English language legislation gathers steam across the USA

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-06-18-English-laws_N.htm



This article points out the increased interest in making English the official language. More and more people hitting the ballots in support of such bills. 30 states have English as the official language with similar proposals going through 19 legislatures. Those against say it sends a "hostile message to newcomers".
In such bills, documents, ballots and other government communications must be published in English, excluding those protecting public health and safety or efforts to promote tourism.

Are Latinos Learning English Quickly?

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2007/12/are_latinos_learning_english_q.html

Debate continues to rage between the decision to make English the USA's official language. One reason critics have gone against it is that the English language is difficult to learn. The Pew Hispanic Center reported that 88 percent of second-generation Latinos surveyed say they don't speak English very well. Detailed in the article, "1 out of 8 American-born children of Hispanic immigrants does not speak English very well." It was also revealed that a "small minority" of first-generation Latino immigrants describe themselves as fluent English speakers (one in four Latino immigrants says he or she is able to speak English very well.) But that's first generation Latinos. 2nd generation Latinos normally don't have that problem due to the fact that they grow up in an American, English speaking society.

Ergo Proxy: The Official Language of the Interne

http://themedium.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/07/ergo-proxy-the-official-language-of-the-internet/?scp=7&sq=english%20official%20language&st=cse

Interesting fact: Even though English is the dominant language online, two-thirds of Internet users don’t know English. This article details the well known language of "Engrish", a language which mixes certain Asian languages and English. It is very common and major sites, like YouTube hold them. This article shows the importance of English not just in America, but worldwide in what can be argued as the most important form of communication for today's generation. Many countries hold English as the official language and many more hold it as a secondary language. In today's world many more people are becoming bilingual. And for most, one of those languages is English.

Immigrants' children grow fluent in English, study says

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-english30nov30,0,1163558.story


This article points out a sort of assimilation of immigrants into American culture, particular of the English language. Last year, a report analyzed surveys of several thousand Latino immigrants and found that 23% of adult first-generation Latinos say they can carry on a conversation very well in English, while 88% in the second generation and 94% in the third say likewise. It also showed that Mexicans are the least likely to say they speak English well, which may be because of a lower education level. As the younger generation molds with their peers in public areas, such as school, they pick up on the language and social groupings much easier. Because of this they are able to connect more with the English language and American culture more readily than their Latino roots.

Legislators Back English As the Official Language

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE6D91431F937A2575BC0A960958260&scp=9&sq=english%20official%20language&st=cse


In 1996, the Suffolk County (of New York) Legislature, approved a bill that made English the official language of the county. The resolution was passed by a vote of 10 to 5, with 3 abstentions. This means that all county government affairs would be in English, with the exception of "911" calls and other oral communications. Rudolph W, Giuliani, then the mayor of New York City, opposed similar bills stating, ''There's no reason to pass a bill like this except, maybe, to exclude people, insult people or offend people.''

THE WEEK; Making English Official Is on the Ballot in Bogota

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E3D7103EF934A1575BC0A9609C8B63

In 2006, Bogota (a New Jersian borough) put the issue of making English the official language on ballot. The controversy began when there was question about the use of Spanish on a McDonald's billboard. The mayor, Steve Lonegan strongly opposed the billboard saying it was "divisive". The vote was authorized by the Council on a 4-2 vote. Mayor Lonegan cited that people weren't paying their taxes and using language as an excuse, as one of the reasons. ''I think it's both practical as well as, I believe, helps to re-establish the fact that English is the official language of this country, while maybe not by law, certainly by heritage,'' Mr. Lonegan said. It was also noted that, by federal law, the question on the ballot will appear in English and Spanish.

Supreme Court Roundup;Justices to Review Effort to Make English Official Language

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9503E0D61439F935A15750C0A960958260


This article summarizes the pushing of a "English as the official language bill" in 1996. The Supreme Court found that the "English" amendment to Arizona's State Constitution violated the first amendment