22 Answers

Because the United States has become so consumed with NOT OFFENDING anyone and being POLITICALLY CORRECT that its not required in this ENGLISH speaking country.

This way no ones FEELINGS get hurt.

Adios Amigo

I can't even tell you how many different languages are spoken in the US today.  There are times when I am in a store and NO ONE is speaking English.  Guess who feels like she doesn't belong.  
By providing translations of EVERYTHING from voters' ballots to driver's license tests, who needs to speak English. The government has practically created a Tower of Babel.  

I assume this question could apply to every country in the world.  If I  visit China, will I be "required" to speak Chinese  I f I were a resident in China , I would want to learn the language.

I dont know why this is . Sad state of affairs . Fact : We have a good way of life and a good standard of living and others want this when they have done nothing to earn it . Free loaders ,good for nothing  leeches crashing a party they weren't invited to. I am in charge of nothing and no matter how loud I complain it will change not a single thing . So what is the point ? We have allowed this and now we whine about it . LOL what a joke !!!!!

At this writing, there are more Spanish speaking people than English speaking in the USA. Who's to chose a national language..................?

I would like to learn the amecican  languige one day,so that i could put gas in my car instead of boring old petrol,and have a nice day once in awhile,and maybe punch a cow,

country bumpkin

We don't punch cows in the USA, we tip them. :)

It wasn't till the Civil War that the gov even knew many people in the USA couldn't speak English. After the war, they tried to teach every American the language. It's better to speak two languages, it increases brain power. If you speak English, your speaking words adopted from almost every language. If I could chose a second language, I'd take French, it sounds beautiful.

Down here Hindi seems to be the second language these days & it pisses me off something chronic!

Somebody said "They come here expecting the benefit of everything we have worked for & are not even prepared to contribute by using OUR language."I couldn't agree more.They should be made to learn English if they want to live here.

I think they should, growing up in S. Florida I had many  Spanish speaking friends and many of their parents couldn't speak a complete sentence in English. Mostly this is because there are so many other people who speak Spanish in the area as well.

Almost every sign is written in English and Spanish now I think it's improper. If I move to another country I am going to learn the language, not expect everyone to cater to my language.

WHEN IN ROME.

No one has to speak any language. But you will find pantomime tough to relate through. Negotiating lunch is an exercise that leads to a clearer understanding of your needs.

I know 4 languages, and fluent in 3.  Learning a second language couldn't hurt anybody.  Perhaps one might find it quite enriching, schmo.

Sometimes I feel America has been to generous with too many things.  People should learn the language of the country they choose to live in.  I feel some of the liberties we have given will come back to hunt and haunt us.  Please don't get me started.

Not all Americans are monoglot, I had an American girlfriend once who could speak fluent French and German . I had to let her go because she wanted to get married.

Love you Tommy, "something chronic" gave a burst out loud laugh. None of the others outside OZ will have a clue what you mean.

Suggestion try Hindi.

Agree totaly as I reported before if you can`t speak the language and you want to stay here permanently. sorry go back where you came from. You want to be Australian and all it means learn our language.

All this policticaly correct and give illegals the goodies will bite us on the bum trust me.

Anyone who migrates to another country should learn the language of there new home. For some, especially older persons, will find it difficult to do so. They are set in their ways and more times than not they will eventually settle into an area where they are surrounded by same speaking people. Not speaking the language of the country you've choosen to migrate too will limit your oportunities. I rented some commercial property space to a man many years ago. He spoke terrible English, I assumed he was a recent transplant to this country. I later found out he was born in Brooklyn, NY and lived here all his life. He lived in a Puerto Rican neighborhood and the need to become fluent in English simply wasn't of any importance to him. 

The fact that the average American does not speak as many foreign languages as the average european has nothing to do with the fact that  too many people come to the USA that  do not make any effort to learn English. When I came to the USA at the age of forthy I knew my first language and could handle easily two more. My English was ZERO. Americans would benefit from learning/knowing foreign languages. I am 100% in agreement with Colleen's postion for immigrants like my self  "This is my home they have come to move into. English is also the language of the UK. This language is the most spoken language in the world. This is not a case of Americans being priggish and thinking everyone should "just speak our language". This is a case of, if you want to compete in business or of you want to live in an English speaking country, then learn the language of that country or don't bother applying for citizenship or trying to compete as a business. The people here that we are expected to cater to in their language are the illegal immigrants. I flat out refuse to learn their language in order to communicate with them. Legal immigrants have had to learn a good bit of American/English in order to get their citizenship. Now they can communicate with me. "

Because America aka USA is the most tollerant country in the world

english is not required as a required language because the u.s is a free country or should be.rather than speak one language try to learn a bit of them all.

When I was living in Germany, I started to learn english in school at the age of 11. French 2 times a week. When I came to this country at age 24 I was fluent in english. English is required in all schools in Germany. II would love to learn to speak spanish, but on the other hand, spanish people schould learn english too..My daughters in-laws are from germany and they speak fluent english. Everyone needs the learn the english lanquage that lives in our country.

Well in South Africa its africanse and every school has to learn it which I think its good