What the heck is an "official" language?

[Don Osborn]

This question is spot on. One gets the impression that it is felt to be the
ultimate legal tool to a particular end. I'm very interested how this
concept entered the discourse, over 2 centuries after founding of the
republic, at a time when English is globally in ascendance. 

 

 

 

 

From: owner-lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu
[mailto:owner-lgpolicy-list at ccat.sas.upenn.edu] On Behalf Of Harold
Schiffman
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 1:50 PM
To: lp
Subject: What the heck is an "official" language?

 


 
<http://www.windypundit.com/archives/2007/06/what_the_heck_is_an_official_l.
html> What the Heck Is an Official Language?


Mark Draughn

I don't understand what the issue is when people talk about making English
the official language.It was one of the questions at the presidential
debates of both parties. Closer to home, Fran Eaton at Illinois Review links
<http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2007/06/americans-want-.ht
ml>  approvingly to an article by
<http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2007/june07/07-06-20.html>  Phyllis
Schlafly and to a report that Carpentersville has passed
<http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/news/437642,3_1_EL21_A1CVILL
E_S1.article>  a symbolic resolution to make English its official language,
commenting that "it should also be the state and nation's policy, as well." 

What the heck does that mean? Talk about making English the official
language is pointless without discussing the details of what exactly it
means to have an official language. Do supporters of English as the official
language really want the United States Congress to pass a symbolic
resolution? That would be pretty shallow. I assume supporters have something
more specific in mind, as must opponents, but neither side ever spells out
the details. Do the supporters just want to make sure that English is
considered necessary and sufficient for legal purposes? Do they object to
non-English signs in government offices? At airports? In supermarkets? What
about "E Pluribus Unum" on the back of our money? Is that just caving in to
the Latin Lobby? 

Is it just me? Am I the only one who doesn't know what "official language"
means? Or is it just feel-good legislation for the anti-immigrant crowd.

http://www.windypundit.com/archives/2007/06/what_the_heck_is_an_official_l.h
tml

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