The decline of the English language in America

Is English declining in our nation? We are a melting pot of many cultures that wants to keep and maintain their roots and identity.

Is this damaging our nations own identity and roots, to the point that even our English language is becoming under attack?

Why congress has not done anything to preserve the language of our nation’s forefathers?

Of course not forgetting that we wiped out whole tribes of people and destroyed their language and traditions to claim that we found this great land. Having people called "forefathers" is proof enough of that...

Highly doubtful since for the last two centuries, immigrants from around the world have come to America and to speak the American english language to survive in our society, not to mention any new generation of that family would need to be taught english to live in our society, its not by force or want, but a necessity. We could have been speaking Chinese, Japanese, German, etc. But it hasn't happened.

It wont matter much, in a few years it will be the second language anyway.

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
Of course not forgetting that we wiped out whole tribes of people and destroyed their language and traditions to claim that we found this great land. Having people called "forefathers" is proof enough of that...

Wow, I don't think that had anything to do with the posters question? Where the indians the founders of this country? We should all pack up and go back to Europe and let the poor indians have there county back.. oh wait.. they didn't even have a nation here did they? They where just a bunch of tribes fighting and killing eachother here they not? They are no better then us are they then, they fought and killed for land just as we did? We speak English, we did and always should.

Originally posted by ZeddicusZulZorander
Of course not forgetting that we wiped out whole tribes of people and destroyed their language and traditions to claim that we found this great land. Having people called "forefathers" is proof enough of that...

That my dearest Zed should be on a thread all on its own.

Remember we are talking about the English language the language brought to North America from the first western civilization that came across the world and claimed this land as their own.

I have not any native American roots, but I am an American nerveless and the languages that I have grown with is Spanish and English.

Spanish my first because my roots are from Spain and second English because is the common language spoken in the US today.

That is not the same with my children their first language is English, second is Spanish.

Now the topic

In this modern times in which immigration is such a hot issue, we have grown to believe that one of the requirements to be able to work and be able to be a citizen is the ability to dominate the English language.

But as we know why so many efforts has been made to preserve the language of the immigrants in our nation.

Why we have to cater to their cultural needs.

I find very ironic that people wants to be in the US but they do not want to learn the English language.

Very soon the language of the first people that arrive in this nation and formed what is now the Unites State of America will become just another language.

Supporting bilingual language education is contributing to the problem.

The once beautiful English that our forefathers spoke is just almost forgotten.

Originally posted by marg6043
The once beautiful English that our forefathers spoke is just almost forgotten.

I wouldn't call your American version of English beautiful, more an abomination...

You haven't spoken the English of your 'forefathers' for a very long time.
Try saying little instead of liddle, or winter instead of winer And put the dam U back in colour.

IMO the Amerilish you speak will get more simplified and dumbed down, it won't go away.
I think you are all overreacting a little bit as far as imigrants go.
So your lifestyle and lack of culture is under threat? Ah! What Karma!
Just like ZeddicusZulZorander pointed out, what goes around comes around.

[edit on 18/7/2006 by ANOK]

considering the way languages evolve....

There is no English word for Rodeo. It is Spanish. As are most associated words.

Toilet is from the French. As are many associated there.

The word Baptize is from the Latin. Jsut Anglicised..as in half of the original word...more like accepted slang.


In all honesty, there are so rediculously few words that I would classify as purely English, that having this conversation makes me laugh...



After all, I'm in the heart of Cajun country and many of the older folks still speak only Cajun French. Their grandkids live the same life as they do, but speak only English and a few cursewords.

I live where a language is really dying out. People who set out to speak French like they did in the 1600s come here to study French the way we speak it, not to France.

As much as I admire those who fight to preseve this history, when it dies out (and it will), it dies out.

*note* HUGE diffrence between Cajun and Creole.

Ivmight agra its not dat bad thou dowg. U anit got nuthin on this ENGRISH V 2.0, yep > ENGLISH

Anyways it is natural for societys to develope they're own langauge over a period of hundreds of years, I would not complane much since its just going to keep changing, pretty soon we will be speaking with numbers and letters like j00 n00b, 411 y0ur b45s R B-long t0 u5 and B1ll G4t3s

Originally posted by trIckz_R_fO_kIdz
Ivmight agra its not dat bad thou dowg. U anit got nuthin on this ENGRISH V 2.0, yep > ENGLISH

Anyways it is natural for societys to develope they're own langauge over a period of hundreds of years, I would not complane much since its just going to keep changing, pretty soon we will be speaking with numbers and letters like j00 n00b, 411 y0ur b45s R B-long t0 u5 and B1ll G4t3s

HAHA... you ok buddy?
Englsih is composed of all kinds of languages but mostly germanic roots.. so why should we spell color with a u because the English let the French rule over them.
HOWEVER if we become a nation that speaks ebonics like the man above me.. I'm sorry if that offends anyone.. but I find ebonics ignorant.. then I will move back to Ireland where my grandparents came from

It's one of the biggest reasons that several generations can't understand each other. They may use proper english...

It's like I couldn't explain Beasting or why I'm a Beast to those of you who don't get it without expanding past simple contextual clues.

Originally posted by marg6043
Now the topic

In this modern times in which immigration is such a hot issue, we have grown to believe that one of the requirements to be able to work and be able to be a citizen is the ability to dominate the English language.

But as we know why so many efforts has been made to preserve the language of the immigrants in our nation.

They don't have to be mutually exclusive, do they?

Why we have to cater to their cultural needs.

I don't think we should cater to any culture's particular needs. We should respect their right to preserve their culture and heritage, but it's up to a particular culture to preserve their own traits.

I find very ironic that people wants to be in the US but they do not want to learn the English language.

I don't understand how someone can gain citizenship without having a basic knowledge of English.

But you are right - it is puzzling why people would not want to master the language of the nation they have adopted.

If the government is required to print forms, signs, etc., in languages other than English, that is a waste of money. That job should be left to private entrepeneurs.

Supporting bilingual language education is contributing to the problem.

All that bi-lingual education does, is to prolong the problem.

When the topic of a national language comes up, it is often declared to be a racist tactic. But that is not true. Nobody that I know is trying to stomp out any other language. Anybody is free to communicate in their language of choice. But to do business in the US, there should be one language - English.

Margie,

I have to agree with some here. Da English lingo that we knew, is no longer. And the true English remains in England, i believe.

And lets not forget "Spanglish"....I still dont know why Hispanics cannot drop part of their language to save their lives. (I do it too)...

I wish i could show you emails from my relatives. Half in English, half in Spanish. BTW, these are professional people who grew up in the USA.
I still cant figure it out.

Still, the funniest thing on earth is a Chinese-Cuban (we had millions of those in Cuba) speaking Chi-Spanglish... Oh lord, have mercy.
That is FUNNY.

There's a chinese restaurant in Cape Cod and when i walked in to give my order, and the Asian spoke, i asked him what part of Cuba did he grow up in.
He was shocked that i knew.....

Without change their is no growth. English has had an influx of hundreds of words in the last few years having to do with business and technology. Some already in dictionaries, some to be added.

'Texting, googling, surfing' just to name a few.

Immigration has always been an active contributor to language - not just in recent times but far back, when there were equally other 'purists' around, demanding that the language not be changed to 'preserve' it intact in books.

Well sorry, but language is a fluid thing, a growing and evolving thing. Without other people to add words and definititions, without other cultures to add in what isn't already there, without French, Spanish, Greek, German, Native American, Arabic and Silicone Valley words, there would be no US English, as we know it today.

You either adapt and evolve, or you become a stale, dead language.

Ever read Shakespeare? He single-handedly contributed many words to the English language by bastardizing their definitions and/or making up new meanings and contractions. Of course his contemporaries were shocked, shocked! at the audacity. I bet Marlow was foaming at the mouth upon being confronted with the nerve of this little man who dare inject his own words.

According to Macrone in Brush Up Your Shakespeare, the Oxford English Dictionary credits Shakespeare as the first to use these words, among others: "arch-villain," "bedazzle," "cheap" (as in vulgar or flimsy), "dauntless," "embrace" (as a noun), "fashionable," "go-between," "honey-tongued," "inauspicious," "lustrous," "nimble-footed," "outbreak," "pander," "sanctimonious," "time-honored," "unearthly," "vulnerable," and "well-bred."

Originally posted by dgtempe
Still, the funniest thing on earth is a Chinese-Cuban (we had millions of those in Cuba) speaking Chi-Spanglish...

Oh lord, have mercy.
That is FUNNY.

I can only imagine, but I bet it is pretty funny to listen to!

Anway, I agree with most of the people who have posted already. English has been the main language since the beginning and there is no reason for us to not continue being an English speaking country. We didn't change our language for any of the other hundreds of different cultures of people that moved here, why should we change it now?

If I moved to Italy and didn't speak a word of Italian, I highly doubt that the government of that country would feel required to print signs in English just for little ol' me. If you move you any country without even trying to speak their native language life will be unneccessarily hard for you. I have nothing against people preserving their own culture, but that can still be done if you learn a new language. Speaking English in America will not destroy the culture of the people who immigrate here.

And I agree with whoever said they don't agree with ebonics being a language. I can understand it if someone speaks it, but I don't think it qualifies as a language. Adding -izzle to the end of a word does not create a new word, or a new language, and merely makes it hard for people to understand you.

Originally posted by ANOK
So your lifestyle and lack of culture is under threat? Ah! What Karma!
Just like ZeddicusZulZorander pointed out, what goes around comes around.

ANOK, you act like the English have never had their share of conquering and threatening other lifestyles and cultures.

I agree 100%, what goes around comes around

***That applies to England just as much as it does the U.S.***

I don't think American English is under threat or anything like that. Yeah, I think it's a shame when a family that resides in the U.S. does not teach their children english, but who's that hurting? Not me.

The English language is probably the best language for snowballing- growing larger and larger by a new daily influx of words. For any language to develop this is necessary.

The English language is still the talk of business and thus many professionals use it on a daily basis and it's influence is global. Slang words are common place- but they have always existed.

The truth is yes we have a changing language- but anything of a serious nature/ professional will remain English for a while yet. Even though China may be a superpower, English will remain for international purposes.

In effect English is the new Latin, used proffesionally but its official recognition is slowly decreasing. It's new and un-official form is developing and being spread on a daily basis.

Most modern languages are constantly evolving. We all laugh at Austin Powers' use of terms such as 'groovy', which were once ultra fashionable but are now merely humorous, just as the ridiculous gangsta speak (referred to by an earlier contributor as 'ebonics') is now passing out of fashion.

English will never 'sit still', the language spoken by me will not be that spoken by my grandchildren. American English, as Irish English, Scots English, Australian English et al developed due to distance and comparatively little verbal intercommunication between the external community and England before the advent of mass media.

Until recently, England itself enjoyed a host of readily identifiable local dialects and accents, but these are disappearing in modern times. In years to come it will be hard to differentiate between a native Mancunian and Devonian.

Of more concern, and I identify readily with this as do many of my compatriots, is the lack of effort by large numbers of immigrants to learn the language of their host country. This is a huge mistake made in England, where the hosts have made it too easy for immigrants, who never have to even speak a word of English.

The same has already happened in Florida, where the main spoken language is now officially Spanish.

As an immigrant myself, I have learned the language of my host country, out of respect for my hosts, but also out of sheer necessity. The Spanish do not waste time accommodating immigrants. They are very welcoming, to those who can be bothered to make the effort. Quite right too IMHO.

[edit on 19-7-2006 by Englishman_in_Spain]

[edit on 19-7-2006 by Englishman_in_Spain]

When a language becomes static and ceases to grow, change and develop, it dies. Latin is the calssic example for the west. Unless we want English to die, then change is desireable. As long as it incorporates new phrases, dialects, pronouncations and variations it is in do danger of declining.

I was talking something similar to this.

Here it is:
politics.abovetopsecret.com...

I was talking about the ever increasing Latino population and there are many Hispanics who refuse to forget there language who can blame them. But now it is different now in a lot of way I have a friend who is white that listen to Spanish music and now he get of most of the thing here saying. By the the way I live in a white town and he not the only one to be this way. With immigration being the hot issue I knew someone will talk about this and seeing what there talking about I can understand. But I only see this happening in urban areas.