History Provides Language Lesson

Elementary school teacher Gloria Tuchman makes a compelling case for America to officially adopt English as our national language (“Orange County Voices,” Aug. 18).

A common language is even more important than access to the railroads or interstate highways in binding the people together. Citizens illiterate in English simply cannot be well informed enough to vote on many issues other than those involving their own subcultures or ethnic communities.

Furthermore, the delay of their introduction to English proficiency caused by measures such as bilingual education will more likely hamper their potential to succeed in the mainstream despite good intentions. This concept was well understood by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China, who decreed over 2,000 years ago that a common language be established for the country he had finally conquered and unified.

He was not loved then for his ruthlessness in enforcing his will, but few in modern-day China would be unappreciative of his foresight. He also understood the perils of illegal immigration, since he was the one who built the Great Wall.

Perhaps it is time for opponents of the language proposal to spend more time in the library getting acquainted with history and less time in legislative lobbies. Maybe this will help them get a better view of the big picture beyond their own personal agenda, be it political, financial or otherwise.

JOHN T. CHIU

Corona del Mar