Even if they speak something other than English at home, should it be required to learn English to assimilate into our society? Do those who wish to make English the United State’s official language believe it is truly the superior language, or do they assume that everyone “converting” to English would make everyday life more simple?
Either way, the assumptions for the basis of the argument advocating English as the official language of the United States are false. According to the United States Census Bureau, “Nearly 47 million people – about 1-in-5 U.S. residents – age five and older, reported regularly speaking a foreign language at home in 2000. The ï¬gures represented an increase of 15 million people since the 1990 census.” The part of the nation’s population that speaks another language at home is clearly increasing, so why not embrace our own individualistic ideals and allow everyone to speak the language they choose?
Many in the past have tried to deem English as America’s ofï¬cial language, including President Theodore Roosevelt who once said, “We have one language here, and that is the English language, and we intend to see that the (assimilation) crucible turns our people out as Americans.” Though Roosevelt claims it would be more “American” for everyone to speak English, was it not to America many ran to escape persecution? Is it not prejudice in some ways to ask those who wish to preserve their own culture and heritage to learn a new language to ï¬t into our current American society?
In response, some may argue that those who speak a language other than English would only have to learn it for the official interactions that would need to take place outside of the home. However, how long would the children of those who speak other languages continue in their parents’ ways if the schools they attended and the majority of their friends only spoke English? Susana C. Schultz, an employee of Strictly Spanish Translators, mirrors my sentiments when she said, “According to U.S. English, Inc., an advocacy group that supports declaring English as our official language, 322 languages are spoken in the country, with 24 of those spoken in every state and the District of Columbia. California has the most languages, with 207, while Wyoming has the fewest with 56. So why won’t Congress declare an official language?
Because we are a nation of immigrants, and these numbers prove it. Because declaring an official language would abridge the rights of individuals with limited English proficiency, individuals who are paying taxes and who are entitled to the same rights as those who speak English.”
When people are truly aware of the numbers, there’s only one other reason why they would support one national language: ethnocentrism. Ethnocentric views revolve around one culture, such as those who speak English in the United States, believing that their ways are superior to others. If their only argument for deeming English the official language is that it’s simply “the American way,” then I’d dare to say it isn’t American at all.