English

English has been the language of the U. S. from the start, official or unofficial. People who immigrate here and do not try to learn English are hurting themselves. English is even the most common international language for many purposes. Duel language teaching in schools should be kept to only the minimum required for a student to reach sufficient capability of communication in English.

I have never thought that English was the language spoken in US, certainly it sounds unlike English to me all the best urban

If she studied English and she just wasn't capable of learning it well (too old or whatever), OK, but not even to try? I have a problem with that.

I totally agree with you. While it may be hard for adults to learn a language, we can do it with a lot of effort. They should at least learn "survival" English. I know when I was in China, I tried to learn a few phrases like how much, bathroom, and a few things like that. It was easy to learn ni hao (hello), but beyond that I used translators. I can understand how someone would be frustrated coming here and being expected to learn English when people might go to their country and not learn their language. There should be a mandatory language class for all immigrants before they are granted a green card. If they can't meet a minimum standard, then they would not be able to become citizens. If they need a translator for legal reasons, they should have to make some kind of contribution (financial or with labor time) in order to cover the cost of the translator. I don't know if that would ever happen, but it would be nice.

Sad but true! There is not a Federal law that states the official language is English. If it did then there would be requirements put into immigration laws. The US has been a country open to anyone for forever. The US was home to all Native Americans (the differing Indian tribes) and then the pilgrims came from England. Then a lot of Germans came to the United States. The list could go on and on. Our ancestors came from many different countries and perhaps they didn't know English, but their children learned the language and was able to translate. Those were simplier times. If people don't take some type of foreign language (most used Spanish) in school then they don't know any other language than English. I found out that all the years that I took Spanish as an elective in school, that people that are here in Texas don't speak PROPER Spanish. I can understand SOME of what they say, but not enough to carry on a conversation with them, because in school I was taught proper spanish not this (what we call) Tex-Mex language. And besides, I don't have much respect for people that come here and won't learn my language and use their language to hide behind in order to talk about me. If you have something to say to or about me learn my language so I can agree or disagree with you. :)

This is really one of those topics that gets my attention!If english is not the official language of the United States,what is it then?!?!Most of the countries in this planet knows how to speak and understand english but there are still some countries that has been taught this language just a few years ago.I remember when I went to Thailand in 1999.I have to ask somebody for directions but what they did was just look at me blankly and shake their heads,which obviously means that they dont understand any single word that I was saying in English.I have a friend who works in Thailand as a teacher and a few months ago,I rang her up to check how she's doing and how's her family.As our conversation went on,I just popped the question if the people in Thailand has improved their english.She said sometimes its still very hard to communicate with her students.Simply means that there's not much improvement really.Its because the english subject has only been introduced in their school curriculum's just lately.Im just glad that we were taught english in school at a very young age.It has really been a great help when you can communicate in english.Im from the Philippines by the way but currently based in the UK.People are really amazed with the Filipinos because when we first came here,we can communicate and understand english.And I really thank all my english teachers for the knowledge they imparted to us because it has really been useful wherever we go.

I have to agree... it's just common sense and common courtesy. I was in line at the post office a few days ago behind a woman and apparently her child. She was trying to do something about a post office box, but she didn't speak English, the clerk didn't speak Spanish and the child didn't know English very well. Finally, the clerk had to ask her to move aside since the line was getting to be very long! She had a cellphone and had to call someone else to come and help her. When I left, they were still waiting, but no longer in line, thank heavens. When most of the business is done in English, when laws are written in English, when most of the people understand English, then it's the language of the nation, "official" or not and visitors or new citizens (or whatever) should at least try to get along by learning it.

I think everyone should at least try to learn and pick up some words. I've been having problems with this because actually, people in my own family are like this and they use us, who are natives-born and raised- here to do all the calling and paper work for them. It's so annoying, they think they can free ride just cuz we're related. I don't understand how you can just go into a country so blindly. Above anything, I would be terrified for not understanding.