Should USA have English as official language?

[TheRedBlur]

Yeah, most immigrants aren't coming over for the "culture". Most only want better lives for their kids. That's why my grandparents came. Besides, within 2 generations, the whole family is speaking english and their other languages. Don't feel threatened by not understanding them. Isn't english the unofficial "official" language anyways?

by the way stock50lx, I gotta disagree with your point on speaking english as being a measure for intelligence. there are a lot of very smart and highly educated immigrants that don't speak english, meanwhile there are a lot of english speaking immigrants that are dumb as rocks. Also, if language were used to unite america, I think that it would end up dividing America.

 

[stock50LX]

by the way stock50lx, I gotta disagree with your point on speaking english as being a measure for intelligence. there are a lot of very smart and highly educated immigrants that don't speak english, meanwhile there are a lot of english speaking immigrants that are dumb as rocks. Also, if language were used to unite america, I think that it would end up dividing America.

I was referring to speaking English in an English speaking country. That is one's ability to use the language effectively (any dominant language). And I did not say it was the measure of intelligence. I said it would be used for that purpose by others: "it will be taken as a sign of intelligence."

 

[TheRedBlur]

I was referring to speaking English in an English speaking country. That is one's ability to use the language effectively (any dominant language). And I did not say it was the measure of intelligence. I said it would be used for that purpose by others: "it will be taken as a sign of intelligence."

yeah I get ya. but I was also speaking of immigrants in english speaking countrires as well.. now what I don't get is that you say speaking english is NOT the measure of intelligence but "it will be taken as a sign of intelligence"
personally I don't see the difference?

 

[stock50LX]

yeah I get ya. but I was also speaking of immigrants in english speaking countrires as well.. now what I don't get is that you say speaking english is NOT the measure of intelligence but "it will be taken as a sign of intelligence"
personally I don't see the difference? [/QUOTE

English is the dominant language in our society, so using it well will open doors, and using it badly will close some. I am saying that people will think you are smarter than you actually are if you can use the language well. That will also be the result on IQ tests. Those tests measure language ability more than any other single factor. That's also what education produces -better users of language. But those factors don't really indicate a better brain, they indicate better training, or an ability in one area.

 

[SMOKEDYA]

if you want spanish move to mexico !

 

[MTMMAN]

um, I don't think that's why mexicans would be treated as second class citizens. MANY english speaking mexicans get treated like second class citizens. also, what is in your opinion american culture?

In the Southwest there are lots of successful Mexican Americans who are not second class citizens. When people were trying to force the schools to teach classes in Spanish, the leaders of the Mexican American groups opposed it. They know that if you want to live the American dream, you become an American(speak English).

 

[TheRedBlur]

In the Southwest there are lots of successful Mexican Americans who are not second class citizens. When people were trying to force the schools to teach classes in Spanish, the leaders of the Mexican American groups opposed it. They know that if you want to live the American dream, you become an American(speak English).

well I said many, not all Mexicans... so it wasn't an aboe statement. And I totally agree that being Bilingual has it's advantages. as a measure of intelligence, I'd disagree.

 

[MTMMAN]

You can be from any were, India, Africa, or the Middle East not speak English and get treated like *****. You don't have to be Mexican. Being bilingual is a cool skill. I would encourage any one to learn a second language. Of course I took 2 years of French and can't speak it to save my life.
So what do I know.

 

[ZeroCool]

I am a very successful "mexican" american, I have no degree and get paid well over the average person. Being bilingual has opened many doors for employment and as for being treated as a second class citizen, I never felt that in Portland. Everyone was cool with me. And for that I thank everyone I met and became close to.

 

[Darkness]

You're only a second class citizen if you drive hondas with stickers and big wings As for speaking other languages being a measure of inteligence thats a bull cause I speak 3 fluent laguages and another broken one and sometimes can be as dumb as a bag of rocks!!! ..................BMW's are slow

 

[ZeroCool]

 

[TheRedBlur]

lol I like that!

 

[MTMMAN]

You're only a second class citizen if you drive hondas with stickers and big wings As for speaking other languages being a measure of inteligence thats a bull cause I speak 3 fluent laguages and another broken one and sometimes can be as dumb as a bag of rocks!!! ..................BMW's are slow

I agree, its not a measure of intelligence. Different people are born with different gifts. Some people are more able to learn certain skills quicker than others. Some people can fix cars, others will never be able. Some people are computer geeks, others can't seem to be able to use email. Every person's learning abilities are different.
I do think if you are going to be an
American citizen. or drive in this country you should speak English. I don't think every sign should be in English and Spanish.