Should English Be the Official Language of the United States Essay Example
Should English be the Official Language of the United States
Name
ENG 122
Instructor
April 30, 2012
Should English be the Official Language of the United States The debate on whether the United States should make English the official language has been raging within the borders of the country for decades. Several bills have been presented to Congress over the years, but have stagnated due to the opposition on either side. Though there would certainly be drawbacks to introducing English as the official language of the United States, there would also be immeasurable benefit. Not only would an official language streamline government processes and reduce government spending, it would also aid the United States by unifying its’ people. The term “e pluribus enum” means one nation out of many people (Schlafly, 2008). Speaking English does not mean that a person has to stop being Latin-American, African-American, Asian-American or any other dash American, it simply means all citizens of this country have a common language just as they all have being American in common. Instead, the people of this country live in constant segregation because no group is willing to put aside the pride in where they came from and take pride in where they are. Perhaps more people should identify themselves as American rather than making an attempt to differentiate themselves. Supporters of the policy to make English the national language feel that previous generations of immigrants understood that learning English was the catalyst for social integration and economic mobility. It is also what aided immigrants from widely different origins to “melt” into Americans (Critin, Reingold, Walters, & Green, 1990). They also argue that both historical experience and common sense teach that linguistic diversity threatens political cohesion and stability. As written in U.S. News & World Report, “English-only advocates, whose ranks include recent immigrants and social liberals, believe
Name
ENG 122
Instructor
April 30, 2012
Should English be the Official Language of the United States The debate on whether the United States should make English the official language has been raging within the borders of the country for decades. Several bills have been presented to Congress over the years, but have stagnated due to the opposition on either side. Though there would certainly be drawbacks to introducing English as the official language of the United States, there would also be immeasurable benefit. Not only would an official language streamline government processes and reduce government spending, it would also aid the United States by unifying its’ people. The term “e pluribus enum” means one nation out of many people (Schlafly, 2008). Speaking English does not mean that a person has to stop being Latin-American, African-American, Asian-American or any other dash American, it simply means all citizens of this country have a common language just as they all have being American in common. Instead, the people of this country live in constant segregation because no group is willing to put aside the pride in where they came from and take pride in where they are. Perhaps more people should identify themselves as American rather than making an attempt to differentiate themselves. Supporters of the policy to make English the national language feel that previous generations of immigrants understood that learning English was the catalyst for social integration and economic mobility. It is also what aided immigrants from widely different origins to “melt” into Americans (Critin, Reingold, Walters, & Green, 1990). They also argue that both historical experience and common sense teach that linguistic diversity threatens political cohesion and stability. As written in U.S. News & World Report, “English-only advocates, whose ranks include recent immigrants and social liberals, believe