Should English be the official language of the United States?
specify | establish | cohesive | constrain | xenophobia
Embedded Files
Do the Math
Do the Math
Most countries around the world recognize at least one official language, and about half recognize more than one official language. Bolivia, a country in South America, recognizes 37 different languages, more than any other country in the world. In contrast, some countries—like Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—have not established any official language at the national level.
While the U.S. does not have an official national language, 32 states have passed laws declaring English as an official language for the state. Thirty of these states have passed laws declaring English the only official language. This does not mean that the state is constrained to only use English for public services and government documents. In addition, Hawaii specifies both English and Hawaiian as official languages, and Alaska has made 20 native languages official, as well as English.
Option 1:
Option 1:
What percent of U.S. states have specified English as an official language?
A. 64%
B. 30%
C. 13%
D. 60%
Option 2:
Option 2:
New Mexico has not established any official language(s). But the state government requires that materials be available in English, Spanish, Navajo, and multiple Pueblo languages. Some of New Mexico’s Navajo residents speak only Navajo. Many speak English in addition to Navajo. Others do not speak Navajo at all. Consider these facts:
45% of Navajos in New Mexico speak only English, even at home.
Of the Navajo residents who speak a language other than English at home, 83.3% report speaking English “very well.”
What percentage of all Navajo residents speak English only or English very well?
Discussion Question:
Discussion Question:
Opponents argue that the movement to make English an official language is the result of xenophobia. But most people who want English established as the official language say that they are not xenophobic. They say they just want to preserve the language that historically brought Americans together. Specifying a national language, they say, will encourage Americans to speak fluent English and will make us more cohesive as a nation. However, other people argue that a country as large and diverse as the United States should celebrate its many languages, rather than constrain them. Do people in your area speak languages other than English? How do you think it affects the culture of your area?
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