The R.I. English Language Affirmation Act of 2008, or H7024, would make English the state’s official language and make illegal the use of any language other than English in official state business. Thankfully, the bill, now sitting in the House Judiciary Committee, has little chance of making it to the General Assembly floor. The best that can be said for it is, it’s unnecessary.
Rep. Kenneth Carter, D-North Kingstown, the bill’s primary sponsor, tells the Providence Business News this week that, “I’m not trying to pick on anyone. What I’m trying to say is our predominant language is English. Our business is conducted in English. Let’s go back to that.”
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Is there any question that a language other than English is used to conduct important business here? For more than a dozen generations, immigrants from around the world have landed on our shores bringing their foods, their customs and their languages. And yes, vendors hoping to get their business have promoted their ability to communicate in Italian or Spanish or Portuguese or German.
But ultimately, the immigrants, and especially their children, have learned English. Not only is it a prerequisite for success, but it is a sign that the immigrant is starting life anew in a new land.
In today’s ever-shrinking world, it is just as important that Rhode Island not be branded as a state that does not welcome people who may not be fluent immediately in English. There is no need to antagonize trading partners and make life even more difficult for first-generation Ocean Staters.
Besides, as one local business owner told PBN last week, we’ve done very well as a country so far without an official language. Why do we need one now? •
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