Should it be a law ?
By squrrly26
@squrrly26 (556)
United States
December 3, 2006 9:40pm CST
Who out there thinks it should be a law that all immigrants that want to be an American citizen should have to learn and be able to speak English fluently? I personally think that it should be because if I was to move to another country that speaks a different language than me I would learn their language out of respect for that country.
2 people like this
6 responses
@prettylykedrugs (430)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I think if they learn English we should learn Spanish. Look at kids from Europe they can speak upwards to four languages. My fiance is from Germany and he speaks 7 different languages.
Learning a language is NOT going to hurt us.
@squrrly26 (556)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I sorta agree with you.The thing I disagree about is I don't think that we should have to learn spanish or any other language unless we choose to.I mean this is our country not theirs.I do agree that if everyone learned a few different languages it would be good for society.
@paperzombie (236)
• United States
4 Dec 06
We are required to take a different language in high school but we arent going to move to germany and not know a lick of german, we would look totally disrespectful!
@prettylykedrugs (430)
• United States
7 Dec 06
You would be surprised.
A lot of Americans have moved to Germany and then complained (in English) that they didn't like it there because they didn't understand the culture and they didn't want to pick up on the language.
A percent of people figure that since Germans know English that they will be fine.
Plus, European schools tend to be better on the whole then schools in Central and South America. It is not fair to say that all immigrants will have the chance to learn English in their country.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Yes, I agree. It is disrespectful to move to a country and not know the language. If I were to move to another country, I would definitely put my all into learning that language. And I am sure that when I talked to some people and messed up, I would get the different reactions of either annoying or undrstanding. But at least I would be trying to speak that country's language.
@squrrly26 (556)
• United States
7 Dec 06
Trust me when you try to speak another language and are talking to someone that speaks that language and you mess up you do get some weird looks. I just feel you should make the effort to learn to speak that countries language,even if it takes you years to really be able to speak it fluently.
@CatVegas (709)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I agree as your right if we went to another country we would have to speak there language just to beable to get around and all..I know for them to become a Citizen they do need to speak English..We really need to push this more...
Most countries speak English as they learn it in school..
@squrrly26 (556)
• United States
4 Dec 06
Yes you are right I have talked to a lot of people from different countries and they have told me that they do encourage learning english in their country.
@ineedaname (957)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I kind of agree. I get so mad when I order food and people can't understand what I am saying because they can barely speak English. I guess my problem is with people who can't speak English and they are working with the public.
@squrrly26 (556)
• United States
7 Dec 06
I feel that an employer should not hire anyone that can't speak english if they are going to be working with the public.I know that there are discrimination laws and all that that prevent that from happening but thats my opinion
@Khokhonut (702)
• United States
7 Dec 06
You said that you would do it out of respect....that is different than it being a law.
I think if you live in any country you should speak that language.
If for no other reason simply to get by day to day.
@squrrly26 (556)
• United States
7 Dec 06
You are right I did say I would do it out of respect for that country. I know that is different than it being a law but I am talking about it being a law in america not every foriegn country. I do agree with you about speaking the language for the sake of getting by day by day.
@paperzombie (236)
• United States
4 Dec 06
YES!! I agree. I think its very rude for them to move to the United States and not know a lick of english. I have no problem with them moving here and becoming a citizen, but atleast help us out and learn english.. I live pretty close to a mexican border and its REALLY bad..
@squrrly26 (556)
• United States
4 Dec 06
I don't have a problem with them wanting to live here either but I mean come on if you are gonna live hear at least speak our language.I work with a lot of non english speaking people and some of them have been here for 20 years or more and they still don't know english.
