2007-11-28-皮尤-English_Usage_Among_Hispanics_in_the_United_States_27页_658kb

Summary of English Usage Among Hispanics in the United States

Core Content

This report from the Pew Hispanic Center analyzes the English language proficiency and usage among different generations of Hispanic adults in the United States. It highlights a significant generational shift in English fluency and use, showing that English ability increases substantially from the first to the third and higher generations. The findings are based on six national surveys conducted between 2002 and 2006, involving over 14,000 Latino adults.

Main Findings

• English Fluency by Generation:

  • Only 23% of first-generation Hispanic adults (immigrants) report being fluent in English.
  • This rises to 88% among the second generation (U.S.-born children of immigrants).
  • It further increases to 94% among the third and higher generations (children of U.S.-born Hispanics).

• Reading Ability:

  • Reading proficiency in English follows a similar pattern to speaking ability.
  • 21% of first-generation adults read English very well.
  • By the third generation, 81% report reading English very well.

• Language Use at Home and Work:

  • 7% of foreign-born Hispanics use English mainly or only at home.
  • 48% of second-generation adults use English mainly or only at home.
  • 75% of foreign-born Hispanics use Spanish mainly or only at home.
  • 29% of foreign-born Hispanics use English mainly or only at work.
  • 58% of second-generation adults use English mainly or only at work.
  • 80% of third and higher-generation adults use English mainly or only at work.

• Workplace Language Use:

  • 43% of foreign-born Hispanics use Spanish mainly or only at work.
  • 24% of foreign-born Hispanics use English and Spanish equally at work.
  • 19% of U.S.-born Hispanics use Spanish mainly or only at work.
  • 34% use English and Spanish equally at work.

• Education and English Proficiency:

  • College-educated immigrants are more likely to speak and read English very well.
  • 62% of college-educated immigrants report speaking English very well.
  • 34% of high school graduates and 11% of those without a diploma report the same.
  • Education is a strong predictor of English ability across generations.

• Age of Arrival and English Proficiency:

  • Those who arrived in the U.S. as children are more likely to be fluent in English.
  • 76% of those who arrived at age 10 or younger report speaking English very well.
  • This drops to 11% for those who arrived at age 26 or older.

• Country of Origin and English Proficiency:

  • Puerto Ricans and South Americans are the most proficient in English.
  • Mexicans are the least likely to be fluent in English.
  • 71% of Mexican immigrants report speaking English just a little or not at all.
  • 35% of Puerto Ricans report the same.

• Citizenship and English Proficiency:

  • 52% of naturalized Hispanic citizens speak English very well or pretty well.
  • 74% of non-citizens report speaking only a little or no English.
  • Naturalized citizens are more likely to use English in daily life.

• Bilingualism:

  • 44% of all Latino adults are bilingual.
  • 68% of U.S.-born children of immigrants are bilingual.
  • Bilingualism is more common among younger generations.

Key Information

• Generational Differences:

  • The transition from Spanish to English dominance is more pronounced in the workplace than at home.
  • English is the dominant language for most Hispanics by the third generation.

• Immigrant Characteristics:

  • Time in the U.S., education level, and age of arrival significantly influence English proficiency.
  • Immigrants from non-English-speaking enclaves may learn English more slowly.

• Discrimination and Language:

  • Language skills are the most frequently cited cause of discrimination against Hispanics.
  • 46% of Hispanics in the 2007 survey believed that poor English skills were the biggest cause of discrimination.

• Puerto Rican Exclusion:

  • Puerto Ricans are excluded from some figures due to their unique status as U.S. citizens.

Conclusion

The report underscores a clear trend of increasing English fluency and usage among Hispanic generations in the U.S. The transition is influenced by education, time spent in the U.S., and age of arrival. While English dominates in the workplace for most, Spanish remains more prevalent at home, especially among earlier generations. The findings highlight the importance of language acquisition in the integration and success of Hispanic immigrants and their descendants in American society.