English, the official language of the U.S.?

One of the more hotly debated topics in the country these days is whether or not legislation should be passed, making English the official language of the United States. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 47 million people age 5 and over, or 18% of our entire population, spoke a language other than English at home (1). With almost 1 out of every 5 Americans speaking another language at home, some are concerned with the long-term consequences if our country keeps heading in its current direction. For the sake of each individual, as well as the benefit of the nation as a whole, it is imperative that we make English the official language of the United States.
Those who are against English becoming the official language of the U.S. have many reasons for believing so. In a letter written regarding making English the official language in Brown County, Wisconsin, Micabil Diaz-Martinez of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) states that passing this legislation would violate the rights of non-English speaking Americans. In his words:
The ACLU opposes proposed Constitutional amendments or legislation which will characterize English as the official language of the United States or any state or local jurisdiction therein to the extent that such amendments or legislation would mandate or encourage the erosion of or have the effect of eroding the rights of language minority persons. The ACLU believes English-only laws that make English the "official" language of government and particularly those which broadly restrict the government's ability to use languages other than English in communicating and delivering services to non-English speaking Americans, violate civil rights and liberties. (2)

How does it violate civil rights and liberties? First, Diaz-Martinez writes that “by restricting the government's ability to communicate with and provide services to non-English speaking Americans, many of whom are children and elderly citizens, English-only laws deny fair and equal access to government.” Diaz-Martinez also states that “English-only laws are based on assumptions predicated on false and disparaging stereotypes about today's immigrants. Thus, they foster anti-immigrant bigotry and intolerance and exacerbate ethnic tensions” (2).
While I understand the concern regarding government communicating with its citizens, sometimes we just need to use common sense. According to some estimates, there are as many as 300 different languages being spoken in the United States (3). There is no way we can expect our government to print legal documents or just be able to readily communicate with all these people. While this may be an extreme example, we can even look at some of the more common languages spoken. The 2000 U.S. Census asked respondents if they spoke a language other than English at home and, if so, which one. There were twelve non-English languages that had over 500,000 people claim that was the language they spoke at home (including over 28 million Spanish) (1). Is it realistic that our government must cater to all of these people who speak another language? Should our government be responsible for printing legal documents in Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Vietnamese, etc.?
I believe the answer is simple. There is no way our government can appease every individual. We can’t pick and choose some languages, like Spanish, that will get preferential treatment. It’s a slippery slope. Passing legislation to make English the official language would actually solve the problem. Only then will everyone be clear as to what is expected, English. And in order to function in society and be able to communicate with government, everyone should speak it. It is then, and only then, that no one would be denied “fair and equal access to government.”
As for Diaz-Martinez’s assertion that English-only laws “foster anti-immigrant bigotry and intolerance and exacerbate ethnic tensions,” I think nothing could be further from the truth. Just like his last argument, I believe the exact opposite is true. The truth is bigotry and intolerance does exist. Yet I would argue that it is because they are not speaking English.
Let’s look at history as our example. Most people look at all “white” people as the same. But that was not always the case. When the Irish, Polish, and Germans came to the United States, they were seen as lazy, dirty, and basically classless by the “native” English and French. Over time, that went away. Why? All were unified by their language. And all were considered American. A law encouraging all citizens to speak English would speed up the process, and make all people in our country feel united as Americans.
Passing legislation to make English the official language of the U.S. would not be an unprecedented move by our country. Most countries have an official language (4). And many that have different languages, especially in if they’re spoken in different areas of the country, run into problems with communication and elitism by one or more of the groups (see: Africa).
Another thing to consider is if the role was reversed. Sometimes it’s easy to be hypocritical and have expectations for others, yet have different rules if it applies to you. But here that is definitely not the case. I put myself in those shoes. What if I moved to France for work? Would I be so egotistical that I demand that everyone speak to me in English? That signs and papers be written in English so it would be convenient for me? No. I would expect to learn French, and I’d try to do it rather quickly to make it easier on myself. And I would do it because I would be there for a reason. I would be grateful for the opportunity the country was offering, and my goal would be to try to blend in to their society.
One last thing to consider is the sectionalism that is happening in this country. For the first 100 or so years of this country, our country was divided, while not literally the whole time, between North and South. Even before the Civil War, it was divided because they had different needs and ideals. Manufacturing in the North, farming in the South. Slavery in the South, not in the North. At this time, people’s loyalties lied more with their region than their country. And frankly I am concerned that at some point down the road the Southwest United States will decide that they have a different language, a different society, and different needs than the rest of the country. This is not a section of New York City, or Dearborn, MI. It’s an entire chunk of our country. Will it end up in secession and war? I can’t claim I know, but I believe it’s a real concern.
In the end, the idea that we shouldn’t pass legislation to make English the official language is about being politically correct. It’s about people making you believe that if you want English as the official language, you are anti-immigrant and/or racist. This couldn’t be further from reality. Encouraging all to become fluent in English is to their benefit. It will be easier to find a job, communicate with others, and altogether assimilate into society. But more importantly, it’s better for the country. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. And learning the language that most people in the country speak, is not too much to ask.