Workforce Language Services

The following article discusses the concern about establishing an official state or national language.  As the author points out, research has proven that immigrants assimilate naturally.  English, as a language, is not in danger of “dying out,” and it remains widely used, both in the U.S. and the world.

Quien puede leer este? Here in California, and in many states, most people can answer that question. (Who can read this?) More than 32 million people in the United States are fluent in Spanish, according to the 2005 Census. With the exception of English (English, too, was brought to this country by foreigners), no other language has grown to such numbers in the history of the United States. With the recent ruckus about illegal immigration, most people have probably heard the argument pushing for all immigrants to become fluent in English.

The widespread use of Spanish worries some people. They are mandating Congress to make an amendment declaring English the official language of the United States, something that has never been done before. The legislation would force all matters concerning the government to be conducted in no other language than English. This may sound unlikely, but as of 2006 two partisan amendments to the Immigration Reform Act have been passed through the Senate—initial legislation that has started down that road.

Call it patriotism or pride, this push to secure English by means of government restriction is not necessary. There are not hordes of reluctant immigrants who just can’t see the social and economic advantages of learning English. The government does not need to put its hands on this issue.

Historically, no great influx of a foreign language has brought a lasting and negative impact to this country. Nor has there been a need to expedite the integration process. Notwithstanding a little friction, The Ol’ Melting Pot has succeeded to high measures in bringing people of all cultures together, by relying on immigrants to assimilate naturally—which immigrants have and will continue to do.