Re: What if

John Cowan writes>>>>>>
abrigon wrote:

> The US almost did have German as the official lingo by like 1
> or 2 votes of Congress or percents. I forget the whole story.
Didn't happen.

There was a narrowly defeated proposal to _print_ legislation in
German as well as English in Pennsylvania, as German-speakers probably
outnumbered English-speakers there.

But the U.S. has no official language.
<<<<<<

Depends, I'd say.

In the "qualifying features for 'official' language", I'd include

The language used in (law) court.
The language the laws and statutes are written in.
The language used in the chamber(s) of government.
The language with the greatest proportion if first language speakers.
The language with which the greatest proportion of speakers have reasonable
fluency.
The language in which prospective immigrants have to form-fill and interview in.
The language taught in all (or 99%) of primary and secondary education (ages 5
thru 15)

Based on all of these, I'd say English is the most official language in the USA.
I'm aware that the government doesn't proclaim it as such, but it's a good
enough definition for me.


Just my 2 drachmas,



---
Pb










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