2015-05-11-皮尤-English_Use_on_the_Rise_Among_Latinos_14页_405kb

According to the 2015 Pew Research Center report, the number of Hispanics (5+) speaking English proficiently rose significantly from 35.8 million in 2000 (59%) to 33.2 million in 2013 (68%). The decline in Spanish usage at home (78% in 2000 to 73% in 2013) correlates with the rising proportion of US-born Hispanics (65% of the total Hispanic population in 2013) who are younger (median age 19) and more likely to speak English proficiently (89% among US-born vs. 34% among immigrants).

US-born Hispanics are driving language change due to their rapid growth rate and high English proficiency. Over 40% of US-born Hispanics live in English-only households, and over half of US-born Hispanics report speaking English "very well," even if they also speak Spanish at home. By contrast, the share of foreign-born Hispanics speaking English proficiently barely changed from 1980 to 2013, despite population growth.

Key differences exist between proficiency groups. Around a third of all Hispanics (ages 5+), totaling around 16 million individuals, lack English proficiency. Those who speak English but not "very well" (8.6 million) tend to be older and less educated than those without English skills (foreign-born majority). Among immigrants, higher educational attainment increases the likelihood of English proficiency.

Linguistic trends also vary by nativity and age. While overall English proficiency has improved among immigrants staying longer, young children (ages 5-17) who arrived later show much faster English acquisition (those with 11+ years in US reach ~84% proficiency). Among US-born Hispanics, English proficiency has increased regardless of immigration status.

Spanish usage at home remains high among US-born Hispanics but mirrors overall proficiency trends. Nearly a quarter (9 million) of Spanish-speaking Hispanics overall have limited or no English proficiency, though their proportion among US-born Hispanics has dropped substantially from previous decades.

The report attributes these changes primarily to two factors: substantial declines in immigration from Latin America (especially Mexico) and the fact that US-born Hispanics constitute an increasingly large share (10 million more between 2000-2013 than immigrants) and more youthful cohort (median age 19).