Expert: Michael Troy - 10/20/2006

Question
Hey Mike:
You're clearly more informed on the issue than I am, and seem to disagree with Official English laws, but I've been assigned to argue in favor of such laws, and unfortunately I have found that the vast majority of resources out there agree with you and oppose the law, Creditable points for arguing the positive effects such a law, specific examples where immigrants have been diserviced because of their inability to communicate, of ways of how Official Language laws contribute to national identity, would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks again for all your help.

-Will

Answer
Hi Will,

Even if I disagree with the means of official English laws, I think the ultimate goal of its supporters is a good one.  Where you have a population divided by language, you end up with cases where the minority imposes burdens on the rest of the country by requiring everything be done in two languages (e.g. Canada with French and English) or more commonly, where the minority speakers are oppressed and have limited options for advancement in society (e.g. the Basques in Spain or the Kurds in Turkey).

Trying to get everyone to share a common language helps to reduce the divisions between people and to become a more open community.  It breaks down barriers.

I'll give a personal example.  In my last house, I lived next to a couple who spoke only Spanish.  The only time we could communicate was when there adult son came over for a visit and could translate.  They seemed like really nice folks, but they could never really be a part of the community because they could never talk to anyone.  It was a real shame.  They were very big supporters of having their children learn English because that opened up lots of other job, social, and other opportunities that they never had.  While they could have lived in a more Hispanic community, then their housing and other choices would have been very limited.  

In an nation of immigrants, there are obviously going to be people that have to deal with those hardships, but the point of English only laws is to encourage these new immigrants to join the common national community and be able to participate fully.  No matter how much effort is put into bi-lingual services, they will always be somewhat isolated from the larger society.

- Mike