Should the United States designate English as the official language and make it a requirement for citizenship?

Lol

Good answer SSG Graves.

Sure and while we are at it, let's re-name half of the country to English names.

Just so it is clear my post said nothing of English hell it isn't even my first language! I was speaking of people not knowing local, state, and national history or how our government, both state and federal, is run. And to @SSG Jason Cherry you dont have to be literate to learn these concepts they can be passed on orally.

Ok, SFC Ricardo Ruiz I responded to one person who complained that "we" were bitching and moaning and that warrants a thumbs down...trackin....

SGT Sean Wike you are entitled to your opinion just as I am entitled to mine, and I have done something about it in the past by voting to have English established as the official language in my former home state and will/would do so again...I see that you have nothing to offer the discussion other than try to label me as a bitcher or moaner so I will have nothing else to say to you on the matter. Have a nice day.

So SFC Swartz, you mean to tell me that Los Angeles was actually called The City of Angels when it was founded by the Spaniards? Or are you speaking about the original thirteen colonies whose names mostly come various Native American languages? Nah, I think that what you think is that the pilgrims actually founded the entire nation to include the Southwest. Texas was not such a case nor was Louisiana or Florida, wow I can go on and on. English was not and has not been the only language this nation has only used. Among the great Native American nations, I can assure you that there are many languages that were used way before the pilgrims ever landed here.

While we are at it, why not make the Native Hawaiians speak English or Puerto Ricans? They are after all American citizens. Did you forget about them or are you simply thinking inside the box?

PO1 Ernie Foster As you have been told 1LT Leo Sudnik said it correctly. That is he issue with the religious. The self gratification of the religious is not what is just. You have to make a deliberate effort to affect the life of others. That is what is needed.

PO1 Ernie Foster Thomas Jefferson redid a Bible. It is commonly known as the Jefferson Bible. It was mainly to focus on the morel teachings of Jesus without the miracles. He did this for himself only. It seems that he focused on the acts themselves and not the rewards for the acts.

CPT (Join to see) ¿Como se dice "No" en Español?

You mean your forefather right?

Thank you vey much for the link SFC Chris Smith. I have been at SHAPE for almost two years now and not one of the contacts that we deal with in the 28 nations, the Partnership for Peace nations, nor the 7 Non-NATO Nations correspond via phone, email or face-to-face in French, but that is interesting link. Hell, if HRC placed based off of that, I might have ended up in Korea instead of SHAPE; and so would a heck of a lot of other US billets to NATO!!!

That is true SFC Chris Smith. It goes even deeper than those two countries. the common language of English encompasses not only common correspondence via email and phone at SHAPE and the JFCs, but also at MARCOM within sea exercises and at AIRCOM with flight ops.

I do believe that Airline Pilot's have to know English worldwide as the main language for speaking to ground control. I could be wrong though. Its just another place where English is , I don't know if its the right word,, accepted as the standard. Why is it such a stretch to require English as "standard" in the U.S. without getting the politically correct dingbats all in a tizzy? I am American, Born speaking English in a predominately English land. My wife is Czech and spoke NO English when she came here and Learned! Whats the problem in putting in some effort to meld in with whats common and not cry when you cant have your stuff like you had it at home? If its really that bad and so dehumanizing for you to put forth the effort, by all means ask and I will personally buy you a ticket Home!

I take issue with the burden they put on the system as well.

I see a lot of people who blow it off and think it is no big deal, but catering to language groups instead of people learning English costs the federal government and state governments a lot of time and resources. We are looking for ways to cut costs right? Put some money up front to redesignate English as primary official language, and hold a vote for language #2. I can only imagine it will be Spanish, but there are so many groups that will have input.

It may be a "requirement" for citizenship, but it is no longer enforced! The hospital forms, government forms, voter information pamphlets, and ballots all have to be printed almost every language on earth! IF ENGLISH IS OUR OFFICIAL LANGUAGE, teach it, if someone who does not speak English(or American) if you're PISSY about it, wants to have documents or instructions in other then English, let them provide an interpreter at THEIR OWN EXPENSE! STOP with this "press 1 for English", or unintelligible for me instructions to get another language. When I dial an identified ENGLISH toll free line and get this BS it really irritates me. My Immigrant Grandparents , and several great grand parents came here and learned ENGLISH! We have too many ILLEGAL ALIEN INVADERS in this country. They are not immigrants they do not wish to assimilate, learn English or become taxpaying citizens. They send a great deal of their earnings back to their home country, where they plan to retire. They are not refugees, they are in greater danger on the trip to this country then in their own country. If we stop the gravy train and deport them, we will save our country and force them to fix their own, rather then destroy ours.

TSgt (Join to see) - What burden? More jobs for those who speak two languages? I remember this argument back in the day, but now, if you can't speak more than one language you are less marketable in many places. I agree that English should be the official language, but wow, how do you translate Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Antonio, Florida, Colorado, Texas, California, etc? Hell, those are Spanish words! Founding fathers didn't have anything or much to do with that. Especially, given the fact the people were already here long before the Mayflower arrived. Not talking about the Native Americans either. Look up St. Augustine, Florida and you will know what I mean. By the way MSG Wirts, I came here from Mexico and have retained Spanish and can speak English very well. Imagine what the Native Americans called your grandparents who may have been one of many Alien Invaders. America is composed of many immigrants who made and continue to make this country what it is today. It pains me to see a fellow veteran speak this way when I know that you served with people from other countries. Where has this much hate come from? Don't categorize illegals because just like Americans, everyone has bad apples.

only one answer yes

I did. Surprisingly, I knew more than my friends who were born here. What an embarrassment.

I thumbs down inappropriate/irrelevant responses, or responses that don't have any contribution to the discussion... not because of differing opinion. I don't think people should get down voted just because you don't agree... everyone is entitled to their opinions.

That being said, the question/conversation is not about our immigration/illegal immigration/poor education system, its whether or not we should make English the official language of the US, and a citizenship requirement. It is currently the de facto language, and there are waivers for it that are easily exploited by just waiting.

I agree with you on your three points you made about our poor policies and education system. However, to understand our history and our laws, you have to understand the intricacies of the English language.

Mandating that someone understand the intricacies of the English language is a no-win situation. We have people who were born here, and speak "native" English that can't understand proper grammar, can't spell, and misuse words whether as a malapropism or just plain stupidity. Look up any type of grammatical faux pas on Google, and you'll understand what I'm talking about. Ranging from improper usage of "there/their/they're" and "your/you're" all the way to abuse of word phrases like "for all intensive purposes/for all intents and purposes". These are white and black Americans who are second, third, fourth, fifth generation Americans.

When a legal immigrant comes to the United States and they're under the age of 18, it doesn't matter how well they understand English -- they're required to go to school. It's the law.

So the conundrum goes back to the education system. We can't very well mandate someone learn English but then they're still not learning the stuff that we veterans think they should know. So, again, fixing the law so that English is our official language puts the cart before the horse. Once we fix a broke-ass education system, then we can start working on how to handle non-English speakers that are going to our school system.

In other words, the crux of my argument is "Priorities!"

English should be the priority fix that then fix the education system all documents need to be produced in English and only English whether it is for drivers license or a lease contract for housing etc must be only in English in order to be fair to all only one language written or spoken in public if you want to speak your native language in your home that is up to you but in public only English!

Some of us might prefer Cherokee...j/s

or even Choctaw, Sioux, Shawnee, Cheyenne, Comanche, Apache just to name a few native languages but being that all governmental documents are in English lets make it English.

Yeah, that would be cool, but they would have to change most of the names of the Southwest.

I applaud your response for it is going against the grain, SFC Michael. However, I do not believe that it is suppressing any cultural or historical enrichment. You can bring all of your culture and history, and preserve your language by speaking it in your family and community.

I know that most illegals know for a fact that English is a necessity to be successful in America. Come on and be honest. Do we really think that illegals come here to be doctors and lawyers? No, they just want to work and provide for their families. Their children who are born here will be the ones to be successful by learning American values and history because they will be Americans. This is what makes America great. They aren't draining the country but if anything contributing millions of tax dollars of which many will never fully see a return. How many jobs are worked by illegals that Americans would never think of doing? They aren't taking jobs away trust me on that one. There doesn't need to be an official language in America because there already is. I misspoke earlier in another forum or question when I stated that English should be the official language.