Designating English as the Official Language of the US - Research Paper Example

Introduction The complexities of language within a country have created several barriers between those that are in society and the alterations in identity. The issue with language is one which is divided by those who immigrate into a specific country and which are not familiar with the base language of the nation. There are also considerations with how this affects different segments of society and the evolution of a nation. In the United States, there is not an official national language; however, many consider it the co-official language because of the acceptance of using English in different conversations (May, 2005). The influx of immigration has created segmented communities that don’t know English and which have changed the association with language. Defining whether the United States should recognize English as the national language, as well as what this implies for immigrants, becomes the main topic of concern. The complexity with the national language is one which is also leading to division, segregation and the inability to meet the needs of those who don’t speak English as a first language. English as the National Language The American English language was developed with the colonial time period, specifically after the government was established in the United States. During this time, there were several groups from different countries which came to America. The divisions were immediately created, specifically with individuals who spoke German, French or another national language from the immigrant countries. This created boundaries in the capability of communicating within society. The government decided to alter this by offering English as the main language, specifically because it would unite the nation and stop divisions that were within the community. Debates that were a part of this particular concept in society related to documents, such as from Benjamin Franklin, which questioned the need to have a national language as well as the frustrations that were a part of different languages in society because of the division which was created. While several debates were created, the government only designated English as the language casually, without formal announcements or policies which applied the English language as the official way of communication in the United States (Linten, 2006). The concept and debates of adapting the English language as the national language of the United States not only referred to the main abilities to change the segmentation in society. More important, there was a desire to create a national character for the future that would shape the identity of Americans and the speaking style which was used. The debates included dialect debates, such as from John Adams, who defined what the English language should look like in terms of dialect, grammar and in relation to the affiliations with vocabulary. This was done to create a distinct identity of the United States while allowing the colonies to unite as a part of America, as opposed to keeping the national identities from another country. The objective of America was to build a new nation outside of Europe which led to the importance of developing a culture that was based on a national identity and language in the United States (Mencken, 2009). Even though there was an adaptation of English as a primary language from the historical pressures of the government, the language was never deemed as the official language. Instead, it was naturally adapted as the main identity of those in the United States. The result was an inheritance of the national language, specifically because the dominant group in the United States used this as a main method of communication. The diversity and the population before the 1900s was one which remained dominantly English, which made it easier for those coming into America to speak the language and alter the way in which each spoke, specifically as it associated with easier communication practices as well as the national identity which was a part of the nation. The association with this led into practices of teaching English in primary schools and building the literature, businesses and other aspects of culture from the main identity of English while providing an easier association with communication in the country (Hogg, Denison, 2006). While the cultural affiliations and development of American English was a primary objective with the founding of the United States, it has now created several debates and levels of complexity within society. The promotion of English as a primary language has caused several groups of immigrants to remain disadvantaged because of the linguistic use and difficulties associated with the language. As the immigrant levels continue to grow, there are several disparities which are growing. The debate which is now a part of America is based on the melting pot that has adapted several cultures into the community. This began in the early 1900s with fluctuations of immigrants coming from alternative countries without an understanding of the English language. The result is a formation of smaller segments in society, specifically because of the lack of information to those who don’t speak English as well as the boundaries which have been presented in terms of integrating with the American – English. As immigration continues to grow, is a question of whether English should be the only integrated language into society (Phillipson, 2007). Multiculturalism in America The complexities that are a part of integration of English as a second language in America are based on the multiculturalism that is a part of the country. A restrictive language policy, such as the integration of English as the only language spoken in America, hinders the concepts of multiculturalism in America. Instead of supporting a sense of diversity that is in the community, there is division in the social thoughts which are a part of the policy. Many begin to believe that America is only for Americans as a mentality. Those who don’t speak the English language when they come to America are then directly restricted from participating in the American lifestyle and don’t have as many opportunities to integrate into society. The restrictions can vary from misunderstanding how to move into different communities to a lack of understanding about what is available for both immigrants and to the general public. This leads to problems with the work structures for immigrants, expectations within the community and the ability to develop a space for language that allows the basic functions in life to be maintained among the population (Schildkraut, 2005). The concepts of multiculturalism that are a part of the divisions between Americans and immigrants are furthered by the meanings and implications of these policies. Many believe that there is a direct relationship between the policies for language and the inability for immigrants to have the correct capabilities to succeed within an American lifestyle. These problems are furthered with several native residents of America who still have concepts of racism and supremacy and which are hostile toward immigrants from other countries. Attitudes about immigrants vary from feelings of oppressing those from other countries to beliefs that individuals coming from a different country are taking away jobs and opportunity from Americans. This is furthered by the announcement in 1995 that the U.S. Supreme Court would only allow English in the court room. This is followed with attitudes that divide immigrants in society without providing the same opportunities. Language works as a symbolic barrier between immigrants and Americans in society, specifically because of democratic ideologies that are based on exclusive language and racist beliefs which follow the mentalities of those in America. The result is that language works to identify immigrants and begins to oppress the individuals within society because of the main differences (Hartman, 2003). The main problem which is created with the divisions of language and the essence of multiculturalism is then based on the way in which the model hinders those who are coming to the United States. If policies go into effect for individuals to become citizens only by learning a language, then a lack of opportunity will be available. Typically, immigrants come because of economic pulls and offers with areas such as jobs. This is followed by the inability to work within a given country because of economic and political instability. The inability to become a citizen of the United States without language may further hinder immigrants from having the ability to lead an equal life of comfort that the majority is able to be a part of. Majority abuses, such as legislative authorities, representations in the government and society and responses with policies are then not available to immigrants. The result is that those who come into the country are subjected to legalities, processes and cultural divisions that are not applied to the majority. The division which is created between immigrants and others in society then creates a sense of instability not only with political divisions, but also as a main component that is a part of society (Preuhs, 2005). Immigration and Changes in the National Language The main question which is associated with the national language and the association with immigration is based on how the policies and integration of national identity through language will create barriers to those coming into the United States. The quality of life for immigrants and the ability to incorporate into the mainstream will become more difficult and will not provide equal opportunity for those that have come to the United States. In a private interview study, there was an association of the concepts of immigration with the need for a national language. There were four interviews conducted of immigrants who had recently come to America. It was noted that each of the individuals were working on learning English with the understanding that it was a national language. However, culture shock, adaptation into the society and the several demands associated with this created the inability to incorporate language and other means with integrating into society. Those who had come into the culture had immediately felt that the barriers in all areas of life had made it difficult to incorporate into the culture. The belief of English as a national language is one which all participants agreed would make it more difficult to adapt into society. The discomfort and the hostility which was currently a part of the experiences would then be furthered by divisions with language that would make living in the United States more difficult. The study that was given is further understood by the psychological and social implications of immigrants who are in the United States and what the difficulties of integration are into society. The lack of socialization in the community is one which has specific effects with the psychology of immigrants, specifically which creates a sense of isolation and exclusion from the community. It is believed that policies which implement the language of one country will further this by creating divisions of exclusion among immigrants that leads to a lack of integration or interaction within society. The exclusion may create problems within the work environment and community. The psychological impact of abandonment within the society as well as the way in which this may lead to a sense of stress among immigrants can create a continuous sense of culture shock with the inability to develop an understanding of how to work with the new society (Orozoco, 2005). The concepts that are a part of the sociological and psychological effects continue with the understandings of assimilation and the controversies associated with this. Assimilation is based on the need for immigrants to be a part of the society in terms of culture, belief and values that are created. Assimilation is also based on the language in which one has to incorporate into society and to work with others within this society. While there is a concept of assimilation that is a part of cultures, there is also an understanding that this creates psychological difficulties as well as how this creates a loss of identity from individuals who are required to assimilate. More important, there is an understanding that changing culture, belief and ingrained concepts, such as language, makes it difficult for immigrants to become a part of society. The new immigration, which includes the push of immigrants starting from the 1920s and until the 1960s is based on assimilation and how this naturally led to psychological pressures within families as well as complexities that are a part of integration into a community. The concept of assimilation from these then led to a specific understanding that the problems within society as well as the belief that this naturally led to boundaries and prejudice among those in society. Those that couldn’t assimilate were pushed out of communities while different levels of prejudice and division continued to be created based on language, culture and other differences. From this time, it was shown that assimilation was a cause of division, both by immigrants and by allowing those in the American society to create new forms of prejudice to those in the community (Alba, Nee, 2003). Conclusion Developing a national identity in the United States by creating policies in terms of language is one which becomes complex because of the other affiliations which are a part of this. When looking at the ideologies of immigration and the complications with assimilation, prejudice and identity, it can be seen that there is an understanding of language as a specific affiliation with immigration. The result is that boundaries are created in terms of how one can be incorporated into the United States society. The growing increase in immigrants as well as the changes in the population of the United States then show that a national policy for language would hinder the nation as a whole as well as the multicultural aspects that are a part of immigration and incorporating into the American culture. References Alba, Richard, Victor Nee. (2003). Remaking the American Mainstream: Assimilation and Contemporary Immigration. Boston: Harvard University Press. Hartman, Andrew. (Winter – Spring 2003). Language as oppression: the English-only movement in the United States. Socialism and Democracy. 17 (1), 187 Hogg, RM, David Denison. (2006). A History of the English Language. UK: Cambridge University Press. Linten, A. (2006). Language politics and policy in the United States: implications for the immigration debate. Working Paper 141. The Center for Comparative Immigrations Studies., University of California, San Diego. Retrieved from www.ccis-ucsd.org/ May, Stephen. (2005). “Language Rights: Moving the Debate Forward.” Journal of Sociolinguistics 9 (3) 319-347. Mencken, HL. (2009). The American Language: A Preliminary Inquiry into the Development of English in the United States. New York: Cosimo Publishing. Orozco, Marcelo. (2005). The New Immigration: an Interdisciplinary Reader. New York: Taylor and Francis Group. Phillipson, Robert. (2007). “Linguistic Imperialism: A Conspiracy, or a Conspiracy of Silence?” Language Policy 6 (3), 377-383. Preuhs, R. R. (2005). Descriptive representation, legislative leadership, and direct democracy: Latino influence on English only laws in the States, 1984-2002. State Politics & Policy Quarterly, 5 (3), 203-224,312.  Schildkraut, Deborah. (2005). Press One for English: Language Policy, Public Opinion, and American Identity. London: Princeton University Press. Read More