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Introduction
The United States is known for the diversity of its population. From Asians and Europeans to Africans and Hispanics, the range of cultures that one can experience in this nation is vast. Because there is no common culture, there is no official language tying the country together.
Since English is commonly spoken in most parts, should it be the official language of America? The author of this sample essay reflects on this possibility and shares her own take.
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Should the English Language Be Declared America’s Main Dialect?
Very few people, including American citizens, know that the United States actually has no official language. We have always assumed that it is English, given how many people use it and how most establishments utilize it as their main form of communication.
However, unlike other multinational countries that advocate for a specific language, the US has never declared any official dialect for the nation. This points back to a period of time in history when the Founding Fathers never saw a great need to do so. The reasoning behind this was that English was already commonly spoken as a language at the time, so it wasn’t really under threat. The only motivation to make English the official language is if it needed any protection.
Even before the establishment of the Republic, a diverse range of languages were already being spoken in America. In the 13 colonies, there were people speaking Dutch, French, and German, for instance. These are on top of the many dialects of the Native Americans.
Given that we are a predominantly English-speaking nation, is it high time that we officially declare it as our main language?
Should We Officialize English Just Because We Speak English?
In my humble opinion, I believe that there is no pressing need at this time to make English our national language. I have to agree with our Founding Fathers in that I don’t see it being in danger of being eliminated as a dialect.
Here are a few thoughts I’ve had since thinking about this topic.
America is a culturally diverse country
Being a multicultural nation is a blessing and a responsibility. The United States population is home to a wide array of ethnicities. People who literally come from all parts of the world come to this country to chase their version of the American dream. As such, we are bound to find major cultural differences even just after crossing a street. Given this, there are other languages being spoken here, such as Spanish, Chinese, and Filipino. Even ethnic minorities have their own spoken dialects. We are truly a melting pot of cultures, with many immigrants willing to learn English in order to thrive here.
If we are to designate English as an official language, this may be seen as a symbolic act that dismisses the presence of other ethnic groups in America. People will say that we have existed for so long without an official dialect and will wonder why we are choosing to do so now. It is already an unspoken rule that any language learner will prioritize mastering English. At the same time, no one is banning other non-English speakers to continue using their native language. I think that it is possible for all of these languages to co-exist peacefully without threatening one another.
Making it the official dialect opens doors to more discrimination
While racial inequality already exists in this day and age, moving to declare a national language may perpetuate the cycle even further. I think of all the immigrants who have chosen to publicly speak their own language when they are among people from the same culture. What might the reaction be of people who are sensitive, easily offended, and extreme in their views?
Tolerance may decrease, which could spark a slew of demands to force everyone to speak only English in public. Discrimination may run rampant in different spheres of society – from education and politics to the workforce and religious sectors. Establishments may refuse entry to those who are still unable to speak fluent English, and brands may refuse to do business with a non-English-speaking team. There are so many potential consequences of this decision that can easily be avoided.
Forcing it as an official language will not encourage individuality
It would be ironic for a country that is known for its beautiful diversity and heritage to mandate only one official dialect. Doing so silences the many colorful and vibrant languages that the country has to boast about. There is also the possibility of dialect-shaming, where we look down on people who are not able to speak the main dialect. If the goal is to promote unity, I think that there are better ways to accomplish this other than touching on the issue of languages.
I think it is best to honor the different countries represented in our nation and the diverse peoples who bring all of their unique gifts and strengths to the table. Unity in diversity is possible and goes beyond what dialect we all speak.
Conclusion
Immigrant or not, we all get to enjoy the freedom of speech as a constitutional right. Part of enjoying free speech is to articulate ourselves in the dialect that we are most comfortable expressing ourselves in. I hope that this is something that we will all get to enjoy for a very long time without the burden of speaking in a mandated language.
As diverse citizens, I think it is important for us to uphold the values of our home culture and apply it in our lives as American people. We can be people who speak English, yet represent the unique story of another country. I believe that this is an achievable scenario for the long-term. I, therefore, believe that we should maintain the status quo and pursue other ways to bring different people and cultures together.
FAQs
Does The US Not Have An Official Language?
This may come as a big surprise to many, but the United States of America has never declared any official dialect, even during the oldest parts of history. They saw no need to do so since most people were speaking the language anyway, and those who were speaking multiple languages never threatened to overpower English as a common dialect.
Why Isn’t English The Official Language Of The United States?
While it is not known as our official dialect, it is already the most commonly-spoken language of the nation. Since people are able to speak it freely, no one has found any need to amend the Constitution just to mandate it as our main dialect. Although it is not official, most immigrants who come here to pursue the American dream are already aware of the unspoken and unofficial rule to learn English in order to be able to navigate life in this nation.
Therefore, even without any official declaration, they take it upon themselves to learn the language. At the same time, there are plenty of institutions and organizations that offer classes to help them master the dialect. It is clear that English is not under threat and people embrace the dialect with open arms and no protest. Hence, even as an unofficial dialect, it is already largely accepted by all citizens of the United States. While most would argue that declaring a primary dialect would promote a sense of unity, there are other ways to accomplish that goal.