The development of tourism contributed to English becoming the most prominent language in the world. Some people think this will lead to English becoming the only language to be spoken globally.
What are the advantages and disadvantages to having one language in the world?
Answers
Explanation:
America is a melting pot of races and therefore has many languages. While English may be the dominant spoken language, thousands of Americans speak other languages, posing a great challenge to the notion for linguistic unity.
Theodore Roosevelt articulated the unspoken American linguistic melting-pot theory when he boldly said, “We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding house.” Roosevelt believed that America, as a country, must have one flag and also have one language.
In August 1996, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill that would make English as the official language of the government and require that the government preserve and enhance the official status of the language. However, the bill failed to become law in the legislative process and so, the debate on whether English be made the official language of America still continues today.
List of Pros of English as the Official Language
1. It is practical to have English as the official language of the federal government.
Proponents argue that providing government documents and translators for hundreds of languages is very costly. Making English an official language will address the issue, saving the government lots of money. It will also free up funds that can be used for English education, job training programs and other programs that can better serve linguistic minorities.