A U.S. Colony at a Linguistic Crossroads

Abstract

In April of 1991 the government of Puerto Rico proclaimed Spanish to be its sole official language. This new statute replaced the 1902 law which had declared Spanish and English to be the languages of government in this United States unincorporated territory. While the standard government line has been to justify the new law as a noble and valiant gesture in defense of the island's culture and language from the dual threats of Americanization and linguistic impoverishment, the fact is that this is an extremely controversial law which at present does not have the support of the majority of Puerto Ricans. This paper discusses the emotional debate that preceded passage of the legislation by focusing on the arguments typically put forth by defenders and detractors of the new policy. The analyses suggest that the real reason why the law was passed was to make statehood a less feasible political status option for Puerto Rico. Opposition to the law converged around two arguments: fear that the new policy might be perceived by Americans as a rejection of the United States, or as an expression of Puerto Rico's desire to separate from the United States; and/or suspicion that the law signaled the government's decreasing commitment to provide access to the English language to the population at large. The authors' assessment of the decisional process indicates that a small number of intellectuals who subscribe to a powerful hispanicist ideology, most of whom favor independence for Puerto Rico, were the driving force behind the signing of the law. Despite majority opposition, the new policy is seen as contributing positively to the eventual resolution of Puerto Rico's political status.The presentation and eventual passage of legislation to make Spanish the sole official language of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its signing into law on 5 April 1991 has proved to be a veritable Rorschach test for the island's population. It has led to a wide and fascinating range of readings between the lines as to the motives behind it and speculation as to what its implications are for the island's political, economic, and cultural future. A wide gamut of factors related to cultural identity, linguistic allegiance, colonial history, and political status have combined to make the Spanish-as-Official Language (SOL) legislation into an illusive, multifaceted symbol that has come to mean many things to its many interpreters.

English in Puerto Rico

“…5. For an analysis of the political propaganda associated with the language issue see Vélez and Schweers (1993). 6.…”

“…were debated. Vélez and Schweers' (1993) work illustrates the debate over the language of the courts. In 1905 Puerto Rico's Supreme Court ruled that ''the English language texts of law passed in Puerto Rico should prevail in the interpretation of said laws'' (p. 119), but in 1917 ''Article 13 of Civil Code states that Spanish language texts of law will prevail in legal interpretation'' (p. 119), and later on in 1965, after the Island had become a self-governing commonwealth, ''People of Puerto Rico vs. Superior Court: Puerto Rican Supreme Court rules that Puerto Rican courts must use Spanish in their judicial procedures since Spanish is the language of Puerto Rico'' (p. 119).…”

Language Policy and Planning in the United States

“…But as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. possession of the island approaches, the pressure will increase to conclude the question once and for all. No doubt, language politics will be a central element in any conclusion (Velez and Schweers 1993).…”

Puerto Rico: On the Horns of a Language Planning Dilemma

“…The link between partisan politics and language policy became irrefutable in 1991, when the Partido Popular Democrático (Popular Democratic Party), supporting commonwealth status, revoked the Official Language Act of 1902, which had granted English and Spanish equal official status. Many observers saw the move as a political ploy to gain votes in the following elections (Vélez & Schweers, 1993). The new law established Spanish as the sole official language, although it recognized the importance of English and did not alter school language policy.…”