Wisconsin State Journal, November 30, 2007
Most Latino Kids Learn English by Adulthood
by Julia Preston, New York Times
The Pew Hispanic Center in Washing D.C. has recently issued a report summarizing the results of six surveys the Center conducted between 2002-2006, related to the language Hispanic families speak. The results indicate that most children of Hispanic immigrants in the U.S. learn to speak English well by the time they are adults, although three-quarters of their parents continue to use Spanish as their primary language. The Pew Center found that in general Hispanics are eager to master English because they perceive it as necessary for success in the U.S. The Pew Center used English skills as a measure of "attachment" to the U.S.
Only about a quarter of first-generation Spanish-speaking immigrants said that they spoke English quite well. But almost 90 percent of their children described themselves as strong English speakers.
Forty-six percent of those surveyed indicated that their poor English skills were the leading cause of discrimination they experienced, exceeding discrimination they experienced because of their ethnic background or their immigration status.
Some American worry that immigrants who speak Spanish resist learning English and fear that Spanish may compete with English as the official language in the U.S.
New York Times, November 17, 2007.
In U.S. Name Count, Garcias are Catching up with Joneses by Sam Roberts
The U.S. Census Bureau released an analysis of surnames in the U.S. on November 16, 2007. While Smith remains the most common surname in the U.S., for the first time in Census history, two Hispanic surnames are among the top 10 most common. Garcia and Rogriguez are numbers 8 and 9, and Martinez almost tied with Wilson for 10th place. Hispanics make up about 13 percent of the total U.S. population. Having Hispanic surnames included in top ten most common names is an indication of how pervasive the Hispanic migration to the U.S. is.
Demographers point out that in generations past, immigration officials frequently Anglicized or simplified the surnames of new immigrants. Now more Hispanic and Asian immigrants are less likely to change their surnames, although they often give their children Anglicized first names.
For questions about this information, contact Barbara A. Huntington (608) 267-5077
Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:06:13 AM
Home
About Us