National Language
Senate Votes to Make English the ‘National Language’ of U.S.
I feel what makes this country so distinctive is its rare unification of people from diverse backgrounds. We are the “melting pot” so-to-speak. This new legislation attempts nothing but to chip away at the core of that rarity. The fact that we hadn’t a national/official language before was a rallying cry to all newcomers. It gave these new immigrants the belief that they too were equal amongst the “natives.”
These last weeks in government prove we haven’t learned a thing from our own history. Coming off the boat, over the fence, or across the desert to this “land of opportunity” just got a bit less prideful. Now that crossing must be followed by hard looks over ones shoulder and the dodging of flying rocks more than ever before. Not because there are less rocks but because those rocks used to be exclusive to the uneducated peasants. Nowadays they’re coming straight from the highest hill in the land.
Randy, what are the potential negative outcomes of this action? All previous groups of immigrants recognized the need for at least their second generation to learn English, which has always been the de facto “national language.” This doesn’t mean people can’t use their native tongue at home or amongst their countrymen, but in the “public” realm, there has to be some measure of uniformity. In fact, it is specifically BECAUSE America is a melting pot that the various immigrant groups MUST learn a common language. If they didn’t, there would be hundreds of languages spoken across the country without a unifying tongue, which would obviously be disadvantageous. Furthermore, in the phrase “melting pot” the “melting” refers to the assimilation of those who arrive here to American culture. In essence, language is culture. The concepts are inseparable. And culture is what unifies individuals. Look around the world – countries with multiple official languages are often strife-ridden. Perhaps these countries suffer from a lack of harmony partly because of a lack of linguistic uniformity.
“These last weeks in government prove we haven’t learned a thing from our own history.”
I don’t see how this statement holds true when our history has taught us that by learning English and assimilating to American culture, immigrant groups have made countless contributions to this country. What if every German immigrant, for example, had refused to learn English or insist that their children do so – do you think this would have been a good thing?
I never said that immigrants shouldn’t learn English. I completely agree with that principle.
The potential negative outcome of this action is exactly what I stated.
This country is unique in the fact that it’s 100% comprised of recent immigrants. Each group that came before the next has claimed some sort of power over the former. But the fact that there wasn’t a national language gave a sense of fair play. It’s something immigrants can march to whist defending their equal status to those that are exerting supremacy based merely on a few years or generations.
I believe unification through language is a positive notion but this law is doing nothing but giving validity to beating someone down because of their broken English or strong accent.
“If you want to live here learn American you fucking sand nigger!”
This follows my point. Nothing will really change with this law so why is it needed? Maybe it’s to enforce the false dominance of “the natives.”
Just a little add’. I think this law is akin to a speed limit sign of infinity. Is there’s no limit why post a sign?
If Americans really want to make english as a standard language, then they should insist that people speak PROPER english.
I’m tired of this ebonics crap, and the horrible west texas drawl that is incomprehensible. If they really insist that english is mandatory, for gods sake go to school and learn it properly, otherwise shut up and enjoy the diversity.
Sounds like something a Brit’ would say about Americans in general.