New Census Report Sheds Light on Need for Official English Legislation

Nearly 1-in-12 Americans is Limited English Proficient

Washington, D.C. – In a report on languages spoken in the United States released today, the U.S. Census Bureau found that 21.3 million Americans are limited English proficient, or speak English “less than very well.” The tally, which was collected from Census 2000 long form data, represents a 52 percent increase from 1990 and a 109 percent increase from 1980.

The report revealed that nearly 47 million residents speak a language other than English at home, with more than half speaking Spanish, followed by Chinese, French and German. While more than half of these Americans also reported speaking English “very well,” the remaining 45 percent spoke English “well,” “not well” or “not at all.” More than 3.36 million people fell into the last category, leaving them completely unable to enjoy all of the opportunities afforded by American life.

“Today’s numbers show that America continues to be a nation of diversity,” commented U.S. English, Inc. Chairman Mauro E. Mujica. “Yet they also demonstrate the growing need for a single official language in the United States. With so many different languages represented across our great country, we must establish English as our common bond through passage of official English measures.”

Legislation that would make English the official language of the United States is currently pending in the House of Representatives. H.R. 997, the English Language Unity Act introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-IA) has garnered the support of 97 bi-partisan co-sponsors to date. Recognizing that fluency in English is necessary for full integration into the American mainstream, the act would require the United States government to conduct official business in English.

“Arnold Schwarzenegger’s victory in California demonstrates how far an immigrant can go with a firm grasp of English,” said Mujica, who himself became a naturalized citizen in 1970. “Everyone wins when we ensure that English can be learned by native speakers of the more than 300 languages spoken in the United States. Through H.R. 997, we can maintain the open road to the American dream.”

U.S. English, Inc. is the nation's oldest and largest non-partisan citizens' action group dedicated to preserving the unifying role of the English language in the United States. Founded in 1983 by the late Sen. S.I. Hayakawa of California, U.S. English, Inc. (www.usenglish.org) now has more than 1.8 million members.