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 (R-Moore) and George Faught (R-Muskogee), was amended April 2 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. "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. "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 amended bill must now go before the full House of Representatives. If it passes in the House, it must go back for a vote in the Senate to accept the amendment.
Under the provisions of the bill, private individuals and businesses would still be allowed to use whatever language they choose. There are a number of specific, narrowly tailored exceptions for things like public health and safety, as well as trade, commerce and tourism. Also, both Braille and sign language would continue to be allowed in government services.
Despite exemptions in the bill for languages of the 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma, there are tribal members and leaders who oppose the legislation claiming it is divisive and discriminatory. Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. "We've been trying to resist forced assimilation for centuries. It's probably one of the most patronizing and paternalistic insults that I've ever heard," Smith said. "...what this has become is a badge and a brand of intolerance, mean-spiritedness, close-mindedness (and) cold-heartedness."
The Oklahoman and other media outlets reported that Chief Smith was denied the opportunity to speak at a House committee meeting in opposition to the measure, but generally failed to report that others, including those favoring the English proposal, were also denied the opportunity to speak on the proposal, either. For example, Charlie Meadows of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee and a contributor to the Oklahoma Constitution, desired to speak in favor of official English, but was also denied.
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. He noted that 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 (the language used in Iran).
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 is 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. On February 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.
If approved by voters, the official English law would have three main impacts. First, there would no longer be 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.
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."
