National Identity and Language Rights Research Paper

National Identity and Language Rights - Research Paper ExampleThe official thinking goes that one phrase is inevitable for the inherent unity of the country. However, the unofficial reason for these laws, according to many, is racist at its core because language is not just an abstraction or way to communicate, just also is vital to ones culture and place in society, deeming ones language as inferior is akin to deeming ones culture as also inferior. Another issue is that these laws be probably unconstitutional, as they disenfranchise potential voters who do not know the language. As voting is a right for all citizens, forcing a citizen to vote without acute what he is voting for, or forcing this citizen to stay home, is unconstitutional. These are just some of the reasons why English only or official English laws are unworkable. scarce still, legislatures and the people try to make them work, as evidenced by the different impetuss that have sprung up in this milieu.There are a variety of reasons for the movement to make English the official language. Citrin et al. (1990) identified some of these reasons in their study of the municipalities and states where English only or English as the Official language have been adopted. One of these reasons is historical in nature. English-only in public opinion began in earnest around the turn of the century, as people immigrating from Southern and eastern Europe stirred xenophobic feelings among Americans, culminating in the Americanization movement that insisted that national unity depended upon cultural homogeneity and a common language (Auerbach, 1993, p. 10).