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CORRECT English is known as being a difficult language to learn--and it's true that Spanish does have much more uniform rules, and is more predictable.
But you don't have to be an "English Major" to be understood--even MARGINAL English will "get you by"...Think about it...we can usually undestand what George Bush is trying to say...even if we can't figure out WHY......and he CERTAINLY doesn't speak "The King's English"...
So OP, are you saying when both sets of my great grandparents came to America, they should not have learned the English language. Hmmmm, life would of been kinda tough speaking Italian and German over here when no one else did.
From CWHA: Become a citizen
[SIZE=+2]Are there English Language requirements for becoming a citizen?[/SIZE]
Yes. You must speak and understand English to become a citizen of the Unties States. The only exceptions to this rule are people who are at least fifty years old and have been lawful permanent residents for twenty years or more, or fifty-five years old and lawful permanent residents for at least fifteen years.
[SIZE=3]English Only legislation first appeared in 1981 as a constitutional [/SIZE][SIZE=3]English Language Amendment[/SIZE][SIZE=3]. This proposal, if approved by a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate and ratified by three-quarters of state legislatures, would have banned virtually all uses of languages other than English by federal, state, and local governments. But the measure has never come to a Congressional vote, even in committee. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Since 1981, 23 states have adopted various forms of Official English legislation, in addition to four that had already done so. Subtracting [/SIZE][SIZE=3]Hawai'i[/SIZE][SIZE=3] (which is officially bilingual) and [/SIZE][SIZE=3]Alaska[/SIZE][SIZE=3] (whose English-only initiative has been declared unconstitutional) leaves a [/SIZE][SIZE=3]total of 25 states[/SIZE][SIZE=3] with active Official English laws. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Official English legislation is being considered in [/SIZE][SIZE=3]additional states[/SIZE][SIZE=3]. These measures are unrelated, however, to the process of amending the U.S. Constitution. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]A decade ago, English Only advocates changed their strategy. Recognizing the long odds against ratifying a constitutional amendment, they began to promote a statutory form of Official English. Such a bill would apply to the federal government alone and would require only a simple majority vote in Congress (as well as the President's signature) to become law. Several versions of so-called [/SIZE][SIZE=3]"Language of Government"[/SIZE][SIZE=3] legislation have appeared since that time. One of these bills, [/SIZE][SIZE=3]H.R. 123[/SIZE][SIZE=3], passed the House of Representatives – but not the Senate – in 1996. So the measure failed to become law. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Similar legislation is pending in [/SIZE][SIZE=3]Congress[/SIZE][SIZE=3]. If enacted, it would amend the U.S. Code in the following ways: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]English would be designated the official language of the U.S. government – indeed, the only language that federal employees and officials, including members of Congress, would be permitted to use for most government business. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The English Only mandate would extend to federal "actions, documents, policies ... publications, income tax forms, informational materials," records, proceedings, letters to citizens – indeed, to any form of written communication on behalf of the U.S. government. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Exceptions to the ban on federal use of other languages would be permitted for purposes that include national security, international trade and diplomacy, public health and safety, criminal proceedings, language teaching, certain handicapped programs, and the preservation of Native American languages. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]An "entitlement" would be created, ensuring the "right" of every person to communicate with the federal government in English – in effect, a guaranteee of [/SIZE][SIZE=3]language rights[/SIZE][SIZE=3], but for English speakers only. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Civil lawsuits to enforce the law would be permitted by persons claiming to have been "injured by a violation" of it – a "right of action" that could give virtually any taxpayer the standing to sue in federal court. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Naturalization ceremonies would be specifically restricted to English only. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Bilingual provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which guarantee minority-language voting materials in certain jurisdictions, would be repealed. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Much uncertainty remains about the practical impact of Official English bills on a spectrum of language services, from bilingual education to Social Security pamphlets to sign-language interpreting. If passed, its interpretation would almost certainly be determined by the courts. The 1996 House [/SIZE][SIZE=3]floor debate[/SIZE][SIZE=3] on the bill offers various views on its pros, cons, and potential effects. The Clinton Administration strongly opposed this legislation (see [/SIZE][SIZE=3]Justice Department[/SIZE][SIZE=3] letter). The Bush administration has yet to take a formal position, although as governor of Texas, George W. Bush spoke out against Official English and anti-bilingual-education proposals[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=3] continued at the link[/SIZE]
It's the de facto official language of this country, as all executive and legislative government business in this country is conducted in English. Do you know what "de facto" means?
Illegals from EVERY country who do not speak English should be REQUIRED to learn English. In fact, you have to demonstrate proficiency in English to become a citizen of this country unless you're mentally deficient, too young to speak, or too elderly to learn.
For someone who is supposedly sponsoring her illegal signifcant other through the immigration system, you don't seem to know very much about it. Tell me...have you started filling out your hardship waiver yet...because you're going to need one. Big time.
I think that you should check your facts because my significant other is in fact LEGAL! He was born in the US, has a social security card, he pays his taxes without appyling for anything like an id number or whatever. I don't need to apply for a hardship waiver because my boyfriend and I are not expericing any hardships!!!
DE FACTO means in effect but not formally recognized.
Yes, English is the DE FACTO language of the US but google it and do some research. There are over 300 languages spoken in the US everyday. Research this and really try to come back with something better then that.
And also before you start talking trash about anything you should research it before you start talking!!
Overview of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [SIZE=2]Title VI, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq., was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. As President John F. Kennedy said in 1963: [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]Simple justice requires that public funds, to which all taxpayers of all races [colors, and national origins] contribute, not be spent in any fashion which encourages, entrenches, subsidizes or results in racial [color or national origin] discrimination.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]If a recipient of federal assistance is found to have discriminated and voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the federal agency providing the assistance should either initiate fund termination proceedings or refer the matter to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal action. Aggrieved individuals may file administrative complaints with the federal agency that provides funds to a recipient, or the individuals may file suit for appropriate relief in federal court. Title VI itself prohibits intentional discrimination. However, most funding agencies have regulations implementing Title VI that prohibit recipient practices that have the effect of discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=2]To assist federal agencies that provide financial assistance, the wide variety of recipients that receive such assistance, and the actual and potential beneficiaries of programs receiving federal assistance, the U.S. Department of Justice has published a Title VI Legal Manual. The Title VI Legal Manual sets out Title VI legal principles and standards. Additionally, the Department has published an Investigation Procedures Manual to give practical advice on how to investigate Title VI complaints. Also available on the Coordination and Review Website are a host of other materials that may be helpful to those interested in ensuring effective enforcement of Title VI. [/SIZE]
Another lame excuse to say "Spanish" or "bi-lingual" is ok. They really dont say "Spanish" anymore, its Bi-Lingual and English is secondary. If you think English is hard to learn, then so be it. DONT COME HERE! if our country is going to hard to assimilate to, then DONT COME HERE! Remember, if you want to come to the USA.. Please learn English before you come over! I know I had to!
REMEMBER! Its not your RIGHT to come to the USA, Its a PRIVILAGE! Please get that into your Knoggins!(a slang term for head or brain)
Uh.....it's spelled "privilege."
But do go on.
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