In today's western world we are very multicultural. There is no one group that dominates the ethnic makeup of America (as well as Canada, Australia and some countries in Europe) With the advent of the immigration wave of the late 19th and early 20th centuries there was an influx of many people from around the world into the United States. With them came their languages and native cultures.
Currently there is no where written into American law that english is the national language. But, should it be? After all the population is primarily english speakers. It begs the question: When an immigrant comes to America (or any nation for that matter) He is the one that wants to adapt after all, right? Why should people bend over backwards to cater to him in his own language when he made the decision to come over here in the first place? If I go to Saudi Arabia, do you think they are going to cater to me in english? Many secondary schools now offer english as a second language. Why should the taxpayers fund a program to teach a language that the immigrant should have learned before he came over here?
It is also said that english only laws are xenophobic. However, many countries still have strict laws about speaking their native language. Why should the United States not be allowed to do the same? They would have to be just as xenophobic as us then. Many countries see it as protecting their culture, could the same be said for the United States?
Also, for convenience sake it makes daily life much easier if everyone already speaks the same language. A fast food worker is going to have a much more difficult time if he can only speak spanish or at best poor english.
Yet, since the United States is made up of more than one culture and language, is it right for one group to exercise their will over the rest of the population that doesn't speak english?
Currently there is no where written into American law that english is the national language. But, should it be? After all the population is primarily english speakers. It begs the question: When an immigrant comes to America (or any nation for that matter) He is the one that wants to adapt after all, right? Why should people bend over backwards to cater to him in his own language when he made the decision to come over here in the first place? If I go to Saudi Arabia, do you think they are going to cater to me in english? Many secondary schools now offer english as a second language. Why should the taxpayers fund a program to teach a language that the immigrant should have learned before he came over here?
It is also said that english only laws are xenophobic. However, many countries still have strict laws about speaking their native language. Why should the United States not be allowed to do the same? They would have to be just as xenophobic as us then. Many countries see it as protecting their culture, could the same be said for the United States?
Also, for convenience sake it makes daily life much easier if everyone already speaks the same language. A fast food worker is going to have a much more difficult time if he can only speak spanish or at best poor english.
Yet, since the United States is made up of more than one culture and language, is it right for one group to exercise their will over the rest of the population that doesn't speak english?