Why English Should Be The Official Language Of The United States



Why English Should Be The Official Language Of The United States

Importance of an official language

The importance of official language of any country cannot be denied. The official language keeps away any discrimination based on multi linguistic societies in a country. An official language gives a particular legal status to the language of any country, state, and authority. A country's official language is the one that is supposed to be used in courts, parliament and government authorities of the country. An official language is linked to several political issues of the country. These issues involve sovereignty, civilizing, nationalism, civil rights of native people, rights of ethnic minorities. Along with other issues of rights and duties of immigrants from different countries, there are also the issues of their language. Looking at the importance of an official language, it can be said that the English must the official language of US.

History of US English language

From the origination, US have been a multilingual homeland. Throughout the history of US, people from all countries over the world have come to America to live here and to make it their home country. They have being brought with them their own languages. At the time of the US formation, as many as 20 languages were spoken including Dutch, French, German and many Native American languages.

It is believed that it is a myth that English is the official language of the United States but the fact is that after the years of parliament and governmental concerns on this issue, the US has not any its official language. In 1980s when there was strong and new concern about immigration, a movement was started that looked for the institution of English as the country's official language. It was the "English Only" movement that endorsed the performance of legislation that had limit or prohibited the utilization of other languages by governmental bureaus and privately owned business, except English.

In recent years there was also the matter of foreign and official language. There must be an official language now, though it has been long time upon this consideration.

English as an official language in American society

The United States of America can be with no doubt referred to as melting pot that reflects it as the hub of multi people because US is the country that is comprised of diverse cultures and where the belongs to different ethnic backgrounds. Many immigrants from countries around the world are the part of US societies who are living here for many years. The multi cultural aspects have created the vivacious and diverse environment of today's American society. U.S. Census, 2000 has showed that English is spoken as the basic language by approximately 215 million. The other spoken languages are from different areas including Asia, Middle East, and Africa etc.

Though it is important to respect, appreciate and realize the differences of culture in the American society but the importance of the American official language cannot be left ...