The importance of the English language arises from its adoption as the primary and sole means of international communication. It follows that for the individual or the nation to progress and prosper, that skill in the use of the English language – the language of commerce, law, science, politics and the arts is a prerequisite.

I offer one example: it is estimated that about 95% of all scientific papers are published solely in English. In Great Britain, in recent times, we have experienced a huge and largely uncontrolled influx of immigration. Our authorities, deluded in the belief that multi linguilism was the correct approach, have encouraged and maintained a divisive and fragmented immigrant population unable to communicate with the majority. Chaos results. These immigrant peoples cannot progress save within their own ranks – so begin the inevitable ghettos. America beware!

John Green

http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=iic_immigrationissuecenters19af

http://www.ifapray.org/Homeland_Security/HS2006/MS-13%20Gang%20Is%20True%20Terror%20Threat%20-%20March%2013,%202006.html

I think this falls under the traditional libertarian category of “Whether it’s a good idea and whether it should be mandatory are two different discussions; you don’t have to force a good idea on people.” Immigrants naturally do learn the majority language of the country, because it makes sense. They’re’ve been studies on it. (Which I’ve read, along with a lot of other stuff on second language acquisition, since I used to be a Spanish teacher.)

In the case of bilingual education, we know for a fact that students learn better when they can discuss new ideas in their first language, while they’re learning their second language. Knowledge transfers easily between languages. I can talk about a dissociative fugue in English, for example, even though I learned about the condition in Spanish. (Of course, privatize the schools and end compulsory education, ESL goes the way of everybody’s individual choice and no need for any one group to force their ways on another group.) Likewise, I don’t see how English ability has anything to do with driving ability. If that were the case, I could think of a number of native English speakers who need their licenses revoked. :-)

And how much does the translation really cost? Most translation work is done on a consulting basis, not as a full-time salaried position. I have a hard time imagining that translation is the Swiss citizen’s most oppressive tax burden, for example. The Founders translated the Declaration of Independence into every language in the colonies to make sure everyone understood. It wasn’t all that hard then, I doubt it’s that hard now.

Since it is a utilitarian argument, I will look at it from that perspective:

How expensive are translations for street signs? For brochures? I would argue that they are fairly small. At most, they consume 5% of taxes and that is being generous.

What is the benefit of open immigration? Well, the influx of people increases the pool of available labor, and allows greater specialization and division of labor, so there is a net positive.

For the utilitarian argument to hold, one has to argue that the increase in productivity is negated by the increase in taxes for the translations. I find this highly unlikely- the immigrants would have to not be contributing minimal amounts of taxes for that to hold.

In order to have a case against the default arragnement, open immigration, it is incumbent upon those citing the increase in taxes negating the benefits of increased productivity to demonstrate that they are right with some hard numbers.

From a moral perspective it is a no brainer. The default postion is open-immigration – people should be free to rent of buy homes wherever they want, and conduct their business however they want so long as they are peacable and not committing fraud.

The fact that the depredations and interference of government officials are made more difficult by the inability of the these officials to communicate with their victims er.. subjects, and thus cause the government officials to demand more money from the population at large at gunpoint in no way is the fault of these immigrants.

The problem is the depredations of the government officials. This is a problem created by coercive government. It will not be solved by expanding the coercion.

You’re not. But if you are, aren’t the Hmong-speaking immigrants also owners?

- Josh

It’s written by a libertarian for fellow cultural libertarians. Lots of real Spanish, that you hear on the street. Not the upper-crest variety.

Eric Dondero, Author
Worldwide Multilingual Phrase Book

Government forms/docs should be in English only, but I also recognize the right of the private property owner. IF he wants all of his menus in Spanish he should be able to do so. Just don’t go calling your local rep asking them to pass a law requiring that I have bilingual bathroom signs, menus, etc.