U.S. Language Debate

Why does the United States need a National language? Over the last fifty years the U.S. has seen a significant increase of immigrants coming to this country, legally or otherwise. This increase in numbers is just the beginning of a long line of issues. Not having a national language has decreased our effectiveness as a nation. We have a language barrier problem, and spend billions trying to fix problems that are not fixable unless the government makes English the national language. All immigrants to the United States should be requiredto learn the English language in order to receive the benefits our government offers.

Assimilation of immigrants to America is complex. For young school age immigrants, education in America is a distant dream, one with insurmountable obstacles. The need to learn the dominant language, and adjust to a different way of life is confusing, and often too much for children to handle alone. These children need a support system, a system geared toward aiding them in their future. Right now, this country has only a handful of programs for this purpose. Teachers are underpaid, and underappreciated. Many are not as willing to spend additional time teaching the English language, and even if they were willing to spend the time, there is no revenue for such a program.

In Florida, a case study was done to see if such a program would result in a better education, and assimilation for Cuban immigrant children. The innovative library media program was launched at Hialeah High School in Dade County Florida. "The adolescent quest for meaning through multicultural readings: A case study." (Champion 1993) This study's purpose was to introduce technology, learning and fellowship to students of Cuban heritage. Most of the Cuban students come from a poverty stricken background, and had never seen or used a computer before. Having been thrust into American schools with English speaking teachers and no knowledge of technology would introduce many social, educational and behavioral problems.

This program introduced a variety of media including the internet, software lessons, and a social place for all struggling student's to meet, and learn. "The struggle to know and understand the language while continuing the process of growing in their home language." Champion (1993) Immigrant children face a host of challenges. While they are eager to learn the language, many struggle in their home environment. Parents wish, for them to speak their own language in their presence which makes learning English more difficult. Young immigrants struggle is exacerbated by social pressure and acceptance from fellow students, which this program hoped to alleviate. In addition; Dade County high school was facing a crisis with their Cuban students. Almost 75% of Hialeah high school students migrated from Cuba, and none of these students knew a word of English upon enrollment. Over many years, the school drop-out rate increased significantly. One reason for the increase was the lack of attention teachers could give to children on a one-on-one basis. The media program has made momentous strides in decreasing the drop out rate and increasing the student's self-esteem and confidence. This program is one that should be implemented in ethnic rich communities all over the country. This case study proves that young immigrants want to learn the language and they are capable of doing so if given the proper tools and guidance.

The number of immigrants and refugees to this country is astounding. "New arrivals total about 600,000 a year including refugees, who last year numbered 70,000." (Holden 1988) "The nation's immigrant population (legal and illegal) reached a record of 37.9 million in 2007." Camarota (2007) These are the most recent numbers, and should be an alarm bell. Given the numbers, we now know that the language barrier will continue to intensify our problems unless the United States makes English the official language.

The United States of America was founded by English speaking European immigrants. Since the 1600's English has been the dominant language. However, the influx of migrants has skyrocketed thus requiring the U.S. to integrate, and accommodate other languages. In order for America to mend the language barrier, all immigrants who apply for government programs, should be required to learn the language. This can be accomplished with a literacy program, such as the program launched at Hialeah high School. A literacy program should be made available throughout various cities across the U.S. While the program would take tax dollars to succeed, it would be money well spent for America's future.

Working immigrants complain that they do not have time to learn the language. All Americans face the challenge of working and raising a family. However, if an American moved to Italy, would American's

attempt to learn the language? In order to be successful in any foreign country learning the language would be necessary, and so would make learning the language a priority. The Italian government would not accommodate us with personalized government forms in our native language. We would have no choice but to learn in order to understand. If a person chooses to live in this country and receive all the benefits the U.S. has to offer, then in return for our services they should be required to learn the language.

The language of our government has conformed to a variety of ethnic groups over the decades. Our government has attempted throughout our history to make English our official language in order to curtail this continuing confusion. The Constitution of the United States does not have an amendment of this nature which is why this issue is under constant debate. According to U.S. English, Inc. Toonkel (2007) "This change would require the United States government to conduct official business in English. Specifically, H.R. 997 would limit routine government operations to English, while giving government agencies common sense flexibility to protect public health and safety, national security, and to provide for the needs of commerce and criminal justice systems."

The United States has had numerous problems over the decades as immigration increased. Such examples are our voting booths. Elections are a simple procedure. We choose the candidate we want to see elected, cast our vote and leave the booth. Our vote is complete. However, something as simple as voting has become a quagmire. Senator James Inhofe stated; "In all too many places these days, the local polling place resembles nothing more than a branch of the Mexican Consulate or an outpost of the United Nations-signs in two, three or even more languages; people yelling at weary poll workers because the Cantonese speaker was summoned to translate for the speaker of the Mandarin Chinese." Inhofe (2006) "Making English the official language will clarify that there is no entitlement to receive Federal documents and services in languages other than English." The Senator makes a very good argument. Passing this law would decrease the confusion in our government, and decrease the fiduciary cost involved in having Federal documents in a variety of languages. Mistakes on Federal forms or mistakes of translators, and interpreters alike will also become a thing of the past.

President George W. Bush stated; "New arrivals to this country must adopt American values and learn English." MSNBC (2006) Recent Poll results regarding making English our national language are surprising. The Zogby Poll in 2006 found that 84% of Americans including 77% of Hispanic's believed that English should be the national language of government operations. A poll of 91% of foreign-born Latino immigrants agreed that learning English is essential to succeed in the United States, according to a 2002 Kaiser Family Foundation survey. (Inhofe 2006)

It is abundantly clear that the U.S. is in dire need of instituting a national language. The United States is a country of ethnic diversity, and tradition. We are and have been the country of choice for, so many. We have struggled with immigration law and reform and still can not decide if a national language is necessary? Given the abundance of information published, and researched, it would be ignorant not to change our current language laws. America is a free country, and unfortunately, because American has not found a way to make immigration work for everyone, the end result is a disaster.

Many immigrants come to this country illegally and are aware that there are very few obstacles once they arrive. If they can provide a driver's license and social security card, they can obtain employment. Alexander (2007) "Right now there are laws on the books that just aren't enforced, said Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, and the reason why they are not prosecuted is because people come to them with forged documents which they have no capacity to discriminate whether they are valid or not." Sandler (2006)

Why would an immigrant need to learn the language when there are jobs and an abundance of programs to suit and written in their native language? Strict immigration laws and making good on deportation threats will change the attitude of all immigrants looking to come to America for a better way of life. Holding them accountable to conform to our standards is the only way to see real change.

A national language would speak volumes to immigrants. The U.S. government currently spends billions of dollars accommodating the two hundred languages in the U.S. Allocating money to implement

solutions regarding immigration, and the language barrier is the only way the U.S. can make reform work, and see real change. This nation wants a national language, and doing so would solve an profusion of language related problems. Providing programs for our immigrant youth and helping them learn the language is the right move and will mean more tax dollars for our countries future.

Our government must be willing to invest in our continued success.

References

Bush, G.W. (2006)

Immigrants must learn English. The Associated Press. Retrieved December 4, 2007 from MSNB database

English as the National Language Senate Floor Statement by: Senator James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) (2006) Press Room Retrieved December 4, 2007 from Google database.

U.S. English, Inc. (2007) Official English Legislation Introduced in the House Representatives. Retrieved December 2, 2007, from http://www.us-english.org

Champion, S. (1993)

The adolescent quest for meaning through multicultural readings, a case study. Retrieved, December 2, 2007 from Thomson Gale database.

Camarota, S.A. (2007)

Center for Immigration Studies,

Immigrants in the United States, 2007. Retrieved January 7, 2008 from http://www.cis.org/articles/2007