Dappled, sorry for my ignorance, but where did you read that america doesn't have an official language? I had never heard of that before reading this post. However, I remember reading in Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson that English was chosen by congress as the official language of the US way back at the start, although the voting was a close thing and German was very nearly the chosen language because of the amount of Germans already there and the idea of cocking a snoot at the old country.
I thought it was common knowledge. I've certainly read it in enough different places to be pretty confident on it. Although I do remember reading there was a move recently to make English the official language and that it had fallen foul of people saying it'd be racist to do so, and that it would place less emphasis on bilinguality.
I'll be honest, though, you've got me doubting myself now. Perhaps this is just a brainfart of mine and I've imagined it all. It happens. :)
Hmm, Wikipedia says no official language (at federal level) but I'm not sure how much I trust a site which only contains what people "popularly believe" is true.
Sadly so. Very few people believe me that my name is John Buffy and that I work as a fire warden. I thought that there was nothing inherently odd about that, but nobody believes me that I am Buffy the Campfire Slayer.
Is it normal to hate people who cant speak American?
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The United States doesn't have an official language; not even English. We're more than happy to let you borrow ours, though. :)
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bigtoy
11 years ago
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Dappled, sorry for my ignorance, but where did you read that america doesn't have an official language? I had never heard of that before reading this post. However, I remember reading in Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson that English was chosen by congress as the official language of the US way back at the start, although the voting was a close thing and German was very nearly the chosen language because of the amount of Germans already there and the idea of cocking a snoot at the old country.
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dappled
11 years ago
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I thought it was common knowledge. I've certainly read it in enough different places to be pretty confident on it. Although I do remember reading there was a move recently to make English the official language and that it had fallen foul of people saying it'd be racist to do so, and that it would place less emphasis on bilinguality.
I'll be honest, though, you've got me doubting myself now. Perhaps this is just a brainfart of mine and I've imagined it all. It happens. :)
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bigtoy
11 years ago
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I don't know because it's not just you that's saying it here. Maybe Mr Bryson is wrong?
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dappled
11 years ago
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Hmm, Wikipedia says no official language (at federal level) but I'm not sure how much I trust a site which only contains what people "popularly believe" is true.
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bigtoy
11 years ago
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bigtoy
11 years ago
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http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/at-last-america-has-an-official-language-and-yes-its-english-478896.html
I guess you can trust The Independent.
You can't believe anything you read on the Internet - especially so on IIN! lol
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dappled
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Sadly so. Very few people believe me that my name is John Buffy and that I work as a fire warden. I thought that there was nothing inherently odd about that, but nobody believes me that I am Buffy the Campfire Slayer.