Official Language?

[theBrokenCarnage]

A question that comes up time and time again (especially with the recent hoopla over illegal immigration) is the concept of an official national language. The US currently has no "official" national language, although "American English" is the language used for official documents and such. Some states and territories, though, do have English as an official language (see this Wikipedia article for more info). See these articles for a little bit of info on bill recently introduced in the senate.

So, my questions/topics for debate are: Should congress make American English the official national language of the entire US? Does it even matter? Should it just remain up to the individual state/territory? Do you think an official national language could help anything in any way? Hurt anything in any way? Discuss!

[Destined]

ACTUALLY, I don't know if this is written in stone anywhere, but I HEARD, that the founding fathers DID have this conversation as to what should be the national language. Believe it or not, English BARELY won out. In fact, we were probably a percentage or two away from speaking German. Can anyone do any research supporting or disproving this? I believe it's true, but am WAAAY too lazy to contemplate this discussion further *cheesy grin*

[Destined]

By the way, I DO think we should have a national language, and I DO think it would be nice for foreigners LIVING HERE PERMANENTLY to learn it. I ONLY say that, because, don't MOST countries have an official national language. If it IS indeed true that we don't, then that makes us pretty unique.

[Esther]

England has no official language.

[theBrokenCarnage]

Here's my thoughts on the subject. It's true that most (but not all) countries have a national/official language (or two or more). The benefits of an official language are that it is unifying - you know that everyone in the country is on the same page as far as language goes. Related, you know that no matter where you go in the country, everyone you meet will/should have a more than passing grasp of the language. I dont' mind if people still keep their native tongue - I think it's pretty nifty for those families that speak, say, german, around their household. Knowing multiple languages is a great way to build mental abilities and create somewhat of a bond with another country (in this case, Germany). BUT I think those families need to have just as good a grasp of American English as they do of their native tongue.

[tragicmishap]

Eh. I don't think making English the official language will really change anything. The thing is it's already sort of enforced. In order to gain citizenship you have to pass a test in English which quite frankly some native English speakers couldn't pass. All official documents are already in English, although some are now coming out in Spanish I guess. I guess my point is that in practice English already is the official language. So what's the point?

I suppose that it was only in practice that the president would serve two terms until FDR won a third term. After that we made it official that a president could only server two terms. Maybe the influx of Spanish speakers necessitates that we make it "official"?

[ryanro]

Here in Canada, we have two officially recognized languages, English and French. It is not a requirement for citizens to know both languages... on the west coast, there is little need for French. In point of fact it would be more beneficial here around Vancouver to know a Hindi or Mandarin dialect.


All packaging, information, etc, must be in both languages. Whether it's food, toys, government documents, etc, both languages will be on the package or available. Closer to Quebec there is obviously a lot more french, up to and including stop signs that say both Stop and Arret.

The reasons for the dual-language are many and just one facet of the eternal francophone/anglophone issues that have existed in this area even before Confederation in 1867.

I had always wondered if Spanish was the second official language of the USA.

[cjc]

I find myself getting pissed that some signs are is English and Spanish. Is that wrong of me? I'm not a bigot I swear but when I walk into Lowe's (home repair/construction supply store) EVERY sign is in both. I under stand that there are a lot of Mexicans in the construction industry, especially in the south, but as some have expressed, I believe all citizens or hopefuls should have to learn the language as I did and use it in all aspects of their "public life" including reading signs at the nearest Lowe's, or ordering a Philly Cheesteak!>>>>> www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198757,00.html.