Obama on English as Official Language

[Chaoitcme]

In Canada there are two national languages, English and French. That does not take into account all of the First Nations people that also inhabit Canada who have their own languages.

[motstraumen]

@agentc73 Try going to China and insisting to speak English and you are welcomed and our arrogance, disrespect and ignorance flourishes. Americans are noted worldwide as the monolingual bunch expecting and demanding that English be spoken when they are abroad and becoming quite agitated when they meet someone in the hinterlands that doesn`t speak it.

[patsaxon]

I am not from Mexico, but the bottom like is that many public schools and universities are now requiring all students to take spanish courses and such many other languages are being deleted to make sure that students, employees learn about the hispanic culture and be required to learn spanish. English is now being considered a second language in the USA. So get used to it as your employer maybe asking you to take spanish courses.

[ebeatworld]

.45. That is total and complete NONSENSE! There are plenty of people who live here for years and years and years, but they never learn English! I see it all the time in my job. People here since 1965 who still need an interpreter. It's seriously unbelievable.

Everybody knows why none of the dems raised their hands. THEY PANDER TO THE MEXICANS! Well, you know what, maybe the GOP doesn't get the Mexican vote, but at least they have a tad bit of integrity in this area.

[patsaxon]

Spanish needs to be required by all educational institute, not English! English has never been and never will be the official language in the USA. So get used to it, LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH!!!!!!! Many public institutions has already eliminated other foreign languages, just to accommodate the spanish speaking as some colleges now require all students to take spanish courses. You have no choice to learn other languages but spanish!

[HeartOfTheNoob]

@patsaxon English has always been the language that the majority of people speak in the US. And why should I learn a language to pander to people who jump over the fence and sneak into our country? They made their own country shit, and now they come here and take our jobs and disrespect us? Respect is a two way street. You don't like it? Get out.

[RepublicadeFilipinas]

¡Un saludo! Desde el @ Canal de Filipinas en idioma español.

[Wallydaft]

I wonder how many of the people who voted Obama into the White House speak any other language than English? I would guess not enough to get him re-elected for a second term. To me his comments about Americans learning Spanish seem to belittle many of the people who voted for him in 2007. He may regret his words come the election. Fool. 

[sandinyourshoes]

Exactly how does one make it official?

[Ninetyone11]

All government business should be done in English. English is the only thing that will keep our country together. We have no common culture or other means to relate with one another other than a melting pot of history.

[entehrend]

WTF? 7 of these people are retarded...

I hate my country

[snickerbarinar]

@entehrend and what country would that be that you hate? America is a country of immigrants, and it goes both ways. You can leave here just as easy as you can come here, maybe even easier.

[Unknownkid2]

There is no point to make English the official language. It is already the dominent tongue in the United States. I love my native language(Spanish) and there is no harm in translating information in one language or another. It's so stupid how people make this seem like a serious problem and leave ignorant comments like "deadeye012006".

[hooplablahblahblah]

@Unknownkid2 And yet when I went to Mexico with my very limited spanish speaking skills (I know how to request a cheeseburger and ask where the nearest bathroom is as well as some polite conversational phrases) I was treated like trash. Mexico has an official language as well as many other countries. Why shouldn't America?

[Unknownkid2]

@hooplablahblahblah Mexico is just like the United States. They don't have an official language, they just consider Spanish as the national language, the same way that the United States considers English as the national language.

[Unknownkid2]

@hooplablahblahblah Mexico has no official language. It's like the United States in that aspect and plus I'm Puerto Rican and our official languages are Spanish and English only because we are a US colony. No one here speaks English as their native language.

[newjersey02]

@Unknownkid2 I know i know the Puerto Rican's in the U.S are a filthy mess.

[Unknownkid2]

@newjersey02 That comment is irrelevant and ignorant. When you're ready to express something intelligent then we can talk. And I am Puerto Rican who lives in Puerto Rico.

[newjersey02]

@Unknownkid2 Spanish culture is not a intelligent society. They live like animals in America.

[benlfc8]

look at your flag you fucking retards the old union jack fucking hell people dont even know there own fucking history

[deadeye012006]

get used to it America Obama plans to turn you into a Latin American Country as well as a Socialists heaven lol for your sakes hope you don't make the same mistakes we in Britain have for the past 12 year its taken us to wake up and get back to the true Conservative values that our country was built up as was yours .

[bryangld27]

English should be the official language in USA duhhhh

[kubush]

On the one hand Obama is right that there are bigger issues to deal with but on the other, how hard is it to really answer that question? Gravel was spot on.

[mgallant01]

Listen to Obamas BS answer....

[lorker9]

this is the United States , you wanna stay here respect and be apart of it if NOT get out of it NOW, but plz keep talking alot of shit so people will finally get pissed off enough to do something about it

[Mom2BTJ]

One of the requirements of becoming a US citizen is to speak, write and read English. So, if the person can't speak English, they are not legally here and it's time to call ICE.

I am sick of people sneaking into this country and immediately start making demands. The only thing they are entitled to is a one way ticket back to their country of origin.

The reason the others didn't raise their hands is because they were pandering a small hate filled group who wants to force spanish on us.

[deevee777]

God Bless Barrack Obama! All the racist white crackers have to deal with him being the leader of this nation. It shows white racists lost control of this nation. The devil is reaping what it sewed.

[Dewbie22]

it has more to do with classism than racism. obama's skin may be black, but he's in favor of an elitist plan.

so... sorry!

WHITES ARE STILL RUNNING THE WORLD! ! ! haaha haha ha

[hehelerika1]

Once i was at the store with my mom, and were are both Mexican, and I know English quite well, so i was talking in Spanish, and some lady got very mad at me, she said speak English your in America, 1st of all US doesn't have an official language so i can speak whatever i want, and 2nd America is a continent, and Mexico is in the continent of America. Besides i know English, Spanish, French and learning Chinese. so i say no english should not be the official language.

[monimstarfox]

english should be the official language in a century or so english is going to be the official language of the world. It is spreading to every nation might has well start somewhere

[DarkDeathSaurer]

Fuck you mexican, mexico don't even allow English in their thing the call a country, as far as I am concerned, English should be the official language, The United States should not cater to mexicans or any other race, the child don't speak English, then the child either learns English or doesn't learn at all. Because in mexico, they don't have teachers who speak English just to help English children learn.  mexico and canada don't have any right being part of America, they don't do shit for

[hehelerika1]

Actually you can speak english in Mexico ask me I used to live there, they dont care, and u say mexico and canada should not be part of America well too bad now they are located in North America which makes it in America.

[coltzin12]

Look mr. tough guy on you tube. make english officila first, thenbitch. The US doen't have an official language, so it's open for whatever language we want to speak. And FYI the southwest has a treaty"Guadalupe Hidalgo" that says you must respect the cultural traits of Mexicans of which spanish is one of those cultural traits. Break the treaty and forfeit your rights to the south west.

[DarkDeathSaurer]

The US could buy our way out of that treaty, goodness knows it won't be expensive, a bottle of tequila and some tacos and we wouldn't have to worry about it anymore, and FYI I am not acting tough, I like to piss people off on youtube to see them make asses out of themselves,

[deevee777]

The United States is a nation made up by a complete mixture of immigrants not just white europeans so your reasoning is senseless.

[DarkDeathSaurer]

you mean European trash who only bitches at the way things are run you fucking loser, and FYI, your mom didn't think my reasoning was senseless when I got her into bed last night.

[ttiiyy]

@deevee777 Well, Hispanics are trying to enforce the Spanish education. They are no better.

[DarkDeathSaurer]

the continent, when we were attacked on 9/11, mexico and canada didn't fight, so they do not deserve to be part of America, they have no right. All mexicans do is bitch about how they get treated here in the States and how poorly they get treated here, but I ask any who say that " Why did you leave in the first place?" Because the States is the best in America. As for Canada, all they do is sneer at people from the United States, but what comes around goes around, and it is starting, good day

[hehelerika1]

why would we have to fight for the 9/11 attacks, we had nothing to do with it, besides it wasnt our problem

[DarkDeathSaurer]

ok, you just contradicted yourself, one, if Mexico and Canada are part of North America, then on 9/11, NORTH AMERICA was attacted, making it your problem, as they are part of America. The continent was attacked, when that happens usually countries of the same continent do what they can to support that, but not mexico and canada, thats why I don't think they deserve to call themselves Americans, they don't care about the continent, and you also avoided my main points, proving me right, good day.

[hehelerika1]

9/11 attacked the United States by itself, if they would attacked North America, then they would attacked Mexico City, or Ottowa and they didn't, it obvious Al-queda has problems with the US only.

[laughs2hard456]

@hehelerika1 Um America isn't a Continent, its a country. North America is a Continent, South America is a Continent , But America is not a Continent. "America" refers to the United States, the "Americas" refer to both North and South America. Learn your geography before you troll

[JPaxton1616]

English is the closest thing to an official language we have you idiots, like it or not. It will be legal sooner or later. Right now to be naturalized as a citizen you must speak, read and write English. Fuck off and kiss Osama bin Bama's ass a little harder just for me. : ) Terrorist loving Douchocrats!

[agentc73]

During the original debate over the 14th amendment,

Senator J. M. Howard of Michigan,the author of the citizenship

clause,described the clause as excluding persons born in the United States

who are foreigners,aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers.

Such meaning precluded citizenship to any person who was beholden,

in even the slightest respect( lack of ability to speak English),

to any sovereignty other than a U.S. state or the federal government.

[chippis78]

There should not be a official language. where im from we dont even have a official language.

[Brandonwuz93]

The United States, I believe should not have an official language because, being a country where it has grown and flourished because of people of many different ethnicity, there are ssoo many languages spoken here. I know English is the more common language here but it is not fair to make it an official language even though there are other many different languages spoken here. Spanish being a close second more common language.

[agentc73]

BULLSHIT.

Fucking typical arrogance and disrespect from illegal invaders.

This has been an English speaking Country for 400+ years. If you don't like the way WE run OUR country, get the fuck out.

Perhaps you could go to China, and convince THEM to learn Spanish, you fucking scumbag?

[neely86]

YOU run YOUR country without having an official language!! so why do YOU stay?

anyway, are you afraid of hispanics or what's your prob?

[agentc73]

And what language is all of our laws, streetsigns, and official documents in?

I was BORN here.

Nope. Just illegal Invaders trying so hard to erode, divide, and dilute this country.

Stealing TRILLIONS in wages and BILLIONS in Social Services EVERY year.

Meanwhile ignoring and disrespecting the laws, language, people, Constitution, and Flag.

If you mention the FACTS and STATISTIC of the destruction and erosion, you are "racist".

Not about "race". About ENFORCING the LAWS.

[hehelerika1]

If you guys say US is a free conutry then we should have the right to speak whatever we want, if not then is not really a free country.

[agentc73]

It is a sign of Respect.

Our laws and Important documents are all in English, and we have been an English Speaking country for almost 400 years.

Try going to China, and insisting on SPeaking Spanish there.

I don't think your arrogance, disrespect, or ignorance would be very welcome.

[hehelerika1]

ok yes mostly everyone speak english, but why they have two official languages like in Canada, it benefits both parts, the hispanics to speak their natural language and the americans to learn another language, which on every aspect like job oppurtunities ect.. the point is we should have two official languages.

[sk8tertater]

@agentc73 But in all reality that is the cool thing about America. Your language and culture is accepted here. Also, to note, Spanish has also been extremely prevalent for the same amount of time if not longer. Really, the "Official-English" thing is a political deal and won't affect how English is atm anyway.

[kubush]

@agentc73 400 years? The US hasn't been around that long.

[ttiiyy]

@agentc73 Sigh, only the USA will tolerate the BS from Hispanics.

[MexicanHeartofMine]

The Guadalupe-Hidalgo Treaty gives Spanish and Mexican ppl the right to speak their own language in this country. After the Spanish-American War, they were given this right and to keep their land when the US won and formed into the United States. Not only Spanish, but there are ppl all around the world who don't speak English in America.

[HerrOttoKranz]

@agentc73 Point taken. I am a Spaniard; if I were to migrate to the US of course I would learn and speak English there. Historically you are a predominatly English-speaking, Common-law country. Correct. But you aren't England either. The 19th century expansion to the west incorporated former Spanish colonies whose inhabitants became US citizens and, as sb has said beneath, were granted the right to speak the language. So yes, English first, but Spanish not "just another" foreign language.

[agentc73]

No disrespect intended towards the language, or your heritage. But I am sick of trespassers SNEAKING into my country, calling themselves citizens of another, STEALING from MY country and it's legal citizens and immigrant of ALL races, DEMANDING that I learn to read and write THEIR language. TOTAL DISREGARD and DISRESPECT of this REPUBLIC(a land ruled by LAW).

[Mrinebriation]

@agentc73 big government should not chose the official language

[agentc73]

What language has our law been written in for 200+ years?

[Mrinebriation]

@agentc73 that's because the founders spoke english, but they did not chose english as the official language because they viewed it as to much intervention. if you feel so threatened learn to speak spanish. because when it comes to languages its not about who was here first its about the number of people. that's why we do not speak the native american's language

[agentc73]

You logic is absurd, at best. And glaringly ignorant of the Constitution. Just found out America spends over 81 BILLION catering to illegals, and Cali spends 22 BILLION a year ALONE on catering to illegals. Take that to the bank. AMERICANS are paying that, so we can be stolen from? This will end. We are tired of it.. So basically this argument is redundant anyways, Mr. Drunk. Just a matter of time. :^)

[Mrinebriation]

@agentc73 the costs have nothing to do with my argument

[DarkDeathSaurer]

guess that's why were better than every other pathetic country in this world, but soon, when the Constitution is redone, some rights may be taken away, and due to the changes of time, some of the rights may and hopefully will be amended, so we won't have too much freedom.

[agentc73]

Illegals steal @ 8 trillion a year in wages from LEGAL US citizens(incl LEGAL immigrants).

That's 20,000,000 Illegal Invaders times @ $40,000 a year wages equals @ $8 TRILLION ($8,000,000,000,000) in wages stolen EVERY YEAR.

Let alone the 336 BILLION ($336,000,000,000) a year stolen in public services.

Maybe 20,000,000 Americans should abandon the USA, show up in China, and demand THEY learn English, and demand they give us citizenship?

If they don't do as we say, we'll call them "racist"!!!

[amozlee]

i don't understand why this question came out in the first place...the majority of Americans speak English... hence, it should be left that way... would anyone want to rewrite the declaration of Independence in Spanish?

[metalmusi]

well it is not about rewritting the declaration of independence.. people will speak english here in the us.. most people will try to do it.. but we should also use soem other language " facilities" for those who havent acomplished the learning of a new language.. is that clear for you?

[agentc73]

Is it clear that it is an INSULT TO AMERICANS that people try to DEMAND we cater to foreign nationals in OUR country?

You shouldn't live here, if you can't speak English.

Fully 80% of US Citizens AGREE with me.

I wouldn't SNEAK into China, and DEMAND everyone learn English. That's Illogical and arrogant, as well as DISRESPECTFUL.

[metalmusi]

What do you mean by our country?

then, no body is demanding US Citizens to learn another language.. it is just better if people have facilities in other languages. is that a big problem for you?

If you cant speak english why shouldnt you live here.. realize this country is made up of people from many countries US culture is almost impossible to describe.. there are American things, but no real culture. ther are people who live here and within their culture make a living without speaking english.

[agentc73]

During the original debate over the 14th Amendment, Senator Jacob M. Howard of Michigan,the author of the citizenship clause

described the clause as excluding persons born in the United States who are foreigners,

aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers. Such meaning precluded citizenship to any person who was beholden, in even the slightest respect(a lack of ability to speak English), to any sovereignty other than a U.S. state or the federal government.

[metalmusi]

and what is that supposed to answer?

[ViLeDeth]

he is just spamming shit he things will answer all those questions you throw at him - he's afraid of you metalmusi. agentc73 just spams the same shit over and over again.

[mosty420s]

Hey IRELAND AND UK. "The British Isles are a joke, and Ireland is the punchline."  Homopage words of DKRUSTYKLOWN. South Boston bitch.

[dkrustyklown]

Haha, south Boston, eh?

That explains your fragmented and almost unintelligible English.

I'm glad you found my quote entertaining. I came up with it myself. It didn't hurt your feelings, did it?

Does it also hurt your feelings that your "nation" almost got wiped out by a type of mold?

LOL, you got your ass kicked by a fungus.

[dreamwoods]

Still here jackass. You to embarrassed to tell me where you're from?

[mosty420s]

Hey don't take viagra. You might get taller.

[mosty420s]

by fungus, you do mean mexicans right?

[mosty420s]

In honor of Escobar. I'll call you Pablow. Cause you probably blow your pa.

[armyofamerica]

English es a gay language

[mosty420s]

whut aver "mary cone"

[mosty420s]

The Constitution and The Bill of Rights are written in English. That's Fu$%in that. DONE.

[ErikP1990]

ooook. the USA's constitution and Bill of Rights, which are both old as shit and also written in a time of far less diveristy, should dictate what people have to speak here? Hundredsof languages are spoken here, this is america: the land of the immigrants. Everyone here is an immigrant somewhere down the line. maybe from Europe, maybe Asia, maybe a slave from Africa... but as a spanish speaker myself, I must say that it is a bullshit idea to make one language in the USA 'official'.

[mosty420s]

ooook and all those europeans and asians and africans that built this country learned. . . English!  Should that public school system speak every language? Let's do it and set our kids education back even farther. I moved to a country that spoke a different language. I was happy to learn it. I learned spanish to go on vacation in central america. Out of respect. It's disrespectful for people to migrate here with no intention of embracing our customs, beliefs and language.

[ErikP1990]

ok, well you moved to a country that is NOT THE UNITED STATES. I've been to different countries and i'm going to nicaragua this summer for a month. Of course you use spanish over there, that's the official language, that's what's spoken. The USA is different by far because it is the land of immigrants from all different centuries and all different lands, you cannot expect to have everyone speak English, this is not the UK or down-under. This is a very diverse land of many languages and beliefs

[mosty420s]

i can appreciate your point of view, however. let me ask you this. what language would you like to hear and speak in the US? We COULD all speak different languages but how united is that? Not being able to communicate with one another would create conflict. How would we learn from each other? What would be the greater good? Would each person only vote for an elected official that spoke his or her language just because they don't understand the opponent? What good comes from what you say?

[ErikP1990]

Well both our points of views are not complete solutions. like u said, if we all spoke different languages in our country and couldn't understand eachother, then well that's a problem. However if everyone could ONLY speak English, and every country could ONLY speak their native tongue... then the world, as a whole, would be a lot worse off. my point being this: learing another language is beneficial in many ways and i'd like to see more of it. Americans, in general, have closed minds rightnow.

[mosty420s]

We got to have a North and South pole to have a sweet equator. Thanks for the chat. You're alright in my book.

[dkrustyklown]

Hey asshat, how does having multiple languages spoken in our country, "...set our kids education back even further."?

By the way, there is no requirement that immigrants "embrace" your "customs, beliefs, or language"

Firstly, customs...this is America, we truly do NOT have a significant cultural base from which to draw any MEANINGFUL customs.

Beliefs...the beliefs of most Americans are nonsense and should be disregarded.

Language...English is a compromise language patched together crudely.

[mosty420s]

Wow. Asshat? Oooh burn. In schools, kids speaking different languages from one another and even the teacher. Takes more time to communicate and therefore less time can be spent on the curriculum. As far as customs, beliefs and language and immigrants. The test to become a citizen is written in english and when you pass it? That's right. The pledge of allegiance. English is patched together crudely? Did you make it through high school? The beliefs of most are nonsense. No arguement there.

[dkrustyklown]

So, can you explain how it is that American students lag so far behind their European and East Asian counterparts, being as that the presence of so many languages in Europe and Asia should surely, as you say, take time away from the curriculum?

They speak FOUR languages in Spain and their students still manage to outdo ours.

Also, you might want to take a look at your own level of education, since half of what you wrote made no grammatical sense.

[dkrustyklown]

These are your own words. Can you count the run-on sentences and sentence fragments?

"Takes more time to communicate and therefore less time can be spent on the curriculum. As far as customs, beliefs and language and immigrants. The test to become a citizen is written in english and when you pass it? That's right."

You don't even understand ONE language, and yet you have the nerve to lecture people in regards to what language they should speak.

You are an ignorant hypocrite.

[mosty420s]

Oh wow. You're such a genius and I feel unworthy. Don't feel bad. It's human nature to try and start a completely different arguement and name call when your know you're losing. It's OK smartguy.

[dkrustyklown]

You must be really dense to not see the irony in your being so concerned about what language others are speaking while at the same time you are unable to communicate effectively in your own language.

[mosty420s]

WORDS OF DKRUSTYKLOWN. "The British Isles are a joke, and Ireland is the punchline." You called me ignorant.?  Tell me, I need to learn my geography and history? You're a pathetic fool. I am done smashing down your pathetic and irrelative retorts. Adios. Beaner. By the way. WE WON THE ALAMO! ! !

[dreamwoods]

Just so you know. You are the ass, or should I say Burro, HERE!

[dreamwoods]

just to clarify! DKRUSTYKLOWN Is an ass.

[olsome2]

it was not about immigration, it is such a politician's move to push something out of proportions, it was about language, not immigration

[AmericanGatoona]

Does Obama have the US constitution in Spanish or something?

[ScubaSteve1974]

"Everybody is going to learn to speak english if they live in this country"

Obama is a profoundly stupid man. Has he ever visited Florida? Does he really think this state isn't loaded with latinos that do not speak English? I know Obama's been to San Francisco - it's the only city in the nation where ignorance is seen as enlightenment. Does he really think everyone in that Asian community speaks English? I have a friend who was born in Thailand and her grandparents do not speak English!

[dkrustyklown]

You see, the thing is that Florida has sortofkindof always spoken Spanish.

It's called, "F-L-O-R-I-D-A", which literally means, "flowered" in Spanish.

Even the state has a Spanish name. If you didn't want to deal with lots Spanish-speaking people, then what in the world would possess you to move to a place called "Florida"?

It's all in where you live. Don't like it? Then move.

[mosty420s]

yeah get up and move. like mexicans. it's just perplexing that if americans go to mexico illegally they end up in jail for breaking the law. and then. . . they get deported.

[mosty420s]

unfortunately. it's not just florida any more.

[Avatarblackwolf]

The spanish are not here to BE Americans.

The spanish are here to be IN America.

No push 1 for english.

No anchor baby status.

No welfare or tax payer hand outs,and they will leave and not come here.

Go after those who hire them and those who rent to them.

Take our country back from the invaders.

OBAMA WILL BE A MISTAKE!

[Chonvay]

I think you are mistake.

[DarthCybie]

Chonvay, and that is what you get for trying to think

[zither88]

I'm a big Obama supporter but I have to say that just because you immigrate to America DOES NOT mean you learn the English language and I have seen people who have been here for 20 years given gov funded translation services. Not being unified in a common language DIVDES US.

[YourTubeAct]

I think Obama meant...

If I am president, you better learn a 2nd language.

[Bama006]

You need to do some research Mr. Obama, thank God 30 states call English their official language and if you take the time to view the official language of other countries, many of them are English..

[msherer83]

I have to temper your comment by saying of those many countries that have English as the official language they also have other official languages probably spoken by smaller sub-sets of the population. Additionally I would be willing to bet that most of those countries have english because they are hold overs from the imperialist era from over a century ago. Just sayin'.

[Airbum88]

I think that English is the official language of less than 10 countries in the world.

[myheadisonwrong]

nope, more than FIFTY!

[FezaadBrain]

Obama should say what he wanted to say..

Make English Official

[kurtsharpe]

What about the languages of the Native Americans- should they not become official languages. Another show of violent colonial suppression by The USA.

[myheadisonwrong]

Winner take all, baby.

[tlawler28]

Actually, Obama. That exactly is the issue - whether future generations of Americans will speak English. With the amount of people immigrants entering the country whose native language is not English, the future language,identity, and oneness of the country is threatened.

[BLUETIB]

Funny to see how they look to each other...

[mamieandjohn]

quite a presidential answer.

[lowbudgetracing]

obamas such a fag