Should English be the official language in the U.S.?

No, because we'd be wasting time instead of doing anything productive. Making English the official language doesn't change the fact that not everyone speaks coherent English, and by extension doesn't eliminate the need for translators.

I personally would give preference to English over other languages as the de facto language, and by extension to people who can speak it properly, but never would I go so far as to say "You're f****d!" to anyone who can't speak it and isn't trying.

Also, to make the process run smother, I'd fix the spelling system first. It eats up precious time, and as much as it helps record the words' etymologies, you don't need to memorize those by heart to understand English.

Yes

no.

YES!

YES!!! but you can speak another language if you wish, but English should be number #1

well yes it should

yes

No

Yes

yes

YES- this is one area where Ben Franklin got it wrong. His theory was that the people that moved here would love the nation so much, they would learn it without being required

Why would it not be the official language, and why should we pander to those that fail to learn it?

"We should insist that if the immigrant who comes here does in good faith become an
American and assimilates himself to us he shall be treated on an exact equality with every one else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed or birth-place or origin.

But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American and nothing but an American. If he tries to keep segregated with men of his own origin and separated from the rest of America, then he isn't doing his part as an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. . . We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people." Teddy Roosevelt

It already is. Now if you're talking about some kind of Constitutional amendment, then I'm against that. The original Americans (Indians) would have an issue with that! lol

And here I thought it was American English, so what official language is it?

yes; and anyone who doesn't like that; well.we have planes leaving everyday to your home country of choice

lol

I'd even settle for American. ;) But PICK A LANGUAGE. America is supposed to be a MELTING POT, not a stew pot. We're supposed to be ONE Nation, not an amalgamation of Balkanized ghettos.

Well said as usual.

Agree with what other people put here, leave it up to the states.

I think this should be left to the states. In some states, it makes sense to add a second official language (such as Hawaiian in the state of Hawaii).

There's no reason to make it so. It *wouldn't have any effect at all* (people who speak other languages will continue to do so— it's not like we can force them to speak English) apart from confirming that we prefer some of the population over others.

True, but it may inspire people to learn English better or even faster. When Russians come here they speak English very fast, when others come sometimes they never learn English and cannot get a job.

Establishing an official language wouldn't make it any easier or harder for them to communicate in their native language, so I don't see why it would inspire them...

NO. Why should the US have an official language? If we do maybe it should be Algonquin or Navaho.

Yep If you cant say what you want , You aint getting it

Yes! It is the language of commerce and the USA leads the world economically. Besides, it would unify us and help us to retain our culture against the assaults from illegal immigrants!

You mean like we already are? I'm thinking maybe the Native Americans should have first dibs on any talk of an official language!

lol

I am a native American. I was born here!

Well then, way to SELLOUT your fellow native Americans. You think their first language was english? Didn't think so!

Were you born here? If you were, you are a native American also!!!

Ooooo, nice little spin move there. EVEN THOUGH YOU KNOW GOOD AND DAMN WELL THAT THE "NATIVE AMERICANS" BEING DISCUSSED ARE THE INDIANS! Seriously? That had to be specified?

They were never from India so they aren't Indians! Nor are they from the West Indies! They came here and kicked out or killed those who were here before them! What goes around, comes around, I guess!

I agree.

We shouldn't have to declare it as such... we should just phase out all the pandering we do to those who can't speak it.

I agree that it should be, but I be surprised if that ever happens.
English is sort of like a de facto official language of the US.

Does it need to be?

After all it is not an official language of England...

We have the 'melting pot' model to perpetuate, and over 300 million huddled masses who need to assimilate. I don't know what the implications of an 'official' language are, but it would at least be a step closer to maintaining unity.