While it seems like a good idea to restore order within the government by making English our official language, it will not necessarily be adequate or solve any true issues for our country. Because such a high percentage of our country already uses English as their primary language, it would serve as useless. However, because of all the immigrants in and coming to our country, it is only rational to keep it officially multilinguistic.
As a result of this, my main argument is that our nation is almost completely made up of immigrants. Think about it; people generally consider themselves a nationality other than American: Spanish, Italian, Irish, Indian, etc. Whatever the case, whether it be from even many generations ago, someone in everyone's family was an immigrant. Not very many people are native Americans, so why make English official? Yes, it may very well serve as a convenience to the government, but they have gone without such a law for all this time anyway, so it would be conclusively pointless.
Through my research, I've found that many people argue for this law with the general idea that "it will unite our country." This statement is also not necessarily true, because the percentage of English-speaking Americans will not automatically increase. If the government's true desire is for more people to learn English, then the key is to provide better programs in which they can learn conveniently, not make a law out of it.
As a result of this, my main argument is that our nation is almost completely made up of immigrants. Think about it; people generally consider themselves a nationality other than American: Spanish, Italian, Irish, Indian, etc. Whatever the case, whether it be from even many generations ago, someone in everyone's family was an immigrant. Not very many people are native Americans, so why make English official? Yes, it may very well serve as a convenience to the government, but they have gone without such a law for all this time anyway, so it would be conclusively pointless.
Through my research, I've found that many people argue for this law with the general idea that "it will unite our country." This statement is also not necessarily true, because the percentage of English-speaking Americans will not automatically increase. If the government's true desire is for more people to learn English, then the key is to provide better programs in which they can learn conveniently, not make a law out of it.
2 comments:
I liked your last point that investing in education would do more than standardizing the language. You shoul elaborate on this, it is an convincing counterpoint. You could also discuss why the government does use many languages, that people eho do not know English need the government as well. The exclusion of foreign languages would only hamper communications.
Hey Alex,
I completely agree with your first point. I think that is a very strong point because so many people's families in the United States are not from the United States. Majority of people here are immigrants at one point or another. Your point is very strong. I like the ending about education. That would make an excellent counterpoint, if you extend on it. I also really like the point on the government hasn't needed the law this far along so why do they need it now.
Jen
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