We totally understand why such insignificant states like Idaho or Nebraska might want to enact such insular and small-minded legislation. But California and Florida …?
Hat tip (via Reddit): wildeastmofo
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My only surprise is that the official language of Texas is not Texan.
Yee-haw!
I notice that the ’80s seems to be the modal decade for the enactment of these laws. Also, do you know what the English-plus designation means?
Ah, the Eighties! I wonder if “English plus” is the idiomatic equivalent of “first among equals”!
English plus is exactly as it states. Alaska has English and 20-some Inuit languages as their official language(s). Hawaii has English and Hawaiian as their languages.
Español should be a Co-Official to FL, The highest population is Hispanic Origin people and it’s History and do to having the first colony that were of Spanish, Spanish always remained strong in this state after being bought, i don’t know to get a petition or make a vote for this but i would say The Florida State or as the original name “La Florída” should make a impact on it’s people, It would be wise for the State Of Florida
That’s a great point. Florida was once called “La Florida,” and the Spanish language is an important part of Florida’s heritage.
Spanish should be added as an official Language of Florida because well obivous reasons. If PR becomes a State they should officialize Spanish and should be done among other States that belonged to Spain and Mexico. Hell Canada official languges are French and English
Excellent point!
I disagree. The official language should stay that way for Florida, as does the majority of states do. Spanish people, or ANY other people should learn English if they expect to make the United States their home. Just as anyone moving to any other country, should make THAT language their first spoken.
I disagree with your point, since Florida was originally a Spanish dominion (part of the Spanish empire). Shouldn’t North Americans learn Spanish?
We the Floridians disagree with you, if that is the case then you do not know Florida
Okay, but who are these “Floridians”? Historically speaking the State of Florida began as a colony of Spain, so the Spanish language is part of our history!
Nope, the majority of Florida says no they want Spanish over English they had solid points to it.
Florida should be bilingual atleast nobody cares for the English as much for the Spanish being an official language and it should be that way
I am amazed how this old blog post continues to generate lots of interest and discussion. Maybe I should write a formal policy paper about this topic, i.e. whether Florida should adopt Spanish as one of her official languages?
60% of people Speak Español, 20% Bilingual, 10% English and 5% other
Florida highest language for centuries is indeed Español by far as i know it and it’s origin, i have read the constitution and i would vote for Español. The people if Florida i believe have the Rights to have this opportunity, I have gone by Miami and FL most parts and i had interviewed even Non-Hispanic origin everyone seems to vote for Español as either Co-Official or Official, This was a personal Interview i done randomly, I hope people will hear my comment and actually Bring this to be known and report to people, USA is a Union and as i read history it is Legal by State and Law it can indeed be granted
Are those statistics for South Florida?
What statistics are those? I’m from Florida and those are not accurate statistics for the entire state I can assure you. Only about 20% of Floridians speak Spanish at all and that’s including bilingual people. Most Spanish speaking Floridians immigrated from somewhere else. Do you really think 10% of the Floridian population speaks only English? It’s more like 75%
Hate to bring it to all your attentions but it was the many tribes spread across this nation that owned not only Florida but this entire country first. It was than stolen by Spain,France and numerous other countries that arrived on these shores. The English language was next forced on all the surviving tribal members once rounded up and moved on to reservations not exactly by choice. We kept our many tribal languages at home with our people and learned to master American English. So if you want to talk first language in this country just remember who’s country this was and unless you are ready to bring back and learn the many original tribal languages of this land you better just stick with American English throughout this country. This way one and all can understand what’s going on across our America. When you speak American English anywhere on this earth people will always know you are an American “Cause this ain’t the Kings English baby!” Try that with any other language like Spanish, French or what ever other you may speak. The American English language units us from Coast to Coast and around the world as being from and living in the USA.
Excellent points!
You should, and I have a petition about it though a lot to read. I interviewed a lot of people perosnally and they do want Spanish. I been all over Florida doing this majority said yes, some immigrants said no some citizens said no I asked them about Florida History and they have no idea and I do qoute this one lady that said this “No I don’t care for Florida History, This is america we speak English. Florida is a English word and should remain English” I’ll always remember that
Wow! The irony is that the USA is the second-largest Spanish-speaking country in the world…
Because it is, it’s concidered a Hispanic country because the states origin being full blown Hispanic although some Caucasians are around for years now but I rather connect the roots to the states. I favor bilingual thing idk what it’s called but I heard a lot about it.
You can also stick with Spanish, Florida has its own Academic Spanish academy and also Spanish very well dominates Florida and I think California (don’t know just guessing in Cali.)
We’re just fine with our first documented American language that is Spanish.
I’m sure your readers from “insignificant” States now have a clear idea about where you should stuff up your superiority complex – not to mention I’m also pretty sure you would’ve been the first one to draw the racism card if that adjective had been applied to any random country or ethnic group. Favoring Spanish as a co-official language in the name of inclusivity with Spanish speakers (at least, this is what is implied) may be a good idea, although the question is far from being simple, but doing so after showing so much contempt basically makes you lose all your credibility…
Don’t worry, I’m not triggered, I don’t live in those States, I don’t even live in the USA! But wow, just wow. I’m baffled by the sheer amount of disdain people who call themselves “educated” can show.
Florída founding father is from Spain and share the same founding father of Puerto Rico and Cuba and other places that aren’t really credited but it’s alright. Knowing the origin of Florida many people want the language especially in Miami, it’s being concidered by Political offi ial a change in FL and for it to happen, last year alone in last November for some reason wa red FL to be indepe nation, idk why but that’s a different story.. point is who we are this amendment should be taken out and become Bilingual everyone should learn both languages perfectly. They’re shouldn’t be an arguement about it we “Floridians” (original name for us is Florídiense(s)) should adopt Spanish as an official language. Also a change in the flag is being concidered since last year to make it more represent the original flag of Florida
@Danny Martin Rosabal True, Spanish is de facto a linguistic reality in Florida, and IMO this would be the only relevant point of having a bilingual State: acknowledging this reality. Now, forcing everyone to speak Spanish AND English, at an administrative or educational level, is something else entirely. I’m sure some Cuban-only areas in Miami don’t really see the point of speaking English, and I’m also sure many non-Latino communities of Northern Florida don’t see the point of speaking Spanish.
The argument of origins is always tricky when it comes to America. If today’s State identities were to be shaped by their original founders, a lot of US places would actually speak German or French! Honestly, there would be so much better to do with administrative power and linguistic empowerment in the US than a catfight between English and Spanish, two of the most spoken and most influential languages in the world! Better things like saving and promoting the hundreds of endangered Native languages – some of them, like Mikasuki and Muscogee, are still spoken in Florida.
@Sid
Yeah man that’s true however even West Florída which is the Panhandle is of Spanish origin. However they’re a different story in a sense too it’s like a wild card. I’m all up for Bilingual Law in Florída and i do agree with enforcing both language on a federal law but Spanish being the primary one like main one. Idk how to explain it but they’re examples out there which does no harm. And about USA in general .. well their is 7 French Capitals in Northern USA which they claim to want French as an official language other than English. But that’s a different but relation to Spanish being an official language of Florida. Doing this connecting to our origins would be a fine addition
It doesn’t matter, it should be on federal level. Both should be the official languages doesn’t matter which areas speak more of either one we all live in peace together
Yes, we could federalize the language issue — for my part, however, I would prefer that the language issue be decided at the State or local level.
@F.E. Guerra-Pujol
I prefer Federal level but whatever makes Spanish to be like Puerto Rico would be great
Eh… That’s not what I’m talking about, I’m talking about Florida and should be like that. Everyone gets along everyone learns everyone’s language and choice if language is choice but what do I know of running a state? All i know it it is what it is at the end of the day. However I see Puerto Rico does just fine with how it doing and that’s how it should be like. Spanish is what exactly what you said I’ve seen many white non-hispanic people speak the language and they always told me the same thing. “This is Florida weather you’re in Miami or another area, we’ve read the history and we embrace Florida and it should be both English and Spanish, Florida needs to be represented more and Puerto Rico is a great example to how Florida should be like. You got areas where both are spoken, some tienes it’s Spanish and others just English by choice for whatever reason at the end of the day it’s all good”. That was a old guy who conservative minded a old timer from South Carolina. John Robertton is his name. And btw if their was any choice to replace English for German and French for USA i would go with French because in the USA their are 7 French capitals and all that kind of stuff that has to do with French abd would make sense also i know would win the vote but that’s another topic
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I believe in Florida history and population in today’s world and the past should represent more of what Florida is and specifically the language. I don’t want to run a long paragraph but like to make things fair and more representative Florida should get rid of the English language and fall on both English and Spanish. Both must become the official language of the great state of Florida. Our 3 founding fathers hail from Spain, the flag of Red and White are influenced by the second flag of Florida which is also Red and White many call opon a change in the flag to represent more of Florida and as well the seal of Florida to add the same words “In God We Trust” in Spanish. Doesn’t need to change much. The state of Florida has always had Spanish speaking people. To cut this paragraph short I’m in favor of removing English as the official language of Florida and create the bilingual official languages for the state to be Spanish and English. Floridian Spanish (Español Floridiensé) and American English shall be the official language of Florida.
For more info. About why the cutting of my paragraph making it short just shoot me a message.