Monolingual english speakers
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The first, or immigrant, generation typically arrived in the U.S. This earlier pattern involved a three-generation shift to speaking only English, also known as English monolingualism. There is a widespread assumption that an older pattern of linguistic assimilation, evident among the descendants of the European immigrants of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, no longer holds because of globalization and multiculturalism. Historical Perspective on Linguistic Assimilation Nevertheless, speaking only English is the predominant pattern by the third generation, except for Dominicans, who are known for frequent back-and-forth travel between their homeland and the U.S.
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Among Spanish-speaking groups, the bilingual minorities are larger than was the case among most European immigrant groups. Moreover, by the third generation (grandchildren of immigrants), only a minority in any group maintains bilingualism.Īmong Asian groups, these minorities are so small that the levels of linguistic assimilation are scarcely different from those of the past. in great numbers since the 1960s, which means these children have high levels of linguistic assimilation. Although some changes have occurred, testing this claim using Census data reveals that such beliefs are greatly exaggerated.Įnglish is almost universally accepted by the children and grandchildren of the immigrants who have come to the U.S. The underlying claim of both viewpoints is that the past pattern – children and grandchildren of immigrants who rapidly accept English – may be breaking down. They believe bilingualism and language pluralism could usher in a new era that breaks the hegemony of Anglo-American culture. In a very different vein, multiculturalists hope new immigrants' native languages will persist. Some commentators envision speakers of other languages seizing economic and political power in large regions of the United States, creating disadvantages for English-speaking Americans. Because of renewed immigration, fears about English no longer being the linguistic "glue" holding America together are common.