Robert D. King

About the author: Robert D. King holds the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Chair of Jewish Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he teaches and writes about linguistics, India, and the Yiddish language. His latest book is Nehru and the Language Politics of India.

The issue of language is not about to tear apart American society, despite the warnings of groups that believe otherwise and are actively pushing legislation that would make English the official national language. The English-only movement faces tough odds. Whereas in much of the rest of the world language defines ethnic and national identity, in the United States Americans are united by many other traditions, including respect for the individual, equality of opportunity, and a history of freedom and valor. Rather than fearing language diversity, Americans should...