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Library Journal Review
This well-researched and informative book is divided into six chapters: ``An Official Language,'' ``Language and Liberty,'' ``Defending the Native Tongue,'' ``Language and the Law,'' ``Americanization and the Schools,'' and ``The Future of English.'' The author examines the history as well as the complex philosophical, legal, sociological, and political ramifications of the English Language Amendment (pending in Congress) and its many predecessors. Although very fair in his analysis, the author makes clear his opposition to this amendment since social forces, not laws, determine our language. This book will be valuable for educators and specialists, but may prove too thorough for most other readers.-- Kitty Chen Dean, Nassau Coll., Garden City, N.Y. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publishers Weekly Review
The movement to make English the official language of the U.S. at federal and state levels arouses strong feelings, both pro and con. In a valuable, dispassionate study, University of Illinois English professor Baron demonstrates that the drive for language assimilation has waxed during periods of economic downslide or isolationism, when non-English speakers have been targeted as subversive, unemployable, disruptive or resistant to assimilation. Pointing out that official-language legislation has often masked discrimination, Baron argues that the proposed English Language Amendment to the Constitution and similar laws would not succeed in making the U.S. monolingual. He looks at bilingual school programs, many of which are inadequately funded or staffed with untrained teachers. English will not cease to function as the de facto standard in the U.S., he concludes, regardless of whether laws are passed to force people to speak it. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
CHOICE Review
Baron (University of Illinois) has written a very insightful book on the issue of whether English should receive recognition as the official language of the US as proposed in the English Language Amendment (ELA). The book is arranged into six well-researched units accompanied by an extensive bibliography. Discussed are the philosophical aspects of language, attempts made to pass some sort of ELA, how schools have dealt with this question, and the future of the status of English. The text is unique in that it provides a very comprehensive and balanced discussion on what is a complex and often quite emotional subject; especially helpful is the author's presentation on the historical aspects of the ELA question, in which he shows that earlier attempts to pass ELA proposals have been in times of national emergency or high immigration. In spite of this, the author states that most proponents of the ELA question are not xenophobic but genuinely believe in the necessity of an official language for the country and its citizens to succeed. Although written by an academic probably primarily for a graduate/faculty audience, almost all of the information should also be of great value to legislators, policymakers, and educators. -B. Larson, Faulkner University
Booklist Review
Many Americans think that English is the official language of the U.S. Others are urging passage of an English language amendment to the Constitution to make English our nation's officially recognized language. Baron, a noted professor of linguistics and rhetoric and an expert on the subject, closely examines both sides of the complex controversy surrounding whether minority-based languages should in effect be outlawed by making English the country's only legally accepted language. He traces the history of the English-only debate, whose roots, he says, are as old as the U.S., and shows how and why non-English speakers are viewed by many Americans as subhuman or unpatriotic. The basic premise behind this intriguing study is that the debate is essentially pointless because English already functions as the official language of U.S. courts, laws, businesses, schools, and government. Legislation cannot force people to use English, argues Baron; only changing social forces can. Objective, thoroughly researched, and clearly presented--a real eye-opener. Contains ample bibliography; to be indexed. --Mary Banas
