Academicians, especially grammarians, rarely become embroiled in political debates.  However, the topic I choose to address transcends politics.  It fundamentally defines us as who we are and what we think. The topic that I have hereto before alluded to is that of requiring English to be the national language.  To this franchise I would like to lend my full support.

The superiority of the English language is obvious simply because we, Americans, choose to speak it.  Learning to speak a foreign language is, indeed, no small feat,  and I applaud those who so do.  However, would it not be better to take care of our own language first?  As well, we should not be required to learn a language other than that which is predicated by our elementary educational regimen just so we can communicate with the hired help.  Finally, English is the language of the Great Bard.  What is good enough for Shakespeare should be good enough for everybody.

We should not, however, stop at allowing any pedestrian form of English to supplant for English as a whole.  If there is a standard on which language we speak, then there should be a standard on how well that chosen language is spoken.  That standard should not be anything but absolute perfection.  After all, what American should be willing to strive for less?

If we are going to be making rules on how we should be speaking, I say make them.  If you cannot speak utilizing proper grammar, you should not be allowed to speak at all.  Quite frankly, it is an inconvenience to try and communicate with those who take English, yea, any communication whatsoever, as a less than an exact art.

These are people who leave off the apostrophe as if it does not matter that you have one child or many.  To them, commas are an afterthought, if any thought whatsoever.  These are people who think the second “o” on “too” is optional.  They expect us to figure it out for them.  They expect us to be able to communicate with them, when it is they who should be trying to communicate with us.   

Fining, and even imprisoning, people who do not use proper English is no more a denial of one’s basic freedom of expression than requiring a permit is denying someone’s right to bear arms.  After all, America is a free country.  Nobody is required to remain here.  If they do, however, it should be assumed that they have also chosen to speak proper, pure English.

Thank you