I don't care how people speak in their own homes but when they expect drivers tests and road signs to be changed so they can get around then I have a problem.
As for work, an employer has every right to ask that they speak in english while working and on the premises. I very much doubt that other languages would be allowed in a gov't workplace but not spanish. Show the proof of that one.
What language someone speaks in private is there business I fact I would encourage this around a family children so they become fluent is both languages.
However what language someone speaks in public is different if someone is fluent in both.
It can be rude to speak at length in a foreign language in front of a non speaker.
It is a way of talking “behind someone back” in front of someones face.
I know many non Hispanic that speak fluent Spanish and you would be amazed at what is said in front of you and about you when it’s assumed you don’t understand
My parents, aunts, and uncles learned English. They also can till speak Italian, and when my grandparents were alive, they spoke Italian to them.
However, nobody demanded ballots in Italian, hospital workers to speak Italian, etc. etc.
Should school children be beaten for speaking Spanish among themselves (happened here in NM, and in Texas, albeit 40 years ago)?
No. But they should be reminded that English is the proper language for classroom activities, unless explicitly told otherwise. Moreover, thjey should be instructed in standard english. Likewise, they should be encouraged to learn proper Spanish in Spanish classes, not Mexican.
Having the laws in English would seem to be a good idea (or even in legalese, a dialect of English.) Telling people how to speak among themselves is another thing entirely.
We have a point of agreement.
Most of the Hispanics that I know believe that comments like Brock's are aimed at personal habits.
They should be encouraged to act as Americans, not as a Balkanized ethnic group. They need to grow up.
I've worked places where the boss would tell people not to chat among themselves in Spanish. I even know of a bank that wouldn't allow its tellers to use Spanish with customers; the policy lasted about 4 hours.
Businesses have a right to set whatever policies they want. (Or at least they did until the PC thugs told them otherwise.)
My parents are immigrants. My father runs a succesful medical practice. All employees are expected to speak english except on their lunch hour or when speaking to patients who are english-impaired. (Occasionally, my parents and aunt will speak in Hebrew, if they do not want the employees listening in.) It is disruptive when the staff (almost all Puerto Ricans) speak spanish amongst themselves. It makes it difficult to keep track of what they are doing. It also makes the non spanish speakers feel left out. (The PR's also seem to have an expectation that we will learn Spanish!)
Other places, (governmental) there would be orders that Spanish could not be used for chatting (however Polish, French, and German were allowed.)
It is far easier to tolerate small groups than a large ethnic block. The former is not a threat. The later is.