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The History and impact of the English-Only movement in the United States : Is there hope for language tolerance?
Workman, Romana ; Kozák, Kryštof (advisor) ; Raška, Francis (referee)
This Master's thesis aims to analyze the circumstances and grounds of the development of an English-Only Movement in the United States of America (USA), which pursues to establish English as the official language on a federal level, to evaluate its role in contemporary language policy in the United States where about half of all states do not have English enacted as the official language, and to confirm or reverse the thesis as to whether or not the English-Only movement is a right-wing conservative initiative and an influential interest group practicing a so-called language imperialism. This thesis describes the contemporary situation in five analyzed states and extends the topic by a language map of New York City as a historical gateway for immigrants into the United States. It also intends to analyze the contemporary language policy in the light of the new immigration law in a situation where the GOP has a majority in both Houses. The paper also has an ambition to introduce the existence, instruments and successes, or failures, respectively, of the movement to Czech professionals dealing with language issues. In the first part, the paper outlines some important definitions, resources and methods applied herein, and provides a picture of the American identity, values and culture. The second part...
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