Episode 6: Español Spoken Here -How Hispanics Keep the Spanish Language Alive and Kicking in the U.S.

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In this episode, we review a report from the Pew Research Center that examines the views and experiences of U.S. Latinos regarding the Spanish language. Based on a 2022 survey of 3,029 Latino adults, the study explores the significance of Spanish in Latino identity, generational changes in language fluency, and the prevalence of Spanglish.

While many U.S. Latinos speak Spanish, a significant portion do not, especially among later generations. This lack of fluency can sometimes lead to feelings of shame or ridicule from others within the community. The report also highlights the connections between language proficiency, generational status, and attitudes toward the future of Spanish among U.S. Latinos.

Lastly, we discuss how the study emphasizes the importance of maintaining Spanish fluency to strengthen one's Hispanic identity.