Transcript Official English English Plus - Texas A&M University

Official English &
English Plus
1981: CA Senator S.I. Hayakawa introduces a
constitutional amendment to make English the
official language of the US;
1983: US English is founded in response to Englishonly efforts;
1987: The English Plus Information Clearing House
(EPIC) if formed to centralize information on
language rights and language policy, respond to
efforts restricting the use of languages other than
English, and promote an alternative to Official
English.
Official English
“In a pluralistic nation such as [the United States]
government should foster the similarities that unite us,
rather than the differences that separate us”
Goals:
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to encourage ratification of a national
amendment making English the official
language of the US;
repeal bilingual voting rights;
reduce funding for bilingual education;
enforce the requirement of English for
naturalization; and
foster opportunities for learning English.
Official English
Bills that support Official English:
• 1995: a bill introducing English as the
official language of the Government of the
United States is presented at the 104th
Congress;
maintaining a language common prevents linguistic
division;
English has historically been the common language of
the US;
English is the language of opportunities; immigrants will
be empowered by learning English;
Adoption of English as the official language by the
Federal Government will promote efficiency and
fairness to all
English Plus
“Why throw away a valuable knowledge?
Why not promote English plus other languages?”
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All US residents should have the opportunity
to become proficient in English PLUS one or
more other languages;
Cultural diversity is a national strength;
Support for bilingual services is an
opportunity to help enhance literacy in
English;
Proficiency in English is necessary and
opportunities for proficiency in English must
be provided to all US residents.
English Plus
Rationale for the English Plus
movement:
English is the language of the United States
and all members recognize the
importance of its language;
Many residents of the country speak native
languages other than English;
The country is committed to democratic
principles and to strengthen diversity;
English Plus
Multilingualism is a resource to the
country’s global competitiveness,
promotes greater understanding,
essential element of national security;
There is no threat to the status of English in
the United States (94% of US residents
speak English);
English Plus
English-only measures, or proposals to
designate English as the official
language of the United States, would
violate traditions of cultural pluralism,
divide ethnic communities, jeopardize
law regulations and services to
speakers of other languages, and
hinder the development of language
skills.
Position with respect to Bilingual
Education
Official English/English Plus
at the State level
(data from James Crawford, 2003)
Official English/English Plus
at the State level
(data from James Crawford, 2003)
Official English/English Plus
at the State level
(data from James Crawford, 2003)
Senate Passes Measure to make
English the National Language
New!!!
http://www.us-english.org/inc/
May 19, 2006
Senate votes for official English
The US Senate achieved a linguistic nadir today in approving
63-34 an amendment by Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe to
S. 2611, the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006,
that makes English the official language of the United States.
The main part reads:
The Government of the United States shall preserve and
enhance the role of English as the national language of the
United States of America. Unless specifically stated in
applicable law, no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to
have the Government of the United States or any of its
officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or
provide services, or provide materials in any language other
than English. If exceptions are made, that does not create a
legal entitlement to additional services in that language or
any language other than English. If any forms are issued by
the Federal Government in a language other than English (or
such forms are completed in a language other than English),
the English language version of the form is the sole authority
for all legal purposes.
Unless and until passed by the House of Representatives, this is
not the law, but as the House is also dominated by
Republicans, it may well. The vote was not strictly partisan - 13
Democrats voted for it - but the opposition consisted entirely
of Democrats with the exception of New Mexico Senator
Pete Domenici.
One justification for this is that eliminating services in
languages other than English will save $1 to $2 billion. That's at
most 0.7% of the cost thus far of the invasion of Iraq. In both
cases, the dollar figures don't include the human cost. A
second is that it will encourage immigrants to learn English, as
if they needed encouragement. The myth that immigrants are
unwilling to learn English was debunked so long ago you'd
think that people would be embarassed to mention it. The
third argument, believe it or not, is that making English official
will have a unifying effect! That's rich. Depriving Spanishspeakers in the Southwest and Puerto Rico and American
Indians and Eskimos of services in their own languages is
obviously a great way to make them feel wanted.