Official Language Of The Usa?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,102432,00.html

Does the US need an official language? Spain and France even have an Academy to rework their language.

I think we should. There are to many road signs now and to think of even more in foreign languages. When people immigrate to the US they are suppose to pass a language test which is usually done through speaking with your examiner and such.

I personally feel this requirement needs to be better tested itself for immigrants except maybe in certain cases. I know around here we have a lot of Hispanic immigrants and while hard workers a lot of them can barely speak any English. I mean talk to some and they go look to their supervisor to have him/her listen to what you're saying because they didn't understand themselves. I think in order to get a green card you should have to speak English fluently enough to understand and be understood. Or at least give them a temp card long enough to take a government class on the English language at their own expense as their the ones wanting to immigrate. When my wife immigrated in 92 she already spoke English better then a lot of Natives (She'll disagree of course but I feel so at least )

But I feel if people are going to immigrate and work in the US they should be willing to learn the language. A lot of the Hispanics in this area work in the service area and what happens if they can not properly read a label on a cleaning product that says don't mix with that or wear this protection or what have you if they can't understand it then it causes even more problems.

That is how I feel with the signs. Stick to one language (English) and make those wanting to immigrate here learn the language well enough to be understood and understand what is being said around them and be able to read the signs.

I know in the USA when we have other's from other countries come here and take tests that require a license, Dr License, Nursing License, Barber and Beauty License at all of the State Boards you must speak enough English to pass the tests without an Interpretor...the reason is the Interpretor could give the Examinator the correct answer for you......but how come when they enter the work force they don't get it...something is missing here.

When our forefathers came to America, you had to blend in with the culture here...there were no cultural rights...that's the reason we call our country " the melting Pot" cause everyone must do the same and accept our standards and speak our language...keep your cultural characteristics cause that makes you special but be able to speak with others in your Country...

first and foremost, let's get back to Reading, Writing, and Arithematic in the public schools and teach our children things that will prepare them for tomorrow...

Annabelle is getting off her soap box now......ooops, no she's fall off of it!
Annabelle

Oh don't even get me going on Drivers Liscenses.

And didn't I warn you about those all day drinking binges LOL

One would think that employers would be a bit more pro-active. Last week I had to replace the CD burner in my lap-top. Two companies had the part according to a web search, one in New York and one in New Jersey. First, called the place in New York, which listed the part for the cheapest price. After struggling for 10 minutes I gave up and called New Jersey. I don't what language the fellow in New York speaks, and don't really care. The customer service rep I spoke with at the New Jersey outfit is obviously not a native-speaker of the language, but he none-the-less was able to converse in English. The English-speaking service rep in New Jersey made the sale, even though the part was $20.00 more from his company.

If I'm doing business overseas I'll hire an interpretor. When I'm doing business in my own country I'll do it in English or I'll find an English speaking competitor.

Swanny

I have to agree that they should speak and read english.. There are several people where I work that can't speak english.. This can make things very frustrating. On some things there are certain ways they have to be done and they can't read the special instructions. They also will not ask if they don't know what it says. I have always felt that if I was to go to another country, then it was my responsibility to learn enough of the language to make myself understood.

I know even when I travel abroad I try and at least learn the basics. For instance I know just enough Japanese to be able to ask how much or where something is (Providing I know what the subject is in Japanese), So if I can learn enough Japanese to converse for just a weeks visit they should be more then willing to learn English for a lifetime. I also wonder how many of these non English speakers are legal? Why would they not want to take a class? Are they legal or are they illegal and not wanting to fill out any more forms then neccessary?

I don't know about the rules in the USA, but here in the UK, people do not have to be able to talk the language to become citizens; and in some cases, particularly in certain immigrant groups, the women barely leave the house, and NEVER leave their community. They therefore do not need to speak English However, I believe that all newcomers SHOULD have a modicum of English, even if it is just enough to get by and to fill in the benefits forms etc, that so many require.

There is much discussion about this in the UK at the present time.

I know here in the US it is a requirement. I know when my wife immigrated from Japan she had to know how to speak English to get her citizenship but a green card (Not citizen yet) you don't have to as far as I know but feel there should be a test for at least the most basic of communication skils.

I remember awhile back some Japanese students were killed because they didn't understand what was being said it was a national issue as was published around the country. but this Japanese student came out and the cops said freeze and the student thought he said please meaning please come here and the kid was shot due to this lack of understanding.

I'll try and dig up the story though was a number of years ago so not sure if I will find it or not if I do I will post the story.

It's very unusual that a Japanese Student would be killed due to a language barrier....The Japanese culture is very big on education!

Annabelle

Well it's not that he didn't know English it's that there are some words that Japanese because of their own language just can't pronouce or understand easily certain words so in this case freeze and please were confused. but he was shot and killed now what would happen if a person who doesn't speak a lick of English was there you can see where this can lead to confusion when confronted by law enforcement or other dificult things like Valpal59 stated as did I. If a person can't not read or speak English then how is he or she going to be able to perform any job competently if they can't understand the bosses instructions or read instructions on how to use a certain product which can in and of itself be dangerous.

Oh it happened alright and on Holloween! I don't remember the details but it was in the national news!

Yeah I tried finiding the story but as I said being several years ago I struck out finding it.

I am mostly Irish. We came here about one hundred years ago-- abused, treated like scum, refused to be served or housed. (sound familiar?) Thousands of Irish flooded America's doors due to the potato famine (in general of course). Why don't I see signs in Irish? The American English langage has more French words in it than Irish. Those that came before us had to work hard, learn the language. Why is it different now?

If you are going to join a culture (not necessarily become a citizen, but just live there), and enjoy the benefits of living in that culture, then you owe that culture the politeness of attempting assimilation.

If I were to move to Munich, I wouldn't expect the residents to suddenly start putting street signs up in English, making all of the restaurant menus bilingual or requiring all government employees to speak English as well as German. I would do the culture the courtesy of learning the language, preferably prior to moving there.

No, the United States doesn't have a statute saying that English is the official language of this country. But English is the de facto language, and if someone wants to get ahead in the US, they need to learn English. Period. Do we need a law making English the official language? No, we have enough laws as it is. That is part of the problem.

Just my tuppence. I am really not a xenophobe, I swear.

Andy