The United States is a country made up of many different cultures and languages. The government has designated English as the official language, but there are other languages spoken by residents of the country as well. The federal government also has designated Spanish as an official language in certain parts of the country. The U.S. Constitution does not specify which languages are official, but these languages are used in government buildings, public schools, and other government institutions. The following is a list of the most common languages spoken in the United States:
Spanish
Spanish is one of the official languages in four states: California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona. These states recognize Spanish as a second language in schools and other government institutions and have been granted special treatment under the Voting Rights Act.California is the only state that has designated Spanish as an official language. Other states recognize Spanish as a second language. The government of California passed a law in 2013 that requires all state-funded institutions to provide services in both English and Spanish. New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona have also passed laws that require state-funded institutions to provide services in Spanish for limited services such as assistance with government forms.
French
French is one of the official languages in five states: Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. These states have designated French as a second language in schools and other government institutions.Louisiana has the only state that has designated French as an official language. The state government has provided funding to keep the language alive.French is widely spoken in New York City and New York state. French is also spoken in parts of New Jersey and Mississippi.
Chinese
Chinese is one of the official languages in two states: Washington and California. Chinese is an official language in the state of Washington. Chinese is an official language in the state of California for limited services such as assistance with government forms.California has the only state that has designated Chinese as an official language. The state government has provided funding to keep the language alive. Chinese is widely spoken in the state of Washington.
Japanese
Japanese is one of the official languages in three states: California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. Japanese is an official language in the state of California for limited services such as assistance with government forms.California has the only state that has designated Japanese as an official language. The state government has provided funding to keep the language alive. Japanese is widely spoken in the state of California.
Portuguese
Portuguese is one of the official languages in two states: Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Both states have designated Portuguese as an official language in schools and other government institutions. Massachusetts has the only state that has designated Portuguese as an official language. The state government has provided funding to keep the language alive.Portuguese is widely spoken in Rhode Island.
Conclusion
The U.S. government has designated English as the official language and has designated Spanish as an official language in certain parts of the country. Other languages spoken in the United States include French, Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese. The government has provided funding to keep these languages alive.