Pressure building for national language

au1929 wrote:

Maybe that would give people the desire to learn the language of the land. Which I believe is English not Spanish.

The incentive is already there. Isn't it?

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SCoates wrote:

au1929 wrote:

Maybe that would give people the desire to learn the language of the land. Which I believe is English not Spanish.

The incentive is already there. Isn't it?

It is? Care to explain what that incentive is?

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Quite a lot of Spanish speaking people have a strong desire to learn english. The fact that almost everything is written in english and english is by far the most common language are incentives. Without knowing the language there are far less people you can communitcate with.

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I wish it were so , but here in Florida there's not much incentive for those that move into the Latin community.
However, it's always been that way for first generation immigrants. Why, I met an Italian woman that came here in 1938 and she didn't speak much English. The good news is that second generation immigrants are almost all fluent in English, as our school systems do a good job in assimilating various cultures.

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Also, keep in mind this tid bit:

"Several surveys show that there is a definite indication that literacy is a problem all over Florida. For instance the State Adult Literacy Survey, conducted in 1992 in Florida, showed that 21-23 percent of the state's adults demonstrated skills in the lowest level (Level 1). Residents with Level 1 literacy skills can't read a bus schedule, fill out job and Social Security card applications or figure out the total cost of items on an order form."

Seems Americans aren't real keen on learning English either.

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panzade wrote:

Also, keep in mind this tid bit:

"Several surveys show that there is a definite indication that literacy is a problem all over Florida. For instance the State Adult Literacy Survey, conducted in 1992 in Florida, showed that 21-23 percent of the state's adults demonstrated skills in the lowest level (Level 1). Residents with Level 1 literacy skills can't read a bus schedule, fill out job and Social Security card applications or figure out the total cost of items on an order form."

Seems Americans aren't real keen on learning English either.

Do you have any newer studies or do you only have access to ones that are 12 years old? Just asking to see if there has been any improvement.

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Chances are good there's been no improvement but I'll check

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panzade wrote:

Happy now Walter?

Totally, fully satisfied; I couldn't be any happier at all.

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Giggling.

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Re: Pressure building for national language

au1929 wrote:

What are your thoughts regarding the making of English the official language of the US.

Judging by the historical record, it's superfluous. America has assimilated many waves of immigrants speaking foreign languages. I see no reason to expect that this wave should be different.

Judging by the US constitution, the United States has a limited government of enumerated powers -- and those enumerated powers don't include the establishment of a national language. (The Supreme Court may still uphold it, true to its tradition of grabbing power through abusing the Commerce Clause.)

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Re: Pressure building for national language

Thomas wrote:

au1929 wrote:
What are your thoughts regarding the making of English the official language of the US.

Judging by the historical record, it's superfluous. America has assimilated many waves of immigrants speaking foreign languages. I see no reason to expect that this wave should be different.

Judging by the US constitution, the United States has a limited government of enumerated powers -- and those enumerated powers don't include the establishment of a national language. (The Supreme Court may still uphold it, true to its tradition of grabbing power through abusing the Commerce Clause.)

That doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be done.

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Re: Pressure building for national language

Baldimo wrote:

That doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be done.

Of course not. It only means that you need to persuade roughly 75% of Americans of your opinion so you get the majorities necessary to amend the constitution. You then get a constitutional amendment that, judging by the historical record, probably won't do any good. But sure, it's possible.

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Gracias a Dios
... that aint gonna happen.

Next topic.

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Re: Pressure building for national language

Thomas wrote:

Baldimo wrote:
That doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be done.

Of course not. It only means that you need to persuade roughly 75% of Americans of your opinion so you get the majorities necessary to amend the constitution. You then get a constitutional amendment that, judging by the historical record, probably won't do any good. But sure, it's possible.

Why does it seem so unlikely that a majority of people would vote for this.

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People would vote for it if:

A) They were convinced that the lack of a constitutional definition of
English as the official language is causing grave and immediate problems.

B) They were clearly shown how such a definition would eradicate those
problems.

C) They were convinced that such a definition would not spawn as many,
if not more, problems than it would solve.

So far, I have seen nothing that satisfies these conditions.

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I agree with George's questions.

But I still think that a national language even would be more difficult to obtain than an official language.

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Walter
National language, official language is just a matter of Semantics. Call it what you will, the quest is for English to be recognized as the language of the US.

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I think there is a distinct difference.

I am all in favor of an official language, not so keen on a national language.

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au1929 wrote:

National language, official language is just a matter of Semantics.

As far as 'national' language is used until now: definately NOT.

(All, really all countries with a National Language have at least one [mostly more] official languages as well.)

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McG/ Walter

Somehow the distinction escapes me.

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Pressure building for national language

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