Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of the United States of America is the oldest and shortest written constitution still in force. It was written in English and circulated among the residents of various states in the late 1780s. However, German and Dutch translations were also provided to residents of Pennsylvania and New York. The German and Dutch versions of the Constitution differ from the standard English-language version. These translations offer a unique perspective on how Dutch and German speakers were presented with certain concepts, which varied from the English version.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language | English, German, Dutch |
| Date of proposal | 1787 |
| Date of ratification | 1787 |
| Date of first amendment | 1807 |
| Number of amendments | 27 |
| Number of words | 4,543 |
| Length of effectiveness | Over 238 years |
| Position on language | Two views: ordinary language and language of the law |
| Legal terms | About 100 |
| Oldest active codified constitution | Yes |
| Shortest written constitution | No |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is written in English
In the late 1780s, a standard English-language version of the Constitution was circulated among the residents of most states. However, residents of Pennsylvania and New York were given versions of the Constitution that differed from the one approved in Philadelphia. German- and Dutch-language printed versions of the Constitution were provided to residents of these two states as the adoption of the founding document was publicly debated. At the time, about 37% of Pennsylvania's population was German in origin. The Pennsylvania Assembly ordered 3,000 versions printed in English and 1,500 printed in German. The Dutch version 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 German and Dutch translations of the Constitution offer a unique look at how these non-English speakers were presented with some concepts in a way that varied from the English version. For example, the German translation uses a word to define "commerce" that indicates "the larger scope of actions and interactions of persons involved in business". The Dutch version defines commerce as activities among merchants. The translators also made simple mistakes and, in some cases, used English words in the translations when there wasn't a native-language alternative.
Establishing English as the official language of the United States will promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement. It will also streamline communication and reinforce shared national values, creating a more cohesive and efficient society.
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German and Dutch translations were also printed
The US Constitution is written in English. However, German and Dutch translations were also printed for residents of Pennsylvania and New York. The German and Dutch versions were printed in 1787 and 1788, respectively, and were later republished in collected volumes.
The German translation was ordered by the Pennsylvania Assembly, which hired Michael Billmeyer to print the German-language version. The translator of this version remains unknown. The German translation was likely intended for the 37% of Pennsylvania’s population that was of German origin.
The Dutch version was created and printed in Albany, New York, in 1788 at the request of pro-Federalist groups. They wanted Dutch-speaking residents in the Albany area to have access to the Constitution during the pitched public debate in New York state. The translator of the Dutch version was a minister, Lambertus de Ronde, and the printer, Charles Webster, owned the Albany Gazette and Albany Journal.
The German and Dutch translations differ from the English version in several ways. For example, the German translation refers to amendments to the Constitution as “improvements,” while the Dutch version considers felonies to be “crimes worthy of death,” which is not the case in the German translation. The German translation also uses the word “interrogation” instead of “trial”.
The differences in translation offer a unique perspective on how Dutch and German speakers were presented with certain concepts, showcasing the challenges of translating a legal document with precise terminology into another language.
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The Constitution is written in the language of the law
The Constitution is a document that determines how an entity is governed. It is the legal basis for an organisation, institution, or country. The United States Constitution is the oldest active codified constitution in the world. It has been the subject of hundreds of debates about its meaning and interpretation.
There are two main views on the language of the Constitution. One view holds that it is written in ordinary language and is accessible to anyone with knowledge of the English language. The other view is that the Constitution is written in the language of the law. This means that it is written in a technical language with specific legal meanings and interpretive rules. The language of the law view holds that the Constitution's text blocks the operation of certain legal interpretive rules and calls for the application of others.
The Constitution's language of the law is supported by the fact that it contains a large number of legal terms and technical language. These legal terms and interpretive rules would have been deemed applicable at the time of its writing. The richness of its idiom provides resources to address otherwise unresolvable interpretive questions.
Additionally, the Constitution's language of the law brings centuries of tradition and refinement along with it. The term "constitution" itself comes from the Latin word "constitutio," which was used for regulations and orders. Later, the term was widely used in canon law for important determinations, such as decrees issued by the Pope.
The debate over the language of the Constitution has important implications for constitutional interpretation. It is crucial to consider the original methods and rules that were used to interpret the Constitution when it was first implemented.
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It contains about 100 legal terms
The United States Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution still in force. It is written in English, with German and Dutch translations also existing. The German-language version was printed at the request of the Pennsylvania Assembly, as about 37% of Pennsylvania's population at the time was of German origin. The Dutch version was printed at the request of pro-Federalist groups, who wanted Dutch-speaking residents in the Albany area to have access to the Constitution during the public debate in New York state.
The Constitution has sparked hundreds of debates about its meaning. One of the underlying clashes is whether the Constitution is written in ordinary language or the language of the law. The Supreme Court and scholars often assume the former, but legal scholars John O. McGinnis and Mike Rappaport argue that the Constitution is indeed written in the language of the law. They show that the number of legal terms in the Constitution is much larger than most people recognize, probably numbering about 100.
The Constitution's text both blocks the operation of certain legal interpretive rules and calls for the application of others. Judges and legislators in the early Republic frequently deployed legal interpretive rules to resolve contested issues. The Constitution's legal language has important theoretical and practical significance. It brings centuries of tradition and refinement along with it.
The German and Dutch translations of the Constitution also offer a unique look at how the document was understood by non-English speakers. For example, the German translation refers to amendments to the Constitution as "improvements," while the Dutch version considers felonies to be "crimes worthy of death," which is not the case in the German translation. These differences in translation provide insight into how the Constitution was interpreted and understood by different cultural groups.
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The US Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution still in force
The US Constitution consists of seven articles, with the first three embodying the doctrine of the separation of powers. The legislative branch is made up of the bicameral Congress, the executive branch consists of the President and subordinate officers, and the judicial branch is comprised of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. The remaining articles outline the rights and responsibilities of state governments, the relationship between the states and the federal government, the process of constitutional amendment, and the procedure for ratification by the 13 states.
While the US Constitution is considered the oldest written constitution, there are other constitutions that are older if one includes uncodified constitutions. For example, the UK's Magna Carta dates back to 1215 and is considered the oldest existing constitution. However, it is not a single written document but is comprised of multiple source documents across different centuries. Similarly, San Marino's constitution is considered the oldest if one includes uncodified constitutions, as their government is based on documents that date back to around 1600, even though these documents do not contain laws, rules, or regulations and are not written down.
It is worth noting that there were different versions of the US Constitution circulated in the late 1780s. While the standard version was in English, German and Dutch translations were also distributed to residents of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively. These translations provide insight into the original public meaning of the US Constitution and how it was understood by non-English speakers at the time.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is written in English. However, German and Dutch versions were also printed and distributed to residents of Pennsylvania and New York.
At the time, about 37% of Pennsylvania's population was German in origin. The Dutch version was also distributed to residents in the Albany area, who spoke Dutch.
The German translation refers to amendments to the Constitution as "improvements". The Dutch version considers felonies to be "crimes worthy of death", while the German translation considers felonies to be serious crimes. The term "high crimes and misdemeanors" in the Impeachment Clause also has different meanings in the Dutch and German translations.
Yes, English is the official language of the United States.
