Through the years the United States has attracting people from all over the world with the promise of american dreams and freedom. With them, these immigrants have brought their families, culture and their foreign languages. Whats astonishing about the United States is that they accept these new cultures and all that it brings with open hands. But what if the U.S. Senate was to disapprove of different languages being spoken in the united states? What if english was the only official language of the United States? The cultural richness that we have slowly developed through hundreds of years in the United States would surely decrease. There are citizens of the U.S who would surely denounce this change and there are those who would welcome this change without hesitation. With this change would come equality and unity but there would also be a large amount of commotion.
Making english the only official and legally recognized language in the United States would certainly be a positive change for those who only speak english. The passing of this law could be used in the workforce to level out the playing field. It is no surprise that americans who speak more than one language in the United States have an advantage over those who only speak one language. Large companies and even small business are always looking for employees who are bilingual. Having bilingual employees can be very beneficial to their businesses. It allows the companies or businesses employers to communicate with a larger range of people. Albert Costa, a researcher at the University of Pompeu Fabra in Spain conducted a study where individuals were tested on their mobility skills. This study showed that the bilingual subjects had a “heightened ability to monitor the ...
... middle of paper ...
...te with my family but it also connects me with my culture. Having a spanish speaking family is what has allowed me to experience my culture. Even though my small city provides me with some aspect of my culture, it is nothing compared to what speaking the actual language has showed me. If this law was to be passed within a few years I would slowly start to forget my spanish and the generations to come would not be able to get a taste of their culture.
Both negative and positive responses would have their strong opinions as to why they are for or against English being the official and legally recognized language of the U.S. But at the end of the day what has to be thought about is the effectiveness of the law. Do they really believe that this law will unite the nation, do they really think that this will encourage immigrants to give up their language and learn english?
I came from Mexico when I was 4 years, and like many of us I did not know English. Little by little I became fluent until I now can dominate English. Many people come to this country for a better life, but once in this country, we notice how essential English is for our everyday life. Being bilingual can be very beneficial for anyone in this country. I may be fluent in English, but I still prefer speaking in the Spanish language. This may be because at home that is all we speak. Both my parents do not really know English much. It’s better for me to talk to them in Spanish. I can try to talk to them in English but there may be a few words they won’t
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.
From birth the Hispanic heritage has had a strong impact on me. Being raised in a bilingual home and learning Spanish in school, has provided me the advantage to communicate in both languages. Hispanic- Americans can socialize and understand both the English and Spanish community in Florida. Hispanics can also share my language with those of non- Hispanic descent. As I approach my college years and life, I think I will benefit from being bilingual.
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.
Language is part of the few benefits that immigrants bring with their culture. United States benefits from cultures of the many immigrants that migrate to the U.S. the variation of different languages brings great benefit to the U.
The society will be less divided and will function better under a common language. Although English-only movement has close connections to restrictionist, anti-immigration organizations, which suggests that the English-only movement has a wider, more far-reaching, and more negative agenda than simply advocating an official English language policy, English should be the official language of United States for two main reasons: first, In 1990 US census reported that 97.1 % of the US population speak English; second and most importantly, making English the official language of the United States refers solely to the language of the government, not of the people, private business, classrooms, or more. In addition, declare English the official language of the United States would make easier business and negotiations, more people will be able to participate in democracy system, the population will have a better understanding of laws, and the diversity of languages spoken in the US will not be affect, indeed, it would have an
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.
The discussion of making English the nation’s official language has sparked an ongoing debate among many individuals for several decades. As of now, the United States does not have an official language due to the diverse population. Many individuals believe that by establishing an official language, the United States is being culturally insensitive, that diversity is the key to forming America’s identity. However, establishing English as the official language would promote unity among not only American citizens but also the nation.
James Fallows, a proponents of having bilingualism in the U.S. Fallows claim that there is no need to declare English as the official language in the U.S. “because it already is that” (263). Fallows argues that English is already the most powerful language in this world, and obviously the immigrants knew that fact. Therefore, bilingual services will not reduce the incentive of immigrants to learn English. However, his argument is not fully correct. From 2000 to 2010, over 9 million immigrants came to America (Camarota). Because of this huge population of immigrants, most of the immigrants merely formed communities within their own ethnic or linguistic groups. In their communities, they can live well by speaking their native languages. Furthermore, when they are facing public problems, they have...
English as the official language of the United States could benefit the U.S. Government and America as a whole. America has long 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 much needed cohesion to our diverse citizens since it was founded. Being made of diverse people, and being able to continue to use your own language may seem preferable as we encourage individuality and do not want anyone to disappear into the soup.
These people will not be able to rise in their employment level and will be stuck working only with their fellow immigrants. They will have to find a person who can translate their language to others and get the services, such as medical assistance, they need, very much complicating all they do. Immigrants who have learned the English language have more respect in society. They get higher positions in jobs quickly, depending on their knowledge and also they can work as language translators for other immigrants who don’t speak English. This could actually be a job category with growth. Knowing English helps immigrants feel less isolated from their new community of English-speakers. They are able to socialize, make purchases, and function daily with their neighbors, their teachers, and their colleagues at
English becoming the official Language of the United States is not just a controversial topic, it is necessary to keep America alive. American history and tradition is falling, and the ground on which she was founded is slowly fading. Americans must wake up to the importance of preserving the history of their culture. America is considered to be the greatest country in the world by even some who are not Americans. The “American Dream” is something people fantasize over all around the world. In order to keep the desire to be American, one must truly understand what it takes to be American. English is essential in living the American life. 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.
... how to speak fluently in two languages is because they think it will confuse their child and mess them up with their first language, which is wrong. Children can benefit from being bilingual when it comes to schooling, because knowing more than one language can help that child figure things out easier and simpler than a monolingual would know how to do. Jobs also have a big effect on bilingual people, they can attract business, and many companies need people who are bilingual. Music is also factors because many people listen to it daily learn many things about themselves and who they are. People usually do not think music can be such an effect on people’s lives and their culture but it does and there is proof of it. Overall, teaching a child to be fluent in more than on language will have many positive effects on him/her and will benefit from them completely.
Foreign language skills could have a positive impact on race relations in America. The number of minorities in America is rapidly increasing. In fact, "minority" groups will soon form a collective "majority" of the citizens in America. Considering the facts that many minority groups speak English as a second language and America has no official language, compulsory foreign language classes are viable options. Of course, opponents of mandatory foreign language courses will say that immigrants and naturalized citizens should learn and speak the "de facto" official language of the United States--English. It is a valid point, but misses the bigger picture. People who speak English as a second language are already bilingual, while American-born students typically are not. Language is the most fundamental aspect of a culture. Students who learn the not-so-foreign language of the predominant minority group in their region of the country will gain at least some insight into the different culture of their neighbors and perhaps have a better understanding of them at the personal level. If we take these bits of insight and understanding and couple them with compassion, fertile ground for multicultural harmony in America will be sown. While foreign language skills can improve domestic affairs, the same can be said of foreign affairs.
We would see more people migrate to other countries that will accept their native language without judging them. Because what they thought was a free country just became like the rest of the countries, countries people tried to escape from many years. Even one of our presidents John Adams claimed, “That the desires of the majority of the people are often for injustice and inhumanity against the minority, is demonstrated by every page of the history of the whole world” (English as an Official Language in the U.S.: Pros and Cons).