Language Variation

Topic: What is the best approach to dealing with language variation? Should American society become more tolerant, or should individuals be responsible for learning the Standard?

Source 1: “Current Official language law of Georgia” by Congress, 11/22/09, http://ww.proenglish.org/states/georgia.htm.

Georgia is one of the 50 states of the United States of America that has adopted English as its Official language. The law adopted in 1986 and revised in 1996 states in the Official Georgia Code 50-3-100 that “the English language is designated as the official language of the State of Georgia”. It indicates that all public records such as birth records, tax records, and legal documents should be written in English. This law is “enforceable with the full weight and authority of the State of Georgia”. It also allows for the tolerance of minority languages as it gives state agencies such as municipal corporations, county governmental bodies and so forth the authority to use or print official documents and forms in other languages at their discretion as long as an English translation of the document is filed along side the other language used. It seems that this approach is the “Gold Standard” in dealing with language variations especially since we have areas where language, such as Spanish is more prevalent in the community than English.

Source 2: “Language Variation and Change” by Sarah G. Thomason, 11/22/09, http://www.Isadc.org/info/ling-fields-change.cfm.

“Everyone speaks at least one language, and probably most people in the world speak more than one.” Although most Americans speak only English it appears that variations of English such as dialects are used extensively in various regions and demographic areas. How can we be intolerant as an English speaking nation when we are a mosaic of diverse people and their languages? Ignorance is the only answer for this type of intolerance. The English language evolved from Germanic language which is called “Proto-Germanic” by linguists. This single language was spoken over 2500 years ago and includes other derivations such as, Dutch, German, Icelandic, and Swedish. “…When subgroups of the original speech community separated: 500 to 1,000 years of independent changes first produced divergent dialects, and then became separate languages”. Standard English in much the same way has evolved and will continue to evolve into variances caused by regional and cultural influences. As an American society, we need English as an official language to unify and govern the people while being tolerant of those diversities in language that make us such a unique nation. One that says, “ Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”…not one that says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your English speaking huddled masses yearning to breathe free”! (Adapted from Emma Lazarus; poem, The New Colossus)

Thesis statement: The English language has evolved over two thousand years from its Germanic roots. It still evolves today with its variant dialects and slang. Yet this is the language that appears to be the unifying factor of governing our nation in setting forth rules and regulations for the laws of our society. Without an official language we would not be able to communicate those laws effectively and seamlessly throughout our United States. We need an official language as a unified people, one nation of many diverse people and their languages. However, those of different dialects and languages should continue to enjoy the freedom of speaking their native language without fear of the use of English being the official language of our country. It would seem that tolerance is the key to dealing with language variation and the use of English as our official language.