Antigua and Barbuda has never formally declared an official language, two commentators have argued, as debate intensifies over government proposals to designate Spanish as a second official language.
According to Antigua Observer, the discussion unfolded during a recent radio panel, where Dr. Radcliffe Robins and fellow commentator Yves Ephraim contended that while English functions as the nation's de facto official language, it has never received formal legal recognition as such.
The panellists' remarks highlight a significant gap in the country's legislative framework — one that has gained renewed attention in light of the proposed move to elevate Spanish to official status. Critics and commentators have questioned how Spanish can be named a second official language when no first official language has ever been formally enshrined.
As reported by Antigua Observer, Dr. Robins and Ephraim used the panel discussion to draw public attention to this constitutional and legislative ambiguity, suggesting that any meaningful language policy reform should first address the standing of English before introducing additional official languages.
