Speaking English is basic to U.S. unity

By Martine Smith
Published: Sunday, Aug. 21, 2005 11:06 p.m. MDT
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I immigrated to the United States 32 years ago and have been a proud U.S. citizen for more than 25 years. The process of becoming an American citizen requires a serious commitment on the part of the applicant. While I'm not familiar with the current time requirements — they have changed in the past 25 years — I know it still takes several years of permanent, legal residency. That process includes several requirements: the ability to speak, read and write English and a basic understanding of the events that led to the birth of this great nation and its founding principles. I remember how nervous I was prior to taking the test.

In this age when so many speak of diversity and the "melting pot," we would do well to remember that the motto inscribed on the official seal of the United States, "E Pluribus Unum," means "Out of the many, one." The naturalization requirements and procedures are designed to help immigrants become one with the nation they have embraced. Speaking the language is basic to that unity. A melting pot is not chicken vegetable soup with its many separate and different morsels; it is, rather, a blend where hints of many flavors are detected, creating a new and superior taste because of that assemblage.

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I preface the rest of my remarks with these statements. First, there are exceptions to my belief that English-only is best. Safety is one, but employers should also see to it that non-English employees have opportunities to learn and speak English. It is also crucial that parents understand what is happening to and expected of their children in their schools. Educating those children is our best hope of integrating them. We must also provide more English classes for their parents. Second, I have worked with and am well acquainted with many immigrants from South America to Africa who strive to become acculturated into U.S. society. I praise their efforts and successes.

Unfortunately, many others are coddled and babied when they arrive here and little is required of them in terms of assimilating into the American culture. They move into neighborhoods that cater to the culture they chose to leave. They live in insulated areas where their native language is spoken, patronize businesses, and attend church services and other events in their own language. One cannot learn any language to a satisfactory degree without being immersed in it. The five years required before applying for citizenship are designed to give immigrants the chance to do that.

My own mother who came to this country at the age of 72 attended English as a Second Language classes and could, after several years, carry on simple conversations, shop on her own, understand television programs and write down recipes from food programs and give a simple speech she had prepared. At that age, she was neither very fluent nor very comfortable, but she could function in English.

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