As of now, the United States has no official language. Logically it would be English, and Republican lawmakers are pushing a huge effort to scribe that into law. But the opposition against this motion has been strong in making sure it doesn’t happen.
An official language requires all citizens and legal residents must be fluent in that particular language. Supporters of the law feel as though it is logical and necessary, and that people who are not proficient in English should either learn the language or leave the country. In addition, immigrants who are moving to the United States should be must be fluent in English. This would ultimately lower the amount of money spent on translators and bilingual education, as well as strengthen the job market and reduce failure rates in high schools.
Ultimately, supporters believe that the failure of making English the official language discourages people to learn English, posing threats of communication barriers where they are necessary. Brandon Brice of the “Common Sense Conservative” section of The Washington Times argues, “If we are going to be a united people, people who understand each other and can work together with people from anywhere in the country, we will have to have an official national language.”
Though members of the two parties in our government believe that English is necessary for assimilation into this country’s culture, Liberals think altering the Constitution is not necessary. Immigrants either have a decent background in English before moving to the United States, or they learn it as they live here. English is certainly adopted ubiquitously throughout the United States, but this issue is just a matter of whether or not the change should be printed in ink and written in the Constitution.
This problem is mainly concerning Mexican-Americans, as a large majority of our nation’s immigrants originate from Mexico. Statistics show that 48% of first-generation Hispanic Americans are not fluent in English when they move here, but that number jumps to 93% among second-generation Hispanic-Americans (fusion.net).
Others believe that making an official language will alter the “melting-pot” image of our country. As a nation found on the basis of immigration, making English, the language of the country we once declared independence from, will discriminate from the other prevalent languages spoken in our country.
There is no other country where people speak in different languages to one another in public. How would you feel if a family were having a conversation around you, and you didn’t know what they were saying? Maybe you think it’s rude, or perhaps you think they’re talking about you. Or maybe you feel as though you’re exposed to a culture that is not your own – and it’s kind of cool.
The English language definitely plays a huge role in the United States – language and communication in general is a necessity for society to function. But making something official by law is what sparks political interest. As of now, we are united by our cultural diversity coming together as one. Is making English the official language strengthening or weakening that solidarity?
fusion.net – http://fusion.net/leadership/story/congress-immigrants-learn-english-12121
The Washington Times – http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/common-sense-conservative/2013/apr/13/why-english-should-be-official-language-united-sta/
PBS – http://www.pbs.org/speak/seatosea/officialamerican/
I do understand the argument for making English the official language but I don’t think it makes sense in America. Like you stated, most people learn English as they live in the US because it is an important aspect of living here but, I don’t think people should be forced to learn since that would possibly discourage immigration.
Living in a country is the best way to learn about that country’s culture and to learn it’s language. I think everyone has the right to live in the US if they want to and they shouldn’t be held back by something as stupid as language differences, especially in a country like America which was built and grown on the backs of immigrants.
All-in-all, I like you writing so keep it up.
–K.E. Van Develde
I think this is a tough decision seeing as we are a country founded on a mix of cultural influences. It’s hard to require every citizen to have to learn one language or leave, even if it would strengthen academic success rates in high school if there was a common language in which we taught and learned.
I don’t think making English the official language is necessary or fair on those that do not speak it so well. While I think it is important to speak English in this country most people speak it or are in the process of learning it. Forcing everyone to speak English would damage the diversity of the country in my opinion.