Posted on Nov 1, 2014
Should the United States designate English as the official language and make it a requirement for citizenship?
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Currently the United States does not have an official language. Individual states have official languages, but there is not one for the nation.
Many countries require not only that you know the history of the nation, the government of the nation, and how the system of laws works, but also that you can read/write/speak in order to function in day to day life.
Please select a response and leave a comment supporting your stance.
Many countries require not only that you know the history of the nation, the government of the nation, and how the system of laws works, but also that you can read/write/speak in order to function in day to day life.
Please select a response and leave a comment supporting your stance.
Immigration
Foreign Language
Citizenship
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 57
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Not just yeah...but hell yeah! When I've traveled and lived in other countries, I was expected to be able to talk to their citizens in their native language because not everyone speaks English. I think it is absolutely insane that some of our hiring criteria is to hire workers who speak Spanish because some citizens can't speak English, thus disqualifying a better candidate for a job because they are not bilingual. Sure...I think it is good to be able to speak more than one language, but last time I checked the majority of our citizens speak English. Last time I went to Florida around the Orlando area the majority of signs were in Spanish and the announcements coming over store radios was Spanish. Sure, I could understand most of it as I know Spanish pretty well, but that is not the point.
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SGT Robert Lincecum
I don't often back 2nd LTs, on the same principles as most NCOs, but well said LT!
*** Little known fact: Wal-mart Store #1 in Rogers, Arkansas, about 15 or so years ago, changed out there signage inside the store from English/Spanish to Spanish/English. OBVIOUSLY, WM is catering to the Hispanic growth in Rogers; however, I have a more important question for them. What about your large influx of Asians in the same area? They have had a significant increase from Pakistan, India, and other countries from Asia, but have not supported them in the same way. They also have a larger of Asians in the Home Office and supporting companies, but yet they seem to ignore that population altogether. Store #100, Bentonville,Arkansas across the street from the HO? No fancy signage. Isn't that interesting?
*** Little known fact: Wal-mart Store #1 in Rogers, Arkansas, about 15 or so years ago, changed out there signage inside the store from English/Spanish to Spanish/English. OBVIOUSLY, WM is catering to the Hispanic growth in Rogers; however, I have a more important question for them. What about your large influx of Asians in the same area? They have had a significant increase from Pakistan, India, and other countries from Asia, but have not supported them in the same way. They also have a larger of Asians in the Home Office and supporting companies, but yet they seem to ignore that population altogether. Store #100, Bentonville,Arkansas across the street from the HO? No fancy signage. Isn't that interesting?
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SGT (Join to see)
Not this NCO. How many countries can compare to this melting pot? Money talks regardless of language. Would you not take the business of a customer because he can't speak English? If you want your business to succeed and attain more customers, bring out the signs in Spanish or whatever language is dominant in your area other than English. The Hispanic market is an untouched giant and those who want to succeed in business know this. Money is green and the only language it knows are numbers. SGT Lincecum, you are correct in stating that the Asian population is being ignored. I see it in San Antonio too.
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No, I am for inclusion not exclusion. We are a melting pot and while it certainly is beneficial for a person to speak english I do not believe it should be designated our 'official' language.
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I would have to go with yes on this topic. English should be the official language of the US, and it should be required as a stipulation for citizenship. When we deploy for foreign countries, we either learn enough of their language to survive or hire an interpreter and still learn enough of the language to survive. Why should the US be any different for foreign nationals trying to live here? If you want to make a livelihood and survive in our country, the least you can do is learn English and at least learn to speak it properly. I did.
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In Colorado we voted English as the official language of the state. When I was stationed in Korea I mad an attempt to learn Hangul. I know IN the Philippines they learn English in school, along with Tagalog. I feel every test should be in English. do away with the Spanish written test like for drivers licenses. Also, I believe you have to know English to get a green card.
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It seems reasonable that in order to work in a country where predominately education is taught in English, laws are passed in English, the police who stop you while driving speak English, your driver's license is in English that we would make English the language of our country since originally most all came from England. Sure, we opened the country to people from all countries, speaking all languages because it was the right thing to do and it helped us grow into a mighty nation. Most of these immigrants learned to speak English at least in public to survive as I learned the language of the country in which I was living to survive better.
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I voted yes, but I wouldn't make learning the language a requirement. That would generally take care of itself as all government documents/forms would only be printed in English to begin with. Think of the cost savings from not having to produce and print forms in multiple languages! Might not be much, but in this economy every little bit counts.
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SGT James Hastings
There are exemptions to having to take the naturalization test and the civics test in English.
English Language Exemptions
You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:
Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years  (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
OR
Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).
Note:
Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions listed above, you must still take the civics test.Â
You may be permitted to take the civics test in your native language, but only if your understanding of spoken English is insufficient to conduct a valid examination in English.
If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.
Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.
If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement.
For more information, see the USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance.
English Language Exemptions
You Are Exempt From The English Language Requirement, But Are Still Required To Take The Civics Test If You Are:
Age 50 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident (green card holder) in the United States for 20 years  (commonly referred to as the “50/20” exception).
OR
Age 55 or older at the time of filing for naturalization and have lived as a permanent resident in the United States for 15 years (commonly referred to as the “55/15” exception).
Note:
Even if you qualify for the “50/20” or “55/15” English language exceptions listed above, you must still take the civics test.Â
You may be permitted to take the civics test in your native language, but only if your understanding of spoken English is insufficient to conduct a valid examination in English.
If you take the test in your native language, you must bring an interpreter with you to your interview.
Your interpreter must be fluent in both English and your native language.
If you are age 65 or older and have been a permanent resident for at least 20 years at the time of filing for naturalization, you will be given special consideration regarding the civics requirement.
For more information, see the USCIS Policy Manual Citizenship and Naturalization Guidance.
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SGT (Join to see)
SFC do you know how big the Hispanic market is? Most American companies are investing in Spanish commercial spots on Univision and Telemundo to try and profit from this giant of a market. So, again how is this hurting the economy? Minimal cost of printing forms in multiple languages or billions of dollars earned by American companies that in turn is passed down to more jobs for Americans?
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Something I cannot stand is when you make a phone call to a company inside the United States and it says for English, press #1. Why...Did America move?
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My families immigrated from germany in the 1700's and from Norway in the 19000's. At that time foreigners without passports or visas, or with health problems, were held in confinement and deported to their country of origin. The potential immigrants had to declare that that they had support from friends or family, that they had skills to support themselves and their family. If they tried to go on the public dole their citizenship attempt was terminated and they were deported. If they passed these hurdles they could apply for citizenship, requirements included ability to demonstrate a proficiency in ENGLISH! Also they had to demonstrate a knowledge of American history, and civics and a loyalty to America. These requirements made us a "melting pot" where different peoples came together with a common goal. We as a nation worked hard to become "ONE NATION UNDER GOD". As long as we kept to that goal , and based our laws on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights., we were a great nation, unless and until we return to this model, we will continue to decline and finally disappear as a DEAD NATION! English is the common denominator, patriotism, and Constitutional law are the foundation of this once great nation.
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SGT (Join to see)
No, it will not happen MSG, because you have naturalized citizens such as myself who love the American dream and this nation. I fought for this country and continue to serve. Mostly, I did it for my brothers and sisters in arms such as yourself. I believe in the Constitution and Bill of Rights and there are thousands of us serving who still believe in American ideals and were not born here. We carry the same spirit that those who immigrated from another country had when they first arrived here at Ellis Island. We are just a little darker. E pluribus Unum / out of many, one
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Having English as an official language would simplify things across the nation. Forms wouldn't need to be printed in multiple languages and you wouldn't need translators. People should feel free to use whatever language they want in their free time. Bit for official business everything should be English.
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