An old friend used to be fond of pointing out that “no answer is in itself an answer.” There are times when the most political expedient thing to do would be to follow his advice. Other times, I think it’s worth speaking up, even if it’s not going to win any votes.

This weekend I’ve received a deluge of form letter e-mails (from ProEnglish) over congressman Paul Broun’s proposed bill H.R. 6783 to withhold Federal funds from schools that permit or require the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance or the national anthem in a language other than English.

Here is the reply I’ve been sending:

One of the greatest strengths of America is the “melting pot” ideal that has guided generation after generation of immigrants to put aside the petty divisions of ethnicity, culture, and old world nationalism to come together as Americans. An important element of that is the understanding that we all need to speak a common language, English, if we are to live and work together effectively.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem both reflect what it means to be American, and I agree that at all important American events, these should be recited and sung in English as a symbol of national unity.

There are, however, occasions when presenting these in another language services our nation. In education, it can help those who are new to America that have not yet mastered English better understand the principles underlying the Pledge and the National Anthem. It can also be used as a foreign languages teaching tool to English speaking natives that gives them something they hold dear as an effective means to learn another language.

Outside of our schools, as in the case of President Bush’s 2001 inauguration for example, singing the National Anthem in another language after it has been presented in English can be way of honoring foreign visitors, and as a way of sharing the majesty of America with others around the world.

There is no question in my mind that the language that the Pledge and the National Anthem is important. I am also sure that there are some schools in this country that may not be giving this issue adequate thought.

However, I don’t believe a restrictive federal law that outlines punitive measures against these schools is a viable solution. This is exactly the sort of Big Government interference in our local school systems that most Americans object to.

Actually forcing United States citizens and American schools to say the Pledge and sing the National Anthem only in English almost seems like something that might come from the French Academy in France, the body that is tasked with jealously guarding the French language from foreign encroachment by dictating what words French people can use in their own country. America is better than that.

While I share your commitment to ensuring that the English remains the language of America, I do not believe passing a repressive law that gives the Federal Government more control over our schools is appropriate in this case. I do believe, however, that citizens and parents concerned about the future of English in this country have a duty to take this up with their local schools, and I am more than willing to support them there.

So far, a few people have written back. One person called it “a typical mealy mouth response” and another informed me that he was reinforcing his vote for the incumbent. Who would’ve thought that people supporting efforts to essentially ban foreign languages in the U.S. wouldn’t appreciate a reasonable response?

(For a little historical perspective on this issue, check out Bilingual Education: The Controversy.)