Official Language

1665 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Rise of English language

One of the many issues in the United States today is why isn't there an official language? With most every country you research you will find that an official language has been established. With the United States being what many would call a "melting pot" because of the many nationalities that inhabit it, how can a unanimous decision be made about which population's language is the official, most dominantly spoken one? 7As one of the major centers of commerce and trade, and a major English- speaking country, many assume that English is the country's official language. But despite efforts over the years, the United States has no 2official language (USConstitution). An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in a particular country, state, or other territory. Typically a nation's official language will be the one used in that nation's courts, parliament and administration. However, official status can also be used to give a language a legal status, even if that language is not widely spoken. 2True official languages are those designated as such by a regulation or law. In spite of this, 2many languages are considered to be de facto official languages, meaning that although a language may have no official status in a particular country, it is the most commonly used language in that country and the one usually used in official settings. One example of this is the English language in the United States. The US has no official language, 2but because English is used for most official matters and the most commonly spoken language, it can be considered the official language in practice if not in law (Wikipedia). An official language is not to be confused with a national language, although the national language ma... ... middle of paper ... ...ntry. Since the overwhelming majority of the American population spoke English, the founders may not have thought it necessary to declare in law what existed in fact. (Usefoundation) The 13United States does not have an official language, but English is spoken by about 82% of the population as a native language (Wikipedia). Some may wonder why we 12have we not had an official language before now? And what makes now such an important time to create one. I agree with Congressman Toby Roth, who stated, "In America today, we see our country breaking up into ethnic, racial, and linguistic groups as never before. We could become an America that ceases to be one nation, one people-to paraphrase the Pledge of Allegiance. English is the common bond that holds our people and our society together as a nation. We must preserve English by making it our official language." (pbs)

Show More
Related

  • Gloria Anzaldua's How To Tame A Wild Tongue

    1209 Words  | 3 Pages

    Language can bring people together but can also isolate. The United States is known as a melting pot, not only does that refer to culture but also the many different languages. We know of language barriers, but very seldom do we think of the language barriers within our borders. Even with the language barriers it solidifies the need for a national language, the United States of America should allow the freedom to express one’s culture while maintaining English as our national language, therefore offering common ground to its citizens.

    Read More

  • English Should be the National Language

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    From the time the Pilgrims landed in this great nation at Plymouth Rock, immigrants have been culturally diverse and have spoken many languages. When the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, they did not know how to communicate with the natives. Through intense study the natives learned the Pilgrims’ language. Even with the common language they were still a melting pot of different culture. Some would say that America has gotten over the language/ cultural barriers and now almost everyone speaks the common language of English, but there are still many immigrants who do not know English. Bilingual education is put into public schools for this reason, so that immigrant children can be assimilated to English gradually. The national language should be English instead of the official language because America has prided herself in being very diverse. If we take away the diversity, then we take away the core values that America has always had since her founding.

    Read More

  • Should English Be The Official Language

    624 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is the official language or the United States? 90% of the people would answer English, but guess again. The United States doesn’t have an official language. The subject of English as the official language of the United States has been covered intensively by the world press over the past decade. Declaring it the official language of United States can make an improvement in many areas, and is very relevant for future generations.

    Read More

  • English: The Official Language of the United States

    1323 Words  | 3 Pages

    The United States is made up of many different ethic groups. These groups vary from Latinos, Asian American, African American, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and etc. These ethnic groups come into America speaking many different languages. However, many people are still surprised to learn that the United States has no official language. Many assume that English is the official language of the United States. But despite efforts over the years, the United States has no official language. Because the United States has no official language, it is suffering with large costs. These large costs will lead us on a road to wasteful government expenses, language battles that fuel ethnic resentment, and in the long run serious ethnic and linguistic separatist movements. An official English legislation is the answer to the problem.

    Read More

  • Comparison of the American and Chinese Cultures

    1897 Words  | 4 Pages

    Language is universal, but there are different meanings and sounds, which vary from one culture to another. In China citizens speak many languages, but about 94% speak the Chinese language. The difference in dialects was overcome by the written word and eventually a version of Mandrin became the “official speech” (The Cambridge Illustrated History of China, 1996,p.304). In America there are many ethnic groups with many varieties of language. The U.S. was created through many people from different countries migrating to the new states. In the U.S. there is an “official speech” which is the English language. The language of both these countries are not only different in meaning and sound, but also reflect the way in which the people in these societies live, believe, and function.

    Read More

  • Should the United States Make English the Official language?

    1149 Words  | 3 Pages

    If a country doesn’t have an official language is usually due to distinct historical or cultural reasons. As I began reading articles on this topic, I was amazed that the great country I live in doesn’t have an official language. I begin to wonder why this is the case. Many countries have an official language in which all the official business, daily activities and other formal activities are conducted. There are even thirty (30) states that have succeeded through their own statutes to declare English as an official language of their particular state (www.us-english.org).

    Read More

  • English Should Be the Official Language of the United States

    1713 Words  | 4 Pages

    English as the official language of the United States could benefit the U.S. Government and America as a whole. America has long since been a multicultural nation and has been an English speaking nation since it was founded. The constitutional and federal documents are all in English, which furthers the American people, believing English should be our official language. The majority of states already have English as their official language, for English has always provided a much needed cohesion to our diverse citizens since it was founded.

    Read More

  • My Second Language

    1468 Words  | 3 Pages

    Living in the United States as a Korean-American was not an easy task growing up. Sure I knew how to read and write English, but I did not know how to read, speak, and write my native language. It was difficult for me emotionally because I felt other people looked down on me especially Korean adults who often asked me why I did not know how to speak Korean in which I had no direct answer. "You should know how to at least speak Korean," they commonly spoke in a friendly tone, trying not to hurt my feelings. In my seventh grade year, I had the urge to take a step in order for me to fit in with the rest of my fellow peers, the Korean sub communities, and feel better about myself.

    Read More

  • Should English Be The Official Language Essay

    872 Words  | 2 Pages

    The majority of Americans believe English is the official language of the United States. However, The United States has no official language at all. This mistake is commonly based upon English being the most popular language spoken in North America. Making English official has recently become a popular topic, and more people every day join a curiosity of why it is not the official language. English should be the official language of the United States to give the people what they want, to recognize the historic role, and to limit controversy.

    Read More

  • Does English Make Us An American

    817 Words  | 2 Pages

    If anything I feel as though it’s our actions and diversity in other languages that make us an American rather than knowing how to only speak English. The Unites States that we have now was a result of us rebelling against English tyranny, fighting the Mexicans, and purchasing from other countries. This would mean that before the states became

    Read More

  • The Advantages And Disadvantages Of English

    1117 Words  | 3 Pages

    English is commonly spoken in the United States of America. Even though this is true not all English is the same. Many different people have trouble communicating because of this. Immigrants may speak a broken English while nonimmigrant speak a clear English. The same goes for men and women. We may both speak it clear, but we say things differently. English will always be used in the United States of America but will not always be understood. Because of speaking the same language differently, it puts many people here in the United States of America at a disadvantage.

    Read More

  • South Africa - Diverse In Culture But Could Be Unified In Language

    1225 Words  | 3 Pages

    Our nation is one that has been formed over many years and languages have been brought to us through imperialism, immigrants and time. We have to accept that, ”for most nations of the world to escape the profound experience of imperialism would be in fact to escape their own actual history” (P Brooker, 1999,148). We cannot deny that there is an assortment of language, which abound this nation. However, we need to choose one unifying language, which we can all use. This is essential for purposes of communication and mediation, which I will discuss later. This national language would be the only official language and English would be the unifying language.

    Read More

  • The Power of Language

    951 Words  | 2 Pages

    The unity of a nation is one of the most important factors that determine its prosperity. In this case, language has become one of the most influential driving forces in its ability to enhance communication with others. Wherever people from some country travel through another countries, they carried with them, a national identity, which is usually involved in languages. In the United States, most of people speak English rather than any other language. However, this nation does not have a law that regulates English as a national language. And so, there is a fear that other language will override English, causing language barrier to rise inside the country. In his essay, Charles Krauthammer argues that United States has to establish English as official language. He mentions the idea of English prevention from disappearing. Conversely, Robert D. King states in his essay that United States has not need to legislate English as the formal language. King shares an idea that America has a unique otherness beside all the racial divisions and economic unfairness. Furthermore, he says that this nation unity is far from threatened by language. In my opinion, America should legislate English to be the official language in order to keep the unity of nation.

    Read More

  • Essay On English Become The Official Language

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    diminishing. It is hard for the Navajo and Cherokee children to express their culture because they learn English is school and not their native language. Generations will eventually fade out, and there will be no Navajo and Cherokee people if English becomes a standard language. We need to keep their history alive, so the spread of new cultures swarms. English becoming the official language would hinder assimilation for immigrants. Being an outsider in the world is terrifying enough; immigrants should not be demanded to learn English if they do not want to. According to Chairman Mauro E. Mujica, 97% our nation speaks English. There is only a remaining 3% that do not speak English. We do not need an official language to enforce the majority of the population to speak English. If English were made the official language of the United

    Read More

  • The Importance of English language

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    As we know it we are living in the world of globalization. And the English language is a common language and is spoken in many countries.

    Read More

More about Official Language

Open Document