87% Say English Should Be U.S. Official Language

[Hazcat]

Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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Americans continue to overwhelmingly believe that English should be the official language of the United States and reject by sizable margins the idea that such a move is racist or a violation of free speech.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 87% of Adults favor making English the nation's official language. This is the highest level of support yet but in line with what voters have been saying for several years. Just nine percent (9%) disagree.

Eighty-three percent (83%) say a company doing business in this country should be allowed to require its employees to speak English. Eleven percent (11%) say companies should not be permitted to require their employees to speak English on the job. These views are unchanged from a year ago.

Only 10% of Americans say requiring people to speak English is a form of racism or bigotry. Eighty-four percent (84%) disagree and say that's not true.

Twelve percent (12%) believe that declaring English the official language would limit free speech in this country, but 78% feel otherwise and see no limits being placed on free speech.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 7-8, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

The findings come at a time when President Obama and major Hispanic groups, among others, are protesting Arizona's new law empowering local police to stop those they suspect of being illegal immigrants. Despite national protests and threats of boycotting Arizona, 59% of U.S. voters continue to support the state law, which Arizona officials say is necessary because the federal government is not doing its job to halt illegal immigration. Fifty percent (50%), in fact, have an unfavorable opinion of those who protested the law in marches and rallies two weekends ago.

Support for English as the official language is high across all demographic groups.

However, Republicans consistently support it more strongly than Democrats and adults not affiliated with either party.

Ninety-five percent (95%) of those who work in the private sector think companies should be allowed to require their employees to speak English on the job, a view shared by just 69% of government employees.

Over 80% of whites, blacks and those of other racial and ethnic backgrounds agree that requiring people to speak English is not a form of racism or bigotry. These groups also agree by similar percentages that such a requirement is not a limit on free speech in this country.

Eighty percent (80%) of voters believe that those who move to America should adopt American culture. Again, this level of support has remained largely unchanged for years.

The president in remarks last July said that “instead of worrying about whether immigrants can learn English,” Americans “need to make sure your child can speak Spanish.” But Americans strongly disagree: Eighty-three percent (83%) place a higher priority on encouraging immigrants to speak English as their primary language. Just 13% take the opposite view and say it is more important for Americans to learn other languages.

Yet it's important to note that most Americans favor a welcoming immigration policy that excludes only “national security threats, criminals and those who would come here to live off our welfare system.”

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/may_2010/87_say_english_should_be_u_s_official_language

[MikeBjerum]

I know that this always turns into a Constitutional issue and racism.  However, in these tough financial time would the savings in governmental and private printings every be noticed more.  And how about the OSHA / safety issues?  Couldn't it be rightfully argued that a work place where everyone understands the spoken warnings and directions instantly be a safer place?

You want to visit, we will work with you; you want to live here, we will help you learn the language; you want to work and stay here ... learn the damn ways of the land!  Remember, you are the one that left your homeland and came here.  We didn't kidnap you and force you to change.

[fightingquaker13]

Yup. You guys make sense and I agree.I am tired of "pressing one for English" and wish I could press 3 for "assimilate or go the hell home". I am tired of having to pull out my rusty high school Spanish. All of this stuff pisses me off. I shouldn't have to be bilingual in my own freaking country! If I move to France, I should learn French, if I retire in Baja I should learn Spanish. That's just good manners. But if you move here, SPEAK ENGLISH (or at least try) OR GO HOME!

That said, I just don't see what this law will actually accomplish. People will still speak whatever language they want. I like the fact that the 911 operator can speak Spanish so if the Guatemalen yard guy my neighbor employs calls to tell them my house is on fire they can respond. It just seems like one of those "There ought to be a law" tantrums that people throw from time to time. We who are pro-2A ought to be immune to those. We know first hand how stupid they are. Just like with gun control the answer is simple. Enforce the laws already on the books. Don't pass new ones. Enforce the freaking immigration laws and this becomes a moot point.
FQ13  

[jnevis]

Some of this makes me laugh.  I am all for making English the official language but as FQ points out there is no requirement to ONLY speak English.  Not a big deal really.  The military has a requirement that all official business be conducted in English.  That doesn't stop anybody.  While I was stationed in Japan, the Supply Department was primarily Philipino and they spent a lot of time talking in Tagalog.  The ship used to post the regulatoin on English only in the Plan of the Day about once every couple months.  One of the other Supply guys used to make a stack of copies and post it all over Supply.  They would stay for a couple days and disapear.  He'd go back every week or so and do it again.  Didn't change the fact that if you REALLY wanted to get what you wanted, you need to ask in Tagalog.

[Solus]

It will eliminate the cost of mandated second language access.

If a company wishes to provide second language support for customers, they are free to do so, knowing they will be a hindrance to their English speaking customers.

No government agency should spend a nickle to provide second language support.

If you need to deal with the government and can't speak English bring the appropriate translator.

 

[Sponsor]

[JC5123]

Some of this makes me laugh.  I am all for making English the official language but as FQ points out there is no requirement to ONLY speak English.  Not a big deal really.  The military has a requirement that all official business be conducted in English.  That doesn't stop anybody. While I was stationed in Japan, the Supply Department was primarily Philipino and they spent a lot of time talking in Tagalog.  The ship used to post the regulatoin on English only in the Plan of the Day about once every couple months.  One of the other Supply guys used to make a stack of copies and post it all over Supply.  They would stay for a couple days and disapear.  He'd go back every week or so and do it again. Didn't change the fact that if you REALLY wanted to get what you wanted, you need to ask in Tagalog.

You were in a different country, and you assimilated to the culture around you. And you STILL weren't speaking the native language!

[MAUSERMAN]

 

[philw]

what   I struggle with the queens english  with my edumication  so I have just started to learn "American" 

so now I have to go back to English   Bugger it..

[tombogan03884]

Do the best you can Phil, We'll ask if we can't figure it out 

[Solus]

what   I struggle with the queens english  with my edumication  so I have just started to learn "American" 

so now I have to go back to English   Bugger it..

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