Should English be the required language in the USA?

[Anonymous]

No English - no free benefits, no customer service.

[Red_Arrow]

No. Customer service is provided around the world without knowing the local language. I have been to many countries and have never had a problem at any restaurant. Many of them are able to speak English. I do try to learn enough of the local language to order what I desire and to converse enough to be polite. While in the Navy we visited many countries where I volunteered giving tours of my ship, and I tried to know enough of the local language to educate the visitors about my ship. Often I could use a language of a country close to them that they could at least understand what I was trying to convey.

Generally, English is required for people to become naturalized citizens in America, though they are some exceptions. One exception would be sign language. Although many people use an English version of sign language, many use a version which is more general. And even when they use a version of exact English sign language, how many people who can speak English can converse in sign language that is the version that is exact English?

[WindAtMyBack]

It should be the official language if that's what you mean. It sort of already is since it's the language of government, and is required to become a naturalized citizen. It should also be the only language in school except for actual foreign language classes.

[purplepoppy]

Absolutely not. English has no more right as the national language than Spanish or any other and shouldn't be a prerequisite for accessing services.

This is an issue that needs looking at on a state by state basis according to the needs of it's citizens. Yes English should be the main languagea it's the most common but others have existed in America long enough to be given protected status and people should have the right to demand correspondence in the language of their choice.

[Ez-Bri-Z_v2]

No, of course not. If you speak it, great, if not, ok. There are plenty of services that can still help with social needs and translations. America is too diverse for just a single language to be required.

[Anonymous]

If you're trying to imply that immigrants who don't speak the language, particularly "illegals", shouldn't get benefits like food stamps, Medicaid, etc., they aren't eligible for them even if they DO speak English. What kind of customer service are you objecting to giving people who can't speak English, or can't speak it well? Most phones have translators.

I've traveled to many different countries where English is not spoken as the primary language; Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Croatia. I learn a few basic terms in all of them, including asking for patience because I am new to their language. They smile and say the same about English. We point, we communicate, service is given. I am not eligible for benefits in their countries either, even if I'm moving there. Have you ever been out of the US? Seen the world? I doubt it.

[PretzelBeanie]

What do you mean "required"? Does any country have a required language? That sounds extremely authoritarian...

[Asker]

I help people find jobs. Majority females coming in here (as well as some men depending on the job) looking for administrative /customer service work, retail and medical field don't (despite being 100% qualified to do the job) gets declined positions because they must be bilingual in English and Spanish. Legal citizens, American citizens... Can't find jobs because they can't speak Spanish... WTF. Every time I meet a person that can't speak English, I want to call border patrol. Breath woman breath. USA citizens are suffering yet the illigals still get help. Speaking Spanish should not be a requirement for American citizens. Speaking English should be a requirement for other cultures coming in. If a person form another country moves here, they should not get hired till they can understand and speak English. It's so sad seeing American citizens suffering in their own country. I'm a foreigner by the way and now citizen. I learned the language. Now I have to learn Spanish too. WTH. Once I understand Spanish I will have four languages in my head! FOUR! Foreigners can at least learn one extra language. It should be a requirement. USA citizens shouldn't have to learn Spanish in their own country, AND get decline jobs.

[Syntosi]

... Why? What problem does this seek to solve and why would any American cheer by the enshittification of the service that the government provides them?

[blackeagle007]

People need to learn English if they are going to live here. I have to side with those who says yes

[exitseven]

English was recently made the official language of the United States. It is not compulsory to speak it but it is hard to get by without it.

[KostasKouvalis]

Absolutely, especially since it's officially the official language now

[Anonymous]

Yes, and start with your fat, orange, illiterate president that talks like a fucking seven year old and can barely speak his native language.

[Kingofkings1992]

No. No language should ever be required anywhere

[robocop666]

YES just like every English speaking country

[DrPepper12]

You must not understand capitalism.

[Ironco]

It already is...

[FunkyMonkee]

YES!!

[noohair]

Ok...

[beefcakebradybatson]

No, racist.

[Ironco]

What, what?
Are you saying speaking "English" is being racist?

[seeyounexttuesday]

I like it.