photosynthesis Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Some say Americans all should be proficient in English, and if you don't speak English, you're not really an American. Some countries have multiple official languages, such as South Africa, which has 11 official languages! I don't think we should have an official language at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest T-Bone Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 [i][u][font="Geneva"][color=blue][b]ESPERANTO!!![/color][/font][/FONT][/u][/i][/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
termitescoming4u! Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 well, it's good to have an official language so that citizens of that country can communicate better and understand each other better. Having different languages have the effect of dividing people by making them ethnocentric about their language and identity. For example, war-torn countries like Congo are constantly fighting civil wars because of language and cultural differences. So, I don't see how multiple languages will be beneficial to a country since it's known to divide and pit different ethnic groups against each other. At least in my country, Nigeria, it brings disunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anastasia13 Posted October 22, 2005 Share Posted October 22, 2005 Either English, bilingual English and Spanish, or Spanglish but that might take a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philothea Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 I am very much in favor of everyone in a the nation speaking one language. Otherwise you wind up with ghettos full of second-class citizens who can't interact with the greater part of the country. BTW, I am not remotely anti-immigrant! I would like to see open immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 English has been the "unofficial official" language of America since its founding, and there is no reason to change that. Making English the official language would only be necessary because of those who want to make the country officially "multi-lingual." If one does not know English, he cannot be an informed American citizen. In times past, immigrants came here speaking Italian, German, and other languages, but all had to learn English. Why is this considered a problem now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Socrates Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 [quote name='termitescoming4u!' date='Oct 22 2005, 04:33 PM']well, it's good to have an official language so that citizens of that country can communicate better and understand each other better. Having different languages have the effect of dividing people by making them ethnocentric about their language and identity. For example, war-torn countries like Congo are constantly fighting civil wars because of language and cultural differences. So, I don't see how multiple languages will be beneficial to a country since it's known to divide and pit different ethnic groups against each other. At least in my country, Nigeria, it brings disunity. [right][snapback]767408[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Exactly. "Multi-linguism" is usually supported by "multicultural" liberals, who despise America and want to divide ethnic groups against "white" America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aloysius Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 LATIN! make it Latin! that'd be hilarious... then all the political officials and stuff would all have to know Latin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photosynthesis Posted October 23, 2005 Author Share Posted October 23, 2005 [quote name='Aloysius' date='Oct 22 2005, 09:53 PM']LATIN! make it Latin! that'd be hilarious... then all the political officials and stuff would all have to know Latin! [right][snapback]767575[/snapback][/right] [/quote] that would be cool!!! and the Holy Father can be our president! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
son_of_angels Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 I totally think Latin should be our official language (along with all the Senators being appointed by Bishops, etc.). A good 'ol Catholic theocracy never hurt anybody... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldFashionedGirl Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 Hahah! Latin definately....it might be over some of the Libs' heads though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didacus Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 YES! They should adopt French as their official language! VIVE LE FRANCAIS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
son_of_angels Posted October 23, 2005 Share Posted October 23, 2005 Quae Francia lingua est? Barbara et foedissima lingua. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamweaver Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 Well, considering that so much of what goes on in America is in English, I think it would be nearly impossible to get around without knowing basic English. That aside, I don't see what would hurt with having English be an official language. A tidbit that I learned in intercultural communications; an equal opportunity workplace for the most part does not allow workers to speak in different languages with one another (the one exception I can think of is translators working with clients). Talking in a language not understood by all workers creates suspicion and doesn't really help with teamwork and communication. Of course the rule doesn't count during breaks and lunch. I never knew this until that class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toledo_jesus Posted October 24, 2005 Share Posted October 24, 2005 One has only to look at Quebec in Canada to realize that allowing another language to be official is a bad idea. It contributes mightily to disunity. Did you know most immigrants resisted like anything when the idiots wanted to set up schools that taught in their native language? They want their kids to learn English because that's the language of their new home. At the turn of the 20th century, this talk of separate schools was going around. It's an old idea, and still very stupid. It is absolutely ludicrous for a country to change its language for immigrants. That makes no frickin' sense. I don't want to learn spanish to order a taco in America. I want to learn spanish so that when I go somewhere that speaks spanish, I can get by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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