Vistas: The Importance Of Language For Latino Identity And Culture

There are some who argue as to the fundamental need for speaking Spanish in order to maintain a strong connection to the shared, root elements of Latino culture (and perhaps conveniently forgetting African and indigenous roots in this equation).

Others insist that language alone cannot define who's 'in' or who's 'out.'

Either way, then what is the role - and impact - of bilingualism in our evolving Latino identity?

Does the growing trend of bilingualism among Hispanics bode well for our future as a distinct group within the U.S.? Does it create a schism within the community, or help bridge across generations and acculturation? Does bilingualism represent a one-way street? Or a multi-lane highway?

In the slideshow below we present some perspectives shared with The Huffington Post regarding this topic, and invite you to share your own thoughts, comments and puntos de vista.

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Vistas is a regular feature of HuffPost LatinoVoices where we ask prominent Latino thinkers and doers for their perspective on a theme, issue or event which is often cause for a significant discussion within our community and beyond.

Recognizing that Latinos are not a homogeneous group, and yet share a broad range of experiences and legacies, Vistas simply aims to help illustrate different points of view, which in aggregate can present a truer reflection of what the larger Hispanic community feels and thinks.

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Comments

[cdiasmd]

01:49 PM on 10/24/2011

"We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language, for we intend to see that the crucible turns our people out as Americans, of American nationality, and not as dwellers in a polyglot boarding-house; and we have room for but one soul loyalty, and that is loyalty to the American people." - Teddy Roosevelt

[AntonioSaucedo]

07:37 PM on 10/10/2011

If you're bilingual, learn more languages.

[Fran Jaime]

06:51 PM on 10/10/2011

I disagree with Gustavo Arellano, bilingualism can extend though generations. You don't have to lose one of the languages, unless you allow it to happen. Pride and knowledge of both languages will help the nextr generation maintain its two languages.

[Danilo-11]

01:42 PM on 10/10/2011

What an ignorant perspective. Where do I start. (1) In Spain, not everybody speak spanish. Spain has 4 major dialects plus their neighbors that speak Portuguese and France (2) Spanish is a mixture of languages, many spanish words come from arabic (3) In Latinoamerica, anybody, no matter where they are from that speaks Spanish, is considered "Latino". I have more in common with all the european immigrants that I grew up (from Portugal, Italy, Hungary, Turkey, etc) with in Latinamerica than any non-spanish speaking latino.

[Gay Iberian]

03:03 PM on 10/10/2011

Spain doesn't recognize the various languages spoken in some of the regions as dialects, but rather as languages and those languages are legally spoken and taught in schools in those regions: Generalitat de Valencia, Comunitat Catalana, Galicia, The Basque country. These regions are autonomous. Spanish is spoken in Spain in many different ways, depending on the type of Latino immigrants that live there and Spaniards, for the most part, don't speak a pure Castellano anymore because of the different influences that language has had. I tend to embrace all Latino/Hispano and feel I have much in common with all Latinos/Hispanics, including France, Portugal, Italy, etc.

[knewsreply]

10:01 AM on 10/10/2011

Language is a major foundation of culture and cultural heritage and I believe it is important that families and communities strengthen cultural heritages; On this I agree with what Yvette Borja,a College Student, was quoted to say. However, the international travel and business language is English. I use four languages to make friends in different parts of the world, but at the airports and in many of my client’s offices, English is the second language. In the USA one can maintain their language and cultural heritage, but to advance in business, entertainment, and many times a good-paying job, a person has to be fluent or extremely conversant in English.

[RobietheCat]

08:32 PM on 10/10/2011

Exactly, I work with high tech groups all over the world, and the way we communicate is with English.

Nothing else comes close. French for diplomacy, Chinese for sheer numbers, but in business and technology, English is the rule. Spanish is essentially insignificant and of little to no consequence.