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And in places like Canada, official language is a political issue. You have societies like Quebec who work hard to maintain their culture, and the fact that Canada has both English and French as official languages, gives Quebec political leverage to get what they want legislatively regarding their language.
In a way, you want a dialogue and cooperation regarding use of language between societies where there are many speakers. The consequence is something like what Canada has (had?) with the "two solitudes"; generally, two sides of the language barrier created by a lack of communication and a lack of will to do anything about it. It makes for a fragmented society---especially one where you know you aren't going to force people to give up their language.
At least one out of ten Americans speaks Spanish as their native tongue. I don't know why anyone would want to alienate them. They are a part of the culture.
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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön
Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot
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