|
Common Language Quotes |
|
|
"The tie of language is perhaps the strongest and
the most durable that can unite mankind." "English is the key to full participation in the
opportunities of American life." "We have room for but one language here, and that is
the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as
Americans." "The one absolute certain way of bringing this
nation to ruin, or preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all,
would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities. We have but one
flag. We must also learn one language and that language is English." "The gift of a common tongue is a priceless
inheritance and it may well someday become the foundation of a common citizenship." "Though representatives from many ethnic groups came
together in the United States, English became their common language. Apparently, this was
a natural choice. One can imagine what would have happened if members of each nation
moving to the United States had spoken only their own tongues and refused to learn
English." "English is the 'language of liberty' for nations
emerging from years of cultural oppression." "A melting pot, yes. A tower of Babel, no." "Providence has been pleased to give this one
connected country, to one united people; a people descended from the same ancestors,
speaking the same language..." "Language is one of the fundamental bonds by which a
people is held together. It is essential to the maintenance of internal peace and external
unity. In countries where linguistic unity has broken down, hostility, prejudice, and
resentment persist and even worsen, despite the adoption of two official languages. With
our cultural pluralism, how many languages would have to become official after a second
one had been chosen?" "The mission of the United States is one of
benevolent assimilation." "And while you bring all countries with you, you
come with a purpose of leaving all other countries behind you--bringing what is best of
their spirit, but not looking over your shoulders and seeking to perpetuate what you
intended to leave behind in them." "
Defend our liberties and fashion into one
united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindred and tongues." "I support the right of all parents to choose the
education they believe is best for their children.
I see the emerging opposition to
English as the official language as an attempt by Hispanic politicians to control the flow
of information to their constituents. By ensuring that such information will be doled out
in Spanish, they perpetuate their own political power." "The language the Founding Fathers used to write our
charter of government is the shared unifying language of our nation, and a key to full and
fair opportunity for all Americans. By emphasizing the importance of a common language we
safeguard a proud legacy and help to ensure that America's future will be as great as her
past." "English is destined to be in the next and
succeeding centuries more generally the language of the world
the reason is obvious,
because the increasing population in America, and their universal connection and
correspondence with all nations, will
force their language into general use." "A country has to have only one official language,
if men are to understand one another
It is eminently fair that a country's official
language should be the language of the majority." "Why in the world anyone in America is allowing
another language (other than English) to be his first
I don't know"
U.S.ENGLISH, Inc. | Home Page | U.S.ENGLISH Foundation Copyright © 1999 by the U.S.ENGLISH Foundation, Inc. This page was last updated 04/26/99. | ||||||
