Introduction
There has been an argument about the official language of the United States and this is based on various aspects. It should be known that other languages like Spanish and Hispanic are also widely spoken in the country. Therefore, somebody should not feel bad when saying that English is the official language of the United States.
In this case, English is the de facto language of the United States (Bailey 23). This is because the country as a nation has never declared that English will be its official language and this is a fact. As a matter of fact, it should be known that many people have tried to declare English as the official language without success. An example is John Adams who tried to propose that English should be declared an official language. In this case, his proposal was declared as a threat to individual liberty and therefore undemocratic. It should be known that around 27 states in the United States have declared English as their official language. All in all it should be known that there 322 languages that are spoken in the country.
Therefore, it does argue well that as much as there are other languages that are spoken in the United States, English can be considered as the official language because it is widely spoken (Algeo 18). There has been an argument that declaring English as the official language will infringe on other peoples rights based on various factors because some of them might not be proficient in it yet they are the country’s citizens. As a matter of fact, English has been influenced by various languages.
Discussion
Based on various opinions there has been some commonality that English is the language of opportunity, freedom and commerce around the world and this can not be disputed. As much as there was a bill to make English the official language of the United States in 1996, the senate has never acted on it (Pam 28). It should be known that English is a common bond between Americans of various origins and this is a proven fact. In this case, people can also refer to English as much as they speak other languages.
This is because 98% of Americans speak English well and this is good for cohesion and integration (Bailey 39). As a matter of fact, immigrants who come to the United States have always spoken English well and this is the language that has connected them with other people. Therefore, it should be known that these immigrants connect well with English than any other language in the United States. As much as there are all efforts to declare English as the official language, declaring it will mostly have a little impact (Walker 41).
English as the official language will reduce the cost and unworkable trends of the government having to work in different languages. Many citizens consider English as their official language because they are free with it in a broad way. As much as many Americans believe in linguistic diversity, they still accept English as their official language.
This is as far as transacting and relating with other people is concerned. There is a large influx of non-English speaking immigrants in the United States and this has augmented well for English as the official language. Wholesomely, English is widely spoken in the United States just like it is spoken in other countries (Over 50 countries around the world speak English). English is good for the United States because of various anti-immigrant problems that have evolved as time goes by (Algeo 33). For instance, during recessions, English speaking Americans have wanted immigrants to go home and that is why there have been arguments that English should be widely spoken in the country for neutrality.
As much as the government has not declared English as the official language, there are various culturally sensitive issues that need to be evaluated for sustainability. United States has a diverse population and this means that there are many languages that are spoken in the country. United States English is composed of a large number of immigrants and this should be evaluated and appreciated as a fact (Walker 39). As much as the country has more than 320 languages, it has always revolved around English as the official language.
Conclusion
English as a language has allowed citizens to consistently interact as time goes by.
This is as far as the social aspect and government issues are concerned. Many scholars believe that the government should be at the forefront to promote English in the country because of its neutrality and commonality. Many citizens are comfortable with English as their official language and they do not care if it is made an official language or not (Walker 12). Wholesomely, enacting English as the official language means that government issues and operations must be done in English and this will make the situation complex for other immigrants.
As a matter of fact, English should be known as the key to full participation of the American people in their own lives.
Works Cited
Algeo, John (2006). British or American English? Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Print. Bailey, Richard. American English: Its origins and history.
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004. Print. Pam, Peters. The Cambridge Guide to English Usage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004.
Print. Walker, Allen. Milestones in the history of English in America. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2002.
Print.
