Posted by Sir Four at 11:56am Mar 6 '08I am not at all opposed to making English the official language, except I hate that supporters of this tend to be anti-immigrant jerks. [private] cites Canada as a positive example of a multi-language nation. Yet please allow me to point out, French-speaking Quebec has a strong secession movement, so I'm not sure that's the example you want to cite.
I think it's hard for a nation to feel like one united community when we can't speak to each other. Simple verbal communication is the foundation for civic fellowship. I think it's important that when people come to live in America, they learn the local language. I can't imagine myself moving to Germany and not learning German, or Japan without learning Japanese!
I don't necessarily think English needs an official endorsement, and even if it got one, I don't think the government should cease all efforts to communicate with people speaking other languages. But I mean.. it's just a fact that English is the common language of this nation, and it's silly to pretend otherwise. And I don't see it as in any way bad to encourage the people to maintain a common language.
I think it's hard for a nation to feel like one united community when we can't speak to each other. Simple verbal communication is the foundation for civic fellowship. I think it's important that when people come to live in America, they learn the local language. I can't imagine myself moving to Germany and not learning German, or Japan without learning Japanese!
I don't necessarily think English needs an official endorsement, and even if it got one, I don't think the government should cease all efforts to communicate with people speaking other languages. But I mean.. it's just a fact that English is the common language of this nation, and it's silly to pretend otherwise. And I don't see it as in any way bad to encourage the people to maintain a common language.
Re: United States' official language - Sir Four