Your Vote Counts for April 3, 2008

State Representative Randy Terrill and Richard Morrissette with moderator Scott Mitchell, Host Your Vote Counts, a weekly debate on significant Political issue. This week they talk about the bill to make English the Official State Language.

Your Vote Counts

Official English legislation passes House committee

Oklahoma voters could soon decide if English will be the official language of state government in Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 163, by state Reps.
Randy Terrill and George Faught,
was amended Wednesday to put the English question to a statewide vote next November. The proposed constitutional amendment would make English the official language of state government in Oklahoma.

"This has been a long time coming," said Terrill,
R-Moore. "We need to focus on what unites us,
not what divides us. English is a common bond
that we can all agree upon."

"The man on the street wants this," said Faught,
R-Muskogee. "It's a no-brainer. In this country,
we have a common currency, common law, and
a common language that everyone needs to learn."

Senate Bill 163 was amended in the House General
Government and Transportation Committee to
include the "official English" proposal. The legislation passed out of the committee on Wednesday and now proceeds to the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Under the provisions of the bill, private individuals and businesses would still be allowed to use whatever language they choose.

The bill also contains exemptions for the languages of Oklahoma's 39 federally recognized Native American tribes and allows the use of both Braille and sign language in government services. The legislation also contains a number of other specific, narrowly tailored exceptions for things like public health and safety, as well as trade, commerce and tourism.

Terrill and Faught said there are three compelling reasons to make English the official language of Oklahoma.

First, the bill will prevent the state from being compelled to provide taxpayer-subsidized services in any language other than English.

"There is currently no legal basis for denying someone's request that the state provide services in another language, creating significant potential problems for the state," Terrill said.

For example, he noted a recent Associated Press story indicated the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety has been threatened with a lawsuit because the state does not provide the written portion of a driver's license test in Farsi.

Second, the two lawmakers said making English the official language "avoids all of the cost, burden and conflict" associated with bilingualism and multilingualism.

"Bilingualism and multilingualism are inherently divisive," Terrill said. "Just look at the Canadian province of Quebec for a case study. In Quebec, you have a cultural and linguistic minority that routinely threatens to separate from the rest of the nation."

There are approximately 120 separate languages spoken in Oklahoma, Terrill said, and only 21 of those languages are spoken by more than 1,000 individuals. Research indicates more than 100,000 people in Oklahoma (age 5 and up) have limited English proficiency.

"If we don't make English the official language, the state could be forced to hire translators fluent in all 120 languages and in sufficient numbers to staff all state offices," Faught said. "That would be an enormous financial burden that provides minimal benefit. And every dime spent on translators would be a dime taken away from our classrooms, law enforcement or highway projects."

Most importantly, the lawmakers said making English the official language of state government would promote assimilation for all immigrants.

"The government should encourage immigrants to assimilate and Americanize - and becoming fluent in English in a cornerstone of that process," Faught said.

Terrill noted that English proficiency provides enormous financial benefits for immigrants. Individuals working full time who cannot speak English earn an average $15,196 per year. Those who work full time who do not speak English in their home but possess an intermediate level of English proficiency earn an average $26,004 per year. Full-time workers who speak another language at home but are proficient in English earn an average $30,691 per year.

That may be why a national poll conducted by Zogby International found that 65 percent of Hispanics support making English the official language. That poll found support was even higher among first- and second-generation Americans.

If approved by voters, the official English law would have three main impacts. First, there would no longer be any bilingual or multilingual driver's license tests. Second, when citizens call a state agency, they will no longer be greeted by a "press 1 for English" prompt. Finally, there would no longer be any official state forms or signage in any language but English, unless covered by one of the specifically enumerated exceptions previously noted.

On Feb. 7, The Tulsa World reported that its poll found 88 percent of Oklahomans surveyed believe English should be made the state's official language.

A separate Wilson Research Strategy poll showed 82 percent of all Oklahomans support making English the official language.

More than 30 states have already approved official English laws and so have more than 50 nations around the globe.

"Oklahoma is actually out of step with the rest of the nation and, frankly, the rest of the world because we have not made English our official state language," Terrill said. "It's time we joined our neighbors and promoted greater national unity."

Official language doesn't mean you can't say ‘Hola'

Official language doesn't mean
you can't say ‘Hola'
By Carrie Coppernoll
The Oklahoman

A state representative from Moore promises English will be the official state language by the end of the month.

Rep. Randy Terrill announced he will ask voters to decide if Oklahoma should make English its official language. If that happens, I hope the ballots are in Spanish or Swahili, just to confuse people. If Oklahoma sets a state language, all state business would be conducted in English.

Language is fascinating to me. I'm only fluent in English, even though I can speak enough Spanish to get me by in a pinch. Bilingual people — especially children — always make me feel like a slacker.

When I was in South Africa last year, I was in awe of the number of languages spoken. The country has 11 official languages, one of which is English. Everyone I met was bilingual at least; many knew three languages or more. The South African national anthem has three verses, each in a different language.

Our national anthem, of course, is in one language. Everywhere I go, everything's written and spoken in English, which makes it terribly convenient for me. Sometimes I do have to "press one” when I call a company, and it's always a horrible, awful, life-altering hassle. OK, it's really not that bad. I just press one and move on.

But I do understand the point of having a state language — to streamline business and save money on translation. I also understand that speaking another language isn't something to be ashamed of.

Genetia Wagoner of Oklahoma City: "I agree that English should be the official state language, simply because of the numerous cultures that we have in the state. English is the common denominator; it's what allows all of us to communicate without having to learn several widely different languages.”

Joe Mann of Oklahoma City: "All I know is that to become a citizen you must be able to read, comprehend and converse in English. So to me that in effect is the official language. By declaring an official language does not mean you can't speak another one, just that all official printings would be in that one. As sometimes the conversion from one language to another, although correct, can change the intent of a law or rule.”