Official English

[Gail Stygall]

As someone whose research is in legal language and discourse, I find the
proposal that applicants for naturalization be able to read and understand
the laws of the U.S. astonishing.  The level of knowledge of case law and
legal procedure necessary to comprehend the US code and administrative law
is beyond most college graduates and professionals.  So the proposed bill
actually demands that we have a higher standard of reading comprehension
for qualified immigrants (who have been paying taxes and contributing to
their communities for at least five years as resident aliens) than we do
for citizens.
Gail Stygall

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Gail Stygall <stygall at u.washington.edu>              (206) 543-2190
Director, Expository Writing Program
Associate Professor, English Language and Literature
English, Box 354330, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195-4330
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