NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm interested in people's opinions: do you think that English should be the official language of the USA? Why or why not?

English, Old English, or Old Norse.

Or all 3.

English, Old English, or Old Norse.

Or all 3.

Future English FTW

I'm interested in people's opinions: do you think that English should be the official language of the USA? Why or why not?

The problem with that is it would instill a whole bunch of ridiculous regulations that would make it very difficult for people who don't speak and/or read English to communicate problems, like, say, someone who has accidentally poisoned themselves trying to get help at a hospital.

Furthermore, it's unnecessary. Why should we bother with an "official" language? To me that essentially says to people who speak languages not on the official list that they are unwelcome, that they have to speak English or get out. It'd be stupid.

Besides, if we WERE going for an official language, shouldn't we add Spanish too?

I'm interested in people's opinions: do you think that English should be the official language of the USA? Why or why not?

You scare me. I was just assigned a one page paper on this specific topic. Today.
Yes it should since the majority of people in the USA speak English and because I am too lazy to learn another language. Plus, it isn't like other languages would be outlawed, it would just be that government meetings and the like would only be conducted in English.

Define "official language." If you mean speak this language or get shot, then no. If you mean it as in all government papers and signs are in English, then no. If you only mean it as a nice little symbol, then sure. I'm from Tucson, and there are a huge number of ESL and Spanish only speakers here. If everything was in English, it would only make things that much harder for about a third of million people in this city alone.

Define "official language." If you mean speak this language or get shot, then no. If you mean it as in all government papers and signs are in English, then no. If you only mean it as a nice little symbol, then sure. I'm from Tucson, and there are a huge number of ESL and Spanish only speakers here. If everything was in English, it would only make things that much harder for about a third of million people in this city alone.

By "official language", I mean

1) All government announcements, papers, and any related activities are in English
2) In schools, the only language used is English unless it is ESL or a language class (which means that teachers can't speak their language to students outside of these situations)
3) All street signs and public communications are in English


I personally say that we should "proclaim our diversity" in an India-like manner I.E. make every major language spoke by the people living in the USA an official language.

I think we should all speak in binary code.

By "official language", I mean

1) All government announcements, papers, and any related activities are in English
2) In schools, the only language used is English unless it is ESL or a language class (which means that teachers can't speak their language to students outside of these situations)
3) All street signs and public communications are in English


I personally say that we should "proclaim our diversity" in an India-like manner I.E. make every major language spoke by the people living in the USA an official language.

Still not a smart idea. We're far better off with the way we do things now, because that way we avoid potential pitfalls and keep things from getting worse. We follow your suggestion and we'll screw things up even more.

Yes.

So long as:

A) People are allowed to continue speaking their native tongue;

and

B) People are encouraged, but not forced, to learn English

Besides, if we WERE going for an official language, shouldn't we add Spanish too?

No.

No.

I second that.

Of course it should be, but I think our schools should stress the importance of knowing other languages.

By "official language", I mean

1) All government announcements, papers, and any related activities are in English
2) In schools, the only language used is English unless it is ESL or a language class (which means that teachers can't speak their language to students outside of these situations)
3) All street signs and public communications are in English


I disagree with the bold.
If by street signs and public communications being only in English.
Because, while I won't begrudge a person who speaks another language the ability to read a sign, I would like to be able to read it too.

English and Spanish. And both should be mandatory to learn fluently.

No.

I second that.

Why not? We've got at least, what, one-fourth of the population that speaks it to some extent?

Frankly, I think the idea of official languages is stupid, but if you're going to do it, at least do it right instead of acting like an elitist twit.

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor):confused:

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor)

Seriously. What the fuck?!?!?!

English and Spanish. And both should be mandatory to learn fluently.

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor)

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor)

Exactly.

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor)

What about sublime?

Or fishmonger?

Or moot?

Or marsupial?

All good English words. So why select traitor instead of one of these fine choices?

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor)
Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Racist. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism)

Exactly.

Y para nuestros amigos de habla Espanol: traidor.

You are a traitor for suggesting that Spanish should be the co-official language of the United States. A traitor to your country and it's Anglo-Saxon language. But I was joking.

I was joking, no need to be alarmed.

Sorry, that just gets flung around a lot by people who actually mean it over the most minor shit (such as disagreeing with them).

:confused:
You are a traitor for suggesting that Spanish should be the co-official language of the United States. A traitor to your country and it's Anglo-Saxon language. But I was joking.
Seriously. What the fuck?!?!?!
I was joking, no need to be alarmed.
Exactly.
Quoting someone who is joking is a really bad way to reinforce your stance.
What about sublime?

Or fishmonger?

Or moot?

Or marsupial?

All good English words. So why select traitor instead of one of these fine choices?
Because I thought it would be funnier....apparently it just got me virtually raped.
Well, here is one English word for you to learn.
Racist. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism)
Pfft... Here is one for you.
JOKING. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/joking)
:p

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Racist. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racism)

Bullshit.

Its history and tradition. If people want to move to the US, learn the language of the country. That language is ENGLISH.

Y para nuestros amigos de habla Espanol: traidor.

Despues yo tu veu tu me miras
Y vamos a comernos neustra vida

What does what mean? I don't know

Quoting someone who is joking is a really bad way to reinforce your stance.

It's Trollgaard. He wouldn't know a good way to reinforce his argument if it stood up, walked around and grabbed construction materials.

Ahhh, bann-ed! You backed backed out on me!

Because I thought it would be funnier....apparently it just got me virtually raped.[/URL]
:p

I atleast assumed you were joking...but how often do I get to make a post using both marsupial AND fishmonger? Throw in moot, and Sarky is a happy poster.

Well, here is one English word for you to learn.

Traitor. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traitor)

Ach, nein! Dieser Mann lässt mich nicht deutsch sprechen hier in der Vereinige Staaten. Ich hab' ein Wort für dich: APFELSAFT!!!

Sorry, that just gets flung around a lot by people who actually mean it over the most minor shit (such as disagreeing with them).

I know. :(
That is why I figured it was the perfect joke ambush. ;)

Bullshit.

Its history and tradition. If people want to move to the US, learn the language of the country. That language is ENGLISH.

Ah ha ha - seriously, so many things wrong with this statement.

The very fact that it's called 'English', not 'American' belies its foreign roots. Discounting native Americans, America was built on immigration from many countries so I'm not sure one language gets to hold sway.

As a country built on 'bring me your huddled masses', I'm not sure it's wise to insist on language conditions for accepting them.

Other than that, in terms of an official language, I'd say it's better to have 1 language for all government affairs - the language of government, say, as much as Latin was the language of Christian religion.

However, like aforesaid religion, if that language reaches the point of excluding the majority of people then serious consideration should be given to changing.

The point is to remain flexible on the subject rather than adhere to custom of the land, especially where that custom has dodgy origins.

Ach, nein! Dieser Mann lässt mich nicht deutsch sprechen hier in der Vereinige Staaten. Ich hab' ein Wort für dich: APFELSAFT!!!

Leave it to the Germans to make that sound angry...

Ah ha ha - seriously, so many things wrong with this statement.

The very fact that it's called 'English', not 'American' belies its foreign roots. Discounting native Americans, America was built on immigration from many countries so I'm not sure one language gets to hold sway.

As a country built on 'bring me your huddled masses', I'm not sure it's wise to insist on language conditions for accepting them.

Other than that, in terms of an official language, I'd say it's better to have 1 language for all government affairs - the language of government, say, as much as Latin was the language of Christian religion.

However, like aforesaid religion, if that language reaches the point of excluding the majority of people then serious consideration should be given to changing.

The point is to remain flexible on the subject rather than adhere to custom of the land, especially where that custom has dodgy origins.

True this country is based on immigration, with many immigrants speaking other languages than English, but English became, and is, the default language. To succeed in the US you need to know English. There's nothing wrong with knowing other languages, but government, school, roadsigns, etc should all be in English.

I atleast assumed you were joking...but how often do I get to make a post using both marsupial AND fishmonger? Throw in moot, and Sarky is a happy poster.
Are you SURE you're going to be a social studies teacher and not an English teacher? :p

Ach, nein! Dieser Mann lässt mich nicht deutsch sprechen hier in der Vereinige Staaten. Ich hab' ein Wort für dich: APFELSAFT!!!

Okay, I don't speak a word of German but it's close enough to English that I THINK I can make out "you speak German in Virginia State"? Nyet, comrade!

Okay, I don't speak a word of German but it's close enough to English that I THINK I can make out "you speak German in Virginia State"? Nyet, comrade!

Very close. "Oh noes! This man won't let me speak German here in the US. I have a word for you: APPLE JUICE!!"

Ahhh, bann-ed! You backed backed out on me!
I was never with you. At least not on this issue.
I atleast assumed you were joking...but how often do I get to make a post using both marsupial AND fishmonger? Throw in moot, and Sarky is a happy poster.
On NSG, you never know. But good for ya anyhow. :p
Ach, nein! Dieser Mann lässt mich nicht deutsch sprechen hier in der Vereinige Staaten. Ich hab' ein Wort für dich: APFELSAFT!!!
Ah, no!...This man last my no german speaking in some state...I have a word for you...apple sauce?

My German is rather rusty, as you can probably tell.

Y para nuestros amigos de habla Espanol: traidor.

Go back to Mexico, dish washer.

the united states doesnt need an official language any more than it needs an official religion.

Ach, nein! Dieser Mann lässt mich nicht deutsch sprechen hier in der Vereinige Staaten. Ich hab' ein Wort für dich: APFELSAFT!!!

Oh no! The man won't let me speak German here in the United States. I have one word for you: APPLE JUICE!!!

I don't speak German at all.

Ah, no!...This man last my no german speaking in some state...I have a word for you...apple sauce?

My German is rather rusty, as you can probably tell.

Did you ever take German?? I've never met a single other german speaker in all my years living here.

No, having an official language where only that language could be used for government documents and government business would effectively disenfranchise a number of naturalized Americans not to mention make life EXTREMELY difficult for anyone who is not an English speaker.

Living in Japan where my Japanese is enough to get by but not enough to, say, go to the town office and register a change of address without a lot of hassle has taught me the value of being able to find a document with some of my own language on it and someone who can speak at least a few words of English.

Those folks who scream about making English official are usually the same ones who have never bothered to try and live in a country that doesn't speak English.

Big Rigs Over The Road Racing

I'm surprised that it took 3 pages for someone to say that.

Did you ever take German?? I've never met a single other german speaker in all my years living here.

Well, I am of German(and Swedish/Italian) descent, so my mother who is German(though born in the U.S of A) tried teaching my and my cousins some German when we were kids.

So, not really, hence the reason my German is rusted over like the U.S constitutional amendments.
Though if I end up going to college where I want to, the only two languages taught are German and French. I'd pick German.

Big Rigs Over The Road Racing

Oh no! The man won't let me speak German here in the United States. I have one word for you: APPLE JUICE!!!

I don't speak German at all.

Now that I look at it more carefully, I can't believe I missed some of that...

Go back to Mexico, dish washer.

See who gets shit in their stocking this Christmas?


What the hell do you mean it's supposed to be coal? Don't talk back to me.

Very close. "Oh noes! This man won't let me speak German here in the US. I have a word for you: APPLE JUICE!!"

I was close, huh? Neat. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard for me to learn German after all...

I was close, huh? Neat. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard for me to learn German after all...

Sehr leicht. It's very easy. As opposed to Latin, which I'm taking right now...*shudders*

See who gets shit in their stocking this Christmas?


What the hell do you mean it's supposed to be coal? Don't talk back to me.

Iz coal, Señor.

Iz coal, Señor.

Iz INS, furiner.

I'm surprised that it took 3 pages for someone to say that.

Actually thanks to the magic of time-warping, it took 4. Hehehe

Iz INS, furiner.

I'M TELLING!

I'M TELLING!

*deports*

...*gets idea for best practical joke evar...*

*deports*

...*gets idea for best practical joke evar...*

*eats a burrito*
*inquires about said joke*

Why not? We've got at least, what, one-fourth of the population that speaks it to some extent?

A good percentage of whom are lawbreakers.

Frankly, I think the idea of official languages is stupid, but if you're going to do it, at least do it right instead of acting like an elitist twit.

What's wrong with being an elitist twit?

What's wrong with being an elitist twit?

Not everyone likes shooting at a dead rabbit from point blank range and missing.

Not everyone likes shooting at a dead rabbit from point blank range and missing.

I do. :(

*eats a burrito*
*inquires about said joke*

It involves getting my Persian friend deported.

WHAT?! He set a pigeon loose in my room!

It involves getting my Persian friend deported.

WHAT?! He set a pigeon loose in my room!

Pigeons (http://www.recipezaar.com/206698) are tasty, you should have thanked him.

Oh no! The man won't let me speak German here in the United States. I have one word for you: APPLE JUICE!!!

I don't speak German at all.

Danke. Mein Deutsch ist schrecklich.

Mi español no es bueno.

Ni l'un ni l'autre n'est mon Français.

Il mio italiano è molto difettoso.

Eu falo mal o português em tudo.

Ik begrijp werkelijk het geen Nederlands.

Не спросите, что я говорю русского.

Επειδή είναι όλα τα ελληνικά σε με.

Bullshit.

Its history and tradition. If people want to move to the US, learn the language of the country. That language is ENGLISH.
Actually the USA has no official language, it is de facto English because it's spoken the most but it's not in the law, and that logic you whites should be speaking native Indian American.

2) In schools, the only language used is English unless it is ESL or a language class (which means that teachers can't speak their language to students outside of these situations)

This may or may not surprise you, but there are very few language teachers in any national schools anywhere that are actually a foreign language that is their native language.

This is one of the reasons why most schools fail horribly at teaching foreign languages.

Actually the USA has no official language, it is de facto English because it's spoken the most but it's not in the law, and that logic you whites should be speaking native Indian American.

No. English became the dominant language hundreds of years ago. It will stay that way. You come to the US, learn English. A common language is one of the only things that unites all US citizens. English is the language of the land. Deal with it.

No. English became the dominant language hundreds of years ago. It will stay that way. You come to the US, learn English. A common language is one of the only things that unites all US citizens. English is the language of the land. Deal with it.
Actually no, because it's not in the law I could come to the US and speak whatever language I wanted.

Actually no, because it's not in the law I could come to the US and speak whatever language I wanted.

Yes, you can speak whatever language you want, but to do business, speak English. You go to the grocery store, speak English to buy goods. You go to the doctor, speak English. Speak English in the public domain, and speak whatever you want with your friends and family in the private domain. English the public language in the US. If you try to deny that, then you are a fool. (not you at anyone in particular)

I'm interested in people's opinions: do you think that English should be the official language of the USA? Why or why not?Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California were all Spanish-speaking before they became part of the US. Louisiana was French-speaking. Individual states should be afforded the right to determine which languages should be official in addition to English and I believe an official language on National level would be detrimental to that.

Making English an official language would achieve nothing, aside from giving the 'Hurrrr, furriners have to do everything the way we do it!' crowd something to masturbate about.

No poll? :(

Surely it will be a rather expensive exercise to teach 300 million people English?

English fur die USA! Amerikana uber alles!!!



what?

English fur die USA! Amerikana uber alles!!!



what?My thoughts exactly. What's that supposed to mean?

If 'Mericahns' want to have English as an official language then they need to be able to speak it.

Yes, you can speak whatever language you want, but to do business, speak English. You go to the grocery store, speak English to buy goods. You go to the doctor, speak English. Speak English in the public domain, and speak whatever you want with your friends and family in the private domain. English the public language in the US. If you try to deny that, then you are a fool. (not you at anyone in particular)

Apart from the places where it isn't. I mean, Ireland is far far FAR smaller than the USA, and we have two official languages, Irish and English. But I've heard people speaking Polish(at least, I think its Polish), and I've seen Polish shops, and Chinese shops. Do you really expect us to believe that tiny Ireland, with a population smaller than a small American city has people that use a language other than the official one in public, but huge America doesn't?

Klingon. That would, at least, be amusing. mutlhaQmoH.

More seriously, I see no reason why the US needs an official language. But if it wants to recognise English, it should also recognise Indigenous (Native American) languages. It would be the height of absurdity if English were recognised as official but Native American languages (the only languages indigenous to the United States) were not.

Florida, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and California were all Spanish-speaking before they became part of the US. Louisiana was French-speaking. Individual states should be afforded the right to determine which languages should be official in addition to English and I believe an official language on National level would be detrimental to that.

Good point.

I also find it ironic when anglophone Americans demand that immigrants learn English, while they (anglophones) refuse to learn any Native American language.

one-fourth of the population that speaks it to some extent?
Key part of the phrase..."one-forth" only 25% then..."to some extent"

English is spoken and taught on the European continent..a "do what the heck you want with it" version is spoken "stateside".

Aluminium was "dicovered" and named some 200+ years ago...and is called Aluminium in all english speaking land except!!

An American mis-spells it in an advert..and all of america adopts the mis-spelling..incredible!

Well there are something like 300+ languages spoken in the US. At some point there has to be a cut off for what languages are used by govt. That being said I can say with absolute certainty that the US govt. does have its own language and it isn't English.

My biggest problem with other languages is when you can't actually find the English version of documents at the govt office. Considering that it is one of the dominant languages in the US.

Bullshit.

Its history and tradition. If people want to move to the US, learn the language of the country. That language is ENGLISH.

History and Tradition? So Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California should speak Spanish then? Louisiana and everything in the Louisiana Purchase should speak French?

That seems awfully confusing to me. Why not just leave it as is, seeing as it's worked fairly well for the last two centuries.

What language should YOU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:U.S._Territorial_Acquisitions.png) bastions of tradition speak?

Don't see it posted yet, so:

http://xkcd.com/84/

Sehr leicht. It's very easy. As opposed to Latin, which I'm taking right now...*shudders*

English is a Germanic Language, mixed with some other stuff it picked up over the centuries of invasions and invading.

History and Tradition? So Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California should speak Spanish then? Louisiana and everything in the Louisiana Purchase should speak French?

That seems awfully confusing to me. Why not just leave it as is, seeing as it's worked fairly well for the last two centuries.

What language should YOU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:U.S._Territorial_Acquisitions.png) bastions of tradition speak?

Well, that is true that Spanish was spoken in some parts before English, but that is irrelevant to the facts of today. English is the spoken language of the US, except for much of the Southwest that is fast becoming a province of Mexico. Declaring English the official language will show that the US is serious about keeping the country together, and refusing to kow-tow to the demands of illegals.

Native American languages should be preserved and spoken on their tribal lands, but off the tribal lands, English should be used.

Well, that is true that Spanish was spoken in some parts before English, but that is irrelevant to the facts of today. English is the spoken language of the US, except for much of the Southwest that is fast becoming a province of Mexico. Declaring English the official language will show that the US is serious about keeping the country together, and refusing to kow-tow to the demands of illegals.

Native American languages should be preserved and spoken on their tribal lands, but off the tribal lands, English should be used.

Yes, while the linguistical division happening in the US is disturbing, to say the least, declaring an official language rarely helps the language and in some instances, can garner resistance against it. Better to cool off on the excessive immigration. So thinks I, anyway.

Declaring English the official language will show that the US is serious about keeping the country together, and refusing to kow-tow to the demands of illegals.

You reeeeaaally shouldn't confuse GOP talking points with reality. It makes you look foolish.

You reeeeaaally shouldn't confuse GOP talking points with reality. It makes you look foolish.

I'm not of talking about the GOP. I'm talking about reality.

Don't see it posted yet, so:

http://xkcd.com/84/

I would agree that it makes a valid point, except for the fact that there were many Native American tribes, most with very distinct languages.

Why can't we just abolish the term "official language" and replace it with "primary language" and "secondary language" and so on and so forth?

Honestly, I don't have a problem with having two languages in Canada other than the fact that they -force- us to learn french. Outside of Quebec, french is completely useless here. You can't even use Quebec french in France. They look at you like you're retarded. Learning languages should be a requirement in school, but what language you learn should be your choice.

I'm not of talking about the GOP. I'm talking about reality.

No so much. Source one place where the "illegals" are pushing for Spanish acceptance.

Just one.

Key part of the phrase..."one-forth" only 25% then..."to some extent"

English is spoken and taught on the European continent..a "do what the heck you want with it" version is spoken "stateside".

Aluminium was "dicovered" and named some 200+ years ago...and is called Aluminium in all english speaking land except!!

An American mis-spells it in an advert..and all of america adopts the mis-spelling..incredible!
What the fuck are you talking about? Aluminum is the original spelling. Aluminium is one people came up later.

Sehr leicht. It's very easy. As opposed to Latin, which I'm taking right now...*shudders*

Aw man, I liked Latin. I was pretty good at it and its such a logical language.

Those folks who scream about making English official are usually the same ones who have never bothered to try and live in a country that doesn't speak English.

QFT.

Native American languages should be preserved and spoken on their tribal lands, but off the tribal lands, English should be used.

Wait, are you saying that when natives from the local tribe go to Walmart they shouldn't be able to speak their own language to each other?

Actually the USA has no official language, it is de facto English because it's spoken the most but it's not in the law, and that logic you whites should be speaking native Indian American.

Which language? There are quite a few of them. I'm hopefully going to be taking a semester of Ojibwe next year.

Wait, are you saying that when natives from the local tribe go to Walmart they shouldn't be able to speak their own language to each other?


No, no. They can speak it to each other, but to the store employees, speak English.

What if they know the employee can speak another language?

Well, that's nice, but language of commerce should be English.

No, no. They can speak it to each other, but to the store employees, speak English.

What if they know the employee can speak another language?

As far as I am concerned, it already is official. It needs to be further officialized. Ballots and citizenship tests should only be in English.

As far as I am concerned, it already is official. It needs to be further officialized. Ballots and citizenship tests should only be in English.

Hell yes.

Well, that's nice, but language of commerce should be English.

The language of commerce should be whatever is most common to the area. If you live in a predominantly English speaking area it just makes economic sense to conduct one's business in English. Likewise for Spanish speaking areas, Finnish speaking areas, Ojibwe speaking areas, etc.

As far as I am concerned, it already is official. It needs to be further officialized. Ballots and citizenship tests should only be in English.

That won't do very much though. If you take measures to marginalize Spanish speakers, then spanish speakers will get pissed off and fight back, and the whole situation could elevate into an ugly mess for the Southwest. Take a look at the assimilation attempts on the immigrants in Europe. How is France faring right now?

It's far better, I think, to let them keep on speaking Spanish and cut back on immigration. The US traditionally recieves its immigrants in waves; a period of rapid immigration, followed by a subsequent period of assimilation and "digestion", for lack of better word.

That way we can keep our freedom of speech in the purest sense of the word.

As far as I am concerned, it already is official. It needs to be further officialized. Ballots and citizenship tests should only be in English.
Yes, because disenfranchising its citizens is all what America is about. :rolleyes:

Yes, because disenfranchising its citizens is all what America is about. :rolleyes:

yeah watch out or they might take Texas back. Lets just keep them happy for now or else...:p

Yes, because disenfranchising its citizens is all what America is about. :rolleyes:

Furryners aren't citizens yet.
So....no give them rights.

English is simply too important for anyone to be unable to speak it to some degree; well, more accurately it's important if they want to have some kind of real economic opportunity in their lives. If you don't speak English, you are going to be increasingly limited in your opportunities and increasingly vulnerable to losing the ones you already have; the world is becoming more and more globalized than ever before, and if you don't speak the language of globalization, you're going to be in a lot of trouble.

I do not support an official language, but I do believe aggressive efforts should be made to teach non-English speakers English. Of course, English speakers should learn other languages as well; the main reason why English is successful is due to its ability to adapt to other languages and its ease of coining new words, and without an educated base of English speakers capable of bridging the gap between languages, there will be a lot of difficulty at both ends of the language spectrum.

As far as I am concerned, it already is official. It needs to be further officialized. Ballots and citizenship tests should only be in English.

Basically, you hit the nail on the head.

Official in the seense that the the Congress,President,Supreme Court,etc. must speak it yes. I believe that People with government jobs should speak English while on the job. Outside you can speak what you want. But in the mayor's or president's office that person should be speaking English.

I believe that People with government jobs should speak English while on the job.

So, should I have been reprimanded for speaking French to other francophone soldiers while on duty when I was in the Army?

So, should I have been reprimanded for speaking French to other francophone soldiers while on duty when I was in the Army?

The language of communist traitors!

That won't do very much though. If you take measures to marginalize Spanish speakers, then spanish speakers will get pissed off and fight back, and the whole situation could elevate into an ugly mess for the Southwest. Take a look at the assimilation attempts on the immigrants in Europe. How is France faring right now?

It's far better, I think, to let them keep on speaking Spanish and cut back on immigration. The US traditionally recieves its immigrants in waves; a period of rapid immigration, followed by a subsequent period of assimilation and "digestion", for lack of better word.

That way we can keep our freedom of speech in the purest sense of the word.

America will not change for immigrants, especially illegal immigrants. The immigrants must learn our ways, and that includes English. If spanish speakers become angry, let them be angry. We will not kow tow before them. The Southwest is already headed for a mess, but we must not give an inch of ground.

Click Stand;13250835']yeah watch out or they might take Texas back. Lets just keep them happy for now or else...:p

That is a very real threat, and probably will happen within the next half century.

America will not change for immigrants, especially illegal immigrants. The immigrants must learn our ways, and that includes English. If spanish speakers become angry, let them be angry. We will not kow tow before them. The Southwest is already headed for a mess, but we must not give an inch of ground.

Wrong. America HAS changed for immigrants, including illegal immigrants. Despite the xenophobic wishes of people like you, it continues and will continue to do so. Central Jersey, with it's large Indian immigrant population, is a wonderful example of this. Closing down entire streets for India Day Parades, working Indian holidays into the existing holiday rotation for schools, just to name a few.

English is simply too important for anyone to be unable to speak it to some degree; well, more accurately it's important if they want to have some kind of real economic opportunity in their lives.
Why, yes. Just LOOK at the Japanese! 2nd largest economy in the world and most of them DON'T speak English to any conversational degree... er... wait...

the main reason why English is successful is due to its ability to adapt to other languages and its ease of coining new words
No, the reason why English is so prevalent in the world right now is due to the British Empire being all over the globe and then (After WWII) the rise of the US as a global superpower. If you wanted to do business with either of them, you needed to speak English. It also makes a handy third language for people to talk in due to the difficulty of learning it makes for an even platform.

It's not due to any innate ability on English's part and there will come a time when it loses its status as the Lingua Franca to another language.

Basically, you hit the nail on the head.

Official in the seense that the the Congress,President,Supreme Court,etc. must speak it yes. I believe that People with government jobs should speak English while on the job. Outside you can speak what you want. But in the mayor's or president's office that person should be speaking English.
Why? If the government is to serve the people, shouldn't it make an effort to communicate with said people instead of the other way around? Furthermore, should not elected representatives who were voted in to be our voice not ignore parts of their constituencies?

That was a good game, what was it called? Off road truckers or something?

That was a good game, what was it called? Off road truckers or something?

Big Rigs Over the Road Racing. Quite possibly the most realistic trucking simulation ever made.

I think we should all speak in binary code.

01010100011010000110000101110100001000000110100101110011001000000111010001101000
01100101001000000110010001110101011011010110001001100101011100110111010000100000
01110100011010000110100101101110011001110010000001001001001000000110100001100001
01110110011001010010000001100101011101100110010101110010001000000111001001100101
0110000101100100

01010100011010000110000101110100001000000110100101110011001000000111010001101000
01100101001000000110010001110101011011010110001001100101011100110111010000100000
01110100011010000110100101101110011001110010000001001001001000000110100001100001
01110110011001010010000001100101011101100110010101110010001000000111001001100101
0110000101100100

01000001 01110000 01100101 01110010 01110100 01110101 01110010 01100101 00100000 01010011 01100011 01101001 01100101 01101110 01100011 01100101 00101110 00100000 00100000 01010111 01100101 00100000 01100100 01101111 00100000 01110111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01110111 01100101 00100000 01101101 01110101 01110011 01110100 00101100 00100000 01100010 01100101 01100011 01100001 01110101 01110011 01100101 00100000 01110111 01100101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00101110

01000001 01101100 01110011 01101111 00101100 00100000 01100100 01101001 01110011 01110010 01100101 01100111 01100001 01110010 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110000 01101111 01110011 01110100 00101110

01000001 01110000 01100101 01110010 01110100 01110101 01110010 01100101 00100000 01010011 01100011 01101001 01100101 01101110 01100011 01100101 00101110 00100000 00100000 01010111 01100101 00100000 01100100 01101111 00100000 01110111 01101000 01100001 01110100 00100000 01110111 01100101 00100000 01101101 01110101 01110011 01110100 00101100 00100000 01100010 01100101 01100011 01100001 01110101 01110011 01100101 00100000 01110111 01100101 00100000 01100011 01100001 01101110 00101110

01000001 01101100 01110011 01101111 00101100 00100000 01100100 01101001 01110011 01110010 01100101 01100111 01100001 01110010 01100100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110000 01101111 01110011 01110100 00101110

Forget about shooting people who speak Spanish but not English! Let's shoot people who speak in binary code! That's creepy! They're the ones who will degrade our culture! Computer and software programers will be the most articulate people ever! Can you imagine the chaos? These guys make Spanish-speakers looks cute, fluffy, and harmless.

Forget about shooting people who speak Spanish but not English! Let's shoot people who speak in binary code! That's creepy! They're the ones who will degrade our culture! Computer and software programers will be the most articulate people ever! Can you imagine the chaos? These guys make Spanish-speakers looks cute, fluffy, and harmless.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave..."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave..."

Good ol' 2001: A Space Odessy. That reminds me: I wonder what the official language of other planets will be when we colonize them. THht will be ridiculous when we have to worry about actual ilegal aliens and whatever kind of crazy was they talk.

It's not due to any innate ability on English's part and there will come a time when it loses its status as the Lingua Franca to another language.Albeit I have my doubts as to whether it will be Chinese. English is a bit easier to learn for Europhones and European languages are quite prevalent.

What the fuck are you talking about? Aluminum is the original spelling. Aluminium is one people came up later.
Nope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium#Spelling).
As far as I am concerned, it already is official. It needs to be further officialized. Ballots and citizenship tests should only be in English.
Why?
Big Rigs Over the Road Racing. Quite possibly the most realistic trucking simulation ever made.

More than that. The most realistic game in existence.

Nope (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium#Spelling).

Okay, yeah, Alumium was the first, but it's not in use.

I'm interested in people's opinions: do you think that English should be the official language of the USA? Why or why not?

Binary should be the official language of the whole world.