I said on the other topic that the problem with having two languages is that it can be dangerous. If we had people walking around only speaking one or the other, then what happens when there's an emergency? Do you need to shout warnings in both languages, or find an interpreter? If I have an accident with a Spanish-speaker, how would we communicate? These are problems you should not have to put up with unless you're dealing with a tourist. If the person is a citizen of your own country, you should be able to communicate in the same language to one another. To not do so creates a rift between them, and they may as well be foreigners to one another for living on the same soil but not even speaking a common language. It separates people, and it makes things harder. You end up with sides--Spanish and English--and there should be no sides among citizens. I shouldn't have to worry about finding someone that speaks my language in my own country. That's backwards.

If it is important for hispanics to keep their language and culture, then based on my heritage I demand the immediate institution of bilingual education in German, Polish and Gaelic in all public schools. After all, what's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. I plan to spend just as much time worrying about where to find the money to do this as do those who so loudly and persistently advocate for bilingual education in Spanish.

Gonzales said it's important for U.S. citizens to learn English, but said it's also important for Hispanics to keep their heritage and language.

It's important for Americans to keep their heritage and language, but it is also important for immigrants to learn English.

I support the H.R.997 bill.

codearchitect.....

I don't want to learn spanish! If that was the case, I would have many years ago. There are plenty of other things that I HAVE to learn, and need to learn, but spanish is NOT one of them.
I had relatives that moved to Germany for a job, they had to learn German..huh go figure!

Well when you have the government bending over backwards to supply illegal immigrants with free things like Medicaid and Lonestar cards, wouldn't you expect them to make the government learn spanish too? The government works for everyone who is NOT a citizen.

So, we will have to learn Spanish to live in America, and the Spanish-speaking peoples don't have to learn English in a Country that is, and was, basically English-speaking from the beginning?
Talk about the majority having to bend to the minority. Sheesh!!
Do you realize that of all the people entering this Country, the Spanish-speaking peoples are the only ones that feel this way? At least, it is the only group that I've seen feeling this way.

@SFA

Thanks to Google, yes. ;-)

I suppose codearchitect is fluent in many languages....

@butwiser

The evolution of a language is one thing but plain ignorance and near illiteracy in those who are proponents of making English the official language is quite valid and are strong indicators of a fear-based hypocrisy among a minority of people in this country.

There are over 6000 languages spoken in the world today, this diversity has not hindered us as a species sufficiently to halt our progress as human beings.

Let us return to the real issues in life not these diversions by closed minded people who live in deluded fear.

Here's the bottom line: what's the worst that could happen? You end up having to learn Spanish? Is that really that much of a big deal to you?

I really don't think this discussion is about how well a person can write English. This is the fault of the school system. Grammar rules are no longer taught and the same for spelling. Texting has done a great deal to destroy the written language. But you know what, I can still read and communicate with these poor writers. It is still the same language and still unites communication. Making statements about a persons writing is only an attempt to sling mud because the discussion as a general rule has been pro united language. This is usually how a progressive reacts when they are loosing an argument.

@Grouch

Ha! Sir, I fear you mock me!

;-)

RE: codearkitek
You are intitled to your opinion and I will defend your ability to express it - no matter how mis-guided you may be...

@Grouch

I have no idea how being an American and being able to give as good as you get and the some will help you pass a reading and comprehension test.

You would have already failed the test since you have made several grammatical errors in your posts thus far.

I am nitpicking, of course, but it illustrates my point that people who want this bill are really fearful folk who can't abide their little cultural bubbles being burst by forces they cannot control.

Learn the language yourself then come back to me.

@reverendmwagner

You illustrated my point quite wonderfully when you first reached out to press the keys on your computer.

You, sir or madam, need to return to school and learn the language you seem to be so proud of shouting about.

i do not live in victoria any more. i moved to el paso and when i went to the ss office here in el paso . they were calling out the numbers in spanish. well guess what i missed my number because i do not know a lick of spanish and had to wait another two hours when i got me another number.and the guard told me when my number was called. so yes i do support this law. not only because of this incident but because if i wanted to speak german, french ,or spanish i would move to that country.
the laguage in the usa is english, so if you want to live here learn it. i dont want to learn spanish so i dont move there. im close enough but im still in the usa.

"When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another" (Declaration of Independence)- Written in English

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union" (The Constitution of the United States) - Written in English

These very important documents are written in English, because our forefathers realized that without a common language of the land, progress as a country will be stifled.
There have always been areas of high immigrant concentration where the local lauguage has been of another ethnic origin than english. However these people have always stived to learn and teach their offspring the language of the land - English. The pride and the respect that these Immigrant people have demonstrated is one of our strong-points.
As long as we remain in solidarity our diversity of many peoples can, and does make us a formidable force in the world.

Why should the United States have to make special allowances for ONE group of individuals? Did the country do the same for German, Czech, Italian, Russian, French, Chinese, and on and on? What makes a person that speaks Spanish so special? Why does the country have to change to fit their way? If a person is coming to this country to apply for citizenship, they should joint the American society. If they are coming here to change us, go home where it is their way! If they are coming here illegally to plunder our system and force this nation to kiss up to them, GO HOME NOW! This nation is to be united and that means united in language as well. There is nothing wrong with knowing multiple languages, that is really great. Maybe some should try English! This is about language, NOT race. If you make it a racial issue, you my friend are the racist!

Actually exresident, that's not correct.

While some German, Danish & Czech immigrants spoke their native tongue due to their not knowing English, they considered it their duty to learn English and to speak the language of the country in which they chose to begin their new life.

The first generation born to the German, Danish & Czech families was taught English and the old folks only spoke their native languages to each other in most cases.

I like the way Hispanic families, or at least the ones that I am close to, teach their children both Spanish and English...most of the turn of the century immigrants didn't teach their children the "old" language because they wanted to make sure they could speak English and prosper in their new country. By doing so however, they lost that heritage and it's a shame.

Still, English is and should be our national language and I do agree with the bill.

The language of the USA is called English.
Always has been.
Always will be.
If you don't like it - Learn to deal with it.

RE: codearchitect - BRING IT ON! BUT BE WARNED I AM AN AMERICAN AND I GIVE AS GOOD AS I GET - and then some!

So true codearchitect.

I would dearly love to give the clowns who support this bill a reading and comprehension test on the language they believe needs to be made official.