TAG ARCHIVES: ENGLISH THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF THE USA

ENGLISH IS THE DE FACTO LANGUAGE OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.

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English is the de facto language of American government. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language. English is the official language of at least twenty-eight states; English and Hawaiian are official languages in the state of Hawaii. De facto is a Latin expression that means “in fact” or “in practice” but not spelled out by law. It is commonly used in contrast to de jure (which means “by law”) when referring to matters of law, governance, or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without or contrary to a regulation. When discussing a legal situation, de jure designates what the law says, while de facto designates action of what happens in practice.The term de facto may also be used when there is no relevant law or standard, but a common practice is well established, although perhaps not quite universal.Several de facto English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia have no de jure official national language. In New Zealand, there are 3 official languages (English, Maori and sign). In the United States, twenty-five U.S. States have declared English an official language, with Hawaii using Hawaiian and English as official languages. However, two US states also have de facto second languages: Spanish in New Mexico and French in Louisiana.Similarly, in the former Soviet Union, Russian was the official language de facto, but not de jure. Sweden is another example of a country with no language recognized de jure.Lebanon and Morocco are two more examples, where in both countries the official language is Arabic but an additional de facto language is considered to be French. 
English literacy requirement as a component in the naturalization of aliens within the United States. Surprisingly, such a requirement  has existed in statutory form for less than 100 years, having first been enacted in1906.Currently, federal law (8 U.S.C. Section 1423) provides that:
(a) No person except as otherwise provided in this subchapter shall hereafter be naturalized as a citizen of the United States upon his own application who cannot demonstrate — an understanding of the English language, including an ability to read, write, and speak words in ordinary usage in the English language:
 Making English the official language
Polls have shown enthusiastic support for official English among all segments of the population. A June 2006 poll from Rasmussen Reports found that 85 percent of Americans favor making English the official language of the United States.Most recently, a survey by the Harvard University Institute of Politics found that 72 percent of 18-24 year old Americans support making English the official language of the United States.Strong support for official English has also been demonstrated at the state and federal levels, raising the possibility for a 31st state before the end of the year. More than 20 states had official English legislation introduced in the state legislature this year, and measures are still pending in several active chambers, including Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. At the federal level, H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act, has the support of more than 100 Representatives, making it one of the most widely supported bills in the 110th Congress.                     Emerson English Language Empowerment Act of 1996 (for short: the Emerson Bill). The bill, available here, reads, “In order to preserve unity in diversity, and to prevent division along linguistic lines, the Federal Government should maintain a language common to all people.” Because English has historically been a common language and a language of opportunity in this country, it is the natural choice for a unifying tongue. The Emerson Bill proposes to make English the official language of the Federal Government. In particular, the Emerson Bill mandates that representatives of the Federal Government conduct its official business in English, where ‘official business’ is understood to include government actions, documents, and enforceable policies. So, income tax forms, informational materials, or other publications of the Federal Government would, under the Emerson Bill, be in English. The bill does not restrict the use of other languages for: teaching English; the release of informational crucial to national security or public health and safety; or, international relations, trade, and commerce. 
 Ten Reasons why we should make English the official language of the United States “History has blessed [the U.S.] with all the freedom and advantages of multiculturalism. But it has also blessed us, because of the accident of our origins, with a linguistic unity that brings a critically needed cohesion to a nation as diverse, multiracial and multiethnic as America. Why gratuitously throw away that priceless asset?” – Charles Krauthammer, Time Magazine, June 4, 20061. To stipulate that although government may use other languages, to be legally binding and authoritative e.g. “official,” it must act or communicate in the English language.2. To clarify that whenever there is a conflict in meaning between government laws, regulations, or pronouncements issued in more than one language, the English version is the authoritative one.3. To clarify that unless government decides to provide it, no one has an entitlement or right to government services or documents in a language other than English.4. To recognize the historical fact that the United States has been an overwhelmingly English speaking nation since it was created and that its constitution and foundational documents are in English.5. To recognize that while the people United States value and respect diversity, they want to preserve English as their common language and therefore immigrants have the responsibility to learn English. [1]
6. To conform to the majority of the states (30) that already have made English their official language.
7. To respond to the will of the American people, 85 percent of whom believe English should be our official language, according to a June 2006 Rasmussen Reports survey.
8. To conform to the rest of the world: Eighty-five percent of the UN’s member nations have official languages. Fifty-three (53) of those nations have adopted English as their official language. [2]
9. To avoid the costs, burdens, and conflicts that arise in nations like Canada or international organizations like the European Union that attempt to conduct business in more than one official language.
10. To bring the federal government into conformity with national institutions like the U.S. Army and the federal court system, who for practical reasons have decided to operate in English.