Debate! Topic #1:Should we make Spanish an official language in the United States?

Question

So here is it is! I had a positive response in the question thread "Controversial Topics" so I'm hoping that people will participate in these weekly debates. We'll choose a new topic to discuss based on suggestions.

Anyone have any suggestions about rules or format please share them!

Topic #1:

Should we make Spanish an official language in the United States? Canada has French and English, why can't the US officially be a bilingual country as well? What would be the repercussions? The benefits? Who would want this... who wouldn't... why or why not?

Lay it on the line people, lets get to the bottom of this.

S

• hi Shane, if you put the topic into the title, we will all know what this is about;) - Heidita Nov 10, 2009
• Thank you, will do for next time. - shanelynch_1 Nov 10, 2009

Answer 1

With all due respect, I am starting to not like this concept of a "debate" too much.

One of the things that I love about this forum is that it is a learning community. I see a potential danger in starting any sort of "debate" in that when we start to voice our personal opinions about questions that are political, moral, or otherwise deeply held convictions, we run the risk of hard feelings.

I know that a person does not have to click on this thread - and I will not in the future - but my experience from being on a political forum is that the damage can be done in a short time.

Having said that, I will respectfully take my leave from this thread, and if it works for you - go for it.

• I do agree with mountain girl and that is why we have to be careful in our communication. We are all friends here and we do not want to offend people. - shanelynch_1 Nov 10, 2009

Answer 2

With all due respect, I am starting to not like this concept of a "debate" too much.

One of the things that I love about this forum is that it is a learning community. I see a potential danger in starting any sort of "debate" in that when we start to voice our personal opinions about questions that are political, moral, or otherwise deeply held convictions, we run the risk of hard feelings.

My sentiments are the same as Mountaingirl's. Is not a debate a form of argument? I did not checked the dictionary, but that is how it feels for me.
I don't think you can have a successful debate without a moderator. My suggestion is to drop this whole idea before it gets out of hand.

• Well I am sort of acting as a moderator but also a participant. At the same time we are not children (for the most part) we should have self-control and moderate our comments. This is not a live debate so there is time to think before you post. - shanelynch_1 Nov 10, 2009
• Make sure you are constructive and not destructive in your comments. - shanelynch_1 Nov 10, 2009

Answer 3

First, there seems to be a problem with the basic premise of your question. It appears as though you are implying that English is currently the official language of the United States, but this is not so. The constitution makes no provision for an official language (although English, historically, has been predominant). In fact, in just about every session of congress there is an amendment introduced to declare English the official language of the United States, and every session of Congress, these proposal usually never make it out of committee.

• Wow, I did not know this. - webdunce Nov 9, 2009
• d i t t o . . . ! Hmmm... - chaparrito Nov 9, 2009
• Yeah, there are actually many who oppose introducing an official language (formost among them is probably the ACLU) because they feel that it would impinge on the Constitutional right to equal protection under the law - Izanoni1 Nov 9, 2009
• I don´t really care to have an official language. - webdunce Nov 9, 2009
• It actually has (in the past) passed the House of Representatives, but never the Senate. As a side note, the Articles of Confederation were written in English, French, and German. - Nathaniel Nov 10, 2009
View 1 more commments >>

Answer 4

Why only Spanish and not Chinese or Russian, Korean, Portuguese or any of the many languages from the many communities that live in the United States? I find that people have the tendency to not learn English when their native language is available for them. When I came to this country I had to learn English because we lived in a place that didn't have a Spanish community. I'm not against people having a second language, I think it is important for kids to learn the language of their ancestors. Keep their cultural roots. I think it would be prejudice to make only Spanish an official language but I also think that it would be prejudice not to allow people to use their native language including in the work place.

• Good point, robertico. - aloshek Nov 9, 2009
• I think Spanish probably gets that distinction in the US due to Mexico being our closest neighbor to the south, followed closely by Central and South America. That is not counting Puerto Rico and the DR. - Nicole-B Nov 9, 2009
• I don't know the numbers, but I would guess that Spanish speaking people are in the majority when it comes to speaking a language other than English. - Nicole-B Nov 9, 2009
• I do see your point, however. - Nicole-B Nov 9, 2009
• Spanish is the second most common language at 12% of the population. - aloshek Nov 9, 2009
View 1 more commments >>

Answer 5

In my opinion, making Spanish an offical second language is a rather hollow political statement. I would rather see the states (since education, I believe, is state controlled) make more effort to teach languages in public schools starting in kindergarden. Why can't elementary aged kids study Spanish or Arabic or Korean or Russian or any number of languages. Don't other countries start languages early in school? Wouldn't it be great if a whole generation of Americans grew up bilingual (or even tri-). In the school disctrict where I grew up, Spanish wasn't available until 10th grade (age 15 or so), French was available in the 9th grade (age 14).

• Most schools have a hard enough time trying to teaching English. - qfreed Nov 10, 2009
• Yea coz u no it endz up soundn lyk dis lolz!!! (BTW i dnt aktuly talk lyk dis) - EJClaire Nov 10, 2009

Answer 6

Why do things have to be official? Why can't we just speak what we want to speak and go on with our lives? It is true that English and Spanish are some of the most spoken languages but still. I think it would be wonderful if I could fully speak Spanish, but unfortunately, I'm still learning it in school....I probably won't be able to speak it well enough until the end of my tenth grade year...I go to an advanced school for "nerds" and I like learning Spanish...I'm glad that I can go IB in Spanish after tenth grade, which probably means I'll be extra good... But seriously now, why make things official? Let's ponder on that thought a moment now....

Answer 7

I am a Hungarian. When I found home in the US, I did not want them to adapt Hungarian as a second language. I was glad to learn English.

Answer 8

There are several points that should be made:

1) Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the US.

2) Many part of the US were originally Spanish territories and retain the place names to prove it.

3) Both Spanish and English were officially recognized as official languages in the Constitution of California, although it has since been amended to recognize only English--official materials, such as those for elections, are printed in several languages (English, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese.)

4) People will speak whatever language they want, whether it is official or not. Trying to force people to speak a particular language is a totalitarian act contrary to the freedoms advocated by our nation's founders. However, there is a de facto standard of English maintained by both the government and business communities that is unlikely to change.

Answer 9

I am not sharp enough on this matter to debate it quite yet. I would like to get an understanding of what it means to officially be a bilingual country. Presently, almost everywhere you go there are English/Spanish signs, instructions, etc. Even when you are on the phone, you are instructed to press one for English and two for Spanish.

So what I have to figure out is, how many more changes would be made if both languages were official in the US. I will do my homework and get back to you.

Answer 10

I also agree with some of the points made out by Mountaingirl and Zoltàn.

I also read the comments posted by Mountaingirl and Zoltán, and I voted for both of them because they were a good reminder to keep the discussions friendly. However, I also think that mature adults should be able to talk about the significance and merits/drawbacks of a potentially controversial subject without the conversation breaking down into mudslinging, provided everybody involved remember to be respectful, carefully consider the points of others before rushing to answer, and limit their arguments to facts rather than emotion.

Seems to me the idea behind these daily discussion-topics is more about gaining some reputation than anything else

As far as this assertion, I don't know what motivates others; however, for myself, my motivation for participating in this forum has very little to do with "earning points." If you only view debates as arguments where the parties involved yell at each other and sling mud then yes, it is probably best to avoid getting into a debate as often it is our expectations that color our responses.

I am of the opinion that reasoned debates are not necessarily a bad thing. Expressing our own views in a persuasive manner requires that we really evaluate our own beliefs. More importantly, listening to (or reading about) the opinions of others and assessing the justifications relating to these beliefs is a way to broaden our own knowledge and help us better understanding each other. Sometimes our views can be changed for the better by a well reasoned argument, other times thinking more deeply about a question really solidifies our understanding. By avoiding situations where we are forced to question our own beliefs and understandings we only limit ourselves.

I think that it was Plato that once wrote: The unexamined life is not worth living

• Eloquent comment, Izanoni! De aquerdo. - 005457e3 Nov 10, 2009
• I agree with you expect for the idea that we are doing this for gaining points. Unfortunatly we don't know each other so you'll have to take my word that I reputation is something of very littler concern to me. In life and especially on the internet. - shanelynch_1 Nov 10, 2009
• The goal is to learn so I hope you will contribute to our collective learning in this thread and future discussions. - shanelynch_1 Nov 10, 2009
• You have a beaufiful mind, Izanoni. - aloshek Nov 11, 2009

Answer 11

I do not think Spanish should be the national language of the US. Us was founded on English like how Mexico was founded on Spanish. Also, it would be pointless to change the national language when most people here speak English already. Furthermore, if i'm correct, English is the worldwide business language so why get rid of a country that speaks it.

• You got my vote but China has probably already taken over as the most powerful world economy. This is why I think everybody should learn Eng. Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. I don't know about the census but Asians will probably end up surpassing the rest - 0068e2f4 Nov 10, 2009
• That's why the debate says "Spanish as our second official language" instead of "changing our official language". Please read the topic next time. - DJ_Huero Nov 12, 2009

Answer 12

The situation of Canada is a lot different. Put simply, France and England both colonized Canada. At one point they went to war and England won. The French were allowed to stay and so Canada became bilingual that way.

As a Canadian, I love that our country is bilingual but it makes things a lot more complicated. Everything has to be translated in both official languages and it cost a millions if not billions to do so. Solely on an economic point of view ( and in time like ours) it is not worth the fight.

• Just remember that US also won wars agains Spain and Mexico and got territories where Spanish was the main language. Not all Hispanic nor Latinamericans are newcomers. - Mokay Nov 9, 2009
• VERY strong point Mokay, that is the case with a mass amount of the US actually. - DJ_Huero Nov 12, 2009

Answer 13

there is a de facto standard of English maintained by both the government and business communities that is unlikely to change.

To me, it seems like it is already in the process of changing already in both the business communities and in government. Granted, this change is proceeding at a snails pace, but in my lifetime, I have seen a shift by businesses to incorporate Spanish into their advertising campaigns (billboards, radio, TV) and in their packaging of products (bilingual packaging on products and I have even seen products that have only Spanish on there labels).

In government, there has been an effort to print many documents in Spanish as well as to provide signage in Spanish in many public buildings. It should not be surprising, however, that the English language remains predominant in this sphere because although there is a strong Spanish cultural heritage (especially in many of the southern states), governments pedigree is rooted largely in English culture. Meaning simply that the founders of the United States based much of the legal structure on English common law. The fact that many of the revered and important documents (such as the Constitution) were written in English will make many resistant to change.

My own opinion, is that it is not a national issue but a regional issue. In my own state there are many different areas where various languages might be spoken. For example in the southern part of the state, there is a large Spanish speaking demographic (I would venture to guess that it is much larger than the 12% that I have seen quoted elsewhere). In other parts of state there is a large German influence as much of Texas was settled by German communities. These settlements still bear German names (New Braunfels, Shiner, etc) to attest to there roots. Many of these communities were being settled by these immigrants while Texas was still a part of Mexico and long before any Mexican citizens had any desire to venture to these areas. Then again there is also a large Vietnamese population in some areas of the state and I have seen places where instead of seeing signs in Spanish and English, you will have signs in Vietnamese and English. I think that because of this diversity, it is best to allow communities to adapt to the conditions inherent to the communities themselves rather than make some sweeping blanket amendment that is bound to leave many out in the cold.

• Sí, creo que tengas razón. - webdunce Nov 10, 2009
• Apparently I should say, "creo que tienes razón." - webdunce Nov 10, 2009
• One local predominantly Chinese community used to have street signs in Chinese only, which caused problems for the police and fire departments. An ordenance was enacted that required them to be in English as well. - lorenzo9 Nov 10, 2009

Answer 14

It seems to me that 'unofficially' Spanish is already an official language in the US. Aren't both English and Spanish printed on all labels and instructions, etc., etc.? Isn't Spanish taught in most schools?

Answer 15

I don't see a reason to make it a second language. I will say more when I have some more time. Great thread!!!