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These days there is much debate over language and its role
in modern America. Should the United States adopt a single official
language? Many believe that an official state language would be
cohesive to the American public, bringing them closer together through
one shared language. Others believe that forcing people to speak the
same language would rob individual immigrants of their culture.
Personally I am in favor of the US adopting a single official language
because it would ensure a smoother transition for immigrant families
into American society.
Language is a barrier for communication. Last year,
when I happened to pass through a small town, I went into
a Kentucky Fried Chicken for lunch and a break from driving.
I was surprised and shocked to have the three families in line in front
of me order their chicken in Spanish. There's no problem
with people being multilingual, but if they are in a
predominantly English speaking country shouldn't they be
ordering their food in English? Many people who come to our
country refuse to learn our language, and have to rely on their
children and grandchildren as translators. 9-1-1 centers
across the country have to have multiple translators on hand in
order to save the lives of people who don't speak any English. Barriers
for communication can bring about all kinds of problems such as safety
hazards, unemployability and countless others. With one unified
language, everyone would be more competent communicators.
Differences in language can lead to social problems as
well. For example, a young man is standing in line at a grocery store.
In the line behind him are a couple of Russian ladies speaking in their
native language. When he turns around to look he finds they are looking
at him. He becomes embarassed and angry, absolutely certain they are
making fun of him. In actuality they were admiring his shirt, and
pondering where one of them might find it for their husband. These
things happen all the time, causing suspicion and racial barriers to
form in all kinds of places. From schools to the workplace, from the
boutique to the supermarket. In my school, there were many students who
spoke both Ukrainian and English. They used Ukrainian to communicate with
each other, but, mainly it served only to arouse suspicion
and distrust against them. If they would just have spoken
English they would have had more friends and would have fit in better
with their surroundings. Had the ladies from our example been speaking
in English, nobody's feelings would have been hurt, and they may have
even found out where to get the shirt.
We have a responsibility to ensure that all immigrants are
assimilated into American society as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Immigrants have the responsibility to make themselves employable,
effective members of the society they are entering. With effective
communication we would be stronger and closer as a people. One official
language would mean a more unified society in which less is lost in
translation.
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