Letter: English as official language would work

Thursday, March 29, 2007 | 7:16 a.m.

A good thing is happening. The Nevada Legislature is considering legislation (Senate Bill 325 by Sen. Bob Beers) to designate English as the official language of Nevada. If this bill were to become law, I am sure in the long run it would result in lower government printing costs, if nothing else, though I do expect it will reduce other costs as well.

Having English as our official language simply means that for the government to act officially, it must communicate in English. It means the language of record is English. Thus far more than half of the states have enacted laws making English their official language and a further 73 sovereign states and territories around the world have made English an official language.

I believe this legislation would encourage our immigrant population to learn English and therefore be more easily assimilated into the society of the United States rather than being isolated by their native tongue. It will raise them from the bottom of society's food chain.

Learning to speak English empowers immigrants. Today, in segregated classrooms, so-called bilingual education keeps immigrant children from learning English, by teaching them in foreign languages. And millions of people cannot find good-paying jobs, because they lack the ability to speak English with customers, co-workers or employers.

Jim Scott, Las Vegas