US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order recognizing English as the official language of the United States.
"This order designates English as the official language of the United States," the document states, as published on the White House website.
The decree notes that English has been used as the national language since the founding of the United States, and that historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written in English.
It is noted that the innovation will "simplify communication", "strengthen common national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society".
According to Deadline, this document overturned a previous executive order by Bill Clinton from 2000, which guaranteed access to public services for people with limited English proficiency. However, the new policy does not require changes in the operation of state and commercial organizations, meaning that conducting business and record-keeping in other languages is not prohibited.
In the United States, people communicate in more than 350 languages. In addition to English, the most common languages in the country are Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
As noted by The Wall Street Journal, in the entire 250-year history of the United States, there has never been a state language approved at the federal level.