Learn to TEACH English with TECHNOLOGY. Free course for American TESOL students.


TESOL certification course online recognized by TESL Canada & ACTDEC UK.

Visit Driven Coffee Fundraising for unique school fundraising ideas.





Texas ISD School Guide
Texas ISD School Guide







Travel, Teach, Live in the USA and Canada

Does the United States Have a National Language?

Many people think that English is the official national language of the United States. While most United States citizens do claim English as their native tongue, not everyone in the country speaks it. In fact, at the Federal level, the United States doesn't even claim an official language. There have been attempts and proposals over the year geared towards making English the official national language. However, to date these efforts have all failed. Among the various states, some have chosen to adopt English as their official language, others adopt English as well as other local languages, and some follow the lead of the Federal government and do not claim any official language at all. In some areas, bilingualism is actually the norm. More so than in many other countries, the United States is a blending of cultures and languages, with variations being the norm instead of the exception.

The Various Languages of the United States
Although English is still predominantly the mother tongue of the United States, with 82% claiming it is their primary or only language, it's actually an Americanized form of English. When compared to how the English language is spoken in England, for example, there are many distinct differences. It's even quite different than Canadian English, although American and Canadian English make up the overall group of dialects that are known collectively as North American English. Spanish is also commonly spoken by those in the United States, and in fact, the United States ranks fifth among the world's Spanish speaking population. Spanish is even more prevalent throughout the southwestern part of the United States, due to its close proximity to Mexico. German, Polish, Italian, Russian and Greek are also languages which are still widely spoken in some areas of the country. However, as time goes on, fewer people tend to be fluent in these languages, as the older generations who first immigrated to the United States pass away.

Regional Languages
Some languages are much more prevalent in certain regions. For example, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and Tagalog are commonly spoken in some regions. Some states, such as New_York, Illinois, California, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington and Texas, have even adopted a policy of using these languages in elections to accommodate those who speak them. In Hawaii, Hawaiian is considered an official language, although there really aren't many who speak it native. In Louisiana, French is commonly spoken. The Pennsylvanian German dialect, commonly referred to as "Pennsylvania Dutch, is common in Amish communities.

Native American Languages
One might think that Native American languages are still commonly spoken in the United States. However, although there are still many Native Americans who speak their native tongue, these languages are often not spoken outside of the reservations. The number of people who fluently speak these languages also continues to dwindle, as the older people pass away. Of course, many people do try to preserve their native languages, if for no other reason than to preserve their natural history and heritage, even if they seldom speak it in their daily lives.

Learn more about decorating with tropical wall art and outdoor metal wall hangings from our exclusive designer and staff writer, Alyssa Davis, of Metal-Wall-Art.com.






Go to another board -