Language and Culture

An Official Language for the United States? English is NOT the official US language. No law requires that US governmental business be conducted in English. 16 states have declared English to be their official language: –California? –Arizona? –Florida? English is NOT the official US language. No law requires that US governmental business be conducted in English. 16 states have declared English to be their official language: –California? –Arizona? –Florida?

Language Planning When governments make laws and policies with regard to language. –Encouraging citizens to use/learn certain languages. –Declaring an official language. When governments make laws and policies with regard to language. –Encouraging citizens to use/learn certain languages. –Declaring an official language.

Reasons to Declare an Official Language: Some countries just have too many languages to deal with, e.g. India. Some countries aim to preserve an indigenous language, e.g. Wales. Some countries want to recognise the place/importance of a certain language in the country’s past, e.g. Ireland. Declaring a world language as the official language enables the country to participate more easily in the world economy. Some countries just have too many languages to deal with, e.g. India. Some countries aim to preserve an indigenous language, e.g. Wales. Some countries want to recognise the place/importance of a certain language in the country’s past, e.g. Ireland. Declaring a world language as the official language enables the country to participate more easily in the world economy.

Linguistic States of Countries: Monolingual: rare, e.g. Korea –Places emphasis on citizens learning other languages Bilingual: e.g. Canada Multilingual: e.g. Switzerland (French, German, Italian, Romansch); India (300+ languages) –Often these countries choose one or two national/official languages for business purposes Monolingual: rare, e.g. Korea –Places emphasis on citizens learning other languages Bilingual: e.g. Canada Multilingual: e.g. Switzerland (French, German, Italian, Romansch); India (300+ languages) –Often these countries choose one or two national/official languages for business purposes

United States? –Neither monolingual nor multilingual –Majority speaks English, but hundreds of other languages exist, too –Already has a world language as the national language – why bother declaring an official language? –Neither monolingual nor multilingual –Majority speaks English, but hundreds of other languages exist, too –Already has a world language as the national language – why bother declaring an official language?

Reasons to Make English an Official Language: Will force immigrants to learn English It is a symbolic act only Will force immigrants to learn English It is a symbolic act only

Reasons Not to Force English As an Official Language: Immigrants already know that English is important. The US may appear to be intolerant of differences. It may imply that other languages are not important in American history (e.g. European languages of the original immigrants; Native American/First Nation languages). Symbolic acts carry a lot of weight: –Politically: Places English above other languages. Opens the door for abolishing bilingual ballots/printing, etc. –Socially: Degrades non-English languages. Justifies non-English prejudices. May increase open contempt of non-English speakers. Immigrants already know that English is important. The US may appear to be intolerant of differences. It may imply that other languages are not important in American history (e.g. European languages of the original immigrants; Native American/First Nation languages). Symbolic acts carry a lot of weight: –Politically: Places English above other languages. Opens the door for abolishing bilingual ballots/printing, etc. –Socially: Degrades non-English languages. Justifies non-English prejudices. May increase open contempt of non-English speakers.

Final Words: “First and foremost we must recognize the potentially destructive consequences of declaring one language the official language in a multicultural, democratic nation”, (p.89).