Tow #11 - "In Plain English: Let's Make It Official" by Charles Krauthammer (Written text)

Appearing in 2006's Time magazine, the essay "In Plain English: Let's Make It Official" states the views of author Charles Krauthammer on whether or not English should be deemed the official language of the United States. Krauthammer argues that it should, and his personal anecdotes and acknowledgement of the other side allows him to do so effectively. Right at the start, Krauthammer introduces himself as a bilingual man who grew up in Canada, a country that, "of course, had no choice about bilingualism [...] The U.S., by contrast blessed with a single common language for two centuries, seems blithely and gratuitously to be ready to import bilingualism with all its attendant divisiveness and antagonisms" (Krauthammer 1). He establishes a credibility by explaining his upbringings in a country divided by language, and contrasts it to the US which is ready to tear itself apart by bringing in this bilingualism, even though they have this opportunity to be united under one language. He then goes on to explain his view completely; that it is okay to be bilingual and practice other languages, but it is not okay to demand the U.S. government adhere to that language. When immigrating to the U.S., "the immigrant, of course, has the right to speak whatever he wants. But he must understand that when he comes to the U.S., swears allegiance and accepts its bounty, he undertakes to join its civic culture. In English" (Krauthammer 2). He makes a compelling and logical argument by appealing to the other side. He does not say, "You need to speak English fluently, and English only", which may be the fears of many opposing the term official language in regards to the relationship between the United States and English. He basically says, "You need to understand enough English to participate in our society, where our official documents will be printed in English." This argument in nothing but logical and cannot be refuted. Charles Krauthammer effectively argues his opinion that English should be the official title of the United States though personal anecdotes and addressing the other side of the argument in "In Plain English: Let's Make It Official."