Why does the USA not have an official language?

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58 countries have English as an official language. Surprisingly, the list does not include the USA.

In the United States, this was a deliberate decision made by the Founding Fathers. They believed that an official language would be divisive and undemocratic in a multilingual country. 

Around 30% of the 18th-century population of the USA was German or Dutch-speaking. There were also many other linguistic minorities:

  • The Dutch, Flemish, Walloons, French, Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, English, Scots, Irish, Germans, Poles, Bohemians, Portuguese, and Italians were among the settlement’s early inhabitants. 
  • 18 languages were observed on Manhattan Island [New York City]in 1646. Vincent N. Parrillo, Diversity in America, 2008
Light blue is where there are two official languages:

A key factor is that the USA is a federal state. Individual states have the right to designate an official language. 32 have now done so - and all have included English as a primary language.

A number have also designated  a second primary language, including:
  • Louisiana - French & English
  • New Mexico - Spanish & English, 
  • Hawaii - Hawaiian & English