Q: Does the United States have an official national language?
A: No. Just as we have no official religion, we have no language.
That being said, let us consider the following:
We Americans are a unique nation of immigrants united by a common language and a belief in principles expressed in our Declaration of Independence and our Constitution, not by our race, ancestry or country of origin. That is why the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, the Oath of Allegiance for new citizens, and the National Anthem – all important symbols of our national unity – were written in, and should be said or sung in, our common language, English.These are the words of yet another frightened-of-immigrants Republican, Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander. Alexander, along with fellow Tennessee Senator and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, introduced a resolution on the Senate floor proclaiming that the national anthem should always be sung in English. Here's what I'm going to wager: folks like Lamar Alexander are not as opposed in principle to the idea of a Spanish translation of the National Anthem as they are scared of being caught in a situation when that version might be sung and they might prove the ignorant ones.
The reason that our national documents are in English is because that's what was spoken. If things should change, so be it. In my view, the singing of the National Anthem in Spanish is a testament to the beauty of the idea of America: just imagine, we could be singing the National Anthem alongside one another, in a million different languages, and all know that we mean the same thing. That, you frightened Republicans, would be more powerful than you'll ever hope to be.
You people and your red state of mind are ruining my country. Stop, please.
2 comments:
Quite the scathing little Democrat, aren't we? I'll admit, that suggestion is indeed a bit drastic. But since when was it YOUR country alone? If it actually passes, then you might sensibly be a bit upset. But just as America is not only your country, neither is it only Bill Frist's or only Lamar Alexander's, and should times change as you suggest, won't the democracy that is America reflect said change and overturn your bit of Senatorial displeasure?
(In other words, enjoyed the post--it made me think!)
that's certainly fair, ben. i know, of course, that the country does not belong to me, and i tend to get a little worked up (perhaps overly so) when it comes to matters like these.
when i say "my country," though, i am speaking of my vision (which i don't think is, by any means, an unfair vision) of what the founding fathers intended and would have today. in a country predicated on freedom, how can we possibly force a language on someone (or even suggest one strongly)?
senators alexander and frist are exercising the same rights that allow me to state my position of dissent in this forum. in my humblest of humble opinions, however, the notion set forth in the resolution are not aligned with the spirit of the american idea.
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