Designating an official Language of the United States

Designating an official language of the United States

Amanda Walton

ENG 122

Lisa Clark

July 11, 2011

Designating an official language of the United States is the topic that was chosen for this paper. The main reason this topic was chosen, is because it should be important to learn the reasons behind our language and why no particular language was chosen for the United States. A lot of information was found on this matter in different locations. That helped gather some important facts. English is the main language spoken in the United States. Some political parties would disagree on English being the official language for the United States. Many things have been narrowed down on the percentages of languages spoken in the United States and the opinions of others on this subject. People may not think it's a big deal on which language should be appointed to the United States, but research shows that it is a very big debate going on over this matter.

The United Sates when first founded by settlers, did not have the English language as a spoken language. The indigenous people spoke many different languages except English. As the settlers co-existed with these people, many languages were emerging such as German, French and Spanish.

(Throughout time the Continental Congress painted most documents in the Articles of Confederation in German and English. Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776). Along with new law it had chosen English as the dominant language. As time went by and America went to war with Germany, the language stopped being spoken.

As time passed, many states have gone to Supreme Court to declare the English language as their official language. Along with many other states, Arizona is one of twenty-three states that demand English being used on election ballots, state forms, and of course their own states school system.

(In 1990 the Census Bureau estimated 97% of American people used English as their language. With many new immigrants coming into America there is a wide diversity of languages being spoken by 13% of the population. US Census Bureau 1990) (pg.3)

It is estimated by the Census Bureau by the year 2015 Hispanics will take up 15% of the Spanish speaking language. This leaves many to question if their rights are protected or violated by requiring them to learn the English language. When it comes to public opinion many Americans are split on whether English should be considered as the #1 official Language. As many more immigrants do start to move to the free land, law makers are taking steps to make sure these people's goals and ideas are taking into account.

Even though people have their own opinions about what language should be spoken, taking away people's rights would be wrong. People cannot help where they come from. They are accustomed to what they know and what they was raised to believe. Everyone's opinions should matter. Political parties should not be the ones to make decisions on people's lives. It should be left up to the people there selves. After all The United States is supposed to be a free country. So freedom of speech should count in the constitution of what others want to do.

They say they will take people's opinions and goal into consideration? It shouldn't come to that at all. People have rights and people should stand up and fight for their rights. What are they going to do lock you up for speaking a different language? That may be what it would come down to if left to the politicians to make the