The "English is the Official Language of Oklahoma Act"

The Oklahoma State Question 751, or the English is the Official Language of Oklahoma Act, is on the November 2, 2010 state ballot in Oklahoma as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.

The measure would make English the official language of the state of Oklahoma.

The ballot title that Oklahoma voters will see on the ballot reads:

This measure amends the State Constitution. It adds a new Article to the Constitution. That Article deals with the State's official actions. It dictates the language to be used in taking official State action. It requires that official State actions be in English. Native American languages could also be used.

When Federal law requires, other languages could also be used.
These language requirements apply to the State's "official actions." The term "official actions" is not defined. The legislature could pass laws determining the application of the language requirements. The Legislature would also pass laws implementing and enforcing the language requirements.

No lawsuit based on State law could be brought on the basis of a State agency's failure to use a language other than English. Nor could such a lawsuit be brought against political subdivisions of the State.

How will you vote on November 2nd?

Lmao, idiots. It sounds like a trivial thing but just another form of racism and economic discrimination. If this passes there will be little to no public services for those who don't speak English. Does that mean they don't have to pay taxes either? Probably not. Taxation without representation was the primary reason for the real tea party in Boston yet ironically most modern day tea baggers would support this.

I'm voting no. This law sounds like a slippery slope that I don't want to be involved in, and in a way, it also sounds a bit authoritarian.

I really don't think it's too much trouble for state agencies to use interpreters for non-English speaking Oklahomans, and yes, I'm liberal on the subject of illegal aliens, so I just don't agree with making English the official language. It just sounds like something a dictatorship would resort to.

for it. It is time for non english speaking citizens and non-citizens to start speaking our language. The language of the United States of America. If you dont want to speak it then it is your right as a citizen not to speak it. However, do not expect those of us that do speak English to cater to you because of your inability.

Chris wrote:

for it. It is time for non english speaking citizens and non-citizens to start speaking our language. The language of the United States of America. If you dont want to speak it then it is your right as a citizen not to speak it. However, do not expect those of us that do speak English to cater to you because of your inability.

How are we "catering" to non-English speakers by providing interpreters? We cater to corrupt politicians and lobbyists, but we can't be bothered to provide interpreters and make sure that non-English speaking citizens and noncitizens alike have fair and equal treatment in this country? Don't we have the Statue of Liberty as a symbol for immigrants trying to get a better life here? We are losing our values as a racially diverse country, and this law will make it official that we only care about the citizens who can assimilate fast enough to the American way of life.

You come here to america ,you need to learn our language( ENGLISH )and I feel the that if I were to move to another country I should learn their language. You want to move to america learn our language and pay your own way including taxes.END OF STORY! HAVE A GREAT DAY!

I really have to agree with that,if i were planning on moving to a country that spoke a different language i would think it was wise to be able to speak and understand what was going on, less trouble with legal matters, or business for that matter

English already is the de-facto official language of Oklahoma. This Act is pointless and unnecessary and will lead to more burden for all of the citizens.

This is America,speak it or go back and learn it ,I am tired of making phone calls and have no idea what is being said,speak english!!!!!

I am all for it, if I went to live in another country are they going to accommodate me with an interpreter for the rest of my life?

Left Hooverville wrote:

Lmao, idiots. It sounds like a trivial thing but just another form of racism and economic discrimination. If this passes there will be little to no public services for those who don't speak English. Does that mean they don't have to pay taxes either? Probably not. Taxation without representation was the primary reason for the real tea party in Boston yet ironically most modern day tea baggers would support this.

It sounds like a trivial thing but just another form of racism and economic discrimination.

What does "race" have to do with it?

Taxation without representation was the primary reason for the real tea party in Boston yet ironically most modern day tea baggers would support this.

"NO" Taxation without Representation.

I love it when the people who it won't affect weigh in on what others who it would affect should do. Many of the people affected by this law are poor. How much does it cost to become fluent in English? When would you have time if you are working multiple jobs?

How many of you English people speak a native language? Yet some of your ancestors have been here for 500 years.

absolutely yes.

YOU KNOW ME wrote:

I am all for it, if I went to live in another country are they going to accommodate me with an interpreter for the rest of my life?

in most foreign countries English is their second language like Germany Finland japan

Left Hooverville wrote:

I love it when the people who it won't affect weigh in on what others who it would affect should do. Many of the people affected by this law are poor. How much does it cost to become fluent in English? When would you have time if you are working multiple jobs?
How many of you English people speak a native language? Yet some of your ancestors have been here for 500 years.

Up until recently, it was incumbent upon immigrants to the United States to make an attempt to assimilate into our society, which included speaking English, as difficult as that is to do. To most, they were proud to be able to do so, being thankful for the privileges this country offered. In the process, they brought bits of their culture that made our culture that much richer. But we didn't have to make German a part of official documentation.

The only slippery slope here is how many languages should we accommodate? I would support helping immigrants to learn our language, but the bottom line to me is that they should accommodate our society, not the other way around. BTW, most native language speakers speak pretty good English.

This is ridiculous! So what does it mean? If this passes and comes into affect, people that don't speak english are gonna be ignored? So if there were a major vehicular collision, and there were an english speaking person, and a non-english speaking person involved the one that does'nt speak english, gets kicked to the curb??? and left to die? What the hell?? This is a crap attitude! The Native americans did'nt enforce this bull on the whites, when they floated over here. I don't care who lives in this country, it went to crap, the day the whites came.

All it means, basically, is that government documents, signs, and instructions will only be printed in English. You'd be surprised at how many immigrants are sueing states to make the drivers license test availalbe in their native tongue.

absolutely yes, iam a native american indian from the chickasaw-seminole tribes of oklahoma. this is america and our country. they need too make it clear english only and will have too adopt too our language. iam not predjuice against any race just facts thios is united states of america. born and raised in america and oklahoma. thats my two cents on it. sincerely ou-johnny in texas.

What language is being spoken right here about this very subject? I rest my case.

Topix is English only! ha ha ha ha