might not be exclusively English in 20 years.

[ulysses]

16. we already are. and more.

Yeah, I know it's not "official", but still.

[Phred42]

17. NO

A common Language binds a Nation. Learn English

[UndertheOcean]

20. you mean "binds"

[Phred42]

26. yep - TX

[ulysses]

31. how so?

[yardwork]

56. I don't want to be bound. Thanks anyway.

[DangerDave921]

19. Why just BI-lingual?

Why not all languages? Seems that if you're going to pick just two languages, you are discriminating against those who can't speak either.

[ferrferr]

21. Oh here I go sounding like a bitch ..

I think people should be able to speak the predominant language in the country. Yes I think people who come here should learn English, but by the same token if I were to move to say Germany I'd be learning German. I would want to be able to converse with people in the country I am in. I'm also a little bitter about going to fast food restaurants and not being able to communicate with the person taking my order because they can't understand me.

For the record.. I sucked at both French and Spanish, but I can figure out some German words a bit easier. Not that German does me much good in Texas. ;)

[entanglement]

43. The OP says bi-lingual, why do you think that excludes English?

[ferrferr]

55. A bi-lingual country doesn't mean everyone speaks English..

Correct me if I'm wrong. I think you mean each person would be bi-lingual? This country IS multi-lingual because there's many people from many cultures.

[LiberalHeart]

48. I hate going to a doctor I can't understand. (They seem to understand me.)

[wickerwoman]

51. Not a bitch, but I couldn't disagree more.

I currently live in a country where I can't speak the predominant language. I've been here five years. I can order food in restaurants, tell the taxi where to go, read about four or five hundred words but I'm a long, long way from fluent. I wouldn't be able to work a cash register in a fast food restaurant or take orders from customers in Chinese.

Yes, it's embarrassing to only speak pidgin Chinese after five years. On the other hand, I've been working 60 hours a week since literally the day after I arrived. I started studying when I was 27. Adults don't learn languages as quickly as kids do, especially when they are working lots of overtime. And I have a reasonably cushy office job. The guy on the other side of your drive-through window could be doing his other forty hours at a meat packing plant or picking asparagus. It takes four years of full-time study to become fluent in a foreign language. How many adults really have time to devote to that?

"People who come here should learn English." How do you know that they're not studying their asses off every night? I don't think there's a lot of people out there who don't want to learn English. Think about it. Does that make any sense to you? I think there's a lot of people who have a language ceiling, who started learning English when they were older and who work too hard to be able to devote enough time to really learning the language. It's not like you can flip a switch and poof, you speak English. Learning a foreign language is one of the hardest things you can do and English is one of the hardest languages. The plus side is that with a little patience and imagination, you can communicate anything you want to anyone you want. I've been doing it for five years. All that's missing is the will to try.

Meanwhile, I think it's just basic hospitality to put road signs and tax forms in several relevant languages, especially when thirty or forty percent of the population speaks that language. I'm really astonished and humbled by how easy it is to live in China and not speak Chinese. Most of the road signs have at least pinyin and often English so I can tell taxi drivers where to go. You can get most forms translated in English including bank statements, tax forms and the police certificate I just had to get from the notary public. Everywhere you go you meet someone who wants to practice their English and help you out. When was the last time you saw a random French-speaking local helping translate for a tourist in the US?

It's all about an attitude that embraces learning and hospitality. Something that been sorely missing in the US for far too long.

[hfojvt]

105. don't mention the French

When I was in Strasbourg, three people at the fricking train station claimed they did not speak English or Deutsch, even though we were within walking distance of the Deutschland border. Not to mention that there are not even French words for Siegen or Burbach. You'd think only an American would be working at a train station and apparently ignorant of a town of 100,000 people less than 100 miles away.

[antigone382]

70. But really, very few countries have one and only one language.

America's situation is not typical. If you went to Germany you would probably have no trouble communicating in English, as most of the people there speak German, English, French, and who knows how many other languages as a matter of course. They are part of a continent of small nations that each have their own language. We have it far easier on this side of the world...we have an English/French speaking country above us (and French-speaking Haiti), almost entirely Spanish speaking countries below us, and Brazil where they speak Portuguese. That's just four different languages on one entire half of the planet (not including the many native languages that, horribly enough, have been virtually wiped out). Moreover, Spanish--the language spoken by most nations in North and South America--is one of the simplest languages to learn...pronunciation and verb conjugations are pretty consistent, and the grammar is far simpler and more flexible than English.

I'm not trying to discount the frustration and difficulty that you are experiencing, but the number of Spanish speaking countries and people in our neighborhood far outweighs us. I'm afraid there is little we can do to change the way the history of this nation is developing, and when you consider that a good portion of this country (Texas included), was part of Mexico until we forcibly stole it from them, we don't really have much justification to do so.

[JerseygirlCT]

76. I don't think you sound like a bitch

I do think there is something important, something uniting, about a shared language.

I DO think our kids are being cheated of a much better foreign language education - and we as a people ought to be ashamed of that.

I also think that people ought to be encouraged to learn English, but that there will need to be lots of accomodations made to ensure people have equal access to government, etc.

But I do think that we ought to speak one language as our national language. Too much fragmentation otherwise.

[ferrferr]

103. I want my kids to be multi-lingual, don't get me wrong.

I would love to have them speak Greek and Italian, in addition to English, since so much of our language is rooted in both languages. Not that either one would be something used daily where we live. :P

[JerseygirlCT]

115. Exactly.

I think our national reluctance to teach language well in school is silly.

But I do think one language brings a people together. And we're not a people joined by ethnicity, and we don't really have that much history. Our ideals, our government, is what joins us. A common language helps with that, I think.

[RadicalTexan]

22. I'm a white Texan and I think it would be freaking AWESOME

nt

[Saphire]

46. Same here, and it pretty much already is in South Texas.

[DonCoquixote]

23. Actually

Considering that the vast majority of this Nation was Spanish at one point, you can make a case that Spanish deserves to be recognized as much as french does in Canada. As far as French being a third, well, let's be honest, after the Anglo-Saxons and Spanish, you can argue that the third biggest block would be: German (we had so many Germans we almost made German our official language) or Irish (which would imply Gaelic) Chinese (Long before the people's republic, we had plenty of Chinese immigrants, or even Italian (there are no shortage of Italians anywhere, even the midwest). Louisiana notwithstanding, we simply do not have as many people of French descent as does Canada.

[ferrferr]

25. "there are no shortage of Italians anywhere"

*rofl*

I'm dating a Jewish Italian guy (JewTalian) and my BIL is very Italian. THEY'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

24. Well, we already have the universal language - profanity.

Which is well known to anyone who has to deal with bubble-wrap or politicians.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

27. I say if immigrants come here, they should have their skin and hair bleached.

And converted to Christianity.

Country first.

[yardwork]

57. You are redundant to some of the posts in this thread, unfortunately.

[LooseWilly]

61. Of course, once they're converted, they should

then be prohibited from actually practicing Christianity according to its own tenets.

I think there should be a multiple choice checklist of deviant versions (uhh, I mean modern interpretations) for them to practice. Kind of like ordering sushi a la carte...

[demgurl]

28. Having come here from Canada.....

I am fine with that. It never hurt anyone to know two languages. In fact, it may be good for some.

[GinaMaria]

30. Is our problem really that we speak too many languages

in this country? That seems to be the least of our concerns. I'm all for increasing and improving our ability to communicate, think and interact.

[sarcasmo]

32. If I say No, does it make me a Racist?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

33. What's your reason?

[Shipwack]

34. No, but I am conflicted...

On one hand, I am of the opinion that sharing a common predominate language language is better for cultural cohesion.

On the other hand, a total "monoculture" has the potential for being dull and stagnant... Plus, it seems to me that the way of making sure everyone speaks English tend to border on bullying and racism. While mocking the kids who "talk funny" on the playground might force them to assimilate faster, it is an aberrant method, even if it works. Contrariwise, gentler methods don't seem to be working in California (I lived in a poor neighborhood in Oxnard for a few years).

All that being said, our children should be multilingual... I am ashamed by how many people I've met overseas who spoke three or more languages, while many Americans can't even speak two (or one)fluently.

[IndianaJones]

35. no. nt.

[LSdemocrat]

36. I don't think we should require EVERY statement be made in both English and Spanish

I would allow for alternative language versions of statements and forms be made available in other languages based on various communities' needs, which may not necessarily mean a Spanish version.

[slackmaster]

37. We are already culturally a multilingual society

What would be the point in becoming officially bilingual?

A large majority of people here already speak English. Only one Canadian province is OFFICIALLY bilingual (New Brunswick). Quebec is unilingual.

The reasons for Switzerland's multilingualism have to do with its geography and history.

[martymar64]

38. Da

[Warpy]

39. I live in a bilingual state

Well, if you consider all the reservations, it's multilingual and a lot of old folks have forgotten whatever English they learned in school.

It doesn't bother me a bit.

[GOPBasher]

40. In Europe, everyone speaks at least two languages. What's the problem? n/t

[JerseygirlCT]

80. And that's a good thing. But in many countries in Europe, there

is still one language that all are expected to know.

You might speak German or English if you're in France, but damned sure you'd better speak French.

[bertha katzenengel]

41. Absolutely. n/t

[a la izquierda]

42. Yep. Works for me

I speak English and Spanish already and am forcing Spanish on my husband. My kids, whenever I have some, will be raised bilingual and will hopefully pick up a third language an youngsters.

[Edweird]

45. Are YOU ok with instituting and enforcing the same immigration policies and standards as Canada?

[JVS]

113. What are those policies and how do they differ from US policies?

[LiberalHeart]

47. No.

[Vektor]

49. It's multi-lingual already.

The sky isn't falling. Of course I'm alright with it.

[lelgt60]

50. Excuse me for being serious for a second, but I assume you meant "Official Languages"

Nobody (well maybe some people) questions the personal benefits of knowing multiple languages. I assume the question is whether to have two Official languages.

The pros are pretty obvious - empower more people to be able to live better, help all people better understand other cultures (which will make everyone happier, whether they want to be happier or not), etc.

The cons are pretty obvious as well: Cost. All official documents must be printed up in both languages, many more bilingual government workers would have to be hired, etc. In small parochial sense, a single language is more efficient (I prefer Ruby).

It seems like a no brainer, but we don't have money for everything and you have to prioritize. I'm not sure where this fits.

[DRoseDARs]

52. Lots of nations out there have multiple official languages, no reason we can't do English & Spanish.

Some states already have "Official Language: English" laws on their books and that is wrongheaded (though some like Hawai'i and Puerto Rico recognize other languages). If we must have "official language" laws, then I'd propose mandating all government documents at the federal level be provided in English and Spanish, while allocating funds to state governments to provide additional translations for more localized concentrations of lingual groups like French in Gulf Coast Louisiana/extreme northeast New England, Tagalog for Pacific states, or Arabic for Dearborn, Michigan's Muslim community etc. The Federal government can compel businesses to comply with the English/Spanish requirement and states can force further compliance with local languages concentrations. This I think would be a fair compromise between English-only people and melting pot people. English is the glue that has held this country together, but it has long-since ceased being the only voice of this nation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_United_States

[dailykoff]

53. Claro.

porque no!

[iris27]

84. Haha... yo tambien!

Me gusta la via que piensas.

[yardwork]

54. It's happening whether I approve or not! LOL!

The fact is, most immigrants learn English pretty quickly. They also retain their existing languages, and they raise their children to be bilingual or multilingual.

And, due to our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States will be home to many more Muslim people from the middle east in the future. Like all immigrants, they will enrich our culture, and leave the bigots (the ones who were all in favor of a holy war) screeching helplessly.

[KamaAina]

58. The 50th State has been officially bilingual for 30 years

'Olelo Hawai'i is recognized alongside English as official in our state constitution.

Ua mau ke ea o ka 'aina i ka pono!

[Sam Ervin jret]

59. As an old liberal from MA who's been accused of being left of Teddy K. it may surprise you

that I don't think the US should either "declare English its official language" as the right wingers want or make us officially bi-lingual.

This county is born from immigrants. There is no need to be Anglicized as the OP states but a common language is part of how we create a common culture.

The beauty of America is that every community has its own unique blend of immigrants. I feel it should be left to the local and state communities to best decide which languages their documents need to be translated into to best serve their unique community. What is needed in a parish in Louisiana is not what is needed in a suburb in Vermont. Flexibility and an open heart to (as opposed to just a tolerance for) the cultures of our neighbors is what makes us strong.

[vanderBeth]

60. I hope it isn't Spanish, or else I wasted time learning German and Russian!

[Cleita]

62. When I was in college, most of the foreign students that I

met spoke at least two languages besides English and most of them spoke more than two. I think it's time for Americans to stop being so provincial and begin to learn the languages and cultures of their neighbors and others on this planet. Maybe then we might never see the day again when a moron like George W. Bush is able to do two terms as President of the United States. That's what learning other languages and cultures does, it makes you smarter.

[Faygo Kid]

63. You mean we all have to learn Swedish, too?

Yumpin' Yiminy!

[LWolf]

64. What's the context?

What deal is in danger of being broken?

I think the U.S. should be multi-, not bi-, lingual.

Why?

[Sanctified]

65. Yes, everyone should be required to speak either English or Latin no exceptions.

And if you are reading this I am kidding, the question is irrelevant since it will never happen and it's not necessary.

[Mind_your_head]

68. HA!

English or Latin! I "like" it!

:rofl:

[LooseWilly]

66. Pienso que, al fin, no importa.

The whole issue is really just a red herring bit of bait for xenophobes, in my opinion.

The only point of declaring English an "Official" language is so that governments can save money by not printing stuff in other languages. Most members of other communities that don't speak English (or barely speak English) at least know someone who can mostly translate stuff.
Of course, if the government really wants to be sure to marginalize immigrant communities, they will disseminate information only in English, to try to keep the damned immigrants from taking advantage of "working, hard working, Americans" who pay their taxes. It's just a reflection of many peoples' urge to keep the "other" at a distance.

Making the country officially Bi-lingual seems to me that it would be a concession to one other group (Spanish speakers?, Chinese? Tagalog? French? Arabic? Farsi?... whatever), followed by an attempt to justify doing the same to all the others.

In my opinion, without bothering with any hard and fast legal definition, local governments will, when they want to reach not-primarily-English-speaking population, they will know locally what languages to print/post said information in. Here in my neighborhood, voting materials are printed in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese (or maybe Hmong, I'm not sure).
And, anecdotally, I'm very glad about that... because a few years back I went in to vote, and they'd run out of information in English, but luckily there was a copy in Spanish for me to use.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

67. I'm Not. (I Could Just See All The "That's A Big Surprise" Eye Rolls LOL)

I'm all for catering to multiple languages and ethnicities as any free democratic nation should, but english should still be priority and necessary as part of being a citizen.

[David Zephyr]

82. Wrong on "English Only", Right on eyes rolling.

:eyes:

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

89. Cool. Looks Like I Was Right On All Counts.

English should absolutely reaming this countries foremost language and all citizens should strive to learn and speak it. Anything less weakens us. Communication is key, and communication here should be done with English. But all languages of all cultures should of course be catered too and in different demographics paper work, instructions, etc should all be able to accomodate those other languages. But English is and should always be at the top.

[Forkboy]

101. "But English is and should always be at the top."

Why?

[bemildred]

69. I for one will welcome our new Chinese masters.

But seriously, we are and always have been multi-lingual. English only is just a new way to be bigoted against people who are different from yourself.

[Dorian Gray]

71. I have no problem with it.

We have no official national language, so I don't get why this is even an issue.

[Hardrada]

72. No.

Not efficient to be split into linguistic zones. Can you imagine how stupid our money would look?

[Raine]

73. I live in CA we already have it here

and I'm fine with it.

[JerseygirlCT]

74. I tend to think one language has a way of uniting people

But I don't really know what control we'd have over that anyway, except in rather pointless "official" ways. People will speak what they speak, and if there are enough other people speaking the same language, then there you go.

[Stuart G]

75. Well........In the Chicago area...We got, Polish, Spanish, Russian,,,,

Farzi, Chinese, Korean..etc..now which ones are you talking about?????

[shadowknows69]

77. Maybe we should try to tackle that scary metric system first

If our dumbed down society doesn't implode from that I'd be all for it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

78. I'm fine with it

As a former language teacher, I'd love to see Americans get over their language phobia.

If we're going to insist on everyone speaking English, then we need to provide more ESL classes. If you've ever worked with refugees, you know that there are huge waiting lists for ESL classes in most communities.

Children can pick up a foreign language "out of the air," although they do better if they get some explicit instruction in formal language, but few adults can learn a foreign language without instruction. The most you can expect without instruction is low-level broken English. (There are some exceptions, people who really can learn nearly perfect English without formal instruction, but they are extremely rare.)

Israel sponsors intensive Hebrew classes for new immigrants. If we're going to require immigrants to speak English as soon as possible, then we need to make it easier. But that would cost money.

It's more fun to make ignorant and bigoted complaints, such as "They're REFUSING to learn English," or "They're taking over."

[fascisthunter]

79. I Don't Mind Living in a Multi-Langual Nation

heck, we already are...

[Peacetrain]

81. si' si' mi amigo

[kenny blankenship]

83. Sure, no problem(o)

[Hangingon]

85. No

[Hangingon]

86. No

[phylny]

87. Yes/Sí

I speak enough Spanish to get by, but I'd love an opportunity to become proficient.

[MasonJar]

88. What difference does it make in a person's humanity? Most telephone

business answering devices have English and Spanish. Both groups of Europeans were murderous to the natives in the Americas and have done little to make up for their crimes despite the obvious need to do so.

[Waiting For Everyman]

90. No.

But I am for promoting Spanish more in the public schools. As well as adult English classes.

[ddeclue]

91. Read the DECLARATION...

Are we going to rename practically every state in the Union? Most if not all contain "foreign" "non English" words: Pennsylvania meaning Penn's woods, Florida - land of flowers?/plants? Montana - mountainous land, Nevada - land of snow, Arizona - dry land are just a few examples.

How many towns and cities would need to be renamed to their "English" equivalents? Los Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Antonio are just a few that come to mind.

No this is a silly, bigoted and small minded idea. It is catering down to the stupid, the ignorant, the xenophobic and the bigoted. Other countries require that their students spend four to six years learning at least one other language and perhaps two to three learning a third language.

The simple fact is that the English were tied for THIRD in when they came to this country with the Dutch. The Spanish were first and then the French. English culture has no aboriginal claim to our nation. For that matter, if the basis is who was here first we should all be required to learn Native American languages.

Thank goodness THEY didn't require a Visa and a passport and immigration papers. Thank goodness they didn't make us "learn the language".

Ultimately this is about cultural arrogance, cultural bigotry and cultural imperialism.

"We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Ours is the first nation in the world founded upon an idea. Lincoln called it the "proposition that that all men are created equal".

We aren't founded on a "cultural identity" but rather upon this very fundamental idea that we are all equal.

It is in fact quite ridiculous to even propose that we must adopt English as a national language when in fact Latin is used in so much of our courts and in government mottos and slogans:

"Semper Fidelis" - Always Faithful, the Marine Corps Motto
"Semper Paratus" - Always Ready, the Coast Guard Motto
"Annuit Coeptus" and "Novus Ordo Seclorum" - the mottos on the Great Seal meaning He favors our undertaking and a new order for the ages.

and my final example:

"e Pluribus Unum" - out of many one.

We are many races, creeds, religions, lifestyles, nationalities, and languages - we come from many different places and live in many different ways - yet we are all ONE. We are all Americans, we are all equal and we are all free.

Jefferson's and Lincoln's Proposition is what matters, not the language in which we speak it.

Doug D.
Fort Lauderdale, FL

[tuckessee]

93. I think we should have as many languages as the former Yugoslavia. n/t

[Two Americas]

94. no problem

Growing up in Detroit meant hearing 30 languages or so around town.

English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Greek, Hungarian, Rumanian, Slovak, Czech, Polish, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Finnish, Swedish, Frisian, Rom, Arabic, Chaldean, Armenian, Korean, Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu, Guguratti, Punjabi, Wendish, Belarusian, Albanian, Slovenian, Serbo-Croation, Russian...

[Stinky The Clown]

95. I prefer we be as multilingual as we wanna be ......

...... but I would keep the lingua franca as English, but purely as a practical matter. I've dealt with Canada and the forced bilingualism. To me it seemed just needless paperwork.

[Floyd B Olson]

96. sometimes things don't work out the way you think they will

I once knew a German woman who was married to a French man. When they had a child, they hired an English governess and rotated the three languages on a daily basis. Unfortunately for this enlightened plan, the little girl found this highly disconcerting and staged a linguistic rebellion. By the time she was three, they capitulated and established a home language.

[magdalena]

110. I believe your story, but I think it would be a rarity.

I grew up learning three languages (English, Thai, Laotian) at home. It just came as second nature to me and my brother, with little to no confusion. I know countless families that are bi and multi-lingual and I have never seen the children take any issue to it ever. Perhaps the instruction of the little girl you speak of was too regimented?

I only add my opinion because my racist, English-speaking grandmother discouraged my mom from teaching us her native languages for fear we would become "confused". I also hear this excuse being thrown around by many others and I personally believe that it is a myth. I'm sure glad my mom disregarded her "concern".

[Siyahamba]

97. Yes

Some people seem to be unaware with what bilingualism entails. It doesn't mean that everyone must learn both languages - it just means that government business and documents are available in both languages.

[22kaye]

98. I concur!

Having lived in Switzerland, and now in Canada, I can tell you there is a requirement in school in these countries to study a second language, it is a part of the school curriculum just as much as math and science. But the main thing is that official documents, government business is multilingual. I feel though, that learning the language(s) of the other parts of the country where you live gives the citizen a feeling of national unity.

:hi: :hi: :hi:

[Kitty Herder]

100. Thanks for making that point. nt

[Liberalatus]

134. It also inadvertantly promotes

dissection. If we become Spanish/English bilingual, then there is no reason for a person who has only spoken Spanish their whole life, to learn English, and vice-versa. You will have two segments of the population who would not be able to communicate with each other.

[Kitty Herder]

99. Yes. I don't see a problem with it.

It seems like most people who don't like the idea of languages other than English being used are people who are afraid of of anyone different. They also tend to be jingoistic, thinking that anything other than American English is inherently inferior or constitutes some kind of amorphous threat to the homeland. But they have no rational reason to oppose bilingualism; they just have a gut response. They're offended at having to press "1" for English. That's childish and it's not a legitimate reason to be opposed to bilingualism.

[Blue_In_AK]

102. Who cares?

Over 90 different languages are spoken in the Anchorage School District. My grandsons are in Russian immersion at their school, half a day every day only Russian is spoken. I think it's great. I wish I spoke another language -- besides Latin which isn't too useful these days.

[Alexander]

104. As long as everyone can speak English, I'm okay with them not using it.

I think most of the "English only" talk comes from people frustrated by the fact that others simply can't understand them.

[Behind the Aegis]

106. False conclusions.

If one is not OK with the US becoming bilingual doesn't mean it is a "deal breaker" (to what 'deal' do you refer?) nor does it mean all immigrants must be "Anglicized" nor does it mean being against a bilingual US indicate one believes the US would implode from it.

If the US progresses naturally to a bi- or multilingual state, so be it. I don't see it being any more problematic than the US "becoming" 'non-white.' However, for the time being, those who wish to live here need to learn English and learn it to a point to which they can hold a job, communicate with a degree of effectiveness with others, and be able to relay needed information as well as understand it.

As someone who is multilingual, I know the benefits of having access to other languages. Most translated Spanish poetry SUCKS! However, when one is able to understand the nuance of Spanish, then the poetry becomes more clear and infinitely more beautiful (IMHO). It greatly benefits others to learn and know and understand other languages. It opens more doors than those who only speak one language.

[Greyhound]

114. I think it is fine, but which languages are to be officially adopted? How many do we accommodate?

Do we have to learn Farsi and Chinese? Which of the Slavic languages will we use? How about the various Native American languages?

Whenever this issue is raised, the prevailing assumption seems to be that it should be Spanish, but we have millions of people from all over the planet, where do we draw the line and who gets to decide?

[Heidi]

107. Yes. (nt)

[Hekate]

109. Our Founding Fathers considered making German the official language. True story....

As it happens I don't believe in making anything the official, all or nothing, language. What would it mean, anyway? That we refuse to provide translators in hospitals and courtrooms? That schoolchildren whose parents don't speak English will be told to sink or swim? That Filipina nurses who chat in Tagalog on their breaks will be fired? Where will the line be drawn?

English won out as the de facto official language that everyone learns within two generations. It is the language of business around the planet, and it is the language immigrants to the US strive mightily to master so they and their children can get ahead.

Making it some kind of law is completely wrong-headed. I already hear a few people bitch about having to hear a foreign language spoken in front of them, or see a sign in English and Spanish, as though it hurts them personally. A law would give these bozos permission to be even meaner than they already are.

Better we should be welcoming and behave according to our better natures by hiring translators in hospitals so little kids don't have to be the intermediary between their parents and their doctors, as often happens. "Mrs. Lopez, I am sorry to say you have breast cancer." "Mamacita, the doctor says you have the thing abuela died of."

Hekate

[NoPasaran]

118. The "German official language" story seems to be an urban legend

See http://www.watzmann.net/scg/german-by-one-vote.html

[lligrd]

111. Why Just Bilingual,? Why Limit Ourselves? nt

[JVS]

112. I don't want to have to learn any language.

[bean fidhleir]

116. Deal breaker.

If there's going to be any national language other than English, we should go all the way and make a hybrid out of the various First Nation languages, similar to the way Slovio is a hybrid of Slavic languages.

English has a lot to recommend it. It doesn't have the primitive writing system that burdens Chinese and Japanese, and being a kind of pidgin it has a vast vocabulary that can be increased ad libitum. Russian would be the next best, because it's a modern language that's highly regular in grammar and orthography, has the second-largest vocabulary, and is already used by many people.

[SmokingJacket]

117. Why not? It would be awesome.

A language is more than a code; it's a mode of thought. Exposure to multiple ways of thinking is good for everyone...

[noonwitch]

119. No, but I am for teaching spanish to all children in school

I don't think government documents should be printed in other languages, except when practical (applications for services, brochures about various things, and so on).

I do think we should start teaching spanish to kindergarters. It's about the fact that they can learn it young, and by teaching a second language at a young age, they are that much more equipped to learn additional languages later on. Spanish is part of our culture, these days.

[Liberalatus]

135. Why Spanish?

You are assuming the current trend of hispanic immigrants will win out. What if 10, or 20 years from now the majority of the population is Chinese? There is nothing preventing them from learning Spanish now, why would we need to nationalize Spanish for that?

[Obamarama]

120. I don't much care, but I would confess to being tickled if Americans learned to use proper English.

Poor grammar, horrible spelling, rampant use of double negatives. If people want to get all haughty and claim to want to "protect our language", they ought first learn how to speak and write it properly.

[lumberjack_jeff]

122. What do you mean "becoming"?

We've never had an official language.

[Lorien]

124. It makes no difference to me

I live in an area where many people only speak Spanish or Vietnamese. That fact has never caused me a bit of trouble, so why should I be upset if they don't speak our language? One can always find a way to communicate. I don't speak more than the smallest amount of French, but I've been to France a lot. I always find a way to say what I need to when I'm there (carrying a sketch pad around with me helps). I don't understand why some people make such a huge deal out of it.

[sentelle]

125. doesn't that mean

That we have to learn English first?

Or is the bilingualism 'English' and 'Bad English' the way it is in Australia.

[goclark]

126. California is a "bilingual" state in many ways

When we call a business they say, "Push one for Spanish and 2 for English."

There is always someone in offices/restaurants etc. that speaks Spanish and can assist the customer.

The list of accommodations goes on and on,at first it was upsetting but not now.

I see it as a way to communicate with the people in our state.

[halobeam]

127. interesting thread....

k and r

[Jamastiene]

128. Meh

No biggie. :shrug:

I wouldn't mind learning Spanish, tbh. I don't have a problem with it.

[Aristus]

129. I would like that, but I think we need to work on getting those "English-only" proponents

to be able to speak the language they so loudly support.

For proof, view any random sampling of the dreck being spewed at Freak Republic. That shit bears only a passing resemblance to English...

[dysfunctional press]

130. absolutely not.

but in many ways, we unofficially already are when it comes to spanish signage in public places.

the immigrants throughout the 19th century and the early part of the 20th were generally PROUD and AMBITIOUS to learn the language. it's too bad that type of mindset no longer exists among many of the people who come here. :shrug:

[goddess40]

131. Yes, it's beyond time

Knowing more than one language is a great boon to brain power. American's need to start teaching foreign language in grade school instead of waiting until high school, when it's too late for some to learn.
American's are arrogant and rely on others to learn our language and it leaves us at a distinct disadvantage.

[raccoon]

132. Yes. I presume you mean English-Spanish. nt

[Liberalatus]

133. No, not at all..

While I respect the idea to personally be as multi-lingual as one can be, I think one official language is enough for a nation. It is a major unifying property of our nation, which is unique among others in the world, as we are the melting pot of the world. With so many cultures and races and peoples that come to America, and make up our varied population, it provides a strong connecting bond for all Americans. And one cannot underestimate the power of that.

Plus, how do you choose what the second, or third, or fourth language is? Do we go by history, as in what the countries were originally represented here, around Revolutionary times? Or even as far back as the Native Americans? Do we look at the various immigration booms we've had, that helped form and expand the "melting pot" ideals of this country? Or purely pragmatically, based on numbers in our population? Spanish would be the logical choice, but only for now. What if 50 years from now, we have a ton more Chinese citizens than Hispanic? There is no way to choose what languages we should incorporate fairly, as we are so diverse.

Also, it does have other effects. Like a student in school. If we are bilingual, a student must take at least 2 languages, English and Spanish, for example. If they want to learn something else, like Latin, then that is even more work, and less in their schedule for something else they may want, or need to take. Coming from me, who took French, Spanish, German, and 2 years of Latin, in High School.

Also, it doubles the amount of work EVERYONE has to do, from personal, to small businesses, all the way through Government. People who are not bilingual will be at risk for losing their jobs. For practical purposes, it is simply easier to run a nation, government, business, or personal life with just one language to worry about. All the paperwork, information, will have to be in both languages. Even now, you have companies competing for Hispanic consumers. If I own a small business, and cannot afford to remodel my whole business to accommodate another language, and another company does, I lose.

These are just a few things off the top of my head, but my main argument is that we, as America, are unique as a country, that willingly accepts and promotes multiculturalism, and many different people from all around the world to come together and live under the same flag as U.S. citizens. And the strongest bond, second only to our Constitution, that we have, as a society, is our common language. Whether for practical reasons, or purely out of respect for our history and tradition, it makes more sense to have just one official language. There is no reason not to support or encourage people to learn more than just English, or course. But my opinion is that one national language is enough, and any more than that doesn't really solve or add anything of value.