84% Say English Should Be America’s Official Language

[Danno 1,228]

Maybe someone who knows how... can set-up a VJ poll on this question.

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84% Say English Should Be America’s Official Language

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Americans say English should be the official language of the United States. Only nine percent (9%) disagree, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seven percent (7%) are not sure.

The support for English as the country’s official language remains steady from three years ago.

Eighty-one percent (81%) say a U.S. company should be allowed to require employees to speak English on the job, up four points from November 2007. Thirteen percent (13%) disagree.

Eighty-two percent (82%) also reject the idea that requiring people to speak English is a form of racism or bigotry, up three points from 2007. Just 10% think such a requirement is racist or bigoted.

Support for making English the nation’s official language is strong across partisan lines. The concept is supported by 96% of Republicans, 74% of Democrats and 85% of adults not affiliated with either major party.

Similarly, while 90% of Republicans believe companies should be permitted to require employees to speak English on the job, that view is also shared by 80% of unaffiliateds and 74% of Democrats.

Seventeen percent (17%) of Democrats believe that such a requirement is racist or bigoted, down eight points from 2007. But 90% of Republicans, 85% of unaffiliated adults and 72% of Democrats disagree.

Eighty percent (80%) of U.S. voters believe those who move to America should adopt American culture. This level of support has been roughly consistent for many years.

[Tygrys 143]

Damn right!

[pedroh 21]

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Show me where in the Constitution it says we're allowed to do that

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

We do have an oficial language.......................espanol!

[pedroh 21]

don't think most people are able to read dilbert, much less the constitution aj

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Seems kind of pointless really. For all intents and purposes English *is* the official language already.

More chestbeating nationalism = just what we need

We do have an oficial language.......................espanol!

Not as far as you're concerned. You speak Troglodyte.

[pedroh 21]

Seems kind of pointless really. For all intents and purposes English *is* the official language already.

More chestbeating nationalism = just what we need

We do have an oficial language.......................espanol!

Not as far as you're concerned. You speak Troglodyte.

yea because they force people to speak other languages when they go to an immigrant area.. omg the torture

or there's a spanish channel called univision, such an offense to american sovereignity

[Danno 1,228]

Show me where in the Constitution it says we're allowed to do that

It's right there in the part that allows for amending the constitution.

Obviously our Forefathers never envisioned a country where our language would be over-run but they did envision the need for change and thats why we have a number of ways to address this issue.

An "Amendment" to the Constitution being the most concrete.

.... next question?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Show me where in the Constitution it says we're allowed to do that

It's right there in the part that allows for amending the constitution.

Obviously our Forefathers never envisioned a country where our language would be over-run but they did envision the need for change and thats why we have a number of ways to address this issue.

An "Amendment" to the Constitution being the most concrete.

.... next question?

Read the 10th amendment. The federal government has no authority over this

[Caladan 19]

I'm curious to see what people who want English as America's official language think will change. Government forms will still be offered in a variety of foreign languages, as the U.S. is a popular tourist destination and conducts plenty of affairs overseas, and there are good reasons to provide forms for new immigrants and citizens whose English isn't up to par.. English is already a language you need to speak to succeed in this country, and it's already the conventional language of government. Businesses that serve primarily immigrant communities will still offer services in other languages if it's profitable to do so. It's not going to make automated systems drop "press star for spanish."

Businesses and universities already can be English-only. ESL classes in high schools and colleges already exist. As near as I can tell, legislation for an official language is mere political theater.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

My thoughts also. Just a meaningless gesture that panders to nationalist sentiment.

[pedroh 21]

I'm curious to see what people who want English as America's official language think will change. Government forms will still be offered in a variety of foreign languages, as the U.S. is a popular tourist destination and conducts plenty of affairs overseas, and there are good reasons to provide forms for new immigrants and citizens whose English isn't up to par.. English is already a language you need to speak to succeed in this country, and it's already the conventional language of government. Businesses that serve primarily immigrant communities will still offer services in other languages if it's profitable to do so. It's not going to make automated systems drop "press star for spanish."

Businesses and universities already can be English-only. ESL classes in high schools and colleges already exist. As near as I can tell, legislation for an official language is mere political theater.

some are offended, to see some stuff in spanish, like, ads , or.. Dora the explorer!! or some have realized teh conspiracy behind Handy Manny, he wants to indoctrinate all kids to speak spanish and forget english, oh noooo

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

To be honest I noticed more of that sort of thing when we were living in Southern CA - spanish language billboard signs etc (not surprising given that Mexico is right next door). Don't really see that on the East Coast.

[Danno 1,228]

It's an obvious "Fill in the blank sign" pic... did you do it yourself?

FAIL

Edited May 19, 2009 by Danno