[Music] [Applause]
one of two ways the most common is Oh
one of two ways the most common is Oh how many languages do you speak when I
how many languages do you speak when I
how many languages do you speak when I say 2 they tend to react with a mixture
say 2 they tend to react with a mixture
say 2 they tend to react with a mixture of pity and encouragement as if to say
of pity and encouragement as if to say
of pity and encouragement as if to say jeez Danny will you keep working and
jeez Danny will you keep working and
jeez Danny will you keep working and maybe you’ll learn another one one day
maybe you’ll learn another one one day
maybe you’ll learn another one one day the other common reaction to my
the other common reaction to my
the other common reaction to my occupation is something like mock fear
occupation is something like mock fear
occupation is something like mock fear oh I better watch what I say around you
oh I better watch what I say around you
oh I better watch what I say around you as if I were going to chastise them for
as if I were going to chastise them for
as if I were going to chastise them for using a naughty word or producing an
using a naughty word or producing an
using a naughty word or producing an ungrammatical sentence if people are
ungrammatical sentence if people are
ungrammatical sentence if people are feeling especially cheeky they might
feeling especially cheeky they might
feeling especially cheeky they might tell me their favorite linguist joke
tell me their favorite linguist joke
tell me their favorite linguist joke something like you know a linguist once
something like you know a linguist once
something like you know a linguist once told me a preposition is a terrible
told me a preposition is a terrible
told me a preposition is a terrible thing to end the sentence with these
thing to end the sentence with these
thing to end the sentence with these reactions are so common that I’ve
reactions are so common that I’ve
reactions are so common that I’ve started telling people that I’m a
started telling people that I’m a
started telling people that I’m a musician at least then the look of pity
musician at least then the look of pity
musician at least then the look of pity and encouragement comes from a place of
and encouragement comes from a place of
and encouragement comes from a place of understanding let me take this
understanding let me take this
understanding let me take this opportunity to say loud and clear that
opportunity to say loud and clear that
opportunity to say loud and clear that you don’t have to be on guard around us
you don’t have to be on guard around us
you don’t have to be on guard around us linguists we’re not the grammar police
linguists we’re not the grammar police
linguists we’re not the grammar police nor are we professional polyglots we
nor are we professional polyglots we
nor are we professional polyglots we don’t learn languages for a living
don’t learn languages for a living
don’t learn languages for a living if you already knew these things
if you already knew these things
if you already knew these things excellent if you didn’t and you do now
excellent if you didn’t and you do now
excellent if you didn’t and you do now well then I’ve already achieved
well then I’ve already achieved
well then I’ve already achieved something with my talk so with what
something with my talk so with what
something with my talk so with what linguists don’t do out of the way what
linguists don’t do out of the way what
linguists don’t do out of the way what is it that we actually do well while all
is it that we actually do well while all
is it that we actually do well while all linguists
linguists
linguists make a living studying human language we
make a living studying human language we
make a living studying human language we focus on answering different questions
focus on answering different questions
focus on answering different questions what’s the nature of linguistic
what’s the nature of linguistic
what’s the nature of linguistic knowledge how is it stored in our brain
knowledge how is it stored in our brain
knowledge how is it stored in our brain access when we have a conversation read
access when we have a conversation read
access when we have a conversation read a book or listen to a lecture how do
a book or listen to a lecture how do
a book or listen to a lecture how do babies learn to talk how did language
babies learn to talk how did language
babies learn to talk how did language evolve in our species
evolve in our species
evolve in our species why do languages vary in change over
why do languages vary in change over
why do languages vary in change over time linguists have answered our still
time linguists have answered our still
time linguists have answered our still formulating answers to all of these
formulating answers to all of these
formulating answers to all of these questions a question that I would like
questions a question that I would like
questions a question that I would like to provide an answer to today for you
to provide an answer to today for you
to provide an answer to today for you all is this what’s the role of language
all is this what’s the role of language
all is this what’s the role of language in society it’s clear to me that
in society it’s clear to me that
in society it’s clear to me that language designed to be a bridge in 1883
language designed to be a bridge in 1883
language designed to be a bridge in 1883 this magnificent bridge came to span the
this magnificent bridge came to span the
this magnificent bridge came to span the East River connecting Brooklyn to
East River connecting Brooklyn to
East River connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan and making New York City as we
Manhattan and making New York City as we
Manhattan and making New York City as we know it possible right now languages
know it possible right now languages
know it possible right now languages spanning the distance between us
spanning the distance between us
spanning the distance between us connecting me and my thoughts to you and
connecting me and my thoughts to you and
connecting me and my thoughts to you and yours
yours
yours language made it possible for me to
language made it possible for me to
language made it possible for me to formulate a stupid joke about how
formulate a stupid joke about how
formulate a stupid joke about how linguist or misunderstood and language
linguist or misunderstood and language
linguist or misunderstood and language made it possible for me to coordinate
made it possible for me to coordinate
made it possible for me to coordinate the activities of my my lungs my vocal
the activities of my my lungs my vocal
the activities of my my lungs my vocal tract my tongue and my lips to disturb
tract my tongue and my lips to disturb
tract my tongue and my lips to disturb atmospheric pressure in such a way as to
atmospheric pressure in such a way as to
atmospheric pressure in such a way as to hit your eardrums activate neurons in
hit your eardrums activate neurons in
hit your eardrums activate neurons in your brain and cause you to laugh some
your brain and cause you to laugh some
your brain and cause you to laugh some of you at least I hope languages are
of you at least I hope languages are
of you at least I hope languages are most powerful tool for connecting with
most powerful tool for connecting with
most powerful tool for connecting with other human beings
other human beings
other human beings so the answer to the question where’s
so the answer to the question where’s
so the answer to the question where’s the role of language in society is to me
the role of language in society is to me
the role of language in society is to me this in its capacity to bridge
this in its capacity to bridge
this in its capacity to bridge individual human minds language makes
individual human minds language makes
individual human minds language makes society possible ok then a great then
society possible ok then a great then
society possible ok then a great then hold on I imagine some of you might be
hold on I imagine some of you might be
hold on I imagine some of you might be thinking isn’t language also sometimes a
thinking isn’t language also sometimes a
thinking isn’t language also sometimes a barrier doesn’t it feel like the exact
barrier doesn’t it feel like the exact
barrier doesn’t it feel like the exact opposite of a bridge sometimes
opposite of a bridge sometimes
opposite of a bridge sometimes absolutely it can sure feel that way
absolutely it can sure feel that way
absolutely it can sure feel that way we’ve all had the experience of not
we’ve all had the experience of not
we’ve all had the experience of not being able to find just the right words
being able to find just the right words
being able to find just the right words to say what it is that we want or that
to say what it is that we want or that
to say what it is that we want or that we want to communicate and if we’ve ever
we want to communicate and if we’ve ever
we want to communicate and if we’ve ever had the opportunity to travel abroad
had the opportunity to travel abroad
had the opportunity to travel abroad you’ve probably also had the experience
you’ve probably also had the experience
you’ve probably also had the experience of being in a place where the people
of being in a place where the people
of being in a place where the people around you are using words and sounds
around you are using words and sounds
around you are using words and sounds that are unfamiliar to you nothing can
that are unfamiliar to you nothing can
that are unfamiliar to you nothing can feel more isolating than not being able
feel more isolating than not being able
feel more isolating than not being able to use the local way of speaking in a
to use the local way of speaking in a
to use the local way of speaking in a community in which we find ourselves
community in which we find ourselves
community in which we find ourselves however if you consider each of these
however if you consider each of these
however if you consider each of these cases carefully what you’ll see
cases carefully what you’ll see
cases carefully what you’ll see that the solution to the problems they
that the solution to the problems they
that the solution to the problems they present breaking through the
present breaking through the
present breaking through the communication barrier overcoming those
communication barrier overcoming those
communication barrier overcoming those feelings of isolation lies in more
feelings of isolation lies in more
feelings of isolation lies in more language it lies in finding the right
language it lies in finding the right
language it lies in finding the right words to communicate what you have in
words to communicate what you have in
words to communicate what you have in your mind
your mind
your mind it lies in putting in the work to learn
it lies in putting in the work to learn
it lies in putting in the work to learn the ways of speaking of the community in
the ways of speaking of the community in
the ways of speaking of the community in which you find yourself I’d like you to
which you find yourself I’d like you to
which you find yourself I’d like you to take just a moment to think about how
take just a moment to think about how
take just a moment to think about how you felt when you’ve done that that is
you felt when you’ve done that that is
you felt when you’ve done that that is when you’ve made a linguistic connection
when you’ve made a linguistic connection
when you’ve made a linguistic connection that was difficult to make either
that was difficult to make either
that was difficult to make either because it was a real struggle to find
because it was a real struggle to find
because it was a real struggle to find the right words to communicate to
the right words to communicate to
the right words to communicate to another person what you had in your mind
another person what you had in your mind
another person what you had in your mind or because you put in the labor to learn
or because you put in the labor to learn
or because you put in the labor to learn the ways of speaking of a new community
the ways of speaking of a new community
the ways of speaking of a new community I hope you’ll agree with me that this
I hope you’ll agree with me that this
I hope you’ll agree with me that this feels good satisfying even thrilling I
feels good satisfying even thrilling I
feels good satisfying even thrilling I hope you’ll also agree with me that it’s
hope you’ll also agree with me that it’s
hope you’ll also agree with me that it’s something that we have an instinct to do
something that we have an instinct to do
something that we have an instinct to do that is we have strong natural urges to
that is we have strong natural urges to
that is we have strong natural urges to connect with those around us via
connect with those around us via
connect with those around us via language ok so now we know what it is
language ok so now we know what it is
language ok so now we know what it is that linguist don’t do we have a sense
that linguist don’t do we have a sense
that linguist don’t do we have a sense of what linguist actually do and we have
of what linguist actually do and we have
of what linguist actually do and we have an answer to the question what is the
an answer to the question what is the
an answer to the question what is the role of language in society it makes
role of language in society it makes
role of language in society it makes society possible by bridging individual
society possible by bridging individual
society possible by bridging individual human minds I’d like to take these ideas
human minds I’d like to take these ideas
human minds I’d like to take these ideas and apply them to our American society
and apply them to our American society
and apply them to our American society what if someone told you that in our
what if someone told you that in our
what if someone told you that in our country there was a large group of
country there was a large group of
country there was a large group of people who didn’t use language this way
people who didn’t use language this way
people who didn’t use language this way that there were literally millions of
that there were literally millions of
that there were literally millions of people who suppressed their urge to
people who suppressed their urge to
people who suppressed their urge to linguistically connect with their fellow
linguistically connect with their fellow
linguistically connect with their fellow Americans in light of what we’ve just
Americans in light of what we’ve just
Americans in light of what we’ve just been talking about you might be
been talking about you might be
been talking about you might be surprised by that you might even find it
surprised by that you might even find it
surprised by that you might even find it strange or difficult to believe but this
strange or difficult to believe but this
strange or difficult to believe but this is precisely what a number of powerful
is precisely what a number of powerful
is precisely what a number of powerful and influential individuals are asking
and influential individuals are asking
and influential individuals are asking you to believe when it comes to
you to believe when it comes to
you to believe when it comes to Americans who were born outside of the
Americans who were born outside of the
Americans who were born outside of the United States and who moved here later
United States and who moved here later
United States and who moved here later in life I’m of course talking about
in life I’m of course talking about
in life I’m of course talking about immigrants and I’m talking about the
immigrants and I’m talking about the
immigrants and I’m talking about the idea that immigrants are unwilling
idea that immigrants are unwilling
idea that immigrants are unwilling unmotivated
unmotivated
unmotivated or unable to learn English
or unable to learn English
or unable to learn English if you doubt that this is something that
if you doubt that this is something that
if you doubt that this is something that anyone actually thinks let me provide
anyone actually thinks let me provide
anyone actually thinks let me provide you with three data points that not only
you with three data points that not only
you with three data points that not only show this kind of thinking in action but
show this kind of thinking in action but
show this kind of thinking in action but that demonstrate how it has made its way
that demonstrate how it has made its way
that demonstrate how it has made its way into our highest levels of political and
into our highest levels of political and
into our highest levels of political and academic discourse this is Harvard
academic discourse this is Harvard
academic discourse this is Harvard political scientists in New York Times
political scientists in New York Times
political scientists in New York Times bestselling author Samuel Huntington and
bestselling author Samuel Huntington and
bestselling author Samuel Huntington and this is the first page of an article he
this is the first page of an article he
this is the first page of an article he wrote in 2009 called the Hispanic
wrote in 2009 called the Hispanic
wrote in 2009 called the Hispanic challenge according to Huntington unlike
challenge according to Huntington unlike
challenge according to Huntington unlike past immigrant groups Mexicans and other
past immigrant groups Mexicans and other
past immigrant groups Mexicans and other Latinos have not assimilated into
Latinos have not assimilated into
Latinos have not assimilated into mainstream u.s. culture forming instead
mainstream u.s. culture forming instead
mainstream u.s. culture forming instead their own political and linguistic
their own political and linguistic
their own political and linguistic enclaves and this is Patrick Buchanan
enclaves and this is Patrick Buchanan
enclaves and this is Patrick Buchanan also a New York Times bestselling author
also a New York Times bestselling author
also a New York Times bestselling author and advisor to presidents Nixon Ford and
and advisor to presidents Nixon Ford and
and advisor to presidents Nixon Ford and Reagan in his book suicide of a
Reagan in his book suicide of a
Reagan in his book suicide of a superpower he warns of the undoing of
superpower he warns of the undoing of
superpower he warns of the undoing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which
the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which
the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which ended the Mexican American War and gave
ended the Mexican American War and gave
ended the Mexican American War and gave the u.s. claim too much of the American
the u.s. claim too much of the American
the u.s. claim too much of the American West
West
West according to Buchanan Mexico is moving
according to Buchanan Mexico is moving
according to Buchanan Mexico is moving north ethnically linguistically and
north ethnically linguistically and
north ethnically linguistically and culturally the verdict of 1848 is being
culturally the verdict of 1848 is being
culturally the verdict of 1848 is being overturned will this Mexican nation
overturned will this Mexican nation
overturned will this Mexican nation within a nation advance the goals of the
within a nation advance the goals of the
within a nation advance the goals of the Constitution or has our passivity in the
Constitution or has our passivity in the
Constitution or has our passivity in the face of this invasion imperiled our
face of this invasion imperiled our
face of this invasion imperiled our nation finally consider a press
nation finally consider a press
nation finally consider a press conference that was held in the
conference that was held in the
conference that was held in the Roosevelt Room of the White House over
Roosevelt Room of the White House over
Roosevelt Room of the White House over the summer during which President Trump
the summer during which President Trump
the summer during which President Trump endorsed the raise act a bill proposed
endorsed the raise act a bill proposed
endorsed the raise act a bill proposed by Senators Tom cotton and David Perdue
by Senators Tom cotton and David Perdue
by Senators Tom cotton and David Perdue that would revise u.s. immigration
that would revise u.s. immigration
that would revise u.s. immigration policy to include English proficiency
policy to include English proficiency
policy to include English proficiency tests for hopeful immigrants in his
tests for hopeful immigrants in his
tests for hopeful immigrants in his praise of the bill President Trump
praise of the bill President Trump
praise of the bill President Trump signaled his belief that immigrants to
signaled his belief that immigrants to
signaled his belief that immigrants to the United States are currently failing
the United States are currently failing
the United States are currently failing to assimilate the reforms in the raise
to assimilate the reforms in the raise
to assimilate the reforms in the raise act will help ensure that newcomers to
act will help ensure that newcomers to
act will help ensure that newcomers to our wonderful country will be
our wonderful country will be
our wonderful country will be assimilated
assimilated
assimilated so our immigrants actually failing to
so our immigrants actually failing to
so our immigrants actually failing to assimilate
assimilate
assimilate is there a Mexican nation within the
is there a Mexican nation within the
is there a Mexican nation within the nation is the Hispanic challenge real
nation is the Hispanic challenge real
nation is the Hispanic challenge real might it be possible for us to
might it be possible for us to
might it be possible for us to investigate these questions
investigate these questions
investigate these questions empirically might there be a group of
empirically might there be a group of
empirically might there be a group of people who have a professional interest
people who have a professional interest
people who have a professional interest in collecting and analyzing the kind of
in collecting and analyzing the kind of
in collecting and analyzing the kind of data that would allow us to do this yes
data that would allow us to do this yes
data that would allow us to do this yes and it’s not the grammar police for the
and it’s not the grammar police for the
and it’s not the grammar police for the last several years I and other linguists
last several years I and other linguists
last several years I and other linguists have been studying the linguistic
have been studying the linguistic
have been studying the linguistic behavior of spanish-speaking immigrants
behavior of spanish-speaking immigrants
behavior of spanish-speaking immigrants and their us-born children in New York
and their us-born children in New York
and their us-born children in New York City and Boston cities with large
City and Boston cities with large
City and Boston cities with large long-established and growing Latino
long-established and growing Latino
long-established and growing Latino populations as well as cities with
populations as well as cities with
populations as well as cities with neighborhoods that are well known for
neighborhoods that are well known for
neighborhoods that are well known for their high concentrations of
their high concentrations of
their high concentrations of spanish-speaking residents and
spanish-speaking residents and
spanish-speaking residents and businesses our data make it possible to
businesses our data make it possible to
businesses our data make it possible to treat the Hispanic challenge as
treat the Hispanic challenge as
treat the Hispanic challenge as hypothesis one that makes predictions
hypothesis one that makes predictions
hypothesis one that makes predictions about the linguistic behavior of
about the linguistic behavior of
about the linguistic behavior of spanish-speaking immigrants and their
spanish-speaking immigrants and their
spanish-speaking immigrants and their us-born children
us-born children
us-born children so the basic prediction is one of
so the basic prediction is one of
so the basic prediction is one of linguistic non assimilation what would
linguistic non assimilation what would
linguistic non assimilation what would this look like with respect to language
this look like with respect to language
this look like with respect to language use and attitudes well presumably
use and attitudes well presumably
use and attitudes well presumably spanish-speaking immigrants to the US
spanish-speaking immigrants to the US
spanish-speaking immigrants to the US and their us-born children would you
and their us-born children would you
and their us-born children would you Spanish a lot and also have positive
Spanish a lot and also have positive
Spanish a lot and also have positive attitudes towards it by comparison we
attitudes towards it by comparison we
attitudes towards it by comparison we would expect these people to use English
would expect these people to use English
would expect these people to use English relatively infrequently and have at
relatively infrequently and have at
relatively infrequently and have at least not as good an attitude towards
least not as good an attitude towards
least not as good an attitude towards English as they do towards Spanish the
English as they do towards Spanish the
English as they do towards Spanish the data that I’m going to share to you that
data that I’m going to share to you that
data that I’m going to share to you that bear on these predictions come from
bear on these predictions come from
bear on these predictions come from interviews with 332 spanish-speaking
interviews with 332 spanish-speaking
interviews with 332 spanish-speaking adults these individuals range in terms
adults these individuals range in terms
adults these individuals range in terms of how long they’ve been in the u.s.
of how long they’ve been in the u.s.
of how long they’ve been in the u.s. some are very recent arrivals others
some are very recent arrivals others
some are very recent arrivals others have spent their entire lives in the
have spent their entire lives in the
have spent their entire lives in the United States they range in terms of
United States they range in terms of
United States they range in terms of their regional or geographic origins and
their regional or geographic origins and
their regional or geographic origins and ancestry they are representative of 20
ancestry they are representative of 20
ancestry they are representative of 20 different latin-american locales and
different latin-american locales and
different latin-american locales and they also run the socio-economic gamut
they also run the socio-economic gamut
they also run the socio-economic gamut all of our participants were paid for
all of our participants were paid for
all of our participants were paid for their time they were interviewed in
their time they were interviewed in
their time they were interviewed in Spanish they were assured that their
Spanish they were assured that their
Spanish they were assured that their identities would remain in
identities would remain in
identities would remain in and as far as I can tell I actually
and as far as I can tell I actually
and as far as I can tell I actually think they had fun participating in our
think they had fun participating in our
think they had fun participating in our study we have every reason to believe
study we have every reason to believe
study we have every reason to believe that they answered our questions
that they answered our questions
that they answered our questions truthfully and as best they could so I
truthfully and as best they could so I
truthfully and as best they could so I want to show you results for three of
want to show you results for three of
want to show you results for three of the many questions that we asked the
the many questions that we asked the
the many questions that we asked the first has to do with language use which
first has to do with language use which
first has to do with language use which language or languages did you speak with
language or languages did you speak with
language or languages did you speak with your mother father siblings kids friends
your mother father siblings kids friends
your mother father siblings kids friends boss co-workers classmates significant
boss co-workers classmates significant
boss co-workers classmates significant other the options we gave people was
other the options we gave people was
other the options we gave people was just Spanish exclusively Spanish just
just Spanish exclusively Spanish just
just Spanish exclusively Spanish just English or both second question would
English or both second question would
English or both second question would you like your children or grandchildren
you like your children or grandchildren
you like your children or grandchildren and grandchildren to learn Spanish
and grandchildren to learn Spanish
and grandchildren to learn Spanish English or both languages and then
English or both languages and then
English or both languages and then finally are you in favor of our do you
finally are you in favor of our do you
finally are you in favor of our do you oppose legislation that would make
oppose legislation that would make
oppose legislation that would make English the official language of the
English the official language of the
English the official language of the United States so to see whether answers
United States so to see whether answers
United States so to see whether answers to these questions varied with respect
to these questions varied with respect
to these questions varied with respect to experience in the United States we
to experience in the United States we
to experience in the United States we grouped our participants into three
grouped our participants into three
grouped our participants into three categories newcomers established
categories newcomers established
categories newcomers established immigrants and u.s. born the newcomers
immigrants and u.s. born the newcomers
immigrants and u.s. born the newcomers were people who were born outside of the
were people who were born outside of the
were people who were born outside of the US who came here after their 16th
US who came here after their 16th
US who came here after their 16th birthday and had spent less than six
birthday and had spent less than six
birthday and had spent less than six years in the United States when we
years in the United States when we
years in the United States when we interviewed them the established
interviewed them the established
interviewed them the established immigrants were also born outside of the
immigrants were also born outside of the
immigrants were also born outside of the US arrived after their 16th birthday but
US arrived after their 16th birthday but
US arrived after their 16th birthday but had spent more than 6 years in the US
had spent more than 6 years in the US
had spent more than 6 years in the US when we interviewed them and then
when we interviewed them and then
when we interviewed them and then finally the u.s. born were just that so
finally the u.s. born were just that so
finally the u.s. born were just that so let’s look at the results starting with
let’s look at the results starting with
let’s look at the results starting with the usage of Spanish English or both
the usage of Spanish English or both
the usage of Spanish English or both with mother now what you’re gonna see up
with mother now what you’re gonna see up
with mother now what you’re gonna see up here are a number of squares and there’s
here are a number of squares and there’s
here are a number of squares and there’s going to be three colors on each square
going to be three colors on each square
going to be three colors on each square they’re going to correspond to the
they’re going to correspond to the
they’re going to correspond to the answers and in each square there will be
answers and in each square there will be
answers and in each square there will be three columns one column corresponding
three columns one column corresponding
three columns one column corresponding to each of our immigrant groups I’ll
to each of our immigrant groups I’ll
to each of our immigrant groups I’ll walk you through it okay so here in this
walk you through it okay so here in this
walk you through it okay so here in this first square we see responses to the
first square we see responses to the
first square we see responses to the question which language did or do you
question which language did or do you
question which language did or do you use with your mother on the Left we see
use with your mother on the Left we see
use with your mother on the Left we see a column for newcomers where we see
a column for newcomers where we see
a column for newcomers where we see almost exclusively blue what that means
almost exclusively blue what that means
almost exclusively blue what that means is about 98 percent of the people who we
is about 98 percent of the people who we
is about 98 percent of the people who we put into the category newcomers answered
put into the category newcomers answered
put into the category newcomers answered this question exclusively Spanish you
this question exclusively Spanish you
this question exclusively Spanish you can see there’s a small
can see there’s a small
can see there’s a small fraction of red indicating that some
fraction of red indicating that some
fraction of red indicating that some small number of people in that in that
small number of people in that in that
small number of people in that in that category you Spanish in English with
category you Spanish in English with
category you Spanish in English with their mother if you shift to the middle
their mother if you shift to the middle
their mother if you shift to the middle column the established immigrants you
column the established immigrants you
column the established immigrants you see that the blue has diminished we all
see that the blue has diminished we all
see that the blue has diminished we all of a sudden have some green which is
of a sudden have some green which is
of a sudden have some green which is exclusive English use and there’s more
exclusive English use and there’s more
exclusive English use and there’s more red the trend continues if you look at
red the trend continues if you look at
red the trend continues if you look at the final column that is the column on
the final column that is the column on
the final column that is the column on the right the us-born you see less blue
the right the us-born you see less blue
the right the us-born you see less blue more red and more green we see a shift
more red and more green we see a shift
more red and more green we see a shift away from exclusive Spanish use with
away from exclusive Spanish use with
away from exclusive Spanish use with mother to an increased use of English we
mother to an increased use of English we
mother to an increased use of English we see the same pattern among father
siblings and then children notice the
siblings and then children notice the trend less blue from left-to-right
trend less blue from left-to-right
trend less blue from left-to-right within each group more green and more
within each group more green and more
within each group more green and more red an even more dramatic pattern of
red an even more dramatic pattern of
red an even more dramatic pattern of language shift occurs outside of the
language shift occurs outside of the
language shift occurs outside of the family here we have significant other
friends co-workers and boss so the thing
friends co-workers and boss so the thing to note about these four squares is the
to note about these four squares is the
to note about these four squares is the overall low level of blue compared to
overall low level of blue compared to
overall low level of blue compared to inside of the family and the increase in
inside of the family and the increase in
inside of the family and the increase in green and red across Newcomer
green and red across Newcomer
green and red across Newcomer established immigrants and u.s. born
established immigrants and u.s. born
established immigrants and u.s. born let’s look at our next question would
let’s look at our next question would
let’s look at our next question would you like your children and grandchildren
you like your children and grandchildren
you like your children and grandchildren to learn Spanish English or both
to learn Spanish English or both
to learn Spanish English or both languages 99 percent of our respondents
languages 99 percent of our respondents
languages 99 percent of our respondents said both only one percent said
said both only one percent said
said both only one percent said something other than 99 percent and it
something other than 99 percent and it
something other than 99 percent and it was a plug for English only finally are
was a plug for English only finally are
was a plug for English only finally are you in favor of or do you oppose
you in favor of or do you oppose
you in favor of or do you oppose legislation that would make English the
legislation that would make English the
legislation that would make English the official language of the United States a
official language of the United States a
official language of the United States a full two thirds of our respondents were
full two thirds of our respondents were
full two thirds of our respondents were in favor of English only legislation
in favor of English only legislation
in favor of English only legislation these results run across City which is
these results run across City which is
these results run across City which is to say there’s no difference in these
to say there’s no difference in these
to say there’s no difference in these trends in new york and boston they ruin
trends in new york and boston they ruin
trends in new york and boston they ruin across men and women both men and women
across men and women both men and women
across men and women both men and women participate in these trends and have
participate in these trends and have
participate in these trends and have these answers to these questions
these answers to these questions
these answers to these questions these trends also emerge across widely
these trends also emerge across widely
these trends also emerge across widely varying regional origin which is to say
varying regional origin which is to say
varying regional origin which is to say people of Mexican ancestry don’t answer
people of Mexican ancestry don’t answer
people of Mexican ancestry don’t answer these questions differently than people
these questions differently than people
these questions differently than people of Salvadoran ancestry or dominican
of Salvadoran ancestry or dominican
of Salvadoran ancestry or dominican ancestry finally these answers and these
ancestry finally these answers and these
ancestry finally these answers and these trends emerge across all levels of
trends emerge across all levels of
trends emerge across all levels of socioeconomic status so are these
socioeconomic status so are these
socioeconomic status so are these results surprising in the light of the
results surprising in the light of the
results surprising in the light of the view that language is a bridge one that
view that language is a bridge one that
view that language is a bridge one that we instinctively want to cross no
we instinctively want to cross no
we instinctively want to cross no they’re not
they’re not
they’re not in fact these results about the
in fact these results about the
in fact these results about the linguistic behavior of spanish-speaking
linguistic behavior of spanish-speaking
linguistic behavior of spanish-speaking immigrants in their us-born children are
immigrants in their us-born children are
immigrants in their us-born children are consistent with what linguists have
consistent with what linguists have
consistent with what linguists have known about immigrants to the US for a
known about immigrants to the US for a
known about immigrants to the US for a very long time they adopt the ways of
very long time they adopt the ways of
very long time they adopt the ways of speaking of the communities that they
speaking of the communities that they
speaking of the communities that they immigrate to so you may have heard the
immigrate to so you may have heard the
immigrate to so you may have heard the us described as a country of immigrants
us described as a country of immigrants
us described as a country of immigrants this is a good description of its past
this is a good description of its past
this is a good description of its past and present population between 1980 and
and present population between 1980 and
and present population between 1980 and 2015 nearly 30 million people immigrated
2015 nearly 30 million people immigrated
2015 nearly 30 million people immigrated to the United States bringing with them
to the United States bringing with them
to the United States bringing with them their own ways of speaking there is
their own ways of speaking there is
their own ways of speaking there is arguably more linguistic diversity in
arguably more linguistic diversity in
arguably more linguistic diversity in the United States now than there ever
the United States now than there ever
the United States now than there ever has been
has been
has been has this plagued our country with
has this plagued our country with
has this plagued our country with linguistic separatism there are a series
linguistic separatism there are a series
linguistic separatism there are a series of Nations within the nation no it’s
of Nations within the nation no it’s
of Nations within the nation no it’s because the Hispanic challenge isn’t
because the Hispanic challenge isn’t
because the Hispanic challenge isn’t real
real
real nor is any other challenge claiming a
nor is any other challenge claiming a
nor is any other challenge claiming a particular immigrant group is unwilling
particular immigrant group is unwilling
particular immigrant group is unwilling unable or uninterested in making
unable or uninterested in making
unable or uninterested in making linguistic connections with their fellow
linguistic connections with their fellow
linguistic connections with their fellow Americans in fact all of the available
Americans in fact all of the available
Americans in fact all of the available data studies like the one I just
data studies like the one I just
data studies like the one I just described and others like it tell us
described and others like it tell us
described and others like it tell us that English proficiency and linguistic
that English proficiency and linguistic
that English proficiency and linguistic diversity are simultaneously on the rise
diversity are simultaneously on the rise
diversity are simultaneously on the rise in the United States a recent report
in the United States a recent report
in the United States a recent report from the migration policy institute put
from the migration policy institute put
from the migration policy institute put it this way while a record sixty four
it this way while a record sixty four
it this way while a record sixty four point seven million people ages five and
point seven million people ages five and
point seven million people ages five and older in the United States spoke a
older in the United States spoke a
older in the United States spoke a language other than English at home in
language other than English at home in
language other than English at home in 2015 a growing share of them are also
2015 a growing share of them are also
2015 a growing share of them are also fully proficient in English there’s
fully proficient in English there’s
fully proficient in English there’s nothing remarkable about this most
nothing remarkable about this most
nothing remarkable about this most people on earth are multilingual
people on earth are multilingual
people on earth are multilingual the human brain evolved to acquire and
the human brain evolved to acquire and
the human brain evolved to acquire and use multiple ways of speaking we don’t
use multiple ways of speaking we don’t
use multiple ways of speaking we don’t need the legislate English proficiency
need the legislate English proficiency
need the legislate English proficiency no one is more aware of the power and
no one is more aware of the power and
no one is more aware of the power and value of the words and sounds that the
value of the words and sounds that the
value of the words and sounds that the majority of Americans use the ones I’m
majority of Americans use the ones I’m
majority of Americans use the ones I’m using right now then an immigrant is it
using right now then an immigrant is it
using right now then an immigrant is it seems fitting to me that this
seems fitting to me that this
seems fitting to me that this magnificent bridge the one that brought
magnificent bridge the one that brought
magnificent bridge the one that brought our biggest city into its modern
our biggest city into its modern
our biggest city into its modern existence was designed by an immigrant
existence was designed by an immigrant
existence was designed by an immigrant and built by his us born son along with
and built by his us born son along with
and built by his us born son along with a lot of help from his wife it’s a
a lot of help from his wife it’s a
a lot of help from his wife it’s a fascinating story for another day but I
fascinating story for another day but I
fascinating story for another day but I love it because it’s a symbol of our
love it because it’s a symbol of our
love it because it’s a symbol of our powerful urge to make linguistic
powerful urge to make linguistic
powerful urge to make linguistic connections with each other and I hope
connections with each other and I hope
connections with each other and I hope you keep it in mind
you keep it in mind
you keep it in mind going forward the next time you think
going forward the next time you think
going forward the next time you think about the role of language in society I
about the role of language in society I
about the role of language in society I also hope that if you ever come across a
also hope that if you ever come across a
also hope that if you ever come across a linguist at a party and they look a
linguist at a party and they look a
linguist at a party and they look a little sad and dejected and
little sad and dejected and
little sad and dejected and misunderstood you go up to them and you
misunderstood you go up to them and you
misunderstood you go up to them and you tell them using your own capacity for
tell them using your own capacity for
tell them using your own capacity for linguistic connection that you know what
linguistic connection that you know what
linguistic connection that you know what they do for a living and that a linguist
they do for a living and that a linguist
they do for a living and that a linguist once told you that language is a bridge
once told you that language is a bridge
once told you that language is a bridge not a barrier thank you
not a barrier thank you
not a barrier thank you [Applause]
”
Be First to Comment