English Should be the Official Language of the United States This is America and we primarily speak English, so English should be the official language of the United States. The movement to pass federal laws designating English as the Official Language of the United States has jumped to the forefront of political debate once again.
As most debates have two distinct sides, so does this one. English only movements have surfaced many times in our country’s past but mainly at the local or State level (Brice, 2013). The argument has become more relevant recently due to well-funded lobbyist and immigration reform disputes. As with many controversial concerns in the political arena, this topic has become problematic. Activist are attempting to persuade political candidates, law makers, educators, social groups, individuals and the media by polluting the process with conjecture rather than critical analysis based in rational attestable information. In the interest of objectivity, we will use professional research and omit personal opinion while presenting arguments in support of this movement. We will equitably represent opposing views which demonstrate that there are legitimate concerns as to why the United States should not have English as the official language. To counter manipulative tactics and confusing statements, it is important to define the major terms associated with this topic:
Official- A person who has a position of authority in a company, organization, or government: a person who holds an office: a person (such as a referee or umpire) who makes sure that players are following the rules of a game (Official, n.d.)
Language- The words, their pronunciation, and the methods of combining them used and understood by a community. The style the vocabulary and phraseology belonging to an art or a department of knowledge or the study of language as a school subject. The words used especially in a law or regulation (Language, n.d.)
Official Language – Government Section is the language or one of the languages that is accepted by a country's government, is taught in schools, used in the courts of law, etc.:
Example: English is the official language and government must do its business in English (Official Language, n.d.). When the arguments have concluded, we feel strongly that those concerned will be equipped with accurate information from which to form an independent conclusion. Many groups may still oppose a law but rational critically thinking people will agree that having English as our official language, will benefit our country socially, economically, professionally, and also improve equal rights and national pride.
Why English Should not be the U.S. Official Language There are compelling arguments that support why English Should not be the Official Language of the United States. Many opponents to an official language defend their position with the premise that the United States is a multicultural nation and that individual rights are at stake (Brice, 2013). One example to support this claim lies in both the Voters Rights Act (VRA) and the 15th amendment which prohibit denying or reducing a person’s right to vote based on race. Some say these laws have outlived their intended use in the equal rights error ‘conjecture’. The fact is, Congress updated the VRA in 1975 to include specific verbiage meant to protect language minorities like American Indians, Asian Americans, Alaskan Natives, and citizens of Spanish Heritage (Dowling, Ellison, & Leal, 2012). The update ordered all ballot and election materials to be published in languages other than English. Advocates also believe that if English is made the official language adult immigrants will be forced into low paying jobs. Nullifying previsions like Executive order 13166 "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency," signed in 2000 by President Clinton, designed to assist persons of limited English to find jobs and solicit for education benefits; would again limit immigrants from acquiring necessary training and skills to compete for better paying jobs Due to social and economic need, most immigrants learn English without a mandate. Studies like the one conducted by (Dowling, & Leal, 2012) found that many Latino immigrants are perceived as unwilling to learn English or assimilate into American culture. Their research contradicted this belief. Surveys conducted in Texas, New Mexico, and California found that Mexican-American adults place an equal value for English proficiency as any other traditionally English speaking group. Government agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau have collected data that reveals about 63 percent of first generation immigrants become proficient in English and second generations are above 87 percent (U.S. Census, 2010). The above examples have shown that our historic leaders have judiciously found the need for specific provision which address the shortcoming in equal rights and civil liberties for immigrants with respect to language. We have also found that immigrants do not need a law to tell them English is important and required to assimilate into America.
Why English Should be the U.S Official Language Making English the official language would not prevent government from using other languages whenever there is a general public interest in doing so. It simply defines English as the official language to use for legal authority, official documents, and standards of education. America is a Democracy and in National Surveys conducted since 1990 over 70 percent of Americans consistently support making English or National Language (Brice, 2013). These statistics are also supported by the growing number of states that have made English their official language. Currently 28 States and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, have voted to have English as the Official language. The desire to recognize English is also supported internationally. Currently Fifty-four countries have made English an official language including 27 that have designated English as their sole official language with the hope of unifying their nation while avoiding inter-communal strife and conflict (Dowling, Ellison, & Leal,2012). Official Documents in multiple languages puts undo economic burdens on our budget and contributes to economic difficulties. Washington Times reporter Brandon Brice, (2013) found that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) estimated the cost of providing language assistance services was as much as $1 to $2 billion annually. In another example the city of Los Angeles in 2002, spent over $15 million, or 15 percent of the election budget, on printing ballots in seven different languages and hiring bilingual poll workers. Many Emergency responders report that lives are placed in greater jeopardy when language barriers exist. Detailed reports have been filled by independent researchers and government agencies which encourage changes in the way we communicate with people who have limited understanding of English in emergency situations. Three specific groups were identified in a Booz, Allen, Hamilton report by (Radar, Edmunds, & Bishop, 2012). The report referred to findings of the American Safety Council who found that work place hazards, mishaps, and injuries; increase because workers cannot read or accurately interpret safety warnings. Additional concerns of Emergency room administrators were also cited. Numerous professional have identified the lack of communication with foreign speaking patients as a detriment to accurate diagnosis resulting in delayed treatment and increased risk. To do along with these finding, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that non-English speaking immigrants, increases risk during evacuations, rescues, and relief efforts (Chandra, 2011). Making English the official language seems to be what the majority of Americans would choose. Moreover, having an official language can improve social interactions; minimize economic burdens, while advancing equal opportunity and public safety.
Conclusion
We have shown that opposition to establishing English as the U.S. official language has much support and is based in very sound reasoning. Some values many feel are at risk include equal opportunity, access to education, and legal representation. In general, needs and values are the unseen forces like economics, society, self-preservation, religion, age, and employment that influence us as individuals or even groups to apply levels of necessity or importance to different topics (Kirby & Goodpaster, 2007, pg. 265). We have shown that many States and Countries considered these values when choosing to adopt an official language. The fact is that many concerns are based in myths. Those who have vetted the real impact of an official language have found reality quite different. In States like California, Illinois, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Georgia not only have social programs which support immigrant populations grown but the adoption of additional foreign languages into education and adult training have actually increased (Dowling, Ellison, & Leal, 2012). Other reports found that immigrants living in States and Countries with a national language are better prepared to compete for jobs and articulate greater feelings of national pride and belonging (Brice, 2013). Therefore the best solution for all Americans is to embrace what many States and Countries have learned, English Should be our National Language.