United States President Donald Trump signed a decree on Saturday that makes English the country’s official language.
“To promote unity, cultivate an American culture shared by all citizens, ensuring consistency in government operations and creating a path to civic involvement, is the best interest of the US that the federal government designates one – and only one – official language. Establishing English as an official language will not only simplify communication, but will also reinforce shared national values and create a more cohesive and efficient society, ”says the document.
The US has never had an official language for the whole country, but some states choose their language.
A mark of its two terms in the White House and encourages the use of English in public life. According to the Order: “By welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and enable new citizens to achieve the American dream.”
During his first presidential campaign, Trump scolded his then rival Jeb Bush for using another language in the campaign. He said at a news conference in New York in 2015: “We are a nation that speaks English.”
The federal requirement introduced by Democratic President Bill Clinton that agencies and other federal entities provide linguistic assistance to non -English people. “Agency chiefs are not required to change, remove or interrupt the production of documents, products or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English,” says the decree.
There are 32 states in the US that adopted English as an official language, according to Proenglish, a group that advocates the language as the main one.
The issue is controversial in certain states, including Texas, where the use of Spanish in public life has generated controversy over the years. A state senator of Texas in 2011 required that an English immigrant rights activist, not his native Spaniard, in a legislative audience.
*With information from Reuters
