Eleanor Finch
The topic of an official language has been a subject of debate in various countries, with different approaches taken in their constitutions or through legislative means. While some countries have designated an official language, others have chosen to recognize multiple languages or avoid specifying a national language. In the case of the United States, English has been designated as the official language through executive orders and policies, despite no official language being mentioned in the Constitution. India, on the other hand, has a complex language landscape with 22 scheduled languages recognized under its constitution, including Hindi and English, which are widely used for official purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Language | English |
| Date of Declaration | March 1, 2025 |
| Previous Official Language | None |
| Opposition | ACLU |
| States with Official Language Laws | Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming |
| Country Comparison | India (Hindi and English) |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution does not articulate an official language
The Constitution was reprinted in both Dutch and German before ratification to gather support. Despite this, and despite English being the primary language used in US governance, the US Constitution does not articulate English as the official language.
There have been numerous attempts to amend the Constitution to include English as the official language. Almost every session of Congress, an amendment is proposed to this end. Other efforts have attempted to change the U.S. Code to make English the official language. In 2025, an executive order was passed designating English as the official language of the United States.
However, this executive order does not require only English to be used on government forms. It is now optional, and some government agencies or organizations that receive federal funding may still choose to offer forms and services in other languages. The IRS, for example, may continue to offer forms in other languages to help it collect money.
The executive order also does not force public schools to teach only in English. It remains to be seen how big an impact this executive order will have on the federal government, or whether the move is mostly symbolic.
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English is the de facto national language of the US
Although English is the most widely spoken language in the US, it is not the country's official language. Despite efforts over the years, the United States has never declared an official language. Interestingly, the US Constitution, which was written in English, also does not mention or contemplate an official language.
The topic of an official language for the US has been a long-running debate. While some argue that a nationally designated language is essential for a unified and cohesive society, others, like the ACLU, oppose the idea, citing concerns about the rights of non-English speakers. Despite this, English has been the de facto national language of the US since its founding.
Historically, there have been attempts to establish English as the official language through amendments to the Constitution or changes to the US Code. In 2025, an executive order designated English as the official language of the United States. However, this order is largely symbolic, as it does not require the exclusive use of English on government forms or in public schools.
At the state level, the situation varies. Currently, 32 states have either a statute, a state constitutional amendment, or an interpretation of the US Constitution that makes English their official language. Some of these states, like Louisiana and Nebraska, have had official language statutes since the early 1900s, while most others have passed such statutes since the 1970s.
In summary, while English is the predominant language in the US and has been used for important historical documents, it was only recently designated as the official language through an executive order. The debate surrounding an official language continues, with some states taking their own approaches to the issue.
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English is the official language of India alongside Hindi
India is a linguistically diverse country with a wide range of languages and dialects. The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India (COI) lists the official languages of the country. The Eighth Schedule initially included 14 languages, but it now recognises 22 languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri.
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, declared Hindi in Devanagari script to be the official language of the Union. This decision was not without controversy, as India's linguistic diversity made it challenging to select a single official language. To address this, it was decided that English would continue to be used as an official language alongside Hindi for a period of 15 years from the commencement of the Constitution. This arrangement aimed to facilitate a smooth transition and promote the gradual adoption of Hindi as the primary official language.
Article 343 of the Indian Constitution specifically addresses the official language of the Union of India. It states that Hindi, written in the Devanagari script, shall be the official language. Additionally, it specifies that the international form of Indian numerals should be used for official purposes. However, recognising the need for a gradual transition, Article 343 also provided for the continued use of English for official purposes during the initial 15 years after the Constitution came into effect.
Despite the plan to phase out English in favour of Hindi, the prospect of completely discontinuing the use of English in official contexts caused concern in many parts of India, particularly in non-Hindi speaking states. As a result, Parliament enacted the Official Languages Act in 1963, which provided for the continued use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes. This Act ensured that English remained an official language even after the 15-year period stipulated in the Constitution.
Today, India continues to recognise both Hindi and English as official languages. The Union government uses both languages for its official purposes, with English serving as a "subsidiary official language." Additionally, the Department of Official Language was established to promote the use of Hindi and facilitate its progressive implementation in various contexts. The Constitution, the Official Languages Act of 1963, the Official Languages Rules of 1976, and statutory instruments made by the Department of Official Language collectively govern the use of Hindi and English in official contexts.
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English was the official language of Illinois until 1923
The United States Constitution and the country's other historic governing documents, including the Declaration of Independence, are written in English. However, the US Constitution does not mention or contemplate an official language. In fact, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is part of a group that opposes establishing an official language. The ACLU has published a paper detailing how English-only laws can violate the US Constitution's protection of due process and equal protection.
Despite the absence of a nationally designated official language, English is the official language of the United States. An executive order issued by the President on March 1, 2025, designated English as the official language. This order stated that English would be used for all public acts, including every order, resolution, vote, election, record, and judicial proceeding of the US government and the governments of the several states.
Illinois, a state in the US, is an interesting case when it comes to official languages. In 1923, Illinois officially declared that English would no longer be the official language of the state—instead, 'American' would be. Illinois became the only state in the Union where people legally 'spoke American'. This law was in place until the 1960s when it was amended because Illinois residents continued to speak and teach "English". The official language of Illinois is now English, and nearly 80% of the population speak it natively. Illinois has a variety of English dialects, including Inland Northern near Chicago and in the northern part of the state, and Midland and Southern dialects further south.
Illinois was not the first state to pass an official language law. Louisiana and Nebraska, for example, passed such laws in 1811 and 1920, respectively. However, most official language statutes were passed more recently, with many dating back only to the 1970s. Illinois also has a history of other languages being spoken in the state. French was the language of colonial Illinois before 1763, and it remained the most-spoken language in the main settlements of Cahokia and Kaskaskia under British rule. While many French speakers left after Illinois came under US control in 1778, it remained a bilingual territory for several years. By the time of statehood in 1818, French was in decline for matters of politics and government, and it eventually died out. Illinois was also once home to indigenous languages like Miami-Illinois, Potawatomi, Sauk-Fox, and Ojibwe. However, these languages disappeared when the Indian population was deported under the policy of Indian Removal.
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The ACLU opposes establishing a national official language
The United States Constitution does not mention or contemplate an official language. While English has been designated as the official language of the United States in executive orders, there is no official language mentioned in the Constitution. The ACLU, or the American Civil Liberties Union, is part of a group that opposes establishing a national official language.
The ACLU has published a paper outlining its opposition to a national official language, citing efforts by John Adams in 1780 to establish an official academy devoted to English, which was rejected at the time as undemocratic. The ACLU also notes that English-only laws have historically abridged the rights of non-English speakers and created difficulties for large non-English-speaking populations. For example, in Dade County, Florida, after an English-only law was passed in 1980, Spanish signs on public transportation were removed. The ACLU argues that English-only laws can violate the U.S. Constitution's protection of due process and equal protection.
Furthermore, the ACLU believes that a lack of an official language in the U.S. is a testament to the country's commitment to freedom of expression and inclusivity. In Meyer v. Nebraska (1923), foreign-language education was recognized as a right under "substantive due process," and later Supreme Court decisions have expressly incorporated this analysis into the First Amendment. The ACLU also argues that bills promoting English as the official language, such as the English Language Unity Act of 2011, are discriminatory and infringe on the civil rights and immigration rights of vulnerable members of society.
The ACLU's opposition to establishing a national official language aligns with its broader commitment to protecting civil liberties and opposing policies that sacrifice fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, in the name of national security. The ACLU has a history of defending the rights of marginalized groups, including people of colour, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, prisoners, immigrants, and people with disabilities.
In conclusion, the ACLU's opposition to establishing a national official language is rooted in its commitment to preserving civil liberties, promoting inclusivity, and protecting the rights of marginalized communities. While some argue that a national official language promotes unity and shared values, the ACLU emphasizes the importance of linguistic freedom of expression and the potential negative impacts of English-only laws on non-English speakers.
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Frequently asked questions
The United States Constitution does not mention an official language. However, English has been designated as the official language of the United States in an executive order issued on March 1, 2025.
The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, envisioned phasing out English in favor of Hindi as the official language over a 15-year period. However, due to resistance, the Official Languages Act of 1963 retained English as an official language alongside Hindi. Additionally, the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India recognizes 22 scheduled languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, and Gujarati, among others.
Yes, Illinois had declared in 1923 that the official language would be American. While most of its statutes still refer to the "American language," the official language of Illinois is now English. Additionally, according to U.S. English, several states have existing official language laws, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, and Colorado, among others.
