If France Can Do It, Why Can't We?

Their argument is simplistic, incendiary, and goes something like this: establishing English as the official language of America would be intolerant, prejudiced, politically incorrect, racist, insensitive, and culturally regressive.

To counter those ridiculous attacks, we should consider highlighting France. France is world-renowned for its “enlightened” culture. France has also keenly embraced a law establishing French as the “language of the French Republic.”

Named after Jacques Toubon, who was Minister of Culture when the law was enacted in 1994, the “Toubon Law” as it became known, mandates the use of French in all official government business, publications, advertisements, and state-funded schools.

Moreover, Article 1 of the law clearly defines its purpose, stating that the “French language is a key element in the personality and the heritage of France” and that it “shall be the chosen bond between the States comprising the community of French-speaking countries.”

If the French are not afraid to publicly state and even put into law the belief that their language is an integral part of their national unity, then why are Americans?

According to a recent Rasmussen poll, 87% of Americans support making English the official language of the United States of America, yet English supporters spend more energy deflecting the criticisms from the small, vocal multicultural minority than they do explaining why official English is critical to the preservation of the American culture. 

Instead, supporters of official English need to get on the offensive. They need to articulate that declaring English as our official language would not be a step backward, but a step forward, that it would unify, not divide Americans, and to use the Toubon Law’s language, is the key element in the personality and heritage of America.