Includes bibliographical references (pages 200-217) and indexes.

Equality, liberty, and fairness in America -- Language and democracy -- Linguistic inequality in the legal system -- Language and education -- Government, public services, and the English-only movement -- Language in the workplace -- Conclusions

"All men are created equal" is the first "self-evident truth" of the Declaration of Independence. However clearly they are equal only in their fundamental humanity, not in their physical attributes or mental talents. These natural differences create distinctions both rational and irrational. The law is called upon to regulate these distinctions, to ensure rationality while preserving liberty through the institutions of a democratic state . Is distinction based on language natural and rational, or arbitrary and irrational? In the following pages we will examine the determination of legal and illegal distinctions, in national and international frameworks"--