U.S. Official Language?

[katcarasella]

Should English be Declared the Official Language of the U.S.?

[Janet]

ah DUH!!!! YES YES YES!!!

[Dobie]

My opinion on this has changed over the years. Several years ago, I would have said no - that there isn't a need for it. But now I think it is definately needed.

[Forgivenmom5]

I voted yes.

[AngieDoogles]

I think having two official languages could be nothing but beneficial for our country. There are 13 million Latinos living in America and I think it's very discriminatory to require them to take tests (such as driver's licensing tests and standardize classroom tests) in a language that they might not be fully comfortable with. Many speak English but would do much better on tests in their native language. Having a choice between English and Spanish doesn't hurt English speaking citizens at all. Just choose English.

[Tink]

If I went to an different country I would be expected to speak their language. When my grandparents came here they had to learn English. As the old saying goes "when in Rome do as the romans do".

[Gina]

Originally Posted by Tink

If I went to an different country I would be expected to speak their language. When my grandparents came here they had to learn English. As the old saying goes "when in Rome do as the romans do".

I agree with Tink.. Everyone had to learn English years ago. Why should it be any different now.. Everyone should conform with the English language...

[Tink]

Ya know, I think learning the language of the country you're in is essential for several reasons... but first and foremost is personal safety. If you can't read road signs... can't tell a police officer what you need to say or can't tell a 911 dispatcher or ambulance attendant or ER nurse what your problem is, you or those in your care can die while you wait for an interpreter to arrive.

What a senseless loss that could be when it's perfectly preventable.
By forcing all those different EMS units to hire and keep interpreters on call you're going to just cost them all more money to operate that should be going into better care... not catering to the needs of a few who refuse to fit in. Small counties like mine where there are only 29,000 people in the entire county don't have money for extras... and we have got a large influx of immigrants in the past couple of years, so it is a potential problem for them as well as the county and municipalities involved.

[DianaB]

Originally Posted by Tink

If I went to an different country I would be expected to speak their language. When my grandparents came here they had to learn English. As the old saying goes "when in Rome do as the romans do".

I agree with Tink! If I were to move to another country I'd expect myself to learn their language. I wouldn't expect them to cater to me because I hadn't taken the time to learn the language.

[HALEY]

YES, YES, YES,
Cause i'm so sick of pressing one for english !!!! that just gets under my skin....

[Janet]

You definitely don't want to get me started on this one subject. Our town is in turmoil because of it. I agree 100% with Tink!!!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Whether you like it or not, America is a country with many different cultures. I am constantly amazed, saddened, and utterly disheartened by people's attitudes towards those different than themselves. A little inconvenience, like pushing a button to choose English, is nothing in comparison to living in a country where you don't speak the language, where no one understands (or tries to understand) your culture, where you are discriminated against and looked down upon, just because of your language and where you are from.

There is a transition period for those who move here. You don't just come and suddenly know the language. Many try to learn but have a difficult time. It could take years before they are proficient enough to even get by. I know I speak quite a bit of Spanish, but when I was in Mexico, I was still incredibly grateful when complicated things were in English. And besides, how often do you see Americans trying to teach foreigners English, or trying to include them in normal American cultural activities. They probably never even have the opportunity to learn English because no one cares enough to try to befriend them.

Has anyone here ever even taken the time to imagine what your life would be like if you were born in a country like Mexico, where your children had no opportunities and the government is in constant chaos, where middle class is worse than most of you have ever even seen, where medical care practically doesn't even exist? What is life without compassion? Is it really so hard to look at issues like this from the OTHER person's perspective?

I know everyone here will reply and say why I'm wrong and we shouldn't accommodate such a large population of already underprivileged people. I know that no one will even think about the things I've said. I realize I'm wasting my breath. I just wish there was more compassion in the world. I wish I didn't feel so alone in wanting opportunities to be the same for everyone. I wish America wasn't so set in its belief of what is "right" and what is "best" even if means ignoring the needs of entire populations...

I'm disappointed with America, disappointed with Christians who would rather judge than accept, and disappointed with this forum.

Go ahead. Tell me I'm wrong. Maybe I'll stop caring too.

[Tiramisu]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

Whether you like it or not, America is a country with many different cultures. I am constantly amazed, saddened, and utterly disheartened by people's attitudes towards those different than themselves. A little inconvenience, like pushing a button to choose English, is nothing in comparison to living in a country where you don't speak the language, where no one understands (or tries to understand) your culture, where you are discriminated against and looked down upon, just because of your language and where you are from.

There is a transition period for those who move here. You don't just come and suddenly know the language. Many try to learn but have a difficult time. It could take years before they are proficient enough to even get by. I know I speak quite a bit of Spanish, but when I was in Mexico, I was still incredibly grateful when complicated things were in English. And besides, how often do you see Americans trying to teach foreigners English, or trying to include them in normal American cultural activities. They probably never even have the opportunity to learn English because no one cares enough to try to befriend them.

Has anyone here ever even taken the time to imagine what your life would be like if you were born in a country like Mexico, where your children had no opportunities and the government is in constant chaos, where middle class is worse than most of you have ever even seen, where medical care practically doesn't even exist? What is life without compassion? Is it really so hard to look at issues like this from the OTHER person's perspective?

I know everyone here will reply and say why I'm wrong and we shouldn't accommodate such a large population of already underprivileged people. I know that no one will even think about the things I've said. I realize I'm wasting my breath. I just wish there was more compassion in the world. I wish I didn't feel so alone in wanting opportunities to be the same for everyone. I wish America wasn't so set in its belief of what is "right" and what is "best" even if means ignoring the needs of entire populations...

I'm disappointed with America, disappointed with Christians who would rather judge than accept, and disappointed with this forum.

Go ahead. Tell me I'm wrong. Maybe I'll stop caring too.

I could voice several of my opinions, but will just throw out a couple:

1) Why do I have to press 1 to continue in English?
2) What about the children born in the United States of America who have no opportunities, where medical care practically doesn't even exist?
3) Have you ever had your privacy invaded by an illegal?

I'm sorry, but I feel called out on this one. Who gave you the right to judge me? Who's the judging Christian?

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Tiramisu

I could voice several of my opinions, but will just throw out a couple:

1) Why do I have to press 1 to continue in English?
2) What about the children born in the United States of America who have no opportunities, where medical care practically doesn't even exist?
3) Have you ever had your privacy invaded by an illegal?

I'm sorry, but I feel called out on this one. Who gave you the right to judge me? Who's the judging Christian?

1. Oh yes, pressing one is such an inconvenience for you. Why don't we make it impossible for 13 million people to understand just so you don't have to press a button.

2. This is the case for 95% of the children born in Mexico...or more. What's your point?

3. No.

I am simply commenting on the lack of compassion and how I am disappointed by even Christians I respected and would have expected more from. If you take offense to that, maybe you should ask yourself why. I don't claim to associate with such a discriminatory and close-minded group. It is this attitude that has turned me away from "Christians" in the first place.

[Tiramisu]

Originally Posted by AngieDoogles

1. Oh yes, pressing one is such an inconvenience for you. Why don't we make it impossible for 13 million people to understand just so you don't have to press a button.

2. This is the case for 95% of the children born in Mexico...or more. What's your point?

3. No.

I am simply commenting on the lack of compassion and how I am disappointed by even Christians I respected and would have expected more from. If you take offense to that, maybe you should ask yourself why. I don't claim to associate with such a discriminatory and close-minded group. It is this attitude that has turned me away from "Christians" in the first place.

And, who gave you the right to judge me? Do you know me? Why are you lumping all Christians into your comments? You don't know me! Why can't I have my opinion without your judgments? I have not judged you for your opinions!

I am a law abiding citizen of the United States of America. I work for an honest living and pay my taxes some of which happen to go towards helping the less fortunate. You have no right to judge me!