Would a national language be unifying / disunifying?

[Snake Alchemist]

I've gone back and forth on this over the years. On one hand I look at countries I greatly respect such as Japan and Germany and the great deal of unity they same to have. The Japanese seem to take great pride in all things uniquely Japanese and have a strong sense of nationalism. The same goes for Germany.

On the other hand, the US seems to be unique in it's large swaths of various cultures, languages, etc.

[HopeHoops]

1. We're already multi-lingual. We have been since the beginning. Deal with it.

[Snake Alchemist]

4. Having a national language does not eliminate the ability to be multi-lingual. nt

[HopeHoops]

57. It's more of a world-wide language, but we're still a multi-lingual country.

[Snake Alchemist]

61. Very true.

When I was in Japan recently, I was amazed that every person with a college education could speak some English. A little embarrassing that we an in the US seem to be mono-lingual even after college.

[oldhippie]

69. It is amazing ....

My wife's granddaughter in Taipei speaks and writes almost perfectly grammatically correct English. I almost never catch her in a grammar error. She can also use "texting slang" on facebook or text messages just like an American teenager. She is 19 and now a freshman at Michigan State University.

She and her brother were here visiting the US in August for three weeks before she went to Michigan. The boy is just 11 years old, but had a pretty good grasp of English. He doesn't like to talk much yet, but you could tell he understood a lot of what was being said. He is now back in Taipei but we also chat on facebook or Skype almost every day and he is using typical teenager textspeak.

In Taiwan all students study English from first grade on to graduation.

[jwirr]

99. Oh, really - try telling that to us German descendant who were forced to stop speaking it. As to

Germany today - I do not think it is a law that they speak German. Plus most European countries speak many languages. When my kids were over in Germany the people there were perfectly able to speak English.

I can speak maybe a couple of lines of German because my family were afraid to use it during the wars.

I also do not think a common language is going to do anything about bigotry and hate that is based on color or nationality.

[Snake Alchemist]

104. The government forced you to stop speaking German? nt

[jwirr]

105. There was no law but in case you did not know it there was great pressure from non-Germans in this

country. Churches who conducted German language services where harrassed. And according to my father they were spied on and treated very similair to Muslims today. I attended on of the last German services in our area and as I said German was no longer spoken in our community. You might want to read "The German Experience" by Don Heinrich Tolzmann.

[Snake Alchemist]

106. And my grandparents would not let the kids speak anything but English in household

because they wanted their kids to completely assimilate. In the process they denied their kids and their grandkids of a valuable skill, a second language. I had to learn languages much later in life and it was much more difficult.

[jwirr]

109. That is my point. I wish I had learned more as a child.

[fascisthunter]

89. Always has been, and always will be...

...people better get over it...

[COLGATE4]

2. You're giving undue weight to a national

language. The examples you cite for 'unity' have it based on many other factors than a common tongue. While Japanese nationalism is centuries old Germany was only unified at the end of the 19th Century. India is a country with more then 110 national languages which has a strong sense of national unity.

[Snake Alchemist]

5. True, but it is one factor. nt

[COLGATE4]

101. Absolutely.

[limpyhobbler]

114. There is a lot of regionalism and conflict in India surrounding ethic differences.

There is a strong national identity, but the language group identity is just as strong. There have been attempts to secede by some groups. Or they also have states that want to split or join other states. It contributes to a climate of political instability. I'm not for a national language necessarily, I don't really have a strong opinion on the issue. I was just reading through here and saw that. I don't disagree with you but India probably isn't the best example for that.

[COLGATE4]

118. Perhaps. But

Indians do have an extremely strong sense of national identity. Just look at their interactions with Pakistan.

[RevStPatrick]

3. Japan in particular, and Germany as well...

...are extremely homogeneous societies.
Yes, the US is not.

[Snake Alchemist]

9. And the question is whether moving to a more homogenous society, is good/bad/neutral.

I've noticed a few factors that seem to be with every successful country. Low population(relative to resources), high resources, homogeneous society, etc.

Not saying we can't break this mold, but just trying to get other opinions.

Just a little aside, I just came back from Australia and I was amazed that the population was only 30 million and the high standard of living they enjoyed.

[Saving Hawaii]

16. Low population(relative to resources) describes Japan!???

Or England for that matter?

[Snake Alchemist]

19. Japan does break the mold a bit in regards to population density, but

they seem to make up for it with an extremely homogeneous society with incredible unity.

[jeff47]

27. That's because they were xenophobic isolationists until relatively recently. (nt)

[BumRushDaShow]

24. +1

The U.S. is an amalgamation of the world.

The idea put forth most likely has England & Germany (at least anyone there who appreciates the irony) laughing it up.

[Tikki]

6. Boring.....

and totally unnecessary.


Tikki

[Nuclear Unicorn]

7. .

The Japanese seem to take great pride in all things uniquely Japanese and have a strong sense of nationalism. The same goes for Germany.

No doubt. Some people still wake-up crying because of it. Maybe France or Sweden or Jordan or China or 150 other countries could have been a tad more "better considered."

Just picking nits though. Not a major issue; just sayin'.

[MineralMan]

8. We have no need for an official language.

English is the de facto language of the United States. However, as a nation of immigrants, many other languages are spoken here, and local and state governments have a responsibility to deal with the languages spoken in their area. For the federal government, documents important to individuals must be available in the many languages spoken in this country, and they are.

The campaign for "English as the official language" is nothing more than mean-spirited anti-immigrant nonsense. It should be condemned roundly by all people who think - even if they seldom think.

[Snake Alchemist]

11. It would seem that our citizens have a responsibility to speak the de facto language.

Not the other way around. Shouldn't that be a matter of pride in the country you have citizenship in? Not mean-spirited here.

[MineralMan]

12. And they do. But, we also have many recent immigrants

who are not comfortable using English. Many recent immigrants. In some places, there are very many of them. In my own city, St. Paul, MN, we have large populations of Hmong and Somali immigrants, for example. As is typical with immigrant communities, the elders and new immigrants still speak primarily their native language. The next generation speaks both English and the native language. The generation after that speaks English almost exclusively. It's a natural progression.

We welcome immigrants in the United States. That means helping, not hindering them. Part of that help is communicating important things to them in their own language, so those things can be completely understood. In the meantime, we aid them in learning English. It takes years for new immigrants to become citizens, and years for adults to become comfortable in a new language.

It's not really so hard to figure out, I think.

It's all part of being a nation that looks after its residents. Why would we change that?

[Snake Alchemist]

13. Isn't there a language test to become a citizen?

I may be wrong about that. I'm amazed if there isn't.

[MineralMan]

66. It's a very simple one. It doesn't require actual fluency.

Try reading a tax form or a driver's license manual in some other language, like one you learned in school. You'll find out that an ability to speak a language well enough to get along doesn't mean you can read complex documents in another language.

We try to help people to get along and follow the laws and other things in this country. We do it whether the person has the fluency of a native English speaker or not. I'm reasonably fluent in Russian, and can carry on conversations in that language about most things. However, if I have to read some document in Russian, I absolutely will need a Russian/English dictionary. Even then, it can be difficult.

What I don't understand is why you don't understand that it's entirely possible to be a citizen by naturalization without complete fluency in English.

[jeff47]

15. You have it backwards. A country serves its citizens. (nt)

[Snake Alchemist]

20. Ask not what you country can do for you....nt

[jeff47]

25. Kennedy was talking about morality. I'm talking about legality.

It is not up to us to conform to our leaders. It is up to our leaders to conform to us.

[Snake Alchemist]

26. You think taking pride in your country is a legal issue?

I think people should be allowed to speak whatever language they want, but I would hope they would would be able to understand and speak the de facto language of the country they are citizens in.

[jeff47]

29. Creating a national language makes it a legal issue.

Because it's only through the legal process that you can create a national language.

And take a minute to think about the irony here. You think we can develop pride in our country by declaring an official language that was created in another country. The language is even named after the country where it was created, and that's not the United States.

There is ample patriotism in our country. The most patriotic people I've ever met are the immigrants who can't speak English well. Your proposal is a poor solution in search of a problem.

[Snake Alchemist]

32. Is there not an English exam to become a citizen?

I thought that was a requirement, but I could be totally off base.

[oldhippie]

59. It is still a requirement

When my wife took her citizenship exam (she is Taiwanese) in 1980, she was required to pass a civics test in English that would stump most current US students. She also had a 10 minute interview with an examiner where they discussed various issues in English.

The requirements today seem to be similar.

"The ability to read, write and speak ordinary English unless they are physically unable to do so due to a disability such as being blind or deaf, or suffer from a developmental disability or mental impairment. Those over 50 years old on the date of filing who have lived here for a total of at least 20 years after admission as a permanent resident and those who are over 55 and have been legal permanent residents for at least 15 years are also exempt from this requirement.

A basic understanding of the fundamentals of US history and government. There is an oral test that covers fundamentals of US history and government and it is required for naturalization."

From http://immigration-law.freeadvice.com/immigration-law/citizenship/naturalization_requirements.htm

[Snake Alchemist]

62. Thank you for clearing that up.

I imagine a 10 minute interview in English would be plenty.

[jeff47]

77. Apparently you're having trouble with your own language

Here, lemme highlight what you missed:

"can't speak English well"

[Snake Alchemist]

78. What exactly are you quoting? nt

[jeff47]

81. My post that you responded to

From your post, it's apparent you completely missed the word "well".

[Snake Alchemist]

85. You're quoting your own post. I thought you were quoting me.

Still not sure what you are trying to say though. Current standards require a 10 minute interview in English on varying topics for citizenship. That seems like a sensible policy and is preferable to a national language.

[jeff47]

88. You do realize you're failing your own test here?

Because I clearly stated what I was doing when I quoted.

You also missed the grammar error in the subject of my previous post. Clearly, you do not have sufficient English skill to remain in this country, and need to be deported immediately.

(That last sentence was sarcasm, in an attempt to demonstrate the folly of those pushing for varying degrees of "must speak English" rules)

[Snake Alchemist]

91. Still not sure what I missed. You made a quote and I thought you were quoting me.

Am I supposed to spot your grammatical errors? Never said perfection was required, but I suspect you knew that.

[jeff47]

107. Here's the entire post:

Here, lemme highlight what you missed:

"can't speak English well"

What, exactly, indicates I'm quoting you? I'm highlighting what you missed. How could you miss something in your own post? If it was in your post, you would have said it not missed it.

[Snake Alchemist]

108. What indicates that you're not quoting me?

I thought you were pointing out grammatical errors I had made. Admittedly, I am far from perfect.

[niyad]

22. that seems to be saying that people should not speak other languages, either at home, or in public.

why do you seem to have such strong objections to other languages being spoken in this country?
why should it bother you if I speak a different language in any setting I choose?

actually, if you really want to get down to it, instead of english, we really ought to be speaking one of the indigenous languages--of which, I believe, there were approximately 500.

and, in case you are not aware, many people in europe are multi-lingual. I know quite a number whose command of english is far better than many native speakers.

[Snake Alchemist]

23. No, that's not saying that al all. nt

[niyad]

35. that is certainly what it sounds like. english is the de facto language of this country--why this

push to make it official? none of the reasons you have presented are truly persuasive or necessary.

[Snake Alchemist]

38. For safety alone.

I'm not sure how you can traverse this country safely without knowing the de facto language. Does the US have language requirements to be a citizen. I thought they did, but I'm unsure.

[niyad]

43. oh wow, SAFETY? that is the best you can do now?

by the way, in this little paradise of yours, do you insist that native-born speakers actually demonstrate some proficiency in this language? because, quite frankly, many of the native speakers do a really poor job of it, far worse than many immigrants.

[Snake Alchemist]

45. I would hope that language testing would be sufficient in grade school.

Many countries do that a lot better than us though.

[niyad]

49. right, and that is why so listening to so many people is so painful.

[Snake Alchemist]

51. That's a whole other issue.

I'm amazed at the command of the English language that kids in England seem to have. Our schools are just a mess.

[newspeak]

76. There are some european countries

that speak more than two languages fluently. and yet, some americans have a problem with speaking just one language. The least of our problems is a law making english the official language, so a bunch of nationalistic gas bags who'd sell their soul to the first global corporation can further divide the plebes with the american xenophobic BS.

Germany was a homogenous society who had little tolerance of the "other." That included gays, gypsies, slavs and anyone who didn't look aryan enough.

We are a country of immigrants with diverse beliefs, colors and lifestyles. We didn't need congress to pass a law to have "god" as an official mascot and we don't need them using time to pass this bullshite. With corruption, greed, lack of jobs, people going into poverty--these are the least of our problems. Unless you're using it to divide the people.

[Snake Alchemist]

79. And yet Germany is a place I would like to live, but for a whole host of other reasons.

I already agreed that having the current citizenship requirements that include a 10 minute English interview on varying topics seems sufficient.

[Johonny]

14. I agree

If you say created an official language. English only. Could you then say officially incorporate words into that language.
While English itself is filled with words from other European languages, American every day English is filled with even more diverse. Is it possible to declare English a ever moving and incorporating language some how a fixed entity for which to declare it a national anything. Language is ever evolving.

[immoderate]

10. It's an opportunity to "tell people what to do," when we don't have to.

--imm

[hootinholler]

17. It would probably be unifying if it were Klingon

[Loudmxr]

18. That is not the issue for me. A National Language freezes it in time.

The Germans. The Spanish. The French.

All have committees of Language and what the proper use is.

Hence: In Spanish speaking countries, players playing the American National Past time. It is

Uno Baso, Dos Baso, Tres Baso.... HOME PLATE.

No official term en espanol for home plate.

It is not a home... it is not a plate. It is not a plate on a home nor a home built on a plate. Although geologically you could do the latter.

American English must grow and not be subject to the whims of xenophobics.

[Snake Alchemist]

21. French is an example of a language that doesn't grow.

I don't see why you could not have an official language which adds words when necessary.

[niyad]

33. really? and just who would be the ones deeming it necessary? who do you envision being the

language police, because that is what you are prescribing/

[Snake Alchemist]

34. Merriam Webster seem like good candidates.

Or maybe Urbandictionary.com.

[niyad]

39. you are truly amusing.

actually, in that case, I prefer mary daly's "Websters' First New Intergalactic Wickedary of the English Language

[LanternWaste]

42. To what specific purpose?

"I don't see why you could not have an official language..."

To what specific purpose?

[Snake Alchemist]

44. I'm actually starting to wonder that myself, I think as long as there is sufficient language testing

to become a citizen, then the point may be moot. Although I don't think it's a good idea to have regions where things like safety signs and road signs are not in the de facto language.

[LanternWaste]

48. Are not most traffic signs printed with symbols

"I don't think it's a good idea to have regions where things like safety signs and road signs are not in the de facto language...."

Are not most traffic signs printed with symbols-- regardless of whether a word or two is also printed to reinforce the traffic policy? I'm given to understand that for the most part, traffic signals and signs around the industrialized world use an international symbology to better assist travelers. You then believe the symbology should be removed and replaced with English only text?

[Snake Alchemist]

50. Most. But I have seen signs that say things like "open manhole cover" and "highway ends in 1/4 mile"

Also seen a few that say "Falling rocks"

[jeff47]

82. Symbology is much, much better for safety signs

Studies have shown that we see and comprehend symbols much faster than words. A sign that says "Falling Rocks" takes longer to comprehend, even to a native speaker, than a sign showing rocks falling.

[Snake Alchemist]

84. Totally agree.

I just saw one that says "Warning! Highway ends in 1/4 mile" though.

[vaberella]

95. Are you kidding? Langauge in essence is always changing.

France last revised their language in '90s and plans on doing it again. Further more when you go to school...what language do you learn? English. You learned the proper syntax and usage and all that. That is the only rule behind French being the national language of France. They don't freeze the language...they just keep the rules in tact. Your argument is very weak at best.

[LanternWaste]

28. US is certainly not unique in number of languages or cultures... even amonf large nations.

"On the other hand, the US seems to be unique in it's large swaths of various cultures, languages, etc...."

There are many, many other cultures which have the same amount, if not more languages commonly spoken within their borders, e.g., China, South Africa, India, etc. of which, some are more unified in culture and some less. Therefore it seems that language is, at best, merely a small portion among many of national unity and nationalism.

I would however, greatly entertain any valid (non-spurious) correlations you may present to us re: unity of nation as built in part by language, and more so, precisely why one may covet unity on a national scale. It seem, at best, irrelevant...

[Snake Alchemist]

30. That is very true.

And the establishment of official languages in many of those countries has not hindered that. There's also the Swiss option. 3 official languages.

[JoePhilly]

31. Right after we pick an official PIE.

[Son of Gob]

96. Pumpkin

[JoePhilly]

98. Blasphemer!!!

Multi-flavored Jello pie is more appropriate because it reflects our diversity!!

[Hugabear]

36. English-as-national-language is a bigoted, right-wing meme

As others have pointed out, the US does not have the same homogenized cultural history that many other countries do. Our country is still a relatively new one, and is made up of immigrants from all over the globe. Each group brings their language, culture, traditions, etc. This is what makes the United States such a rich and diverse nation, this ability to take a little bit from each and combine it into one vibrant, ever-changing society. We have always been a nation of change.

To clamp down and say that we must be "English-only" is short-sighted and bigoted. It places one culture (white Anglo-Saxon) above others. This is a sentiment normally held by right-wing teabagger types, the ones who typically want to round up all "illegals" and deport them back to where they came from.

[Snake Alchemist]

40. English as national language does not mean "English-only"

I never realized how countries like France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland were so bigoted.

[ProSense]

53. Seems

English as national language does not mean "English-only"

I never realized how countries like France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland were so bigoted.

...like you're missing the main point: "the US does not have the same homogenized cultural history that many other countries do"

The endeavor to make English the "official" language is unnecessary. It's simply an exercise in xenophobia.

Survey Shows Alarming Lack of Integration in Germany

By Katrin Elger, Ansbert Kneip and Merlind Theile

A third of all children born in Germany belong to immigrant families, but many immigrants are poorly integrated into German society. A new study has shown that Turks in particular are faring poorly in Germany.

A new study has delivered a damning verdict on the integration of Germany's immigrants, concluding that an alarmingly high percentage of them live in a parallel world with poor prospects of a decent education and career advancement.

<...>

It shows that foreigners who come to live in Germany tend to remain strangers, even after 50 years and three generations in some cases. There are even problems among those who hold German passports.

- more-

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,603588,00.html

[Snake Alchemist]

56. I am beginning to agree.

Seems like it would be more effective to just make sure all citizens have a rudimentary grasp of the de facto language during the process to become a citizen.

Per your article it appears that Turks are faring poorly due to lack of integration. Seems like the solution is better integration?

[Skidmore]

47. How about English and????

We conduct business in English and educate? in English but we can also become proficient in other languages. First we need to be come proficient in the language of business in this nation, and I am even more convinced of this after hearing a freaking Teabagger this morning rail against "gubmint" on a call in show. There is a "v" in this word and "seen" is not the simple past tense of "see" but "saw" is.

[Romulox]

37. We are devolving into a nation of losely affiliated regions. The language issue is cursory

to the fact that we are not really "one nation, indivisible" any longer (indeed we never really have been.)

Certainly not in the way that Germany, and Japan are nations.

[Snake Alchemist]

41. I'd have to agree with that.

Doesn't feel like the midwest, south, and northeast are one country at all. You might even be able to break it down by state.

[CJCRANE]

46. Yes and my suggestion is Latin.

By the way English is not even the official language of England.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#cite_note-2

[pinboy3niner]

54. Et tu, Brute?

[CJCRANE]

64. E pluribus unum!

[Ikonoklast]

52. This isn't going to last much longer. Your agenda is showing.

Enjoy it while you can.

[Snake Alchemist]

55. Please explain my agenda.

I would love to know myself.

[Ikonoklast]

71. I think it's self-explanatory.

Bless your heart.

[Snake Alchemist]

72. Apparently not.

To you or I.

[LeftinOH]

58. Unnecessary, because we already have one.

It's not just "official" on paper. English isn't fading away, regardless of what some folks want to believe.

[Snake Alchemist]

60. Yes, de facto seems to be effective.

I have somewhat come around on this. I think as long as you a rudimentary grasp of the language is part of the citizenship process then it will work out fine.

[charlie and algernon]

63. The US is also many times LARGER than Germany and Japan

It's almost natural that you'd have different dialects, languages, and cultures develop and flurish over the large expanse of land that the US encompasses. To try to pigeon-hole all that diversity into one language just doesn't work.

[eShirl]

65. the fighting about it is definitely disunifying

[JustAnotherGen]

67. I used to think it was bad

Until I met, fell in love with and got engaged to an immigrant from Italy.

You know what he would say? It's not 'unifying' - it levels the playing field for those coming here to make a better economic life. One COMMON language makes it easier to work, live, play, prosper when you come here. You know what's expected of you every time you walk into apply for a job.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

68. We already have one. Profanity. Popular with all and extremely useful when talking politics.

[trackfan]

70. As a practical matter, declaring a national language, would make no difference in the real world,

I think. It's just a political football. Like it or not, the US is an empire, and as such, is likely to contain peoples who speak different languages.

[jeff47]

83. Declaring a national language means government documents and forms will only be in that language

So yes, it will make a difference. Native speakers won't care. Anyone who speaks another language better than English will have to wade through the English instructions for a 1040 instead of whatever language they prefer.

[Capitalocracy]

121. Which, by the way, would take jobs away from translators.

Which I'm sure Republicans would be quite happy about.

[lumberjack_jeff]

73. Is unity a virtue? n/t

[Bruce Wayne]

75. Double plus correct, Citizen Lumberjack

[Bruce Wayne]

74. America's not that unique in its diversity--Brazil, Mexico, Indonesia, India

area all functioning democracies with a great deal more cultural diversity and (except for Indonesia) great respect for their diverse traditions. And yet the US has a unique tendency to self-acculterate, or at least a stronger tendency toward conformity, among its cultural minorities. But that may be exactly why we don't need laws enforcing an "official" language. In the last hundred years there's been a virtual elimination of the once hundreds of Czech, Italian, Russian, and German newspapers published around the nation. Over the next 40 years you're going to see a significant reduction in the number of Vietnamese and Spanish languages papers (according to one media study I read).

We have a pretty widely accepted national language--American English--and those tiny pockets that differ from that generally head toward full English fluency within two generations of immigration. The only exception might be Spanish in a tiny few border regions, where the strength of Spanish language media can extend limited fluency into a third generation.

It's really not a problem; none of these linguistic pockets is large enough to threaten national cohesion. The entire "Official English Language" movement is predicated on factual distortions of a non-existent threat. It's red-herring politics of the worst sort,/ designed to enhance pro-Republican voting. But it's xenophobia, demagoguery, and entirely nothing else.

[ohheckyeah]

80. I don't think a strong

sense of nationalism is necessarily a good thing.

[B Calm]

86. They spoke Spanish in this country before they did English. .

Say that to a right winger and watch their head explode!!

[oldhippie]

87. Not in my home state, they didn't ....

They spoke Dutch. Or French. Never Spanish.

[B Calm]

90. What state you from?

[oldhippie]

102. New York

Hudson River Valley, specifically.

[B Calm]

110. You are right. The French explorers were in that part of the country.

[oldhippie]

111. (Sigh) ......

Hudson River Valley. Ya know, Hudson River. Henry Hudson? That Dutch guy? In 1609. Kinda the first guys to explore and settle the area?

Then it became New YORK. Like YORK, in England?

Yea, the Frenchies did come down from Quebec for awhile to warm up, but they didn't stay very long or have much influence.

[B Calm]

120. (Sigh) ......

I did originally say country (or land for the argumentative bastards), not state. You are the one who brought up state. The Spaniards were here long before the Dutch or French.

[vaberella]

94. That's relative it depends on your state. n/t

[oldhippie]

103. Also depends on what you call "this country" ...

I would make the argument that "this country" began in 1776 with a group of 13 former colonies. None of them were Spanish speaking. The notion that "they spoke Spanish in this country before English" is false.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies

[vaberella]

93. No they didn't. Definitely. They spoke varying different Native American tongues.

But Spanish wasn't the first. In New York, it was Dutch. While Spanish is was mainly attributed to California and south Western states.

[Romulox]

97. Not in Michigan. French. nt

[vaberella]

92. There is a de-facto language of the US and that's English.

We have many languages in this nation but one language taught as mandatory in school. I see no big deal in making the de-facto law just plain law.

[alphafemale]

100. Fine then, we all have to learn Cherokee.

We are a nation of immigrants.

There are also indigenous "Mexican" communities and descendants that still exist from when "they didn't cross the border-the border moved."

It will probably always remain it a great idea for immigrants to learn English if they are living here. I think it will always make them able to participate in more this country has to offer.

But making an "Official Language" is a colossally horrid idea. It would mean government forms would only be available in English. And tons of other things that would have bad consequence to real people.

[white_wolf]

112. This push for English to be a national language is nothing more than right-wing nationalism.

[aquart]

113. Ever been to Quebec?

Isn't it wonderful that Quebec separatists haven't blown anyone up lately?

We have nine million languages in this country, hyperbolically speaking. Which ones do you plan to elevate to nearly first class status?

Which immigrants do you want to brand with ghetto status for eternity? Let me know.

Let me know whose kids will never get high status jobs because we've made sure they don't lose their accents by not insisting on English in school.

Every other immigrant group sweated blood to learn our language and teach it to their kids. Which ones have you decided in advance are too stupid to do that?

But that's not bigotry.

[Snake Alchemist]

117. You do know that Quebec has an official language, right?

And it's English.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_Language_Act_(Quebec)

[rucky]

115. I think it should be Quechua. n/t

[FarCenter]

116. English is the world's second language

Educated people everywhere learn English in order to be able to communicate and access the bulk of humanity's store of knowledge.

Learning any other language is pretty useless. Most speakers of language X that you will run into already speak English much better than you will ever speak language X.

Chinese is a possible exception, since leaning the Chinese characters introduces you to a non-phonetic system of conveying meaning that is understood to some extent by people that speak multiple languages.

[Proles]

119. I don't see how adopting an official language would serve any

purpose. It seems like something the republicans want to pursue though, in order to appease the intolerant conservatives who shun diversity in this country.

Honestly, you pretty much have to learn english to do well in this country anyways. It's always amusing how conservatives say "learn english," but always expect others to speak to them in english when visiting other countries.