Amid ongoing debates about national identity and language, the United States experienced a significant policy shift on March 1, 2025, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring English as the official language of the country. This move came just over two centuries after an eccentric proposal for Hebrew as a national language, reflecting long-standing tensions regarding America’s linguistic and cultural pluralism.
Historically, the 18th century saw the Marquis de Chastellux, a Frenchman who fought in the American Revolution, suggest that Hebrew be adopted in lieu of English. In his 1791 travelogue, he noted suggestions from certain groups who believed that “for the convenience of the public, Hebrew should be substituted for English … and taught in the schools.” Despite the absurdity of this notion, it sheds light on the anxieties about national language and identity during the nation’s formative years.
The recent declaration by Trump has reignited memories of such historical anecdotes, with critics and scholars now examining its implications. According to research from Share America, about 42 million people in the U.S. speak Spanish, making it the second most common language after English. The concern is that while English is now the formal language, a sizable portion of the population may feel undervalued or dismissed.
Associate Professor Jose Palacios Perez, who teaches Spanish at Northwest, described the executive order as primarily symbolic. “This move is mostly a political statement meant for show,” he explained, arguing that English has represented the dominant language for practicality well before this order was issued. Nonetheless, he voiced concerns for future implications, particularly for smaller languages facing extinction. “Since the late 90s, there has been less and less language professors graduating every year,” he noted, underscoring a crisis in language education.
Palacios expressed that while many Spanish speakers also master English, this policy could dissuade students from learning languages other than English. “The negative effect is going to be stronger for languages that are already in danger of disappearing,” he cautioned. “They have very few native speakers … they don't practice it anymore, they don't have a community strong enough to use it on an everyday basis.”
Interestingly, some recent narratives even suggest a bizarre alternate history where Hebrew nearly became America’s official tongue. In 2023, a claim resurfaced from the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archeology, asserting that the Pilgrims were once a single vote away from choosing Hebrew for Plymouth Colony. Such claims, while whimsical, reveal a deep-seated fascination with limitless possibilities regarding national identity and cultural belonging.
Another professor in the same department, Eric Dickey, expressed a nuanced perspective on the official language declaration. He believes that while having an official language is a common practice in many nations, it shouldn't diminish the space for cultural diversity. “I think it would be very sad if people began to veer away from their cultures,” he said, stressing the importance of preserving personal heritage. Dickey acknowledged widespread misunderstanding that follows language policies, fearing that Spanish speakers might feel pressured to adopt English to the detriment of their roots.
“We should be respectful and appreciative of the diversity that exists in our country,” Dickey added. “I hope that having English as the official language does not forbid people from speaking their own languages at home or even in public.” His stance aims to foster an environment encouraging cultural expression rather than stifling it.
The tension surrounding language policies is not merely theoretical; it has real-world implications. There have been reports of the White House eliminating its Spanish-language website and social media pages shortly after Trump took office. Such actions underscore a broader narrative that some constituents have begun to criticize as orchestration for political gain rather than pragmatic governance.
As America moves forward with English established as the official language, the conversations surrounding identity, culture, and connection will continue to evolve. The implications of this new policy remain significant, particularly for the millions of citizens who speak languages other than English, who may find their experiences sidelined in the face of national definitions.
In recognizing our multicultural context, the echoes of history, notably the whimsical yet serious reflection on Hebrew's proposed role, emphasize the bounds of national identity. Such discussions probe deeper questions about what it means to be American while navigating alongside growing linguistic diversity.
Ultimately, Chastellux's laughable proposition serves as a compelling reminder that language remains a critical vessel for unity and division. As the newer generation wrestles with these policies, they face the challenge of redefining the narrative of language and identity in the melting pot that is the United States.
