U.S. English is greatly encouraged by news reports in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere that an executive order will soon be signed to recognize English as the official language of the United States. The order from President Donald J. Trump is expected to repeal Executive Order 13166 signed by President Bill Clinton in 2000, which required federal agencies to provide translations and interpreter services in any language under vague guidelines. That policy has served to discourage assimilation and hinder English literacy for immigrants at the expense of the American taxpayer, with consequences for state and local governments receiving federal funding as well. Rather than that, the new order reportedly allows agencies freedom to provide services in other languages while making it clear that encouraging and increasing English literacy should be the government’s priority.
The common sense case for Official English has long been clear. Data has proven time and again that a vast majority of American adults have always agreed that English should be recognized as the official language of America, transcending party lines and all other demographics. That the issue is uncontroversial to voters is no surprise: today around 180 countries out of 195 have an official language, and as the most spoken language in the world English is the global language of business and communication. English literacy is a requirement for U.S. citizenship, and immigrants who have it enjoy far greater success; working-age adults who don’t speak English well earn 25-40% less than those who do.
At a time when more than 350 languages are spoken in the United States and at least 8% of the American population has limited proficiency in English according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the need for English as a common and unifying language is greater than ever. This order promises to be a tremendous step in the right direction.
