English...Who Needs It?

I believe that one very important factor in a country maintaining unity and function as one is language. If you look around at least Western Europe, each country has a distinct language that begins, and largely ends, at their borders. With regards to Canada, the language issue is a source of resentment and division between its people. In Quebec, where French is the official language, there is a good deal of negativity towards English speaking Canadians. There is an equal amount of negativity flowing the other way.

English is, at least for now, the official language of this country. The reason it is so is that, since we are a nation if immigrants, we had to settle on a universal language that we could communicate in, in order to operate as a nation. Without it, we could not function as a society. In my humble opinion, and it is just my opinion, if a second official language is forced upon the people, it will do more harm than good. Spanish speakers will resent those English speakers that resist embracing the new official language, and vice-versa. I absolutely believe that Spanish speakers, and all other language speakers, should hold on to their heritage, but English was selected as the one common language for this country a LONG time ago. To change it now would be like completely rewriting the Constitution; it would strike at the foundation of what makes us unified.

I also believe that US-born citizens should embrace learning other languages. It adds to an individual's cultural awareness, which is invaluable at a time when politics and economics are now working on a global scale. Besides, there is nothing wrong with a little culture, especially if you live in a place with little diversity.

This may be too much opinion for some of you, but I've got big shoulders. Feel free to critique and/or criticize as you will.