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by justme32 loves the weekends on February 16th, 2007
I personally think that they should.
by FLYxNIGHT on February 16th, 2007
By the letter of the law, no, since the US does not have an official language. However, yes, I do think a certain degree of English fluency should be required.
by keithold is a prodigal bagger on February 16th, 2007
G'day Drublic,
Thank you for your question.
They should certainly be encouraged to learn English so that they can function as well as they can as citizens. However, I think that the most important thing in citizenship is their character.
There have been many good citizens with poor English skills and many people with good English skills who have been poor citizens.
Regards
by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on March 5th, 2007
I think that any immigrant to any country should learn the predominant language of the country they wish to obtain citizenship in.
by Firebrand on February 26th, 2007
Yes I personally believe anyone going for citizenship should be required to speak English
by sir_scutter on February 16th, 2007
I don't think the government has to force them to learn English, but society itself should make him decide to learn a more commonly used language (English)
by Nom de guerre on February 16th, 2007
Only if English is officially declared to be the national language.
Edited to Add: There really wouldn't be a need for such a requirement, since people obtaining citizenship will learn the language by immersion, and possibly by classes they take on their own, without having to be forced to do so.
by unknown on February 26th, 2007
Since my family didn't have too I wouldn't ask someone else to. I do think learning English would help them to make a better living but that is up to them.
by Katie on November 13th, 2007
If you want to live in USA then yes. If I move to another country that is non-English speaking, I would learn that language. I expect all my employees to speak English. When they show up and can't communicate, I don't hire them.
by Midnighttoker on February 19th, 2007
yes. it didn't bother my great-grand parents. i'd be talking french or italian.
by Anonymous on February 16th, 2007
No i don't think so. Though it is a country that speaks english, people shouldn't be forced to learn it...I think if people in the world are so into world peace and unity, then thats not really a way to unite the world...Because then other countries aren't excepting other languages. And language is a form of culture...
by Sodahead on November 13th, 2007
Absolutely, I would not move to Germany and expect not to learn German. Therefore if you move to America learn to speak english. It's only being considerate to the locals.
by 60s Rock on November 13th, 2007
Yes. They want our freedom, our security, our opportunity and our free education system for their children. Many come here simply to apply for goverment givaways, SSI, ADC Section 8 housing, Welfare/foodstamps and such. They receive free treatment at our hospitals. The least they could do is to learn to read and speak our language. I for one am sick to death of a bunch of wimps that can't control this situation. Instead of controlling it, they provide foreign language speaking people to take their applications at our expense. Don't get me started.
by Chaysgirl24 on December 4th, 2007
Yep if they're in OUR country they should speak OUR language!
by PT girl 08 on November 13th, 2007
Most definately! The primary language of this country is English, learn it or leave.
by BenThere HR on November 13th, 2007
Yes, deffinatly.
by DJ_Kremlin on November 13th, 2007
Physically forced, no. But every government service, such as getting a drivers licence or the citizenship exam, should be in English. This would require them to learn the language to prosper in the USA.
by 112719 on November 13th, 2007
Yes. Plain and simple. Go ahead and speak another language amongst your family but learn english, you're going to have to work with other people sometime.
by Heaven on November 13th, 2007
Yes, absolutely, they should also have to start from the bottom and attempt to work their way to the top like us American's have to do.
I'll never understand...
by Aelfward on March 4th, 2007
Yes. I believe so. The reason I believe this is that English is the main US language, and our laws, regulations, rights, and national customs are usually stated in English, and these are things immigrants need to learn in order to function as a non-criminal, contributing member of society. An immigrant who REFUSES to learn the language of the country he/she wishes to move to is probably an immigrant who should be viewed with suspicion. Why would you want to move to a country and NOT learn its dominant language?
I don't mean that one should have to speak English fluently, but they should at least be willing to learn enough to communicate adequately in the workplace and other situations.
by singwell-is off researching a lot on March 4th, 2007
any person wishing to emigrate and enter another country would be foolish if they did not try to acquire the language of that country, either before or after. If the person has no opportunity to learn English before they come (eg no english classes in the country of origin), they should be urged to do so strongly when they are accepted. And this also applies to their wives..who are often left out of the equation altogether.
by Scooter on November 13th, 2007
It's still Americas as far as I know, so I would have to say yes. If that changes, let me know!
by jtolb65 on April 1st, 2007
I personally feel that, yes, people should learn English to become US citizens.
If for no other reason than simple safety. If someone is having a heart attack in the Target parking lot, and as I start CPR, I turn to the first person there and say "Go call 911!" I really want them to understand, not stare blankly back at me.
by Oor Galooly - on September 7th, 2008
When all the blockhead Americans living in other countries start to learn the native languages, then I will say yes. Until then, I will have to say no.
Rude Americans swan about just about every country on earth speaking in English and annoying folk. Until this changes Americans have nothing to complain about.
by BigDaddyBS on February 3rd, 2008
Yep... Move to Russia and you must learn Russian to get along ... Move to Germany you must learn German ... Move to France, it's French... Move to Spain it's Spanish.
I recall a while back they were talking about Esperanto becoming the "official world language", but that has apparently gone by the wayside.
In the US, it's English. Learn it.
by Holly3 on January 28th, 2008
Since American children are having to learn "Spanish" in our school's, it's only right for the immigrants to learn English, since they will be living in the USA. Enough is enough.
My thoughts.
by DRLAURAHATER on January 28th, 2008
YES! All immigrants that want to become us citizens should learn English. We would have to learn Mexican if we want to be citizens of Mexico, so they should have to learn English to be citizens of the United States.
by FaerieWhings on January 28th, 2008
Yes. And it should be the official language of this country.
by Stronghart on March 5th, 2007
Not only should immigrants learn english, but they should also learn the equivilent of two years American history. They must also learn the basic philosophy of democracy and understand why it is better than other forms of government.
by Teasdale on April 14th, 2008
Yes, yes, and yes......Did I say "yes"???
by Sweet T on March 10th, 2008
I think it would benefit them to learn some of the language, so they dont get scammed. But, not required.
by swhitt on February 26th, 2008
I believe anyone who comes from another county that does not know English should learn it if they want to come to America. If i go to Mexico or Spain or France, then i should know the language because that is the language spoken in those places. Here in America, the language is English, so yes, you should know the language.
by Ec-nal Licensed Bootie Inspector on January 28th, 2008
Yes, without question.
by Johnny Rebel on January 28th, 2008
I believe if they want to work/live here they should learn English
by Susanneterra on November 13th, 2007
I m not native English speaker - and in my country I expect that foregin people will somehow study our language. And reason - more to understand culture where they are, be able to do basic things (like send box to another country, speak with other people or with offices). It´s better to understand then don´t. You can´t be so demanding on new state, which will care about you. The state should offer you way how to survive (help in start, help in learning language...)
by P. W. Pasobrio loves Marines on October 28th, 2007
I most certainly do. This is for several reasons.
1. People who do not learn the main language are more likely to live in poverty and to be taken advantage of. You cannot advance at any job if you can't speak with everyone around you. Employers have been know to use it to their advantage since if you don't know the language they can tell you just about any thing and get away with it.
2. It's a safty issue. If there's an emergency everyone needs to be able to communicate on at least a basic level. Also if you don't know the language most warning signs would be meaningless to you.
3. People who do not learn the main language of their country of residency are at a sever disatvanage for education. Most don't finish school.
4. Peopel who learn the language of their country of residence are less likely to turn to crime in order to survive.
5. Language is not just nessary for servial it is also the unifing factor for people of a nation. In fact it's the main unifing fctor. What sex is for a realtionship language is for a socity. To not learn it makes you an outsider to that. That's what breeds the hatered and distrust between diffrent segments of socity.
This is how I see it by telling someone they must learn English we are giving them a valuable tool to protect them and to help them to grow as a part of this nation. It's also not telling them they must leave their old language or customs behind. If they want to speak it at home or in their neighborhood I have no problem with that. Nor do I have a problem with them holding onto their customs. In fact I see it as a good thing to remember your roots. I just want them to be able to function here as well as they could in their old country.
by msummers10 on March 19th, 2007
Those who come into the country legally, get a job, pay taxes, stay completely crime-free, and contribute to the betterment of society should be required to show proof of an ongoing wholehearted attempt to learn English. They need to have the very basics learned first. I see no reason why they couldn't obtain citizenship if they are doing that. After 7 years, they should be able to communicate fairly well with people who only speak English.
They need to show that they are trying to relieve the burden on English-speaking people. Companies, governments, and many other places and groups spend way too much money putting everything into other languages. That money could be better spent teaching the immigrants' children English and other subjects in FREE public school systems.
A few multi-language directional signs are alright. It's practically impossible to learn a language well in a country that doesn't speak it. They are by no means going to be great at speaking English. Help them help themselves. It's when a store has to have 3 different boxes/bags/containers for each and every product with 3 different languages available that it gets ridiculous.
My 2 Cents
--Matt
by Capt. Jack Sparrow GALCIY on March 17th, 2007
OH this is a big deal to me! HELL YES! I'm SO SICK of bleeding-hearts whining about how unfairly illegals are treated! No-one seems to remember history and how badly every other immigrant had it coming here. Irish,German,Russian,etc. ALL had to learn the language, show loyalty to their new benefactors, and took a LOT more abuse without the coddling these people who acknowledge their country of origin can't support them, but disrepect the U.S. every way they can. I think there should be a discrimination lawsuit against every company that has "For Spanish press 2" but NO other languages. They should also be boycotted, but that would shut down the nation instantly,instead of this slow painful way "we're' doing it NOW!
by Babycakes on March 6th, 2007
It should be mandatory
by dabzy1 on March 5th, 2007
yes In order to be prosperous you must learn the lenguage of the land, Im Mexican and had to learn English, and I think this is the lenguage of the country therefore it should be used primarely, If you wish to speak another lenguage at home thats your choice
by Mirage V2.0 AWOL on March 5th, 2007
Si!
Oui!
Yah!
Da!
otherwise, yes!
by SonicSand on February 26th, 2007
No, they should not be required to do so, as we are a freedom of choice country. But I think it should be strongly encouraged, as it will make adaptation easier to our society for new citizens.
by Skip_2_My_Lou on February 26th, 2007
Well how would you like it if you went to a foriegn country applying for their Citizenship and say you had to learn Chinese?
So I say no, it's not required of them. That's what translators are for.
EDIT: If you're going to downrate, don't be a coward and leave a comment!!!!
by Vesper on February 26th, 2007
Definately.
by MegumiS on January 24th, 2011
Yes, I think so. I am Japanese, but I learned English well. Any nation needs an official language that all residents must speak, or there is chaos.
by hickorynut on December 4th, 2008
yes, our taxes are high enough, we made english our offical language at the birth of our nation. i do not want the goverment spending our taxes to hire translators, because non english speaking people decide they want to come here and work, but don't want to learn english, they need to take some of that money they are sending to mexico, and hire their own translator, i do not give the federal nor state goverment permission to spend my tax money on translators. there's too many other things that fixing.
by Anonymous on November 29th, 2008
defitnitely. Since they are trying to get citizenship in america, then they should learn english. they are going to need it for employment,etc. How are they gonna call an emergency # and not know how to speak a word of english.
by English Gal is back. on November 26th, 2008
yes they should my partners family are asain some are from india some from africa ,some of them have been here for nearly forty years and their english is terrible ,if youre willing to accept help from an english speaking country at least have the manners to learn the language .
by fixedopsmike on November 14th, 2008
YES and they should have to be able to speak english in order to get a drivers lic.
by Scrappy on September 7th, 2008
yes, yes resounding yes. I am so sick of catering to these people who REFUSE to speak our language in OUR country. but if I went to their country they sure as Hell wouldn't give me an interpretor or make signs/literature in my language on their tax payer dollars.. they would tell me learn the language or get the Hell out so again.. a resounding yes.
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Comments
I agree with you!
by Runaholism on May 6th, 2007
Totally, +3!
by Maximum Displacement on July 17th, 2007