From Bilingual Education To English-only Movement

In the late twentieth century American language policy towards the immigrants experienced an alternation from"bilingual education"to"English-Only Movement."The 1980s witnessed bilingual education constantly under attack of English-Only Movement, which aims at making English the only official language in the United States by legislation. Since the United States has managed without an official language for more than 200 years and English remains overwhelmingly dominant. Why is there a need to restrict bilingualism and protect the status of English? What's the essence of the change of language policy towards the immigrants? Does the new policy receive the expected outcome? Through her study of the materials related to this issue, the present writer comes to the conclusion that English-Only Movement, far from being an issue merely concerning language and education, is factually a means employed by the white Anglo-Americans to uphold their dominant rule over"others"and a tide against multiculturalism in the United States of America.Based on Gramsci's cultural hegemony theory, the present writer finds out that the essence of the change of language policy is to maintain the power of the dominant group. Language is used as a manipulative tool employed by the dominant group to achieve hegemonic control over the dominated group. In addition, through analyzing the social, political and economic background of the United States in the late 20th century, the present writer also comes to the conclusion that the change of language policy is to find scapegoats for the ills of society. The dominant group, in order to maintain their dominant socioeconomic status and restore traditional values and law and order, put the blame on the new immigrants when crises arose. Last but not least, since English-Only Movement is targeted directly at immigrants from Latin and Asian countries, it can be seen discriminatory against the immigrants.Meanwhile, the consequences brought about by the"English-Only"policy should not be neglected. In the first place, English-Only laws infringe on language minorities'freedom of speech, which is a fundamental right of human beings. Additionally, the new policy fails to promote English proficiency for the immigrants as it formerly claimed. Last but not least, the diversity of culture is undermined.Analyzing the change from"bilingual education"to"English-Only Movement"is beneficial to uncover the truth of American language policy in the late 20th century. Besides, it is of some use to arouse people's consciousness to preserve the language and culture of the minorities and provide lessons for other multi-ethnic nations. What is at risk is not the status of English but the preservation of the minorities'language and culture. Their uniqueness deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Diversity can be embraced and put to use to create a more harmonious and equitable society. The dominant group should hold a more tolerant attitude towards the language and culture of the minorities.