How English Empowers Us: The Unifying Force of a National Language
“Official” is a distinctly English term. Its origins trace back to the Old French word “oficial” and the Latin “officialis,” and now — following a recent executive order by Trump — it defines the status of the English language.
President Trump’s executive order establishing English as the official language overturns a directive from Bill Clinton that mandated the government, along with organizations receiving federal support, to offer language assistance to individuals who do not speak English.
While Trump’s action may not have significant practical implications, as the rise of bilingualism in the U.S. has largely stemmed from high immigration rates from Spanish-speaking nations rather than direct government influence, it still carries a weighty symbolic message.
According to the executive order, “A nationally designated language is fundamental to a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is enriched by citizens who can freely exchange ideas in one common language.”
This holds true when considering the presence of a predominantly spoken language, regardless of its official designation.
However, the order is seen as hostile and intimidating to various groups who find no resonance with the long-ago Latin phrase e pluribus unum.
As the communications director for the pro-immigration organization United We Dream stated, “Trump is attempting to convey that if you’re not white, wealthy, and speak English, you don’t belong here. Let it be clear: Immigrants are here to stay. No matter how hard Trump tries, he cannot erase us.”
Interestingly, she chose to express her remarks in English.
It’s worth noting that about half of the immigrants in the U.S. are proficient in English. Are they effectively “erasing” their identities?
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus highlighted, “Trump’s initiative to make English the official language is a direct affront to our diversity and history. Millions of Americans converse in different languages, and that does not diminish their Americanness.”
Recognizing the significance of English as a predominant language does not belittle speakers of Tagalog or Haitian Creole.
Individuals who do not pursue learning English risk isolating themselves from mainstream American life and limit their educational and professional opportunities.
A headline from the New York Times quipped, “Trump Made English the Official Language in a Country with 350 of Them.”
This observation reflects part of the rationale rather than being contradictory.
The so-called “language police” aren’t likely to invade communities with copies of Strunk & White. Nonetheless, it is crucial that the prominent role of English remains unchallenged.
Divisions based on language can create significant disruptions in otherwise peaceful and well-managed societies — just ask Canadians, Belgians, or the Spanish, who have all been divided by secession movements in regions where different languages are spoken.
If the United States moves toward a more merit-based immigration framework, proficiency in English should indeed be a criterion.
It is important to acknowledge that English is a highly capable language with a remarkably rich vocabulary.
Due to extensive borrowing throughout the years, particularly from Latin and Norman French, the Oxford English Dictionary contains over half a million words. In comparison, German has about 185,000 words, while French has fewer than 100,000.
The authors of the engaging book “The Story of English” note that the English language did not exist at the time Julius Caesar invaded Britain over two millennia ago. Five centuries later, it was spoken by a number of people equivalent to those speaking Cherokee today.
By the time of Shakespeare in the 16th century, millions of English speakers had emerged, and several centuries thereafter, it proliferated around the world.
Currently, approximately 1.5 billion individuals speak English, although only about 400 million speak it as their primary language.
English has become the lingua franca of business, entertainment, and the internet. There are now more English speakers in India than in the UK, and Nigeria has roughly as many English speakers as Britain.
No language has ever achieved such pervasive global presence, and the U.S. government is now formally recognizing this with its official status.
Twitter: @RichLowry
