“Do we really need another bureaucracy controlling how and what we speak?” ("English Should Not Be the Official Language of the United States." n.d.) I think when the government makes English as an official language, people could have a chance to choose what language they want use in their homes. It was surprising to me when I found out that the U.S.A does not have an official language. Although English is many people’s native language, it also often used for business. For me, I think the U.S.A should declare English as an official language for many reasons.
When I asked some Americans about their opinion, they said U.S.A is a country of freedom, which means there can be no laws that do anything to take the freedom from American citizens, accordingly they are against making English an official language. I think if the country makes English as an official language, it would not affect the freedom because people can speak another language at home, they just will use English as an official language. English is the global language is one of the reasons to make English as an official language of U.S.A. Around the world people usually learn English in their school. For example, in my country, which is Saudi Arabia, we study English from the fourth year of school until graduation. By making English the official language citizens could still keep their freedom while government declare English as an official language.
English is already lingua franca of the United States. Lingua franca means a popular language that is used throughout the country. Many people in U.S.A use English as a first language. Another example, pilots have to learn English to use it when they fly. Another example is in Saudi Arabia, which is my country, the doctors have to learn English and that’s weird how the doctors in other countries, which have Arabic as an official language, must learn English. Being the lingua franca is one of the reasons, which I think it would make sense for the US government to declare English as an official language.
The government could save money if they declared English as an official language. “The report finds that the federal government has spent US$4.5 billion on outsourced language services since 1990.” ("Common Sense Advisory Home." 1/10/2011.) Depend to this fact the U.S. could have saved $4.5 billion in translation services from 1990 until 2009 if it had declared English as the official language. This includes translation for 911, hospitals, and other services. Also, the economy could benefit if the United States declare English as an official language because most tourists use English as a second language. The government saves money, is just one more reason to argue for English as an official language in the United States.
The US would gain international respect as one of the reasons to argue for declaring English as an official language of the U.S.A. When the international community knows the official language in U.S.A is English they would try to learn English before they come. When the visitors learn English before they come, it would help citizens to be able better understand the visitors. Gaining international respect is one of my reasons to support English as an official language in the United States.
In conclusion, the U.S should declare English as an official language because Americans can still keep freedoms while promoting national identity. English is already lingua franca. It would benefit the economy and the U.S would gain international respect. For these reasons the U.S should declare English as an official language.
References
"Common Sense Advisory Home." (1/10/2011). Common Sense Advisory Home. N.p. http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/Default.aspx?Contenttype=ArticleDet&tabID=64&moduleId=392&Aid=1076&PR=PR "English Should Not Be the Official Language of the United States." (n.d.) Andrew.Sterling.Hanenkamp.com. http://andrew.sterling.hanenkamp.com/2007/12/english-should-not-be-the-offi.html
References: "Common Sense Advisory Home." (1/10/2011). Common Sense Advisory Home. N.p. http://www.commonsenseadvisory.com/Default.aspx?Contenttype=ArticleDet&tabID=64&moduleId=392&Aid=1076&PR=PR "English Should Not Be the Official Language of the United States." (n.d.) Andrew.Sterling.Hanenkamp.com. http://andrew.sterling.hanenkamp.com/2007/12/english-should-not-be-the-offi.html
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