As a Spaniard I think all these fears of Spanish taking over in the US are unjustified. The first generation may not speak English well or even at all, but their sons and grandsons will, believe me. They will because they aspire to a better social position within society, and achieving this hangs on their English proficiency. Just like any previous inmigrant group. I do admit that today it's easier to stay in touch with your original culture than in the past, but they will eventually blend in.
it whould make sense for the us to make this law tho since the us has always been a melting pot of cultures where they tear down other cultures to build up there own american culture.American is one of the few none offical multie culture countrys left in the world and honsitly i wont be shocke done day if a bill makeign the english lang offical is dabaite din the congress or senate one day
It's all about the federal government. Our founding fathers did not want a big federal government. They want state governments to decide most of the stuff.
This is where Republicans shoot themselves in the feet. If they want to make English the official language of the US, they will have to get the federal government involved. Good luck convincing all 50 states to play along.
Sigh, our country is going down real quick!
Stupid GOP! When they attack concersative Dem's, sigh, losers.....
@ttiiyy I have to disagree with your first paragraph. "The founding fathers" were a large group of men with diverse viewpoints, many of whom hated each other. You can't really attribute any view to the entire group other than "government should exist" and possibly "King George can suck my dick".
Meh. I'm okay with English as the U.S.'s legally-official language, or not. Whatever. State/Federal governments can afford to translate important information into common languages.
What pisses me off is when people pretend to become real members of a country, but refuse to learn to communicate with the majority of its people. Anyone who's not an ass will forgive an immigrant for a weak hold on their new language... but for not trying to learn it at all? No.
@ChortortleC Have you tried learning a language lately? the older you get, the harder it is. Hell, i'm only my 20's, and have tried to learn German, Spanish, and Italian at different points, and this coming from a young man who otherwhise always does very well in school. I work in San Diego, only a few hours from the Mexican border, and I've never met me an individual who has "refused" to learn the English language. the second and third generations pick up the new language. Problem fixes itself.
Speaking as an American who's predominately Latino, making English the official language of the US makes more sense then anything else. Diversity is fine, but true communication and unification means all understand each other by 1 language, its the common sense approach to social sciences.
I go to France, im going to learn french. Spain- Spanish, Germany-german. China- mandarain. US? I would hope its English. Learning another language is fine, 2 or 3 is best. But come on, common sense?
I don't agree with making any language official for this country.. but shit.. some of our "native" English speakers can't even speak the language correctly. You tube commentators are solid proof of that.
For a deaf woman, Joey sure has a lot to say. I really like how she was cast. I'm not gonna get into the debate but the raspberry just makes the entire scene hilarious.
Republicans appreciate & recognize the diversity of America, but unlike the Democrats, Republicans understand a nation without a common language & culture creates tensions among its citizens. Those proficient in English enjoy a relatively high standard of living & those proficient only in their own native language are destined to a life of low-skilled, low-wage jobs & a permanently low standard of living.
@BlackRepublican2010 lol the only reason you want English as an official language is because you are trying to alienate hispanics. America has had centuries of immigration from all over the world. What happened to the millions of German, Italian and Polish immigrants who came speaking another language? Well they learnt English and they were facilitated during the process. And all the while English wasn't the official language. You just want to deny new citizens access to basic services.
A prime example of typical lib subversion. Socialist medicine, federalization of the private sector, entitlement, entitlement, entitlement. They are against anything that furthers the concept of the strength of America. The current man in office, Barry Soetoro, is perfect testament to the anti-American agenda of the left.
Tio estas tre interesa diskuto. Sed mi ne komprenas, kial ili volus angla lingvo faros ofiziala lingvon en usono? Angle estas ofiziala lingvo de usono, ĉu ne? | lernu dot net
@Srd1126 it excludes everyone else in the population. the U.S. has the second largest spanish speaking population in the world. you don't need to make it a law, you don't need to protect english, so you're just excluding people otherwise
@tally388 It is excluding nobody. Making it a law just makes sense. As it is now any yahoo can sue for the "right" to have a voting ballot in their own language. Every translation makes it less accurate. Better to say "learn english, it is the language of the USA" than to leave us open to such nonsense. If people want to come here learning the language is just common sense.
@Srd1126 it doesn't make sense, it's actually unconstituional, that means legally, you can't do it. how about learn SOMETHING you ignorant person, it's not the lanauge of the US. there is no nonense. this is not a real issue, it's a political and symbolic issue. this has no relevance to anything. english is still taught in schools. you can't force someone to learn a language. your whole inability to understand why it's offensive just shows how you're all so bigoted
@tally388 First, please cite what part of the Constitution such a law would go against. Second, learn some manners and stop calling names. Third, learn proper english yourself. I count about 6 usage errors in your post.
As there is no official language in the Constitution, it is therefore often seen by constitutional scholars as illegal to add one. Laws generally have to be stemming from there. Also, they're typos, not usage errors. With that, the idea that the entire country should only speak one language IS bigoted. Sorry if you're offended
@Srd1126 it makes no sense to have a federal language when the states are so different in demographics. Hawaii and New Mexico have their respective languages on every piece of legislation. Ditto with states with great native american populationsAreas that have great native american populations have those. Alaska have several Inuit languages they use for signage etc. Both louisiana and maine have official status of english and french.
State by state is practical, and allows for multiculturalism.
@tally388 Multiculturalism is not a good thing when it divides, as is the case in multiple languages. That there is nothing in the Constitution making a language is no reason to assume to add one is unconstitutional. To have English as the official language simply makes sense. We are not Europe, states are not supposed to have different languages. The idea you have one language for a country is practical, not bigoted.
@Srd1126 btw, you're an idiot. it only divides because people like you are intolerant towards other cultures. technically, you should all be learning native american languages, as they are the original residents. it's not practical, it would in fact cause chaos. you also don't understand how constitutional law works.
@tally388 What is more divisive than having other cultures speaking their own languages? A major reason the Indians were defeated is they wer divided into hundreds of tribes. I understand perfectly how Constitutional Law works. You are the one who cannot explain what part of the Constitution says you cannot have an official language nor what precedent might uphold that.
@Srd1126 for fuck's sake. being bilingual, or being able to speak spanish better than english isn't devisive. i don't know what kind of small town you live in where everyone speaks perfect english and difference is seen as a problem, but in the real world, not everyone has to fit into a box. and if you understood constitutional law, you would know they are generally not allowed to add something into the constitution without precedence. i'm done with this. be happy and ignorant by yourself.
@tally388 Attention advertisers--you too can capture this demographic when you advertise here! (ie: the uneducated, full of hate liberal demo--they surely have some government checks to spend)
@Srd1126 that's strange, because i'm highly educated, from a well off family, and am extremely tolerant to others. you are the one who is extremely bigoted, believing in the insane notion that if english is not made the national language it would what, dissppear?
@tally388 dissapear, no. But it should be the only language government has to use. If you are highly educated you probably realize the need for one language as when you have multiple languages people get "balkanized." If you want to speak another language, stay where you are and don't come to the USA. This "multiculturalism" PC nonsense is ruining the USA.
@Srd1126 no, it's not. people like YOU are ruining your country. australia has no official language; we do not seem to have these problems you're so certain the USA has. What exactly is happening over there? are you finding yourself alienated because some people like to speak chinese? the US is based on immigration, that means you ALL speak a different language from the native tongue. the idea that diversity is ruining your country, is ridiculous. prejudice and bigotry is.
@tally388 Austrailia does not have immigration like the USA does. And YES, I feel alienated when people speak chinese out in public. Once a college professor, a Turk immigrant BTW, flat out told two chinese girls to quit speaking to each other in Chinese right in front of everyone. The USA is based on IMMIGRANTS LEARNING THE COMMON LANGUAGE! Diversity = Divisiveness. Plain and simple.
@Srd1126 um, all of australia, apart from aborigines are immigrants. and it's sick you feel alienated by others speaking another language. you think if you went to france people would be offended if you spoke english? or italy? maybe you should all learn some native american; considering THOSE are the only 'natural' inhabitants of the US. you need to get over yourself. you make me sick
@tally388 People in France get VERY offended at people speaking english. In French Canada they have "language police" to make sure French is the most prominent on any sign or menu. Not sure what you mean by "native americal" as that includes anyone who was born here. Mayne you are talking about American Indians? BTW: The USA all speaking english made a nation strong enough so you don't need to speak Japanese.
@tally388 a large portion of the spanish-speakers you allude to are here illegally. They're not even IN the population, let alone have the right to spread their language among it.
By the way, you hypocrite, how many of you Skips speak Aborigine as a second language? Thought not.
@USAon3 one, there is no aborgine language, there are hundreds. try learning hundreds of languages, and then tell me what to do. second, the reason we don't learn it is because 200 yrs ago, english people decided to treat them like savages. it is impossible to learn 'aborgine'. and the numbers i quoted were all citizens or on working visas, not illegal aliens. your ignorance and prejudice is appalling
@tally388 "the reason we don't learn it is because 200 yrs ago, english people decided to treat them like savages. it is impossible to learn 'aborgine'"
I knew it, nothing but excuses. You blame your hypocrisy on 200 years ago? Maybe it was just that they were your captors, as you weren't citizens at all - you were PRISONERS.
No wonder you're against countries strengthening themselves - it would lessen the chance of people like YOU getting in.
@USAon3 yes, i am from immigrants. an italian one, so i wasn't a prisioner, and im third gen, so im australian. it's not an excuse, it's the reality that you can't learn aborgine, it's not a language. ok, then unless you're native american YOU'RE and immigrant, and should be learning cherokee etc. are you learning that? you fucking twat you're an immigrant. you're a massive ethnocentric, xenophobic freak.
@tally388 "native Americans"? Ohh, you must mean the Indians - the ones who IMMIGRATED TO NORTH AMERICA. And why would I need to learn Cherokee? They all speak ENGLISH.
Sorry, roo-fucker. Swing and a miss. Maybe you should take your dick off the barbie and research a little before trying to act intelligent.
@USAon3 what??? the native americans were there centuries before your people. and their native language isn't english, they've been forced to speak it. don't you know why you people celebrated thanksgiving? my point was that they are the original inhabitants, and they're not from india you IDIOT. they were called indians b/c when Christopher Columbus landed he thought he was in the west indies. they're the INIDGENOUS peoples of the US- do you even know what that means? god you're a fuck wit
@tally388 they're no more "indigenous" than you are, and they were preceded by Kennewick Man, who was WHITE.
The Indians IMMIGRATED to North America over the land bridge.
I never said they came from India - that's just what they're called. So now you're resorting to putting words in my mouth to try to spin your point. Christ, you're a sad little piss flap, aren't you. You'd make a perfect libtard in the US.
Oh well. Enjoy your little island full of throwaways in the world's sphincter.
@USAon3 they're about thousands of years more indingenous than YOU are, so how about showing them some respect? and i said that because you said you mean indians, as in emigrated, which made no sense. i am happy i don't live in the USA if i'd have to deal with people like you. why did you even watch this clip, which is OBVIOUSLY not in favour of english as the natiional language, and gave a perfectly good answer. I'm done with you, fuck off, and leave your bigotry with your little racist friends
those who claim a historical continuity and cultural affinity with societies predating contact with Western culture. North America was where the Native Americans made their home and built their culture for thousands of years before Europeans arrived, so yes, they are indigenous.
Yes, but what is the proficiency level of their English? When almost half of Hispanic Children cannot graduate High School because of a lack of English proficiency, what we need is more English education, not less. So if they cannot become proficient in even one language, what makes you think they will become proficient in two? English has the foundation of their education. Once they destroy English, then they can study anything else they want to. But until then, English first.
Ah, so by your theory, what percentage of a country's total population speaking a foreign language SHOULD make that foreign language a "second luangage"?
Heaven forbid that there are "enough" English speakers in France, Germany, The Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, . . .
Making English the official language is the province of small-minded cowards. The US has received many waves of immigrants speaking countless other languages, yet English has not only remained the primary means of communication but has also been immensely enriched by those linguistic influences. The language spoken in the US today is stronger and more adaptable because of those influences. Think about it the next time you visit the Notre Dame campus or drive through Coeur d'Alene and Sacramento.
English ought to be the official language, for the purpose of printing government drivers liscenses, requiring schools to teach it and citizens to learn it, and print government documengts. 88% of Americans support English as the official language.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Half the countries in AFRICA...AFRICA..for crying out loud have English as their national language but wee don't' have the guts to make it legal here???
Oh yeah...we should really look to oppressive third-world countries for moral guidance...english is the de facto language here, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by making it official unless you want to subtly imply that america is not actually built on a foundation of a hundred mixing cultures--which it is.
Not necessarily, but that's not the point: in practise, english IS pretty much the official language. But we shouldn't enforce that, because people should be free to use any language they like, and not just at home.
Blessings on the immigrants who, in addition to learning English, pass their native languages on to their children.
The official-language argument, or mine at any rate, is not that speaking Spanish should be forbidden, but rather that the government shouldnt facilitate non-English speakers never learning English. It shouldnt provide multi-lingual schools, for example.
How many different school systems would be enough, by the way? Americans speak dozens of languages.
In another clip on youtube Josh L. quotes the first Pres. Roosevelt: Americans, not dwellers in a polyglot boarding house. That nails it, doesnt it?
Lyman doesnt quote TR approvingly, but thats whats nice about West Wing. The right answer is usually in there somewhere, even if not where they think it is.
This is not to say that a bank shouldnt have Spanish and Chinese instructions on its ATMs. Entirely up to them.
I'm just saying that in *principle*, making english the official language feels uncomfortably rights-restricting. Of course it isn't restrictive in practice--not being able to speak english is a huge restriction and I would dissuade anyone from trying to get by in this country without knowing english--but remember, this is a country of immigrants from everywhere, not just england, and even if an official language is only restrictive in theory, I just don't like the little tinge of hypocrasy.
Language selection is certainly a natural process and not something thats settled by law. Thats why it was funny when the power-mad Central American dictator in Bananas decreed that the national language would be Swedish. Come to think of it, Im against presuming to make any language the official one by law. It would make the government look clueless, like passing a law that the weather had to be good.
So the government cant decide the question, but it can nudge the process toward or
away from a common language. It should do what it can to bring people into the larger community, not keep them cooped up in language ghettos. Interaction with the government (property tax bills, passport applications, civil service exams) should be in English. Most importantly, classes in public schools should be in English.
What worries me is that well go too far in the other direction and require some already-broke school district to find someone to teach chemistry in Vietnamese.
That really isn't the real argument. People have a right to walk through any public place and speak whatever language that they please.
The debate is that everyone who becomes a citizen should be(and basically was in the past)required to learn English to be able to function in daily life and society.
Road signs, voting, schools and businesses are all places where knowing the unofficial language of America is imperative.
Other immigrants throughout history all learned English when they came.
Although I respect your opinion I do not agree. I don't feel I should have to pay taxes to have road signs(in some states)or government manuals in a separate languages, among other things.
If on their own individuals would out of respect learn at least enough English to communicate in these circumstances then it wouldn't be necessary. It's not about 'protecting' the English language.
I don't see it as insulting, if I would move to France I would be expected to learn French.
Of course you would be expected to learn english if you came here -- not knowing english in America is a HUGE handicap and I would not go out of my way to cater to people who think they can function here without english. But a government mandate is just...not right. Its completely the principle of the thing, not the practise. It's just my opinion, and I think your opinion is actually more logical than mine -- I just don't think that everything that is logical is right.
@abfirefighterchick "I don't feel I should have to pay taxes to have road signs(in some states)or government manuals in a separate languages, among other things." - this is not necessarily practical. For instance, in border states in particular road signs in Spanish work for the greater good - perfectly legal short-term tourists from Mexico can completely understand road signs. That instance at least is a safety matter.
That is a different circumstance as well. On border towns and cities, you are right that would make sense just as there are some French Canadian signs and such near the American/Canadian border.
For example I think it is wonderful for ATMs to have different languages for tourists to have an easier time. When they come here for vacations they find ways of communicating in order to experience the sites and beauty here.
@abfirefighterchick Also, to continue: "government manuals in a separate languages" also are a matter of necessity. People who, for instance, live in colonias and speak nothing but Spanish shouldn't have public health and hygiene knowledge withheld from them only because they can't speak English. It goes towards the common good to ensure that diseases don't break out, besides actually being morally right
I appreciate your line of thinking but then there would have to be an infinite number of manuals in hundreds of languages since there are just as many cultures represented by those who immigrate here.
There are interperators that can be used in certain circumstances, like they have available in law enforcement, public health(hospitals, etc.).
There certain time allowances to learn for when a person first arrives here, just as I would have if I went to another country to live.
English isn't going anywhere. My parents and almost all my family came from Mexico. Though the first generation took some time to speak English, the second generation picked up English quite well. More than 98% of second generation Mexican/Americans will speak English as their first language. In fact, many of my cousins in Mexico are fluent in English because of American TV, music and movies.
then, if it's happenning de facto anyway, why not make it official? i realize that many minority groups consider making english as the national language as a threat, but it's not at all meant to be. what the policy makers are striving for is for national unity, and we are in no way discouraging the use, learning, or practice of other languages. america was founded on the principle of being welcoming to all cultures, but we have to remember that we must also act as a united front.
By confirming a national language, it's like calling every other language a US citizen may use, and by extension every other culture a US citizen may come from as something lesser. It may not explicitly say this, but the implication is there, and it'll be hugely unpopular. If you want to unify a country, you don't pass a bill that alienates a large portion of it.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
i can see where you're coming from but the fact remains that by making it the national language, one is not implying that all other languages are inferior, just that this happens to be the language that the majority of americans speak and it serves to unify it in that sense. this should not make anyone feel alienated, as it is not lifting english to a cut above the others. speaking as an immigrant that speaks 3 languages, it makes for a safer country also to have a national language.
@Xicano82 English is also the lingua franca of Europe. Someone once said, 'If a Greek and a Norwegian want to talk, what language do they use? English. After all, what Greek speaks Norwegian?'
Josh: She did it again.
Bartlet: Yeah.
haha brilliant comedic timing :)
4thengle 1 month ago
Joey Lucas is epic!!!!!
oceanus881 3 months ago
As a Spaniard I think all these fears of Spanish taking over in the US are unjustified. The first generation may not speak English well or even at all, but their sons and grandsons will, believe me. They will because they aspire to a better social position within society, and achieving this hangs on their English proficiency. Just like any previous inmigrant group. I do admit that today it's easier to stay in touch with your original culture than in the past, but they will eventually blend in.
HerrOttoKranz 7 months ago
If we made English the official language of the United States, does that mean we'd have to take "E Pluribus Unum" off our money?
wsmith76us 7 months ago 9
it whould make sense for the us to make this law tho since the us has always been a melting pot of cultures where they tear down other cultures to build up there own american culture.American is one of the few none offical multie culture countrys left in the world and honsitly i wont be shocke done day if a bill makeign the english lang offical is dabaite din the congress or senate one day
3L24 8 months ago
It's all about the federal government. Our founding fathers did not want a big federal government. They want state governments to decide most of the stuff.
This is where Republicans shoot themselves in the feet. If they want to make English the official language of the US, they will have to get the federal government involved. Good luck convincing all 50 states to play along.
Sigh, our country is going down real quick!
Stupid GOP! When they attack concersative Dem's, sigh, losers.....
ttiiyy 9 months ago
@ttiiyy I have to disagree with your first paragraph. "The founding fathers" were a large group of men with diverse viewpoints, many of whom hated each other. You can't really attribute any view to the entire group other than "government should exist" and possibly "King George can suck my dick".
timmyhkvt 2 weeks ago
Meh. I'm okay with English as the U.S.'s legally-official language, or not. Whatever. State/Federal governments can afford to translate important information into common languages.
What pisses me off is when people pretend to become real members of a country, but refuse to learn to communicate with the majority of its people. Anyone who's not an ass will forgive an immigrant for a weak hold on their new language... but for not trying to learn it at all? No.
ChortortleC 9 months ago
@ChortortleC Have you tried learning a language lately? the older you get, the harder it is. Hell, i'm only my 20's, and have tried to learn German, Spanish, and Italian at different points, and this coming from a young man who otherwhise always does very well in school. I work in San Diego, only a few hours from the Mexican border, and I've never met me an individual who has "refused" to learn the English language. the second and third generations pick up the new language. Problem fixes itself.
c0nd0rd4myt 8 months ago
Speaking as an American who's predominately Latino, making English the official language of the US makes more sense then anything else. Diversity is fine, but true communication and unification means all understand each other by 1 language, its the common sense approach to social sciences.
I go to France, im going to learn french. Spain- Spanish, Germany-german. China- mandarain. US? I would hope its English. Learning another language is fine, 2 or 3 is best. But come on, common sense?
stringerboi 10 months ago 2
I don't agree with making any language official for this country.. but shit.. some of our "native" English speakers can't even speak the language correctly. You tube commentators are solid proof of that.
doubleg137 11 months ago 3
At the inception of this country, there were four "official" languages. English, German, Dutch and, for diplomacy, French.
mdtalley 11 months ago 2
For a deaf woman, Joey sure has a lot to say. I really like how she was cast. I'm not gonna get into the debate but the raspberry just makes the entire scene hilarious.
RoseHunter25 11 months ago
I wonder how someone would sign language the French name.
hollywoodwerewolf 1 year ago
Republicans appreciate & recognize the diversity of America, but unlike the Democrats, Republicans understand a nation without a common language & culture creates tensions among its citizens. Those proficient in English enjoy a relatively high standard of living & those proficient only in their own native language are destined to a life of low-skilled, low-wage jobs & a permanently low standard of living.
BlackRepublican2010 1 year ago
@BlackRepublican2010 lol the only reason you want English as an official language is because you are trying to alienate hispanics. America has had centuries of immigration from all over the world. What happened to the millions of German, Italian and Polish immigrants who came speaking another language? Well they learnt English and they were facilitated during the process. And all the while English wasn't the official language. You just want to deny new citizens access to basic services.
phantomsuccour 11 months ago
What is the official language of these Countries ?
Finland,Austria,Portugal,Holland,Poland.Denmark etc.It's a NOBRAINER !!!!!!
The US,should ONCE AND FOR ALL,approve a law that says that ENGLISH
is the official language of this Country ! People coming from other countries
(Legally) as immigrants will have to learn it,but are free to speak their native
language @ any time.JUST DON'T FORCE THE GOVERNMENT TO
TRANSLATE(@ taxpayers cost) just about everything,in another language !!!!
sixinafour 1 year ago
A prime example of typical lib subversion. Socialist medicine, federalization of the private sector, entitlement, entitlement, entitlement. They are against anything that furthers the concept of the strength of America. The current man in office, Barry Soetoro, is perfect testament to the anti-American agenda of the left.
USAon3 1 year ago
Tio estas tre interesa diskuto. Sed mi ne komprenas, kial ili volus angla lingvo faros ofiziala lingvon en usono? Angle estas ofiziala lingvo de usono, ĉu ne? | lernu dot net
eobo49821 1 year ago
How is making english the official language of a country that uses english "bigoted?" It just makes sense to make such a law.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 it excludes everyone else in the population. the U.S. has the second largest spanish speaking population in the world. you don't need to make it a law, you don't need to protect english, so you're just excluding people otherwise
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 It is excluding nobody. Making it a law just makes sense. As it is now any yahoo can sue for the "right" to have a voting ballot in their own language. Every translation makes it less accurate. Better to say "learn english, it is the language of the USA" than to leave us open to such nonsense. If people want to come here learning the language is just common sense.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 it doesn't make sense, it's actually unconstituional, that means legally, you can't do it. how about learn SOMETHING you ignorant person, it's not the lanauge of the US. there is no nonense. this is not a real issue, it's a political and symbolic issue. this has no relevance to anything. english is still taught in schools. you can't force someone to learn a language. your whole inability to understand why it's offensive just shows how you're all so bigoted
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 First, please cite what part of the Constitution such a law would go against. Second, learn some manners and stop calling names. Third, learn proper english yourself. I count about 6 usage errors in your post.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@SRD1126
As there is no official language in the Constitution, it is therefore often seen by constitutional scholars as illegal to add one. Laws generally have to be stemming from there. Also, they're typos, not usage errors. With that, the idea that the entire country should only speak one language IS bigoted. Sorry if you're offended
tally388 1 year ago
@Srd1126 it makes no sense to have a federal language when the states are so different in demographics. Hawaii and New Mexico have their respective languages on every piece of legislation. Ditto with states with great native american populationsAreas that have great native american populations have those. Alaska have several Inuit languages they use for signage etc. Both louisiana and maine have official status of english and french.
State by state is practical, and allows for multiculturalism.
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 Multiculturalism is not a good thing when it divides, as is the case in multiple languages. That there is nothing in the Constitution making a language is no reason to assume to add one is unconstitutional. To have English as the official language simply makes sense. We are not Europe, states are not supposed to have different languages. The idea you have one language for a country is practical, not bigoted.
And, BTW, you have usage errors and typos.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 btw, you're an idiot. it only divides because people like you are intolerant towards other cultures. technically, you should all be learning native american languages, as they are the original residents. it's not practical, it would in fact cause chaos. you also don't understand how constitutional law works.
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 What is more divisive than having other cultures speaking their own languages? A major reason the Indians were defeated is they wer divided into hundreds of tribes. I understand perfectly how Constitutional Law works. You are the one who cannot explain what part of the Constitution says you cannot have an official language nor what precedent might uphold that.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 for fuck's sake. being bilingual, or being able to speak spanish better than english isn't devisive. i don't know what kind of small town you live in where everyone speaks perfect english and difference is seen as a problem, but in the real world, not everyone has to fit into a box. and if you understood constitutional law, you would know they are generally not allowed to add something into the constitution without precedence. i'm done with this. be happy and ignorant by yourself.
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 Attention advertisers--you too can capture this demographic when you advertise here! (ie: the uneducated, full of hate liberal demo--they surely have some government checks to spend)
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 that's strange, because i'm highly educated, from a well off family, and am extremely tolerant to others. you are the one who is extremely bigoted, believing in the insane notion that if english is not made the national language it would what, dissppear?
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 dissapear, no. But it should be the only language government has to use. If you are highly educated you probably realize the need for one language as when you have multiple languages people get "balkanized." If you want to speak another language, stay where you are and don't come to the USA. This "multiculturalism" PC nonsense is ruining the USA.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 no, it's not. people like YOU are ruining your country. australia has no official language; we do not seem to have these problems you're so certain the USA has. What exactly is happening over there? are you finding yourself alienated because some people like to speak chinese? the US is based on immigration, that means you ALL speak a different language from the native tongue. the idea that diversity is ruining your country, is ridiculous. prejudice and bigotry is.
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 Austrailia does not have immigration like the USA does. And YES, I feel alienated when people speak chinese out in public. Once a college professor, a Turk immigrant BTW, flat out told two chinese girls to quit speaking to each other in Chinese right in front of everyone. The USA is based on IMMIGRANTS LEARNING THE COMMON LANGUAGE! Diversity = Divisiveness. Plain and simple.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@Srd1126 um, all of australia, apart from aborigines are immigrants. and it's sick you feel alienated by others speaking another language. you think if you went to france people would be offended if you spoke english? or italy? maybe you should all learn some native american; considering THOSE are the only 'natural' inhabitants of the US. you need to get over yourself. you make me sick
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 People in France get VERY offended at people speaking english. In French Canada they have "language police" to make sure French is the most prominent on any sign or menu. Not sure what you mean by "native americal" as that includes anyone who was born here. Mayne you are talking about American Indians? BTW: The USA all speaking english made a nation strong enough so you don't need to speak Japanese.
Srd1126 1 year ago
@tally388 a large portion of the spanish-speakers you allude to are here illegally. They're not even IN the population, let alone have the right to spread their language among it.
By the way, you hypocrite, how many of you Skips speak Aborigine as a second language? Thought not.
USAon3 1 year ago
@USAon3 one, there is no aborgine language, there are hundreds. try learning hundreds of languages, and then tell me what to do. second, the reason we don't learn it is because 200 yrs ago, english people decided to treat them like savages. it is impossible to learn 'aborgine'. and the numbers i quoted were all citizens or on working visas, not illegal aliens. your ignorance and prejudice is appalling
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 "the reason we don't learn it is because 200 yrs ago, english people decided to treat them like savages. it is impossible to learn 'aborgine'"
I knew it, nothing but excuses. You blame your hypocrisy on 200 years ago? Maybe it was just that they were your captors, as you weren't citizens at all - you were PRISONERS.
No wonder you're against countries strengthening themselves - it would lessen the chance of people like YOU getting in.
YOU'RE the immigrant in this case, ya Skip twat.
USAon3 1 year ago
@USAon3 yes, i am from immigrants. an italian one, so i wasn't a prisioner, and im third gen, so im australian. it's not an excuse, it's the reality that you can't learn aborgine, it's not a language. ok, then unless you're native american YOU'RE and immigrant, and should be learning cherokee etc. are you learning that? you fucking twat you're an immigrant. you're a massive ethnocentric, xenophobic freak.
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 "native Americans"? Ohh, you must mean the Indians - the ones who IMMIGRATED TO NORTH AMERICA. And why would I need to learn Cherokee? They all speak ENGLISH.
Sorry, roo-fucker. Swing and a miss. Maybe you should take your dick off the barbie and research a little before trying to act intelligent.
USAon3 1 year ago
@USAon3 what??? the native americans were there centuries before your people. and their native language isn't english, they've been forced to speak it. don't you know why you people celebrated thanksgiving? my point was that they are the original inhabitants, and they're not from india you IDIOT. they were called indians b/c when Christopher Columbus landed he thought he was in the west indies. they're the INIDGENOUS peoples of the US- do you even know what that means? god you're a fuck wit
tally388 1 year ago
@tally388 they're no more "indigenous" than you are, and they were preceded by Kennewick Man, who was WHITE.
The Indians IMMIGRATED to North America over the land bridge.
I never said they came from India - that's just what they're called. So now you're resorting to putting words in my mouth to try to spin your point. Christ, you're a sad little piss flap, aren't you. You'd make a perfect libtard in the US.
Oh well. Enjoy your little island full of throwaways in the world's sphincter.
USAon3 1 year ago
@USAon3 they're about thousands of years more indingenous than YOU are, so how about showing them some respect? and i said that because you said you mean indians, as in emigrated, which made no sense. i am happy i don't live in the USA if i'd have to deal with people like you. why did you even watch this clip, which is OBVIOUSLY not in favour of english as the natiional language, and gave a perfectly good answer. I'm done with you, fuck off, and leave your bigotry with your little racist friends
tally388 1 year ago
those who claim a historical continuity and cultural affinity with societies predating contact with Western culture. North America was where the Native Americans made their home and built their culture for thousands of years before Europeans arrived, so yes, they are indigenous.
WatashiNoShitsuren 1 year ago
@Xicano82
Yes, but what is the proficiency level of their English? When almost half of Hispanic Children cannot graduate High School because of a lack of English proficiency, what we need is more English education, not less. So if they cannot become proficient in even one language, what makes you think they will become proficient in two? English has the foundation of their education. Once they destroy English, then they can study anything else they want to. But until then, English first.
DifangDuana 1 year ago
«she did it again» «yep»
whynotbig 2 years ago
i live in a country that as two official language the us could do the same as to make spanish there second luangage
whynotbig 2 years ago
They COULD. But why SHOULD they.
gagothesith 2 years ago
there are spanish enough just as there french enough in canada
whynotbig 2 years ago
Ah, so by your theory, what percentage of a country's total population speaking a foreign language SHOULD make that foreign language a "second luangage"?
Heaven forbid that there are "enough" English speakers in France, Germany, The Netherlands, the Scandinavian countries, . . .
gagothesith 2 years ago
no comment
whynotbig 2 years ago
"No comment" as code for
> "Oops, I've just found myself in a self-dug hole.
> I have decided to shut up rather than dig myself deeper."
Wise choice--wiser than the argument you peddled (see above).
gagothesith 2 years ago
ok i was to go for no comment but maybe you should see a joke before going on
whynotbig 2 years ago
Next time, learn to construct coherent sentences before attempting to be cute.
Try again.
gagothesith 2 years ago
Making English the official language is the province of small-minded cowards. The US has received many waves of immigrants speaking countless other languages, yet English has not only remained the primary means of communication but has also been immensely enriched by those linguistic influences. The language spoken in the US today is stronger and more adaptable because of those influences. Think about it the next time you visit the Notre Dame campus or drive through Coeur d'Alene and Sacramento.
Dan210871 2 years ago 10
English ought to be the official language, for the purpose of printing government drivers liscenses, requiring schools to teach it and citizens to learn it, and print government documengts. 88% of Americans support English as the official language.
bmf1706 2 years ago
aww its hilarious when she sticks her tongue out the last time, just the smark on his face then
1995kennedy 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
Ubiquitous69 2 years ago
If you're British, this statement is so incredibly and unintentionally hilarious.
innocenceabroad 2 years ago 5
Marlee Matlin is a GENIUS!
CatAmongPidgeons 2 years ago
Ohh Marlee Matlin, I adore you.
iwrotethissong 3 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Half the countries in AFRICA...AFRICA..for crying out loud have English as their national language but wee don't' have the guts to make it legal here???
RJY4356 3 years ago
It's one of many national languages in those countries. You start loaning Navajo, I'll draft the bill myself.
innocenceabroad 2 years ago
Oh yeah...we should really look to oppressive third-world countries for moral guidance...english is the de facto language here, there is absolutely nothing to be gained by making it official unless you want to subtly imply that america is not actually built on a foundation of a hundred mixing cultures--which it is.
grumpytosnowwhite 2 years ago 2
The thing is, if the hundred cultures don't have a common language, then they're not mixing.
keithsmd1948 2 years ago
Not necessarily, but that's not the point: in practise, english IS pretty much the official language. But we shouldn't enforce that, because people should be free to use any language they like, and not just at home.
grumpytosnowwhite 2 years ago 2
Blessings on the immigrants who, in addition to learning English, pass their native languages on to their children.
The official-language argument, or mine at any rate, is not that speaking Spanish should be forbidden, but rather that the government shouldnt facilitate non-English speakers never learning English. It shouldnt provide multi-lingual schools, for example.
How many different school systems would be enough, by the way? Americans speak dozens of languages.
keithsmd1948 2 years ago
Please excuse my running long.
In another clip on youtube Josh L. quotes the first Pres. Roosevelt: Americans, not dwellers in a polyglot boarding house. That nails it, doesnt it?
Lyman doesnt quote TR approvingly, but thats whats nice about West Wing. The right answer is usually in there somewhere, even if not where they think it is.
This is not to say that a bank shouldnt have Spanish and Chinese instructions on its ATMs. Entirely up to them.
keithsmd1948 2 years ago
I'm just saying that in *principle*, making english the official language feels uncomfortably rights-restricting. Of course it isn't restrictive in practice--not being able to speak english is a huge restriction and I would dissuade anyone from trying to get by in this country without knowing english--but remember, this is a country of immigrants from everywhere, not just england, and even if an official language is only restrictive in theory, I just don't like the little tinge of hypocrasy.
grumpytosnowwhite 2 years ago
Language selection is certainly a natural process and not something thats settled by law. Thats why it was funny when the power-mad Central American dictator in Bananas decreed that the national language would be Swedish. Come to think of it, Im against presuming to make any language the official one by law. It would make the government look clueless, like passing a law that the weather had to be good.
So the government cant decide the question, but it can nudge the process toward or
keithsmd1948 2 years ago
away from a common language. It should do what it can to bring people into the larger community, not keep them cooped up in language ghettos. Interaction with the government (property tax bills, passport applications, civil service exams) should be in English. Most importantly, classes in public schools should be in English.
What worries me is that well go too far in the other direction and require some already-broke school district to find someone to teach chemistry in Vietnamese.
keithsmd1948 2 years ago
That really isn't the real argument. People have a right to walk through any public place and speak whatever language that they please.
The debate is that everyone who becomes a citizen should be(and basically was in the past)required to learn English to be able to function in daily life and society.
Road signs, voting, schools and businesses are all places where knowing the unofficial language of America is imperative.
Other immigrants throughout history all learned English when they came.
abfirefighterchick 2 years ago
Yes....but it should still stay unofficial. Making it official is a) pretty insulting, b) kind of arrogant and c) totally pointless
grumpytosnowwhite 2 years ago
Although I respect your opinion I do not agree. I don't feel I should have to pay taxes to have road signs(in some states)or government manuals in a separate languages, among other things.
If on their own individuals would out of respect learn at least enough English to communicate in these circumstances then it wouldn't be necessary. It's not about 'protecting' the English language.
I don't see it as insulting, if I would move to France I would be expected to learn French.
abfirefighterchick 2 years ago 2
Of course you would be expected to learn english if you came here -- not knowing english in America is a HUGE handicap and I would not go out of my way to cater to people who think they can function here without english. But a government mandate is just...not right. Its completely the principle of the thing, not the practise. It's just my opinion, and I think your opinion is actually more logical than mine -- I just don't think that everything that is logical is right.
grumpytosnowwhite 2 years ago
Hey, that is what is great about this country! We can have rational, respective discussions!
I appreciate that you were willing to debate the topic instead of yelling and using insults.
abfirefighterchick 2 years ago 2
@abfirefighterchick "I don't feel I should have to pay taxes to have road signs(in some states)or government manuals in a separate languages, among other things." - this is not necessarily practical. For instance, in border states in particular road signs in Spanish work for the greater good - perfectly legal short-term tourists from Mexico can completely understand road signs. That instance at least is a safety matter.
thatdrattedcat 2 years ago
That is a different circumstance as well. On border towns and cities, you are right that would make sense just as there are some French Canadian signs and such near the American/Canadian border.
For example I think it is wonderful for ATMs to have different languages for tourists to have an easier time. When they come here for vacations they find ways of communicating in order to experience the sites and beauty here.
abfirefighterchick 2 years ago
@abfirefighterchick Also, to continue: "government manuals in a separate languages" also are a matter of necessity. People who, for instance, live in colonias and speak nothing but Spanish shouldn't have public health and hygiene knowledge withheld from them only because they can't speak English. It goes towards the common good to ensure that diseases don't break out, besides actually being morally right
thatdrattedcat 2 years ago
I appreciate your line of thinking but then there would have to be an infinite number of manuals in hundreds of languages since there are just as many cultures represented by those who immigrate here.
There are interperators that can be used in certain circumstances, like they have available in law enforcement, public health(hospitals, etc.).
There certain time allowances to learn for when a person first arrives here, just as I would have if I went to another country to live.
abfirefighterchick 2 years ago
it's not all ludicrous.
blondeonblonde1966 3 years ago
English isn't going anywhere. My parents and almost all my family came from Mexico. Though the first generation took some time to speak English, the second generation picked up English quite well. More than 98% of second generation Mexican/Americans will speak English as their first language. In fact, many of my cousins in Mexico are fluent in English because of American TV, music and movies.
Xicano82 3 years ago 16
then, if it's happenning de facto anyway, why not make it official? i realize that many minority groups consider making english as the national language as a threat, but it's not at all meant to be. what the policy makers are striving for is for national unity, and we are in no way discouraging the use, learning, or practice of other languages. america was founded on the principle of being welcoming to all cultures, but we have to remember that we must also act as a united front.
spotty007 3 years ago
By confirming a national language, it's like calling every other language a US citizen may use, and by extension every other culture a US citizen may come from as something lesser. It may not explicitly say this, but the implication is there, and it'll be hugely unpopular. If you want to unify a country, you don't pass a bill that alienates a large portion of it.
Speaking as a british citizen, that is.
Alloflifedecays 3 years ago 22
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i can see where you're coming from but the fact remains that by making it the national language, one is not implying that all other languages are inferior, just that this happens to be the language that the majority of americans speak and it serves to unify it in that sense. this should not make anyone feel alienated, as it is not lifting english to a cut above the others. speaking as an immigrant that speaks 3 languages, it makes for a safer country also to have a national language.
spotty007 3 years ago
@Alloflifedecays Applying your logic, the UK is a stupid racist country.
ttiiyy 9 months ago
Comment removed
DifangDuana 1 year ago
@Xicano82 English is also the lingua franca of Europe. Someone once said, 'If a Greek and a Norwegian want to talk, what language do they use? English. After all, what Greek speaks Norwegian?'
stratman06 1 year ago
Fantastic Writing Fantastic Actors... sigh don think i'd date any of these characters buuut Joey Lucas seems pretty dern cool ;)
williamgascoyne 3 years ago
I LOVED this show. President Bartlett, the ONLY reasonable Democrat.
sfcagirl 3 years ago 4
Too bad "the ONLY reasonable Democrat" is fictional.
gagothesith 2 years ago
Roffle
ShaneEnochs 1 year ago