Preview

Why We Should English Be The National Language

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
439 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Why We Should English Be The National Language
Imagine yourself walking into a classroom where everyone fluently speaks Spanish. As one walks into the room, one might feel intimidated, lost, confused, or worried. Walking into a room full of one’s classmates, not speaking the language everyone was taught in English class can be frightening. In my opinion, English should be the national language because all can learn the same language if one is committed to practicing, one is fully educated properly, and one is fully discipline. What does it mean to be committed to a language? Speaking a language is a commitment when two people speak the same language with full understanding to answer back. For example; when two classmates want to start a conversation with one another, both need to make

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    For as long as the United States has been a country, there has been controversy over establishing English as the official language. Even the idolized US President Theodore Roosevelt had a firm belief the US has “room for but one language in this country and that is the English language”. In a 2010 poll conducted by Rasmussen, eighty-seven percent of American voters said they would support making English the official language. Immigrants would also benefit from establishing English as the national language, because after learning English they would be able to actively participate in the democratic system employed throughout the US. Although the United States is a notorious melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities, language should be legislated, because having multiple languages spoken in the public isolates minorities.…

    • 569 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    I believe that there are many positive aspects of declaring English the official language of the United States. First of all I believe it would help our government save money. Almost everyone you go especially in government offices any form you fill out or poster you read on the wall is in both English and Spanish. The government could easily save money by making English the official language, requiring that people who wish to become U.S. citizens learn to speak it, that way they would not have to spend so much money making sure that important forms and posters are printed in English and Spanish. This would also help to make sure that everyone in the U.S. could communicate with each other. Nothing is worse than going to a store or calling a home or business and not being able to speak to or understand someone. I also think that making English the official language of the U.S. would help people to get jobs. I can not tell you how many times Spanish only speaking immigrants came into my old job, at Energi Personnel, needing help to find jobs. It was extremely hard to communicate with them and to help them get a job considering that they only spoke Spanish. Employers want employees that they can easily communicate with, not ones that they have to go out of their way to figure out how to tell them to complete a simple task.…

    • 721 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    There are many different ethnicities in the U.S, more than any other country in the world. It varies from Latino people, Pacific Islanders, Asian American, or African American. The United States is the only country where one can find all different cultures and languages. In the United States, English is not the only language which Americans use to communicate. Vietnamese, Chinese, or Spanish is very popular in the U.S. Therefore, according to the article “In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official,” the author Krauthammer argues that English should be the official language of the United States. So what are Krauthammer’s arguments and also what are the advantages and disadvantages if English becomes the official language of the United States?Canada…

    • 514 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In some eyes, linguistic diversity in the United States is a good thing, but in my opinion an English-only legislation would be most ideal. Not only does it create a national language for America, but it…

    • 589 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why the United States does not have an official language has been an ongoing debate for a long time. A lot of people are for it and a lot of people are against it. While conducting my research I learned that if the United States made English the official language of the country it would be going against the first amendment, Freedom of speech. Regardless of going against the constitution 27 states have made English their official language. Why is it so important to so many people that the United States have an official language? Would it aid immigrants in the assimilation process and make it more likely for them to succeed? Can other languages be used in the country for certain official purposes, if English is the sole official language? Does official English offend the idea of American diversity? Does it discriminate against non-native speakers? Does an adequate incentive exist to learn English without it being official? Is there anything wrong with the status quo? Do most countries in the world have an official language? Is it important for any tangible and practical reasons? Do English only laws threaten or enhance public safety? Is official English good public policy? (Debate 2010) These are questions that rise in everyone’s mind when the topic of designating an official language in the US comes up.…

    • 403 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The English only movement has many pros that will greatly help the United States. If English is made the official language of the United States it will unite the people with a common language rather then divide by not understanding one another, it will allow people to feel comfortable in the workplace, and encourage immigrant workers to learn English. By making English the official language does not mean “English Only” it simply means that for the government to act officially and effectively the default language should be English which would mean that no one would have the right to demand government activities or records in any other language (Wilson, 2009). I personally feel that this would be a great idea simply because in order for the government to communicate there must be one official language. By making English the official language does not mean that cultural diversity is not accepted in the United States or that no one can speak their cultural background language it just means that in order for all government officials to be on the same page of communication, a common language must be established. Making English the official language would not prohibit the government from using other languages when there is reason for doing so, such as legitimate common sense needs (Wilson, 2009). I feel this would be great idea because then there would be no miscommunication or misunderstanding on anyone part due to language barriers.…

    • 833 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In today’s society, there are over thousands of different languages or dialects speak around the world. And because America is such a diverse country with many individuals capable of speaking two or more languages, they tend to forget the importance of speaking English in America. As an American living in America, it’s not important whether they speak English or not, but what’s important is which language they choose to represent themselves freely.…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For years, there has been debate over whether or not the Congress should pass legislation which would make English the official language in the United States of America. On one side of the spectrum, supporters of the issue feel that official English would help to unify America under one language, thus promoting a faster, cost-effective and efficient way of communicating. On the other side of the argument, opponents feel that making English the official language would be a detriment to our unique “melting pot” culture and would discourage immigrants and tourists. Those against official English also claim that discrimination against non-native speakers may become a problem as well.…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Back then, it wasn’t uncommon to hear up to 20 different languages spoken in daily life. Today, those numbers are more staggering. According to U.S. English Inc., an advocacy group that supports declaring English as our official language, 322 languages are spoken in the country, with 24 of those spoken in every state and the District of Columbia. California has the most languages, with 207, while Wyoming has the fewest with 56. So why won’t Congress declare an official language? Because we are a nation of immigrants and these numbers prove it. Because declaring an official language would abridge the rights of individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals who are paying taxes and who are entitled to the same rights as those who speak…

    • 555 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    English as a common ground is so that Americans can understand what is being spoken to each other. Americans should be able to communicate and read any material out in this country without wondering what is being said. Foreigners or non-English speaking citizens are increasingly becoming more segregated, creating poverty- stricken areas. The creation of these areas is due to the language barrier (US-English, 2012). Americans who speak English can find it insulting when other begins to speak to them in another language. Majority of the states have English as their official language. So when a foreigner begins to speak another language or attempt to communicate in English, it could be found offensive because if the same person were to go to their country, it would offensive if you did not speak their language. When living or visiting the United States, it would be safe to assume that everyone spoke English if it were the official language. No one would be insulted, nor would an individual find it hard to communicate with another. Making English the official language of the United States means that the government will be conducting everything solely in English. This includes all public documents, records, legislation and regulations, as well as hearings, official ceremonies and public meetings (US-English, 2012). “This means that everything will be conducted in the English language and that no one will have the right to demand government services in any other language” (ProEnglish, 1994). The government cost of multilingualism is in the hundreds of million dollars. Companies have to spend about 15 to 20 percent of production cost to use in translation services (CalRecycle, 1995). For example, Hospitals have to pay for translators to those who do not speak English. Translators in California are paid $45 to $50 an hour! While…

    • 673 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    The English only debate has been an ongoing deliberation for many decades in the United States. Questions from political parties, legislators, and common people have been a hot topic on the English only subject and what they believe would be best for the nation (Echevarria, Vogt, & Short, 2008). Would having English as the national language of the United State unify the nation or would it tear it apart? Would it be politically correct? Would it be fair? Would it cause segregation? Would it be a security threat? These are just some of the questions that…

    • 1220 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Do we really need another bureaucracy controlling how and what we speak?” ("English Should Not Be the Official Language of the United States." n.d.) I think when the government makes English as an official language, people could have a chance to choose what language they want use in their homes. It was surprising to me when I found out that the U.S.A does not have an official language. Although English is many people’s native language, it also often used for business. For me, I think the U.S.A should declare English as an official language for many reasons.…

    • 694 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many people argue why not the other way around with learning Spanish and I can understand that it would be great if it was implemented more in schools at younger ages such as even starting as young pre-k. The only problem with that idea though is it isn’t, so the reason I say English should be learned in order to enter into the country is because that the majority of text/writings which cause the idea that English is the majority.…

    • 492 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    English Only Debate

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages

    America, we have a cultural diversity that is unlike any other in the entire world, people from every country in the world come to our borders wanting to start over with a better life, live the “American Dream”. And because of this our nation has turned into a giant melting pot of all different types of cultures, races, religions, and one of the most important, languages. Language is the main way we communicate, interact, understand each other and when that barrier is there, it is a hard one to get past. And of course there are different ways people feel like we should deal with this barrier, there are some who believe that we as citizens who speak English should also learn different languages so that we can more easily communicate with them. And then there are others who feel like they came to our country, they need to learn English like everyone else here does. This has turned into a very touchy subject to a lot of people because people become passionate about there on personal beliefs and the side that they have chosen to get behind. Both sides having very valid points as to why their side is the one that people should adopt as their own side, I personally have decided that I agree that when you come to this country then you should learn to speak the language if you plan on living here. But not because I think English is the superior language or anything like that, I believe it will just make things easier for me and the person who immigrated here to be able to work together and communicate. But of course since this subject is very much two sided, state laws have been passed protecting and or mandating certain things happen, trying to stop the arguing between the two sides.…

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    1. English is the International Language and is one of the most popular and most spoken in the technology world.…

    • 378 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays