<div dir="ltr">(Spoiler alert: US English) <br><h1 class="" id="page-title"></h1><br><h1 class="" id="page-title">Why an official language is needed now more than ever</h1>
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By <span rel="sioc:has_creator">Mauro E. Mujica</span>
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<div class=""><div class=""><div class=""><p>Last
year, Congress enacted countless symbolic laws re-naming post offices,
schools and federal buildings. Congress also chose, once again, to delay
action on an issue widely supported by more than three quarters of
Americans: declaring an official language policy for the United States
government. </p><p>On this policy, we are behind. In fact, more than 90
percent of the world’s nations recognize an official language. And
English is the most common, official in 53 nations. An official language
policy would put the United States on par with other nations in keeping
all residents united through a common language.</p><div id="dfp-ad-mosad_1-wrapper" class=""><div id="dfp-ad-mosad_1" class=""><span><br></span></div></div>America
is a melting pot, celebrated for its diversity. Here in the land of the
free, differences are—and should be—celebrated. Recognizing English as
our common, shared language allows for that. <p>As a nation that
welcomes immigrants from all over the world, without a common thread to
unite us in our diversity, we become divided. With more than 325
languages spoken in the United States, English is the bond that brings
us all together. </p><p>To that end, the English Language Unity Act has
recently been introduced in the House of Representatives. This bill
would declare English the official language of the United States
government and would also save the federal government tens of thousands
of dollars on foreign language materials.</p><p>This is not a controversial issue. In fact, the bipartisan legislation is supported by more than 83 percent of Americans. <br> Why? </p><p>As an immigrant myself, I know there is no denying the benefits of a government that operates in one language. </p><p>By
declaring English the official language, federal government agencies
would no longer be required to provide documents and services in
languages other than English—saving valuable taxpayer money, which could
then instead be used to create more opportunities for immigrants to
learn English. </p><p>Even more importantly, operating in one official
language sends a clear message to newcomers to the United States:
learning English is essential to success. </p><p>It is for that reason that support for Official English is so widespread.</p><p>A
September 2014 study from the Brookings Institution found that English
proficiency can lead to a 25 to 40 percent increase in income. With this
income boost and the ability to face life without language barriers,
success becomes attainable. But without an official language policy,
these divisions continue to exist. </p><p>That is not to say that
declaring English the official language would discourage the use of
foreign languages. Official English legislation impacts federal
government agencies, but leaves private businesses and individuals free
to speak the language of their choosing. </p><p>In fact, the English
Language Unity Act before Congress includes several common sense
exceptions that allow federal government agencies to use foreign
languages in instances relating to public health and safety, judicial
situations and more. But the policy sends an important overarching
message: to achieve your highest potential in the United States, English
proficiency is key. </p><p>Thirty-one states, with the help of U.S.
English, have already done their part to unite residents through a
common language. Now, it is time for the United States Congress to
recognize what Americans across the country have long advocated: English
as our nation’s common language is the glue that unites us in our
diversity and opens the doors of success to all.</p><p> <em>Mujica is
the chairman of U.S. English, Inc., the nation's oldest and largest
non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying
role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by
the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (<a href="http://www.usenglish.org">www.usenglish.org</a>) now has more than 2 million members.</em></p><p><em><a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/233159-why-an-official-language-is-needed-now-more-than-ever">http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/233159-why-an-official-language-is-needed-now-more-than-ever</a><br></em></p></div></div></div><br clear="all"><div><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature">**************************************<br>N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to its members<br>and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner or sponsor of the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who disagree with a message are encouraged to post a rebuttal, and to write directly to the original sender of any offensive message. A copy of this may be forwarded to this list as well. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)<br><br>For more information about the lgpolicy-list, go to <a href="https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/">https://groups.sas.upenn.edu/mailman/</a><br>listinfo/lgpolicy-list<br>*******************************************</div>
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