Language and the Presidential Campaign

Part 2: Candidates Take Variety of Views on Pro-English Laws

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Here is what some of the other presidential candidates are saying about language issues:

• George W. Bush (Republican): The Texas governor has vigorously opposed legislation that would require the government to provide services in English only. "I support English-plus, not English-only," he told the Associated Press last year. "English-only says to me that if Hispanic happens to be your heritage, you're not part of the process." Bush frequently speaks Spanish with his constituents.

• Al Gore (Democrat): The vice president also speaks Spanish, although not as well as Bush. According to his Web site, Gore opposes designating English as the official language. "Al Gore strongly opposes legislation to make English the official language of the United States, a move which would jeopardize services and programs for non-English speakers and assistance to the tens of thousands of new immigrants and others seeking to learn English as adults."

• Ralph Nader (Green): The consumer activist hasn't emphasized language legislation in his campaign. However, the Green Party platform calls for "a national language policy that would encourage all citizens to be fluent in at least two languages." His running mate, Winona LaDuke, sometimes addresses audiences in Ojibwe and points out that indigenous American languages "do not benefit from English-only legislation."

• Harry Browne (Libertarian): Browne opposes government attempts to limit immigration. He believes that immigrants will embrace American culture, presumably including the English language, if the government doesn't get in their way. "Where immigrants neglect to learn English, it is because the local or federal government caters to the use of their native tongues," he says in campaign material.

Regardless of who is elected, the issue isn't likely to die soon. Language is an emotional issue for many people, and we can expect to hear Spanish and other foreign languages more often as non-English-speaking constituencies can in both numbers and economic clout.

Views expressed in this article are those of the Guide only and do not necessarily represent the views of About.com or its staff or management.

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