A Comparative Study of Policies on Ethnic Minority Languages and Their Protection Between China and the United States

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the policies on ethnic mi-nority languages and their protection effects in China and the United States. As multi-ethnic countries, both China and the U.S. possess rich linguistic resources, yet there are significant differences in their language policies. China’s language policy emphasizes the popularization and standardization of Mandarin, while simultaneously focusing on the protection and development of ethnic minority languages to strengthen national unity and social stability. The United States, while maintaining the central status of English, supports the protection and re-vitalization of Indigenous languages through legislation, reflecting respect for cultural diversity.