Uniting America with a Common Language

Uniting America with a Common Language

Imagine yourself in a country you have lived for many years, and not being able to communicate with the people around you. Your kids are in school, and you are unable to help them with homework, because you cannot speak English. You work two low paying jobs just to make ends meet, and at the end of the month, you still come up short. Your children are forced to go without the most basic needs. This is the reality of millions of families. All of this could be avoided if these families could speak English. English should be the official language of the United States to promote unity economic and personal equality for all its citizens and immigrants.

How can a country be united as one when we are unable to communicate with our neighbors and each other? Non-English speaking people face a life full of disadvantages. This country was founded on the principles of being one nation and being indivisible. Without a common language, we are divided. 27 states have made English the official language of their state, and 80 percent of Americans are in favor of this as well (Facts and Figures). English is spoken by the majority of people in the United States and the world. English has been the recognized language of the business world.

Many people, who do not speak English, have limited access to healthcare. When access to healthcare is limited, the health of people will suffer. Many of these people rely on programs such as Medicaid or Medicare for their healthcare. When they rely on federal programs for healthcare, we all pay. Many emergencies arise, because of problems with communication. Medical errors are higher, and misdiagnosis can be a problem. With the large population of immigrants, there is a shortage of translators (Mujica, 2003). With the shortage of translators, doctors often use family members or other hospital workers to translate.

Sometimes the problem is of a personal nature, and the patient does not like to say what the problem is (Facts and Figures). Using untrained translators leads to medical mistakes, which could be avoided if these people could speak English. In an emergency communication is critical.

Learning to speak English leads to a better quality of life. People who speak English have higher paying jobs and better access to healthcare. With higher paying jobs, they are less dependent on the federal government. It is important for immigrants to become independent. Immigrants come to this country for a better life, and learning to speak English would help them achieve this goal.

Children communicate with their teachers better, and as a result have higher test scores. Many schools receive low-test scores, because some children only know English as a second language. Test scores throughout the school system would improve dramatically.

Many children who are born to immigrants learn to speak English, and parents are unable to help them with the most basic school needs. If the parents could speak English, it would help the family unit. Multilingualism is expensive. (Mujica, 2003). Bilingual education cost billions of dollars per year, and is not as effective. Bilingual education does not promote the learning of English, instead it says learning English is not as important. We have to show children in order to succeeded they must learn to speak English fluently. Teaching classes only in English would help move this process along. Schools, governments, and the health care industry bare much of the cost. Schools are already strapped for cash, and are paying for a program that is sub-standard. As taxpayers, we should want the most value for our hard-earned money.

The healthcare industry suffers from a budget shortfall, and it is not helped by the cost to provide translators. Hospitals must provide translators for many languages that patients speak. Hospitals understand the need to do this, and are happy to do this. Providing translators is done at the expense of the hospital, and is not reimburse by Medicare of Medicaid. (Mujica, 2003). Hospitals must pay for the translators, and the cost is not reimbursed.

English promotes unity in the United States. People who speak English are not isolated, and can interact with other people. English as the official language does not mean it is the only language that can be spoken. Other languages can be spoken when it is in the interest of public health and safety. People are able to speak their native language in their everyday life. English as the official language is not meant to be unwelcoming to immigrants.

Many people feel that making English language means English only. They also feel it is unfair and puts immigrants at an unfair disadvantage. How can our country stand united, if you cannot communicate with your next door neighbor? We, as a country have made it easy for immigrants not to learn English.