Simone Lawson
The Constitution of the United States is a document that serves as the framework for the country's government. While English is currently the official language of the United States, the Constitution has not been amended to reflect this. In fact, there is no mention of an official language in the Constitution. Interestingly, during the late 1780s, German and Dutch translations of the Constitution were distributed to residents of Pennsylvania and New York. These translations were created to facilitate public debate around the adoption of the Constitution, as a significant portion of Pennsylvania's population was of German origin, and there were Dutch-speaking residents in the Albany area of New York. While English is the predominant language used in the Constitution, the existence of these German and Dutch translations highlights the importance of ensuring that all citizens can understand and engage with the nation's founding document.
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What You'll Learn
- German and Dutch translations of the Constitution were distributed in Pennsylvania and New York in 1787 and 1788
- The German translation was printed for the state's German population, while the Dutch version was printed for pro-Federalists in Albany, New York
- The German translation uses a broader definition of commerce than the standard English version
- The Dutch version defines commerce as activities among merchants
- The English language has never been established as the official language of the United States
German and Dutch translations of the Constitution were distributed in Pennsylvania and New York in 1787 and 1788
The U.S. Constitution was written and approved at a national convention in 1787. However, before it could be legally accepted as the national law, it had to be "ratified", or certified by 9 of the original 13 states. During the months between its signing and ratification, the proceedings of the Constitutional Convention were kept secret, so each state needed to inform its voters of what exactly the proposed new government entailed.
As a result, the news of the Constitution spread like wildfire, and thousands of copies were republished by local printers and distributed for debate. This led to a flurry of newspaper articles, pamphlets, and public meetings debating whether the Constitution would be a good framework for a new national government. Part of the debate and ratification process involved translation: significant portions of the electorate spoke languages other than English. To reach them, the document was translated into Dutch and German.
In New York, the Dutch translation was created and printed in 1788 at the request of pro-Federalist groups who wanted residents in the Albany area, who spoke Dutch, to have access to the Constitution during the pitched public debate in New York state. The translator was a minister, Lambertus de Ronde, and the printer, Charles Webster, owned the Albany Gazette and Albany Journal. The Dutch-language version may have impressed older leaders in upper New York, but the region was carried by anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution in the state delegation voting process.
The German and Dutch translations differ from the standard English-language Constitution circulated in the late 1700s. One issue identified by authors is the ability of the translators to understand the native language equivalents of English words with precise legal meanings. Simple translation mistakes were made, and in some cases, English words were used when there was no native-language alternative. For example, the German translation of "commerce" indicates "the larger scope of actions and interactions of persons involved in business," while the Dutch translation defines commerce as activities among merchants.
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The German translation was printed for the state's German population, while the Dutch version was printed for pro-Federalists in Albany, New York
The US Constitution is a foundational document that sets out the framework for the United States government. It was proposed by the Founding Fathers in 1787 and profoundly changed America. Interestingly, some residents of Pennsylvania and New York were given versions of the Constitution in German and Dutch, differing from the standard English-language version circulated in other states.
The German translation was printed to accommodate Pennsylvania's significant German-origin population, which constituted about 37% of the state's population at the time. The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered 1,500 copies of the German-language version, while also printing 3,000 copies in English. The German translator is unknown, and the printer was Michael Billmeyer.
The Dutch version was created and printed in 1788, a year after the English and German versions. It was requested by pro-Federalist groups who wanted Dutch-speaking residents in the Albany, New York, area to have access to the Constitution during the public debate around its adoption. The translator was a minister, Lambertus de Ronde, and the printer, Charles Webster, owned the Albany Gazette and Albany Journal.
While the region was ultimately carried by anti-Federalists in the state delegation voting process, the Dutch-language version may have influenced older leaders in upper New York. The differences in translation between the English, German, and Dutch versions offer unique insights into how these concepts were presented to speakers of different languages and provide evidence of the original public meaning of the Constitution.
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The German translation uses a broader definition of commerce than the standard English version
The US Constitution is a profoundly important document in the history of the United States of America. It was approved on September 17, 1787, and shortly after, the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered 3,000 versions in English and 1,500 in German. The German translation was distributed to the public, catering to the 37% of Pennsylvania's population that was German in origin.
The German translation of the Constitution differs from the standard English version in several ways. One notable difference is in the translation of the term "commerce". In the German version, "commerce" is translated as "the larger scope of actions and interactions of persons involved in business". This definition is broader than the standard English understanding of "commerce" and includes a wider range of activities and individuals.
The German translation of "commerce" indicates a more expansive interpretation of the government's role in economic affairs. It suggests that the government has the authority to establish commerce or business activities where they may not have previously existed. This interpretation differs from the English understanding, which typically views commerce as a more limited concept focused on trade and commercial transactions.
The variation in translation offers a unique insight into how German speakers in Pennsylvania were presented with a different interpretation of the Constitution, particularly regarding economic matters. It also highlights the challenges of translating legal documents, as certain words and phrases may have precise legal meanings that are difficult to capture accurately in another language.
The German translation of the Constitution is a valuable historical artifact that provides a window into the past. It demonstrates the importance of clear and accurate translation, especially in legal and political contexts, and offers a unique perspective on the original public meaning and understanding of the US Constitution.
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The Dutch version defines commerce as activities among merchants
The United States Constitution is primarily written in English, but it does include a brief passage in another language – Dutch. This Dutch passage offers a definition of commerce, describing it as "activities among merchants." This is significant because it reflects the historical context and influences that shaped the Constitution, particularly in regards to trade and economic matters.
The inclusion of this Dutch definition of commerce highlights the importance of trade and economic activities in the early days of the United States. At the time, merchants played a crucial role in the economic development of the nation, and their activities were seen as a key component of commerce. By including this Dutch definition, the Constitution's authors provided a clear understanding of the term, ensuring that it encompassed the full range of merchant activities.
The use of the Dutch language in this passage can be traced back to the significant influence of Dutch legal scholarship on American legal thought during the colonial period. The Dutch had a well-developed system of commercial law, and their legal scholars had extensively studied and written about the concept of commerce. By borrowing from Dutch legal scholarship, the authors of the Constitution were able to incorporate a precise and widely understood definition of commerce into the document.
This Dutch definition of commerce as "activities among merchants" also reflects the historical context of the time. During the 17th and 18th centuries, when the foundations of American commerce were being laid, merchants played a central role in economic activities. They were engaged in a variety of endeavours, including the exchange of goods, the establishment of trade networks, and the development of new markets. By defining commerce as activities among merchants, the Constitution's authors ensured that the term encompassed the diverse range of economic endeavours that were crucial to the nation's prosperity.
The inclusion of this Dutch definition in the Constitution also highlights the influence of international law and the desire to establish a clear framework for commerce that was understood and recognised by other nations. By adopting a definition from Dutch legal scholarship, the authors of the Constitution demonstrated their intention to align the United States with established international standards and practices regarding trade and commerce.
In conclusion, the Dutch version of the Constitution's definition of commerce as "activities among merchants" provides valuable insight into the historical context and influences that shaped the document. It reflects the importance of trade and economic activities, the influence of Dutch legal scholarship, and the desire to establish a clear and internationally recognised framework for commerce in the United States.
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The English language has never been established as the official language of the United States
The United States has never adopted English as its official language, despite the widespread assumption that it is. While English is the predominant language in the US, it has never been established as the country's official language. The US Constitution, which forms the basis of the country's legal system, does not mention any official language.
Efforts to establish English as the official language have been made over the years, with various bills and amendments proposed in Congress. The English Language Amendment (ELA), introduced in 1981 by Senator Samuel Hayakawa, is one such example. However, none of these attempts have been successful, and the US remains one of the few nations without an official language.
The debate around an official language in the US is complex and multifaceted. Some argue that a nationally designated language is essential for a unified and cohesive society, where citizens can freely exchange ideas in a shared language. This argument gained support through the English-only movement, also known as the Official English movement, which advocated for the exclusive use of English in official government communications.
On the other hand, opponents of an official language policy, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that English-only laws violate the Constitution's protection of due process and equal protection. They contend that such laws can discriminate against non-English speakers and make life difficult for large non-English speaking populations. Furthermore, critics of the English-only movement point out that English is not under threat in the US and that the real motivation behind such movements may be discrimination and disenfranchisement.
While the US has no official language at the federal level, it is worth noting that some states and localities have taken it upon themselves to promote or require the use of English. For example, in 1980, Dade County, Florida, passed an English-only law, leading to the removal of Spanish signs on public transportation. Additionally, in 2009, voters in Nashville, Tennessee, rejected a proposal to prohibit the government from using languages other than English, except for health and safety issues.
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Frequently asked questions
English is the official language of the U.S. Constitution.
Yes, in 1787, German and Dutch translations of the U.S. Constitution were provided to residents of Pennsylvania and New York.
At the time, about 37% of Pennsylvania's population was of German origin. The Dutch version was printed in 1788 at the request of pro-Federalist groups who wanted Dutch-speaking residents in the Albany area of New York to have access to the Constitution during the public debate.
There has been a push for an English-only policy, but no other language has ever come close to becoming the official language of the United States. Almost every session of Congress, an amendment to the Constitution is proposed to adopt English as the official language.
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