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On March 1, 2025 the Trump Administration issued an Executive designating English as the official language of the United States. It is entitled: Designating English as the Official Language of The United States.
Many states have an official language; several designate more than one official language; some states take all comers. The designation of an official language can serve as a means of crafting solidarity among the political community or exacerbating underlying tensions. All fo thsi is very context specific. Empires have a harder time with official languages and general adopt a language of official or common communication with varying degrees of tolerance or encouragement of local languages, as long as they do not interfere with solidarity building. In this sense, an official political language or language of politics. Sometimes language--and approaches to de jure or de facto official designations, and the protection of the supremacy of a single common language to bind the community--has itself been an object that signifies the nature of political solidarity. Top down and mandatory enforcement of a common language sometimes mirrors the nature of the political-economic model around which the states organized and understands itself and political authority in its social and cultural construction. Bottom up expectations and nudging approaches to common language relies on social and cultural pressure, as well as economic necessity, that also reflects the organization of the state grounded in notions of personal autonomy, self-interest, and socioeconomic necessity.
In some states, like the United States, the only official language, at least from the founding, has been the language of substantial disagreement about the concept of official language. Those debates have been sometimes tied intimately to issues of state sovereignty (19th century) and then to identity nations (20th century) and always tied to the ebbs and flows of inbound migration from the time of the founding. Nonetheless the de facto official political or common language of the United States has been American English (in the sense that it represents some sort of common dialect derived from the language commonly used since the time of the first British Empire in the 18th century.
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At a discursive level, the Executive Order is meant to try to change the narratives of language and to provide a strong signal of at least language assimilation among non English speaking communities. It might even spark debate, and direct it, in some of the states in our federal union. It will certainly spark debate among people who invest this action with all sorts of meaning. In this sense, the Executive Order is both a publicity stunt (at its least effective), and a strong signalling about the importance of a common language as a means of political solidarity, the practices of which must be exemplified in the conduct of the state itself (the tone at the top model).
At a practical level, it appears to require federal agencies to "speak" only in English. It does not necessarily require that they also refuse to "hear" or "listen to" people speaking another language. And it does not prohibit people to employ other means of English language communication should the agency neither speak nor hear a language other than English. Lastly, it has no effect on state or local governments who in this area at least can do as they please (with the exception--and an important one--where as a condition of receiving federal grants to run local programs the state must bind itself to an English language only communication). Thus two immediate nudging consequences: (1) people who must speak with the federal government must master English at least in their dealing with those organs; (2) people may speak English to the state through others. Who are these others?--relatives and friends certainly, but for many communities also organized non-state actors offering communication services for a fee or free (the State ought to be indifferent as long as the communication is undertaken by both sides in English). And one longer range nudging consequence--nudging technological innovation in translation, some of which is already easily available, from AI and LLM fueled online translators of text, to audio translation, and now visual translation in real time. At the end of the day it may be that the tech sector will be the group that finds the most (economic) joy in these debates and the actions it produces at the federal level.
The text of Designating English as the Official Language of The United States follows below.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose and Policy. From the founding of our Republic, English has been used as our national language. Our Nation’s historic governing documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have all been written in English. It is therefore long past time that English is declared as the official language of the United States. A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.
In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream. Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society. This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come.
To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language. Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society.
Accordingly, this order designates English as the official language of the United States.
Sec. 2. Definitions. For purposes of this order:
(a)
“Agency” has the meaning given to it in section 3502 of title 44,
United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive
Office of the President or any components thereof.
(b) “Agency Head” means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director, unless otherwise specified in this order.
Sec. 3. Designating an Official Language for the United States. (a) English is the official language of the United States.
(b) Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000 (Improving Access to
Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency), is hereby
revoked; nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change
in the services provided by any agency. Agency heads should make
decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’
mission and efficiently provide Government services to the American
people. Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise
stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or
offered in languages other than English.
(c) The Attorney General shall rescind any policy guidance documents issued pursuant to Executive Order 13166 and provide updated guidance, consistent with applicable law.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary,
administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
March 1, 2025.
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