Is the restriction to have "only English" in Yahoo! Answers constitutional?
95423
Yes it is.  The constitution does not in anyway indicate that all languages must be represented by even government entities and Yahoo is a private organization.  They could exclude people based upon any factor if they wanted to. Private clubs for instance can exclude people based upon thier sex, religion, race, sexual orientation, disability, etc. I am not saying that they do discriminate,but constitutionally they do have that option.
748561
Well, that is a good question.\n\nArticle 1 discusses citizenship.  There are no name requirements for citizenship.  There isn't even a language requirement for citizenship.
1041625
As the Old Lady said....that simply doesn't make any sense.\n\nNO. You cannot do it, unless the web site provides links for those options.  \n\nEven if they do, most likely, it will only for a few quite prevalent international languages.
221341
It's up to the states to decide...opponents like the ACLU debate that making English the offical language would be unconstiutional because it would not enable the Spanish-speaking, German-speaking, and French-speaking immigrants and citizens from a fair and just trial, liberties and such.\n\nGoogle it, but I think because the United States is soo big and diverse, that it wouldn't be fair to the first immigrants of this country.
652203
Are you kidding? Congress is full of political correct police who are paranoid about offending anyone. They care more about votes than common sense. If they made English the official language of the U.S., then all those who do not speak or write English will be offended.
858019
It depends on the stipulations of the English only rule. From a pragmatic standpoint, it would almost be impossible to enforce a law prohibiting the usage of any other language besides the English language in the public arena. Any law that would attempt to be this far-reaching and intrusive is destined for failure. Yet a law that prohibits the foreign language translations of government documents, and forbids the verbal exchanges in government offices in foreign tongues with respect to government business, I think is easily enforceable and is a good thing. \n\nThis would entail that all IRS forms, DMV forms, INS forms, and any form related to the government at municipal, county, state, or national level be written in English only. Government employees cannot speak to clients in government offices in any other language besides English when they are doing business with the government office (i.e. filing for taxes, getting a drivers license, obtaining residency status, getting a case heard in court, getting treated in a government hospital, etc.). Furthermore, they cannot talk to people who are party to individuals who cannot speak English, who will translate on their behalf.\n\nI think this is a practical approach to preserving the English language and our culture from being obliterated by foreign influences. It is a tough stance that can lead many immigrants in precarious and harrowing circumstances.  However, it is when they are completely shut out like this, that they will be compelled to master, at least, the rudimentary aspects of our language and mores.\n\nIf my parents, and countless generation of immigrants before them, felt compelled to master the English language so they could get their slice of the American dream, others should not be given special privilege from not having to undergo this burden as well.
235511
Lo siento, pero las personas que usan "Yahoo! Answers" no se permiten hablar español.\n\nYahoo! Answers Community Guidelines: http://answers.yahoo.com/info/community_guidelines.php\n\nUSE ENGLISH ONLY: Please do not use other languages or symbols. Be sure to check your spelling and grammar, as content that is unreadable due to excessive typos may also be deleted.
1183980
no its not taking away your freedom of speech.  you synopsis of is correct and people should stop whining!  you have no fundemental right to be on yahoo!  its a business that can kick you off if you dont follow the terms it sets out that you agree to when you sign up.
608976
ARE YOU REALLY GREEK BECAUSE YOU JUST INSULTED NOT ONLY OTHER "FOREIGNERS" BUT YOUR PARENTS AND RELATIVES,YOU LITTLE RETARD.\n\nPEOPLE ON HERE COME FROM ALL OVER. IN CASE YOU FORGOT, THERE ARE SIX BILLION PEOPLE IN THE WORLD AT LAST COUNT,2 BILLION OF WHOM SPEAK A VARIATION OF CHINESE AND INDIAN DIALECTS. ONLY SOME 20% OF THE WORLD SPEAK ENGLISH AS A FIRST LANGUAGE IF NOT LESS THAN THAT. \n\nARE YOU COMPLAINING BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEEM TO LEARN OR YOU DONT WANT TO LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE? LET IT GO AND BE HAPPY WE "FOREIGNERS" DON'T MIND THAT THE OTHER YAHOO SERVERS/PORTALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET.BECAUSE ONCE THEY HAVE, YOU WILL ACTUALLY MISS THEM BECAUSE IF AMERICANS AND BRITS ARE THE ONLY ONES LEFT ON HERE, NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A COHERENT SENTENCE.\n\nDUMB RETARDED BIGOT
293270
It could be because BBC news is British English and Yahoo is American English. You may be more acquainted with American English. We do export more media than do the British.
1124708
The restaurant owners do have a legal right to post such a request on a privately-owned establishment. After all, there's no law against appearing to be a closed-minded bigot. Free speech is free speech. I find it ironic, however, that the very constitutional amendment that protects the rights of immigrants, tourists, or people who speak languages other than English to speak the language of their choice, also protects the rights of people, like this restaurant owner, who wants to shut them up.\n\nI have a couple of problems with the sign as an ethical issue, however. First of all, it demonstrates a level of intolerance that I find upsetting. If the owners are sincerely interested in helping their clients learn English, then by all means, insist they speak English, or at least try to. But you don't have to be tacky about it. It's entirely possible to patiently and graciously ask a non-Anglophone client to please place their order in English and to assist them with doing that without having to resort to temper tantrums. \n\nTo be honest, as an American citizen who is bilingual, I personally would avoid any business who had a note like that posted on its door. So they would lose my business. However, their are plenty of hateful racists and bigots who will probably flock to the place simply because they have been "brave" enough to be open and honest about their xenophobia.\n\nThe other problem is this: if you insist that everyone speak good English (and yes, "speak" is the correct form there; it's the subjunctive), then you better make sure your English is perfect yourself. It cracks me up every time I see some moron post an answer along the lines of "Speak english coz its' America and english is the american langaugae!!!" It proves not only that they are narrow-minded xenophobes but also that they are themselves incapable of communicating properly in English!\n\nSo the next time anyone feels tempted to yell at someone for not speaking English fluently, consider the following questions: \n\n1. Is my whining really going to help this person improve his command of the English language? Perhaps if I want everyone in the U.S. to learn English, I should put my money where my mouth is and donate my money or time to outreach services that teach English to these people instead of screaming and throwing fits about it. \n   AND\n2. If I'm going to start criticizing others for their imperfect English, I better make damn sure my English is absolutely flawless. If it's not, then I'd do best to exhibit a little bit of patience to those who have difficulty with it as a second language.
521187
Hey Bhaiya (Brother), Yahoo! has some community guidelines.\nIn fact, I'd love to use my language too. But we are not Gulam. \n\n\n\nGood question.\n\n--- LeeeN
331434
The Internet is made up of websites owned by private companies and individuals who may set whatever rules they wish about their computers that they are letting others use.  As such, Yahoo! has rules for usage of the Answers service.\n\nYahoo! Answers content rules:\n\n8. USE ENGLISH ONLY: Please do not use other languages or symbols. Be sure to check your spelling and grammar, as content that is unreadable due to excessive typos may also be deleted.
733360
I know the answer to your question however I'm somewhat reluctant to respond.  Last time I responded to a similar question someone reported me for using Spanish.  I think the violation was "Not in correct language, part of answer not in English".  My question to the yahoo monitors was how can you NOT use Spanish when responding to these type of questions.  Of course, no response.  I'm sure someone will now report me for this...go figure.
266385
wth? they dont actually state the language in the constitution my dear...\n\nbut it does seem a bit odd seeing as though the whole document is written in...*ahem*...ENGLISH!\n\nand what kind of question is this? you have absolutely no grounds for this foolishness...it doesnt even makes sense...
417820
Well, for starters, freedom of speech will take precedence on the language almost everytime.  As for me, my children use Yahoo Answers but they are grown, in their 20's and have the good sense to turn away from anything they find distasteful.  I personally do not think this is a place for kids under 18 to begin with as you will always have to contend with those  questions which are sexually related and language that is less than suitable for any child to read.  And when you stop to realize how many children are using this site unsupervised...who is responsible for their actions?  I do not agree with the lack of consideration by those who wish to degrade this site with their trashy grammer but I also recognize we have a choice in how we choose to handle this.\n\nIf you are offended you have the option to report that user and not open their question let alone reply.  If you let your children on this site, supervise them because if you don't...you can't censor what they are doing and you are only putting your child at risk.  This site is no different than most on the internet and parental controls will help when used properly.
823543
Personally, I'm sick and tired of catering to a minority that expects us to learn their language in our country.\n\nIn my opinion, your example is a type of job stipulation that is contrary to any equal opportunity employment policy. \n\nI am an avid supporter of English as our official language  - and an avid opponent of all of the disincentives we use to discourage people from learning English. \n\nI would not expect any other foreign country to cater to my customs and language if I chose to live there.\n\nIf you want to be an American - then be one. If you want to retain all of the customs and language of your own country, than move back.