Should the USA have an official language

Well, according to polls about 4 out of 5 Americans say yes. And there is currently legislation in Congress to officially declare English as the official language of the United States.

Townhall.com links to this article on the issue.

Official English measures have long been popular with the public and those elected to serve in Congress. For nearly a generation, polls have found support for making English the official language among four-fifths of the population, including a 2005 Zogby poll which pegged the rate at 79 percent. Since 1981, more than 550 Members of Congress representing all 50 states have sponsored, co-sponsored or voted for official English measures a total of more than 2,500 times.

“It is through the backing of a common language that we will expand employment and educational opportunity, and continue successful immigrant integration,” continued Mujica. “Without a unifying language, we can never be truly one nation. I urge the House leadership to bring H.R. 997 up for a committee hearing without further delay.”

On the one hand, this seems like a no brainer to me. The only way to have a semi-unified culture is through common language and common values. And a common culture -- broadly construed -- is necessary for political health.

I think, however, I could be a little more enthusiastic about this kind of legislation if there were a way to make sure that -- through our schools -- the majority of Americans were taught Spanish. Go to other countries and find the number of people who speak more than one language is quite impressively high. If we are indeed becoming increasingly global economically and in other ways, the haveing the ability to communicate with persons from other countries will be increasingly important, even for the average citizen. Also, it makes one a more educated person.