Bill would make English official language of U.S. government

/AP

Two conservative Republican lawmakers, Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), introduced the English Language Unity Act of 2011 on Friday, a bill that requires that all official United States government functions be conducted in English.

“A common language is the most powerful unifying force known throughout history,” King said in a release. “We need to encourage assimilation of all legal immigrants in each generation. A nation divided by language cannot pull together as effectively as a people.”

Added Inhofe: “This legislation will provide much-needed commonality among United States citizens, regardless of heritage. As a nation built by immigrants, it is important that we share one vision and one official language.”

The bill would also establish a uniform language requirement for naturalization and oblige federal government officials to encourage people to learn English.

In response to the measure, Democratic Rep. Jose Serrano of New York addressed reporters in Spanish Friday, asking them, “comoesta?” (That’s Spanish for “how are you?”) He said the bill reflects a non-issue that nonetheless comes up every once in a while.

Serrano added that while it’s natural for grandparents speak Spanish, second generations are completely bilingual. With the third generation, he said, the grandmother is always complaining about the kids’ Spanish and why they don’t play soccer.

According to the advocacy group U.S. English, Inc., more than 700 members of Congress have co-sponsored or voted for measures on making English the official U.S. government language dating back to 1981. The English Language Unity Act attracted 140 co-sponsors when introduced in the last Congress.

King, a leading conservative voice on immigration issues, has also introduced a bill to end the practice of birthright citizenship.

© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Brian Montopoli is the national reporter and political analyst for CBSNews.com.

Red Alert Politics

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Do Americans really think Congress should establish English as the national language?

A new Rasmussen poll out today shows that a comprehensive immigration plan that includes English as the national language would get more support than a plan that doesn’t have a language requirement.According to Rasmussen, 61 percent of Americans would support an immigration reform plan that establishes English as the national language and imposes stricter punishments on employers who knowingly hire illegals (E-Verify), versus the 59 percent who said they would support a plan that secures the border and allows illegal immigrants to remain in the country.

Already, 31 states, including Arizona, California and Kansas, have passed legislation naming English as the official language.

Of the three immigration reform ‘plans’ currently on the table — President Barack Obama’s, the Gang of Eight’s and Rand Paul’s — only Paul makes mention of officially making English as the national language (it is currently the de facto national language).

It’s doubtful most Americans know that the measure isn’t even in the two leading immigration reform proposals on the table in Washington. Paul hasn’t actually proposed an immigration bill, but on his Senate page under the immigration section, the Kentucky Senator states, “I support making English the official language of all documents and contracts.”

But as my colleagues and I discussed today, what does that even mean? What would making English the national language even do? Aren’t all official U.S. documents and other materials already printed in English?

Practically, such a requirement would have zero effect on society. School books, laws, legislation, street signs and ballots are already in English. Are that many Americans actually concerned that English is in danger of becoming the minority language in America? And what’s to stop Congress from passing legislation down the line establishing Spanish as the national language, too? (In Canada, both English and French are official languages; the United Kingdom has six other official languages besides English.)

Evidently enough Americans are concerned about English becoming the minority language to make support for immigration reform tick several points higher when it is included in proposed legislation. But given that the majority of Americans already support immigration reform, including a populist proposal like English as the official national language — which could scale back support for reform from some communities — is unnecessary and Republicans should avoid falling into this trap.

By Francesca Chambers /// March 28, 2013

About Francesca Chambers

Francesca is the Editor of Red Alert Politics – an online publication written by and for young conservatives. Red Alert Politics is a product of Clarity Media Group, the parent company of The Washington Examiner and The Weekly Standard. She is also a contributor to The Washington Examiner.

Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

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PolicyMic

Puerto Rico Primary Sparks Debate: Should English Be the Official Language of the United States?

Puerto Rico Primary Sparks Debate: Should English Be the Official Language of the United States?

Campaigning through Puerto Rico, the Republican candidates employed harsh rhetoric about immigration reform, and Rick Santorum was widely rebuked for his statement that Puerto Ricans must learn English in order to be admitted as the 51st state to the U.S.

Santorum was defeated decisively, but the Puerto Rico primary has once again risen the issue of whether the U.S. should declare English the official language of the country. In the past, particularly during the Florida primary, the candidates have not hesitated to attack one another to better themselves. In his string of negative ad campaigns in Flordia, Mitt Romney accused Newt Gingrich of calling Spanish “the language of the ghetto.” While this may have contributed to Romney’s victory, should this really be an issue?

Given the daunting issues we face today, pursuing legislation to make English the official language would be overbearing and unnecessary for several reasons.

First, with 82.1 percent fluent speakers and a whopping 96 percent claiming proficiency, English is the unofficial official language in America. In order to effectively participate in political life and commerce in the country, it is to one’s advantage to learn English. Knowledge of the English language not only opens up doors that lead to the realization of the American dream of increased economic opportunity, but it makes integration into American society less stressful. Thus, there is already an incentive to learn English, it just has to be exploited and government coercion is unnecessary here.

Second, an official language will not discourage multilingualism, as people will continue to speak their native languages. As a child, I lived in a country where over 250 languages are spoken and English is the recognized official language. From that experience, there is no real difference between a “languageless” country such as the United States and having an official language. Most people still spoke in their native tongues but communicated in English in the public space.

Third, learning a new language is a gradual process that cannot be achieved overnight. Most immigrants come here as adults, making the learning process even harder. While they may never become fluent English speakers, their children and future generations will be. Thus, those who view other languages as threats to the preservation of our national English heritage are worrying needlessly.

However, although I agree that multilingualism should be encouraged because it promotes diversity and serves an as an asset in an increasingly globalized world, English should be the primary language of learning in the school system. While ESL and other foreign language-based programs in schools are beneficial in helping foreign students absorb into our education system, it would also be to their advantage to learn English, as this will maximize their capacity to excel outside the classroom.

America is a nation that prides itself on tolerance and its multicultural heritage, so a decision to pass legislation is unwarranted and will only play into reinforcing the suspicion that government is on a mission to infringe deeper into our privacy.

Contrary to popular belief, promulgating law that recognizes English as the official language of the U.S. would not lead to an overnight feeling of solidarity. It may however, intensify the alienation of minority groups. In addition, how would it be enforced? Would people be penalized or arrested for not being able to speak English fluently? Would the government be obligated to fund programs that provide English lessons? What are the cost-benefits? Questions such as these would have to be taken into account before considering passing such law.