US Language Policy, part two - the notes

One again, I have some slightly expanded notes for you. On some of the language issues that typically arise in the US.

You can find them after the jump (click where it says 'czytaj więcej')

Kinds of issues :

Legal status of English US = no official language, about half the states and some municipalities have declared English as the local official language.

Earlier "Official English" or "English Only" policies :

1847 law authorized Anglo-French instruction in public schools in Louisiana : French language rights were abolished after the American Civil War.

In 1849, the California constitution recognized Spanish language rights : 1878–79, California constitution rewritten: "All laws of the State of California, and all official writings, and the executive, legislative, and judicial proceedings shall be conducted, preserved, and published in no other than the English language."

In 1868, the Indian Peace Commission recommended English-only schooling for the Native Americans.

Late 1880s, Wisconsin and Illinois passed English-only instruction laws for both public and parochial schools.

1896, English became the sole medium of public schooling for Hawaiian children. After the Spanish-American War, English declared "the official language of the school room" in Puerto Rico. English declared the official language in Philippines, after Philippine-American War.

World War I, widespread campaign against German.

Modern movement:

1980: Dade County, Florida, voters approve "anti-bilingual ordinance."

1981: English was declared the official language in the state of Virginia.

1983: Dr. John Tanton and Senator S. I. Hayakawa founded a political lobbying organization, U.S. English.

1994: ProEnglish founded to defend Arizona's English-only law. ProEnglish rejects the term "English-only movement", asks supporters to use term "Official English".

2006: The U.S. Senate voted on two separate changes to an immigration bill in May, 2006. The amended bill recognized English as a "common and unifying language" and gave contradictory instructions to government agencies on their obligations for non-English publications. Yet to become law.

2009: Voters in Nashville, Tennessee reject proposal "to prohibit the government from using languages other than English, with exceptions allowed for issues of health and safety."

Services in languages other than English:  

Government services ballots, driving tests, etc.

The majority view is that government services should not be provided in languages other than English (a partial exception is made for ASL and providing information to Deaf people).

Private services in languages other than English:   "press one for English"

The majority view is that private sector services provided in languages other than English profits from and encourages bad behavior (speaking languages other than English).

Overall there is a perception that virtue and English usage go together.