Random question about Puerto Rico

[kefkaownsall]

Think they should become a state? Island itself is pretty evenly split on it/.  I think yes since it would IMO greatly benefit the country to have a second language

[Damen]

The country has as many languages as it has nationalities. English, Hispanic, French, German, Russian, Ukrainian, Italian and so on. It's one of the great things about not having an official language.

As for whether or not Puerto Rico being a state? I'd like to see them gain statehood, along with D.C., Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

[gyeonghwa]

It would be interesting to see Puerto Rico as a state. I remember Santorum said they must change their language, which is utter nonsense because we've got no official language.

[Osama bin Bambi]

English is the de facto language of communications in the United States, but gye is correct in that it is not "official."

Personally I would like to see English and Spanish as official languages, only for the possibility  that the numerous Native American languages can be recognized minority languages and efforts to preserve them can be made accordingly.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

Somewhat off topic, but I've always found it odd that American maps never include its organized territories.

[Osama bin Bambi]

Somewhat off topic, but I've always found it odd that American maps never include its organized territories.

I've seen Puerto Rico included a lot, but never our other territories.

[Witchyjoshy]

I have to admit, the prospect of being alive when the USA becomes more than 50 states is actually kinda exciting.

[gyeonghwa]

I would imagine there were be a lot of difficulties though. What if a significant minority don't want statehood? Hypothetically, if 45% reject statehood, then what? I'm very curious to see how this all turns out.

[QueenofHearts]

I would imagine there were be a lot of difficulties though. What if a significant minority don't want statehood? Hypothetically, if 45% reject statehood, then what? I'm very curious to see how this all turns out.

I don't see it becoming a state for the same reason as DC; partisan politics in Washington. If I recall, Puerto Rico is fairly liberal and the House would never vote to allow three more democrats into the House and Senate.

[Witchyjoshy]

I would rather not let it become a tyranny of the majority situation.

If a significant minority does not wish to join, then they shouldn't join.

[Distind]

Given they vote on it every couple a years, and I believe the US is bound to let them in if they ever approve the measure themselves, it could happen. Don't know if the other territories have the same arrangement or not though.

[kefkaownsall]

I do wonder if it will force schools universally to teach spanish in elementry

[Qlockworkcanary]

I wish they offered foreign language options much earlier and in more schools, especially Spanish and French. Studies have shown that the earlier one learns a foreign language, the easier it is. In my rural-as-hell school didn't offer any until Junior High. It's quite embarrassing that most other countries learn at least a couple of languages, where here, if one suggests teaching/learning another language Tea Partiers somehow translate that in their brains to mean we want to get rid of English.

[kefkaownsall]

I wish they offered foreign language options much earlier and in more schools, especially Spanish and French. Studies have shown that the earlier one learns a foreign language, the easier it is. In my rural-as-hell school didn't offer any until Junior High. It's quite embarrassing that most other countries learn at least a couple of languages, where here, if one suggests teaching/learning another language Tea Partiers somehow translate that in their brains to mean we want to get rid of English.

same with mine and I am in college and barely passing the most basic of spanish classes

[MadCatTLX]

I wish they offered foreign language options much earlier and in more schools, especially Spanish and French. Studies have shown that the earlier one learns a foreign language, the easier it is. In my rural-as-hell school didn't offer any until Junior High. It's quite embarrassing that most other countries learn at least a couple of languages, where here, if one suggests teaching/learning another language Tea Partiers somehow translate that in their brains to mean we want to get rid of English.

I'm jealous you got it that early. We don't have the option until highschool, and barely then. Our only foreign language class is Spanish, and it's more culture than language.