Social stigmas cause loss of languages for new generations

Poet Gloria Anzaldua said, “I am my language,” but what about people who don’t speak the language their culture mandates?

Linguistic stigmas and practical reasons can be the cause of increasing numbers of English-only Hispanics. The Pew Hispanic Research Center reports 25 percent of Hispanics as English dominant and 28 percent bilingual. Some would argue Spanish is the language of God, but in reality it is a language of the conquered. Spanish was historically seen as a second-hand citizens’ language after the Texas Revolution, a mentality lasting into present day. Spanish-speaking schoolchildren sat in corners wearing dunce caps in the 1960s for speaking the only language they knew. Secretaries were scolded if they used Spanish around white-collar workers and families were patronized in restaurants for their Spanish chatter.

“I think it’s the social condition that creates the stigma around the language,” said Ana Juarez, associate anthropology professor. Juarez believes we continue to see the same social inequalities today reflected in the income, education and advancement of Spanish-speakers.

Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author of the book Mexican Enough, grew up in the shadows of the Spanish stigma her mother experienced as a schoolgirl, when she received bars of soap in her mouth to cleanse her native tongue.

“It was treated as a dirty language and as a result they never passed along the language,” Griest, who finally learned Spanish, her fourth language, said. Griest said most English-only Hispanics experience cultural hang-ups and baggage surrounding their inability to speak the language.

“It always seemed to me like the joke I was never in on,” she said. “I think my mom always laughed harder in Spanish than she did in English.” 

The Pew Hispanic Center reports dramatic language shifts based on generations spent in the United States. Forty-six percent of second-generation Hispanics say they’re English dominant, but 78 percent of third-generation Hispanics say they are.

There’s no denying practical rationale, even though the shift has historical reasons.

“Parents want to make sure their children can thrive in the environment they’re competing in so they want to make sure they learn English,” Juarez said. “When you’re surrounded by English there are fewer opportunities to speak Spanish – and Spanish is still stigmatized – so they’re not able to become fluent.”

Juarez says she’s still met many students who have come to her wishing nothing more than they knew the language that was once inappropriate to speak in public schools.

English-only Hispanics, while a unique by-product of acculturation and historical discrimination have more to look forward to than a Spanish-language stigma. Pay raises and biculturalism in a time of multicultural celebration are only two reasons to ditch the Spanish baggage. English-only Hispanics shouldn’t feel culturally shafted, but they should take interest in expanding their linguistic prowess and hence, their view of the world.

“Learn from the roots within,” Griest said. “It just gives you a better understanding of who you are and who how all these different world communities relate.”

- Published in Texas State University Star Wednesday, September 10, 2008