Should English be our Official language?

Why don't we have an Official language? The cost of simply printing in foreign languages for drivers licenses in each state is staggering, not to mention Hospitals, government agencies, etc. We are talking hundreds of milliions of dollard per year. DC is always saying they want to cut costs, this is one way that would save money and time (which is also money). I think politicians are afraid of this. A few brave souls (all republicans) have tried to get this passed before and failed...it's sickening to hear "press 1 to speak English". What's your take?

 

We don't have an official language because in this country we allow folks to speak whatever the heck they want.

Freedom. It extends to a whole lot o' places. I certainly don't want the government telling me what I can and can not speak.

 

America does have a official language, ie english.

If that was not so, this forum would be vastly different. With american chatters speaking dozens of languages.

 

I think the entire world should adopt one language, regardless of whether it's English or not. Now that we humans get around like crazy monkeys, language differences presents an unnecessary obstacle to our interaction and understanding. Sorry God, this Babel thing is a pain in the ass.

 

No, unfortunately you are wrong. There is no "official" language, set up by congress. If that were the case we wouldn't print drivers manuals in 57 languages. It would be one language, like in other countries. This forum is different. There is nothing official about it.

 

'unwritten rule' but accepted thru history?

 

But the whole world is learning one language, and the language they're learning is English. (Thank the Brits.) (Also, it's not a very difficult language, relatively speaking.) And for precisely this reason, we do not need to make English our official language.

No need to mandate something that is happening anyways.

 

I agree but until then, let us speak like monkeys.

To me, this isn't a choice of freedom, but of nesscity. We suck at foreign language skills, but we need them more than ever. Jobs, economy, they depend on foreign languages.

 

Why should the government decide what we speak? Let them stay out of our lives so that we can get on with living them. Smaller government means less government involvement and that is a good thing.

 

Fine, then tell congress that and save us millions.

 

Yes, and it would shrink costs to have an official language.

http://www.us-english.org/view/24

 

As said, If english was not the 'unwritten rule' or whatever like to call it. Then americans on this forum, online generally and in the usa from coast to coast would be routinly communicating in dozens of languages. So why arent you. If have no official language.

 

I dont care about the moneyaspect of this debate, I am concerned with the government getting involved in things that is none of their buisness. If the American people all decide to speak Zulu this week then so be it. We dont need the government telling us what language we need to do everything in. We dont need the government mandating that you need to speak and read this way to participate.

 

If you're in the US, then speak English..If you are in another country, speak their language. Simple.

 

Don't care about the money aspect...Lord, you have to be a Liberal...of course you are, you are aggravating!

 

"Hundreds of millions". Do you have any source for that other than your place where the sun don't shine?

 

Far from it my friend unlike you I dont think the government should be in my buisness. You are the one advicating big brother government dictating how we should speak and write in public.

I will quote a very wise man.......you:
Coolwalker

Jesus, how much free stuff do you want? The government has no business doing this. It has no right to "tell us" what to do about anything other than to be law abiding citizens who pay their taxes.


http://www.politicalforum.com/opinion-polls/232419-aganst-free-birth-control.html#post1060861603

 

Yes, learn the language.... or... well... deal with it.

There is no reason for the government to spend the time and money accommodating those who do not speak English.

Sooooo.... in other western countries with an official language, are people actually preventing from speaking in other languages?

No?

Then what is the basis for your argument?

 

What is the language of instruction in schools, universities etc? That is your official national language.

 

IMO, the business of the U.S. & state governments should be done in English only. Taxpayer money should not be spent on accommodating other languages. What language people speak in their homes, on street corners or even their place of business, is their business.
But if you want to be/are a citizen, learn English. You want to apply for benefits, vote, get your drivers license, etc.? Learn English. Keep your language & culture...but melt into the pot. It worked for other generations.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

We have no official language, but a majority of the population in America speaks English so it should be. Plus, our ancestors that came over didn't continue speaking their native language. They learned to speak English because they felt it was the language to speak here.

 

Then stop printing ... problem solved.

 

Of course it should be.

 

Conservatives say they want "freedom" from government restraint. If that's the case, then they should want from freedom from having to speak only one language.

In Europe today people are learning to speak their provincial languages and all government are encouraging it. For example, in Northern Portugal people are re-learning how to speak/write the ancient Mirandese language (that's a language I study as a hobby). Northern Spaniards are re-learning Asturian, Catalá, or Euskara (Basque). Northern Scots are re-learning Highland Gaelic. This is going on all over Europe and that's the way it should be.