Many people already understand English, which is spoken in over 75% of homes, as the dominant language of the United States.
Many may be surprised to learn that English was not the official language of the United States until earlier this month when President Donald Trump signed an executive order formally declaring it as such.
The initial reaction of Northeastern University experts was that the order wasn’t necessary — because English is already the dominant language in the United States.
“The way many people in this country engage in their day-to-day lives, they recognize the value of knowing English,” said Adam Cooper, a teaching professor of linguistics at Northeastern.
The executive order says the official designation will create “a unified and cohesive society” with a “shared language” and will help new Americans assimilate.
Experts say the executive order has limited power, but declaring an official language grants it legal status and makes it the standard for government business. It may also restrict access to forms and services for non-English speakers.
Many countries have designated national languages with many having more than one, according to Boris Yelin, an associate teaching professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Northeastern.
There’s a number of reasons why a country might designate an official language. The designation of a national or official language can be used as an oppressive tool, Yelin said, like in Spain when General Francisco Franco banned the use of regional languages between 1939 and 1975.
But, Yelin added, an official language can also help preserve languages under threat, such as indigenous languages. For example, Hawaii has two designated languages — English and Hawaiian — which helps preserve access to both.
English has long been the de facto official language of the U.S., spoken exclusively in over 75% of households. However, despite efforts since 1780, it has never been legally designated as such. That year, Congress rejected a proposal, calling it “undemocratic and a threat to individual liberty.”
Since then there have been numerous failed attempts for English to rise to the designation of a national language. Some viewed this order as an attack on immigrants and areas like Puerto Rico where most of the population speaks Spanish.
While the order doesn’t prevent learning other languages, it downplays the benefits of multilingualism, Cooper said, noting its cognitive and social advantages, including exposure to different perspectives.
Additionally, many people who speak multiple languages often do it to connect with their families or different cultures, Yelin said.
“People aren’t trying to learn another language or use another language to downplay English or undermine their nationality,” he said. “They’re using it to have a connection with their family. There’s no reason why people can’t be multicultural.”
Adding another national language — or leaving the United States without designation — would likely not harm English, which most people generally understand is the dominant language in the United States, Cooper said.
“For a country like the United States, which we generally kind of think of historically as ‘a country of immigrants,’ I think part of that is recognizing there is a great degree of linguistic diversity,” he added.
“Why not recognize many of the languages that have very sizable communities of speakers in this country? … But there are different perspectives on the role that immigration plays in establishing the identity of the United States.”