Why does the USA not have an official language?
Founding Fathers believed it would be divisive and undemocratic
558 countries have English as an official language. Surprisingly, the list does not include either the UK or the USA.
In the United States is the result of a conscious decision of the Founding Fathers. They believed that an official language would be divisive and undemocratic in a multi-lingual country.
Around 30% of the 18th century population of the USA was German or Dutch speaking. There were also many other linguistic minorities:
18 languages were spoken on Manhattan Island [now part of New York City] as early as 1646. The Dutch, Flemish, Walloons, French, Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, English, Scots, Irish, Germans, Poles, Bohemians, Portuguese, and Italians were among the settlement’s early inhabitants. Vincent N. Parrillo, Diversity in America, 2008, p. 45;
British heritage
Not having an ‘official’ language is typical of majority English-speaking countries — including the UK. British legal, and political institutions tend towards adaptation and evolution rather than centralised control. This contrasts with other models like the French, for example.
Though English is clearly America’s de facto first language only around 78% of the population speak it as a first or joint first language.
Multi-lingual societies tend to function more effectively when there is an accepted lingua franca or common language.
Spanish challenge?
In recent decades language has become a more politically polarising issue in the US. Immigration from Latin America has lead to majority Spanish-speaking populations in some American cities, notably in Texas, Arizona and California.
Moves towards bilingualism in some states (e.g. California) has lead to laws formalising English as the official language in others.
Historically, the hispanic population has been identified with the Democratic Party — which is seen as more sympathetic to official bilingualism than their Republican opponents. This divide has been more blurred in recent election cycles, with Republicans gaining support amongst working class voters with a hispanic heritage.
It is an increasingly complex picture, Nonetheless, English is the primary language in the USA and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
