OFFICIAL LANGUAGE FOR MISSOURI

The issue of making English the official language has returned to the Missouri General Assembly this year. Bills have been introduced in both houses to mandate the use of English only in all state documents. Currently, some state documents are printed in as many as 11 languages.

The state effort mirrors attempts in Congress to make English the official government language. Such laws in no way intend to force anyone to speak or use English exclusively. Millions of Americans with non-English-speaking background wouldn't be impeded in their choices of how they communicate privately. What the bills would do is limit government to English rather than the potential 327 languages recognized in the United States by the Census Bureau.

Arguments that driver's license applicants, voters, welfare recipients and others who benefit from government programs are best served by catering to diverse languages don't hold up. As has been the case throughout American history, immigrants generally choose on their own to learn to speak and write English. And polls indicate more than 85 percent of Americans support the English-only concept for government.

The push to adopt English as the official language of Missouri government won't be easy. Residents who support this idea could help advance the cause by contacting their legislators and other elected officials.