Why do people become offended when people bring up that English should be America's national official) language?

Well America is now populated with many hispanic and mexican backrounds and a most of them speak spanish. & to them ( some) think that spanish should be the national language & for the fact that slot of jobs here in America do require for you to speak spanish & english tto work with bilingual costumors

In a place like America, with it’s population numbers literally emanating from immigration, it’s pretty impractical to even have a notion of an official language. While yes, I do agree with what you stated above, the problem is teaching a language to someone who is already past puberty is beyond that of simply saying the alphabet to a child. Not only that, if the official language is in contrast with the majority of the people – whether legal or not – that is a technicality issue.

With the kind of diversity we have, it comes off as impractical to me in a way but I think it would be nice, sort of a unification of the masses. We have to start somewhere and it might as well be with the youth.

‘Cause older people (like my father) are “old-fashioned” and he firmly believes he’s an all-out American citizen and that the American language is English, and that the immigrants who come here should learn English. And he’s pretty firm in his beliefs so…that’s why …

im the same way with that.

I think I read that too fast. Haha. That’s a first (not). Sorry about the slightly off answer xP.

Yeah. In all honesty, my father kinda taught me that as well, lol.

Because anyone that chooses to be a citizen should learn and use the language. If not, they sell cheap rowboats at Wal-Mart.

well of course the ppl that are going to get offended are ppl who dnt speak english! and which they wish they knew how to speak english! it all depends how you say it, and in the situation, or person you say that to.

Why cant there just be more than one official language? My country has three - you dont have to speak english (although its a huge advantage considering most people do), you can do all your literacy education in New Zealand Maori if you prefer.

i dont know why they get offended but the way i look at it is ENGLISH has always been the language spoke in America, if you arent from here LEARN our language if you cant GO BACK WHERE YOU CAME FROM. America will always be an english speaking country. its not our place to learn ur language u came here we didnt go to ur country. and dont try to force our children to take another language because mine want!!!!

WELL HERE IN THIS CASE IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR THE ONE GETTING OFENDED! AND ITS FUNNY HOW YOU SAY IF YOU DNT KWN HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH GO BACK FROM WERE U CAME FROM! WHEN MOST AMERICAN THE LANGUAGE THEY WANNA LEARN IS SPANISH IN MANNY CASES… AND THIS IS THE REASON THEY GET OFFENDED B/C YOU ARE NOW SOUNDING RACIST!!!!!!!!!!

Might I just say, that since your post is in English, that the people who might be offended by it, couldn’t understand it in the first place.

English has always been the language SPOKE in America? Are you serious. YOU barely have the grasp of the language. Actually I believe the Natives didnt speak English. And they were here far longer than the British were (you do know that’s where English came from in the U.S. right?). And actually you came to the Native Americans country. Perhaps you should learn their language, if that is your argument.

In GENERAL (see most people will miss the general part of this), a lot of people waving the whole national language have no desire for ethnic minorities to be in the country, they think they’re stealing their jobs, etc etc. This is more aimed towards the Hispanic community than anything else. Now you’d probably be offended if idiots sent messages like ‘go back where you came from’ towards you (especially the same idiots who have no grasp of history). Personally, I don’t see a problem with it. It makes life extremely complicated when a group of people refuse to learn a language that the majority of people use in a country. I live in a place where knowing 3 or 4 languages is the norm, not the exception. Most of the world is able to be bilingual quite comfortably. I see no good reason why people are fighting learning english. It does not mean they have to let go of their heritage or culture.

I agree, my country has 11. Culture and nationality is important. I wouldn’t have the same concepts of things without having my language being taught in schools as well. It’s important that they let parents and children make their own decisions regarding what they want to learn in and read in, the government should not be controlling our culture and education in such a strict way.