Linguistic Diversity Underscores Importance of a Common Language

New report finds 322 languages spoken in the United States

The United States remains a nation of many languages united under one common tongue, according to a new national report by the U.S. English Foundation. The study also found that the number of languages spoken ranges from 207 in California to 59 in Wyoming, and that Los Angeles County leads the nation with 135 languages spoken at home.

The report details the languages spoken in the nation, each of the 50 states, 3,141 counties and more than 200 metropolitan areas. Using data gathered from Census 2000, Many Languages, One America provides an extensive look at the breakdown of every language from Abnaki to Zuni in every county from Abbeville County, S.C., to Ziebach County, S.D.

"When people think of foreign language speakers in the United States, they often name only the most visible tongues," said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of the U.S. English Foundation. "It is important to remember that there are more than 300 languages spoken in the United States. We cannot lose sight of the fact that while the most common languages in the entire United States are English, Spanish, French, Chinese, and German, that list varies from county to county and state to state."

Of the 322 languages spoken in the United States, 93 had more than 10,000 speakers and 38 had more than 100,000 speakers. English was the most common language spoken in every state, although four languages (English, Spanish, Navaho, and Yupik) were most common in at least one U.S. county. In all, 192 languages placed among the 10 most common in at least one county and 60 languages placed in the 10 most common in at least one state. Complete statistics for the nation, as well as states, counties and metropolitan areas can be found online: http://www.usefoundation.org/foundation/research/lia/

"The fact that we have maintained our ability to communicate is a testament to the dedication of the American people to remember what unites instead of what divides," continued Mujica. "Many Languages, One America indicates that we must continue to overcome our differences to become one people behind one flag and work to uphold a multi-accented common language, English. Our ability to share ideas and work together in the future will demonstrate the degree of that triumph."

## 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.