Let's All Speak English...

Number of People in the U.S. Who Cannot Speak English on the Rise

Latest Census figures demonstrate dramatic increase in limited-English proficiency in America

Today, more than 300 languages are spoken in America. In fact, according to the most recent Census, 24.2 million Americans cannot speak English! And this percentage is 14 percent higher than the 2000 figure — and 73 percent higher than the 1990 figure!

Around the Nation:

There are 9 states where at least one-in-ten individuals are limited-English proficient (LEP): Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, New York, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Texas. In 1990, there were only 14 states where five percent or more of the population was LEP. In 2000, there were 19 such states. As of 2006, there are now 22 states.

In 1990, there were only 19 states where three percent or more of the population was LEP. As of 2006, there are now 34 such states.

In 1990, the following 10 states had a combined LEP population of 490,710: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. In 2006, Georgia’s LEP population alone was 500,180. The 10 states had a combined LEP population of 1,641,047 in 2006, more than triple the number from 16 years ago.

“Official Hola Day” in America? Yet another effort is underway to undermine English as our nation’s language. “Official Hola Day,” an event which encourages U.S. city officials to speak Spanish and issue proclamations in support of Spanish speaking individuals, was held last year for the first time.

U.S.ENGLISH believes this is just one more step toward official multilingualism that must be stopped. The fact is our nation is reeling from an enormous number of people who cannot speak English— 24.2 million— and if they are to succeed in America they must learn our nation’s common language. In a land where more than 300 languages are spoken, our government must take the lead in promoting English language learning skills and stop promoting harmful multilingual policies. The unity and stability of our diverse nation depend on it!

Should companies be allowed to require employees to speak English while on the job?

NEW RASMUSSEN POLL:

77%  YES
14%  NO
9%  NOT SURE

A new poll finds that 87 percent of voters think it is “very important” that people speak English in the U.S.  Another 11 percent say it is “somewhat important.”