[雙語(yǔ)]英語(yǔ)竟然不是美國(guó)的官方語(yǔ)言？

美國(guó)共和黨眾議員Steve King和參議員Jim Inhofe最近提案（the English Language Unity Act of 2011），要將英語(yǔ)定為美國(guó)政府的官方工作語(yǔ)言。

Two conservative Republican lawmakers, Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) and Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), introduced the English Language Unity Act of 2011 on Friday, a bill that requires that all official United States government functions be conducted in English.
美國(guó)共和黨眾議員Steve King和參議員Jim Inhofe最近提案（the English Language Unity Act of 2011），要將英語(yǔ)定為美國(guó)政府的官方工作語(yǔ)言。

"A common language is the most powerful unifying force known throughout history," King said in a release. "We need to encourage assimilation of all legal immigrants in each generation. A nation divided by language cannot pull together as effectively as a people."
King說(shuō)：“歷史上擁有最強(qiáng)的凝聚力的無(wú)疑就是統(tǒng)一的語(yǔ)言，我們要促進(jìn)合法移民盡快融入美國(guó)社會(huì)。一個(gè)語(yǔ)言眾多紛亂的國(guó)家無(wú)法團(tuán)結(jié)一致。”

Added Inhofe: "This legislation will provide much-needed commonality among United States citizens, regardless of heritage. As a nation built by immigrants, it is important that we share one vision and one official language."
Inhofe補(bǔ)充道：“這項(xiàng)立案將在不同文化背景的美國(guó)公民間建立起共通性。美國(guó)這樣擁有很多移民的國(guó)家，更加需要一種統(tǒng)一的官方語(yǔ)言和目標(biāo)。”

In response to the measure, Democratic Rep. Jose Serrano of New York addressed reporters in Spanish Friday, asking them, "como esta?" (That's Spanish for "how are you?") He said the bill reflects a non-issue that nonetheless comes up every once in a while.
紐約的民主黨眾議員Jose Serrano唱起了反調(diào)，在周五的記者會(huì)上用西班牙語(yǔ)向大家問(wèn)好。他說(shuō)這項(xiàng)議案完全毫無(wú)意義，而這種東西每隔一段時(shí)間就會(huì)有人拿出來(lái)炒冷飯。

Serrano added that while it's natural for grandparents speak Spanish, second generations are completely bilingual. With the third generation, he said, the grandmother is always complaining about the kids' Spanish and why they don't play soccer.
Serrano說(shuō)上一輩的移民或許只會(huì)講西班牙語(yǔ)，但年輕一代差不多都是講雙語(yǔ)的。上一輩的人會(huì)對(duì)年輕人糟糕的西班牙語(yǔ)表示不滿，不明白他們?yōu)槭裁床煌孀闱?，不沿襲自己的傳統(tǒng)。

According to the advocacy group U.S. English, Inc., more than 700 members of Congress have co-sponsored or voted for measures on making English the official U.S. government language dating back to 1981. The English Language Unity Act attracted 140 co-sponsors when introduced in the last Congress.
倡導(dǎo)學(xué)英語(yǔ)的組織U.S. English, Inc.統(tǒng)計(jì)表明，自1981年起，有超過(guò)700名國(guó)會(huì)成員參與共同提案或同意將英語(yǔ)定為美國(guó)的官方語(yǔ)言。上一次同樣的議案在國(guó)會(huì)贏得了140人的共同提案。