By Craig Donegan

Should English be the nation's official language?

Large-scale immigration from Latin America and Asia in recent years has convinced many Americans that English should be made the official language of the United States. They argue that a common culture is what holds a nation together, and that a common language is needed to convey and preserve that culture. Consequently, they want bilingual-education programs to focus on teaching English, and programs that reinforce newcomers' native languages to be reformed or abolished.

Bilingual-education advocates argue that cultural and language diversity are national strengths that should be nurtured. They view official English as unnecessary, and probably unconstitutional, and oppose legislation designed to make English the national language and, in one case, to abolish bilingual education outright.

Citation:

APA Style

Donegan, C. (1996, January 18). Debate over bilingualism. The CQ researcher, 6. Retrieved April 11, 2006, from http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1996011900. Document ID: cqresrre1996011900.

MLA Style

Donegan, Craig. "Debate Over Bilingualism." The CQ Researcher 6.3 (1996). 11 April 2006 <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher/cqresrre1996011900>. Document ID: cqresrre1996011900.