Why does the USA not have an official language?
US states where English is an official language. Light blue is where there are two official languages (Louisiana - French & English, New Mexico - Spanish & English, Hawaii - Hawaiian & English) |
58 countries have English as an official language - but not the USA.
This was a conscious decision of the Founding Fathers. They believed that an official language would be divisive and undemocratic in a multi-lingual country.
English is clearly the de facto first language of the USA - but only around 78% of the population speak it as a first or joint first language.
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