I find it very wrong for people to say "this is America, you have to speak english", how do you feel about this and do you agree?

It would be a wonderful thing if we were all polyglots but that is not the case and I do believe that if you immigrate to a country it should be a requirement to learn the language of that country.
The languge of the United States is English , so immigrants should learn to speak English. This applies to any country in the world.

I belive that if you are speaking to me or 90% of the American public you better speak English. I am not going to learn spanish for you and if you want something from me you better ask me in English or bring a translator because I'm not going to stand there and watch you wave your hands around or waste my time trying to understand you.

But if you want to speak spanish or whatever to your children and in your home thats none of my business. But you better teach them English too.

Edited

"Although the United States currently has no official language, English has long been the de facto national language."
- Wiki

I believe English is the most spoken language in the USA, and therefore I still think that people in the USA should learn English, and speak it.

That does not mean that other languages can not be taught, or spoken, however residents to the USA should be able to speak the most common language.

Thanks for that info David.


Comments:

# onkponk: It is certainly true that English is not the "native" language of the United States of America; as well, there is not an "official" languge here, either; however, more than 80% of the people living here speak English.

Exactly, which is why I think people in the USA should be able to speak English.

Anyone that MOVES to a different country needs to live by their rules and speak their language!
So if a Spanish person moves to CA then they must learn American-English.
I as an English person have moved to Norway and I must learn Norwegian. I have lived here for just under 3 years and am pretty good at it now.
Everyone here speaks English, but I must still speak Norwegian.

I think that it would be very thoughtful and considerate to explain to a newly arrived immigrant that in order to be sucessfull in America, they will have to develope a working knowledge of English.

I think in America, people should at least try to learn English, IF they are living here. Vacations, no, there is no reason, just maybe the most important phrases "yes I would like fries with that" "where is the capital" things of that nature. Living here however, I think bilingual would be just fine. I do NOT like it however, when a person gets angry with me in USA, because I DO speak English and not Spanish, or another language......

Yes I believe wherever you choose to live you should learn the language of that country.

Whilst I'm not living in America, I do think that if you move to a country you should expect to learn the language of that country - no matter what age you are. Of course it will be difficult but there are language classes that are inexpensive and even free in some cases that children and adults can go to. The laws of the land are written in the dominant language of the country and ignorance of those laws even if being unable to read the language in which they're written is no longer an acceptable defense. I think that if you're not prepared to learn and attempt to speak the language and cannot provide adequate proof of your attempts to learn, then you also have no right to expect rights such as financial aid from the government of the country you're in. Perhaps that's really harsh of me, but that's how I see it.

I believe everyone should be able to speak English; however I respect all cultures and encourage passing family traditions along. I just think that everyone in the country can share something and be able to communicate with each other.

if you go and live in a country who's language is english, then yes you should learn and speak there language. noboby is stopping you from giving up your native tongue, but it is rude if you think you can go to another country for a better life (example) and just resume as if you where in your native country. Plus get the benefits of the new country! I don't feel it is wrong that people ask for people to speak in the native tongue of the country they are living in! Tourists are a totally different story!

Perhaps I am biased, perhaps I am a bigot.

Perhaps I am an employer who is absolutely never going to hire someone who does not speak my language. Mostly because I'm not going to increase my overhead costs by hiring an interpreter, buying bilingual signs, and printing training materials in other languages.
I'm too old and cratchety to learn another language myself.

Sorry.

I will, however, welcome you with open arms. My forefathers were immigrants who spoke German and Gealic... They had to learn English to survive in an English speaking country.

When I move to France, I will learn French. You can too.

I don't see those as two oposing viewpoints.

I am all for immigration, and all for equal opportunity- I'm a card-carrying Liberal with a capital "L". :)

But I also believe that if you made the decision to move to a country that has a different dominant language from your own, you should learn the language.

If I were to move to Japan, I would not expect them to provide me with anything in English. If that occurs, I would consider it a pleasant surprise, a luxury, not an entitlement. It is up to me, as the immigrant, to make the effort to learn how to communicate in the language of the nation I plan on calling my home.

Language is a tool that we use to communicate thoughts and ideas to one another. If someone does not want to learn this nation's tools, they don't want to participate in this nation.

If you live here you should speak the language and even if you are visiting you should learn some key words that would be helpful. My husband had to learn Spanish to speak to his crew and it should have been the other way around.

I believe that if you are going to live in a nation, you should speak the language of that nation. I think that classes to help the newcomer to speak that nation's tongue should be easily accessible and the newcomer should not be penalized while learning.

I also think it is very wrong to demand that an immigrant, or anyone else for that matter, not speak another tongue. I have heard people griping about someone somewhere public speaking another language. That is none of anyone's business, frankly.

In parts of California, you cannot get a job if you are not bilingual in English and Spanish. I think that is wrong.

If you are going to be a legal citizen of the united states of america, you should know or learn english.

If i became a legal citizen of France. i would or expected to learn the language of France, french.

There is no difference.

I beleive that if you come to the country, you should learn to speak the lanuage, I don't know why I should. However I do beleive in equal opportunity, most certianly.

I think that learning the language of any country before moving to it is comon curtesy at least.

It makes me feel uneasy when I see small immigrant children speaking spanish. That means to me that thier parents don't speak english. When they become school age, it puts a hardship on the schools to communicate with these children to become educated in the english language. One must learn english to do business with americans. When I go to a chinese restaurant, the orientals speak thier language amongst themselves, but when they take my good ole' american dollar, they tell me in english, thank you, come back again!

Its very sad but very true indeed as well. People from other countries migrate to this country due to the economic problems and difficulties they face there. In their howmland they know their language and how do they expect to achieve in this country? They should know english but shouldn't be forced to speak it. After all this is a country full of a diversity of immigrants, and they are the ones who hold the country from falling to bits, believe it or not.

This is my thoughts........

One should learn the country's language. However I will say this, I was born here so I'm an american, I don't appreciate people who need directions or what not asking me if I speak "English" just cause I look like a different race. :|

A common language helps to unite a country. When you have people speaking different languages, you only have pockets of people.

Ugh, I do too. I mean, America was made up of immigrants from everywhere of ALL languages. Grr...

I am all for people coming here to look for a better life. If my ancestors hadn't, who knows?

I grew up in a small Midwestern town that was almost entirely white and was so incredibly narrow-minded. I used to argue against all the illegal immigrants and the jobs they "stole".

Then I went to College to be a teacher. I had a class called "Multiculturalism in Education" and was forced to deal with issues like this every time I was in class. It was very insightful.

My view now is this: I would never presume to tell people not to immigrate here; I would not be so egotistical and red-necked as to say they can't come and hopefully have what I have.

I do, however, believe that if someone is going to move to the United States of America they should definitely learn English as it is spoken by 82% of the population (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_in_the_United_States). As a teacher I appreciate the ESL (English as a Second Language) students that are doing their best to learn to understand what I am teaching.

Please son't get me wrong, as I said before I am all for people coming here to look for a better life. I just think it makes logical sense that if the majority speaks one language, that should be learned.

I think it's dumb because the only reason we are all here in the united states is because people immigrated here. It's sopposed to be a free nation so why would be force others to adapt to our customs? When the reason some people moved here is to have a better life

Plus there is nothing wrong with having a diverse culture

I agree with this man:

"In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Whether you're going to sneak in or come in legally, you need to know and abide by the laws and speak English.

I think that's a pretty simplistic view to have. Considering that America grew due to it's welcoming in people of all cultures and ethnicities thus being called "a melting pot"... it should not be unexpected to encounter people who speak a multitude of languages.

I do agree that people who live here should put forth an effort to learn English in order to communicate in the countries most commonly accepted language (not sure if it's legally the 'official' language or not).

I understand peoples frustration when they can't communicate, and it goes both ways those who can't speak English and those who don't speak foreign languages... but to say that you HAVE to speak English and no other language is a bit against what America was founded on, that being freedom. Not only English speaking people are allowed the freedoms that living in America grant.

For those that say if you don't like speaking English then leave... I'd say the wrong person is being asked to leave. It's people like that who mistake their prejudice for 'pride'.

If you wish to be a part of the culture, you have to participate. The language you speak is the common denominator of a society.

So, I think it is to everyone's advantage to be able to communicate, but I would not put anyone in jail who made the choice to be so isolated from their environment.

Enter legally, speak English or leave. Forcibly if necessary.

I'm a "I live in Australia, and most of the idiots over east can't speak English properly anyway, so I don't know what they're complaining about" person.

If I immigrate to France, I don't expect the French people to necessarily understand my English. While there have long been enclaves of ethnicity in our towns and cities, official business of the government has, and should continue to, be done in English.

I take offense to your use of the word "OR" separating equal opportunity from speak English. I do not see them as opposites.

I don't see how thinking Americans should speak English has anything to do with being for or against equal opportunity - they're not mutually exclusive.

I think most, if not all, border controls should be loosened or simply abandoned, perhaps only being retained to focus on actual criminals attempting to flee the country. That applies to people who come here from overseas as well - if they want to be here, let them come, and let them work. On the other hand, I don't think that non-citizens, or at least non-registered aliens, should be able to access government welfare programs such as social security, disability benefits, medicare / medicaid, or welfare itself. I don't think any special allowances or help should be offered. Not speaking English is a serious disadvantage in America's workforce, but if someone wants to hire you even without English, good for you, otherwise, no one should hold your hand trying to get you work or get you English lessons.

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1) There are many countries in South America where you do not have to speak english...

2) it is a sign of tolerance to accept that in some areas, people prefer to speak another language
For instance:
"Three US states are officially bilingual: Louisiana (English and French), New Mexico (English and Spanish), and Hawai'i (English and Hawaiian).
Three US territories are also bilingual: American Samoa (Samoan and English), Guam (English and Chamorro), and Puerto Rico (Spanish and English). One US territory is trilingual: Northern Marianas Islands (English, Chamorro, and Carolinian)
Furthermore, in Florida, at the municipal level, HIaleah recognizes both English and Spanish while Miami recnognizes English, French Creole, and Spanish as official government languages."

3) if you stay with your language group, it is OK. But if you want to go in other areas, it will certainly be helpful to learn english. And it would be good that the survival of these language groups could be supported with some school courses. Anyway, you should be encouraged to learn english.

4) If you live in an area of the US where many people prefer to speak another language as english, it would be a good think if you learned this language too.

5) here is an article which shows the support in the bilingual community for ending bilingual education:
http://onenation.org/0598/052998c.html

6) here is an interesting article about the Muhlenberg vote. An urban legend tells that German almost became the official language of the US.
"On January 13, 1795, Congress considered a proposal, not to give German any official status, but merely to print the federal laws in German as well as English."
Source:
http://www.watzmann.net/scg/german-by-one-vote.html

I think that people who live in the US should have to learn English so that they can communicate with others who only speak English, but I don't think they should be told they are not allowed to continue speaking their native language.

Well let's reverse the situation for just a minute, because I understand the underlying sentaments your aiming for. How would you feel if I came to your country, and refused to learn or speak your language and instead insisted that you and your government learn my language and opress it upon your society whether they liked it or not? You wouldn't like that now to much would you? America may be a melting pot for culture and it's many languages, but the english language is the foundation in which this country was founded and established. It is an insult to every American, no matter their creed, for you to refuse to conform to our way of life... and ultimately adopt our culture,... the english language is the foundation of that culture. And if you are going to be a free American, it is only right that you show the respect to our American four fathers who made that opportunity possible in the first place, and honor them by learning OUR native tounge.

I agree, everyone should learn to speak English in the USA. As a matter of courtesy, I find it polite to speak a foreign language only between people who can speak or understand the language.

I no longer live in the USA, so from the other side of the fence I can tell you that other Americans who don't bother to learn the local language are at the mercy of their translators. They sign what they're told to sign, they believe what they're told to believe, and they generally leave large amounts of money behind as they become sadder but wiser. If immigrants want to continue to be busboys, day labor, and janitors, they are welcome not to bother studying English. If they want to be taken advantage of by their couut ntrymen who DO know English, that's their privilege. No skin off my neck. But if they want to get ahead and fit in--to be able to drive a car, read the fine print, apply for a good job--it would be to their great advantage to learn English.

This is how I feel about the situation. I feel that if you live and work in another country, a major part of that is being able to communicate with other people. If you work in a place where you are speaking to people who the majority of the population speak english, you would need to speak english to those people in order for it to be effective. I don't demand that every person here speaks english, every single day, and never speaks their language. That would be idiotic IMO. I look at it this way: If I moved to Mexico, I would assume that I should learn Spanish since that is the main language there. If I moved to Africa, I would learn their dialect so I can communicate effectively. It seems unfair to be the one demanding everyone else learn english, even though I am the only one who can't communicate. Same goes for if you move here. If you work and are around english speaking people, logic tells you in order to communicate effectively you need to find common ground. English generally just happens to be the common denominator here, because English is our main language.
Also, in the case of immigrants, if they loved everything about their country and their country is so much better, than why did they move here? I understand in cases where immigrants come here in cases where there is no other choice. But if it was so much better, why come here? I wouldn't go to your house, because I thought it would be better than where I am now, demand that you make me what I want, and speak how I want, but still claim that my house was better. But that is more of a side note than on the actual topic.

I think it would be beneficial for people who intend to remain in the United States to learn English. It can only improve their ability to be able to advance themselves economically and socially.

I do not think it should be the only language they should speak. It is always easier to understand something in your native tongue. There will always be a period of time to adjust to the language of the country you are residing in if it is not your first language.

I think there are better ways to express ones frustration of not understanding a foreign language than the expression quoted in the question.

Usually the people who say that statement only know one language themselves, and if they ever travel to another country will be frustrated and complain that no one speaks English over there (expecting them to know it)... instead of heeding their own criticism and learning the other language.

I speak English. I live in America.
That is all there is to it.
I will NOT press 1 for ENGLISH!
I will not sit idly by and let Mexicans rob me of my heritage, my language and my money.
You need to speak English to live here.
I am NOT bending to you out of compassion.
Funny how whining sounds the same no matter what language you speak.

If you moved to france don't you think it would be a good idea to learn french? So why live in America and not learn english?

You should probably learn to speak the language of the country you live in. Just seems logical.

If I were to go to another country, I would endeavor to learn the language of that land. Many of my relatives came to this country and WILLINGLY wanted to learn english. They were PROUD and eager to do it. They didn't want to be catered to. I say NO it is not wrong to have to learn to speak english.

Provided they actually mean the USA and not the American continent (I hope no-one would try saying that in Peru!) I think it's fair enough - OK so you don't *have* to speak English, but if you expect to be understood on a regular basis you do.
Put it another way (and I'm not even an American) - is it not a bit wrong to expect everyone in the US to learn a ridiculous amount of languages just so they can understand anyone who wants to talk in whatever language they fancy?

Being an immigrant and having to have learned English. I have no problem with it. I think that the very least everyone who comes to this country is learn the language.

I find that statement very shallow, very narrow minded.

I feel like responding, "This is America - speak Lakota"!

The foreign-born population of this country must be an Americanized population - no other kind can fight the battles of America either in war or peace. It must talk the language of its native-born fellow-citizens, it must possess American citizenship and American ideals. It must stand firm by its oath of allegiance in word and deed and must show that in very fact it has renounced allegiance to every prince, potentate, or foreign government.
Theodore Roosevelt Advocates Americanism, 1915

I agree with it. If you don't like to speak English move. We don't need you.